If you live in a large, urban area, you may get around on foot, on your bike, or using public transportation. In many cities, a car simply isn't a necessity, and not having a car can save you money and make your life less stressful.
However, there may be times when not having access to a car is inconvenient. You might need to get to a meeting across town in a hurry or pick up several bags of groceries that it'll be difficult to carry home, for instance. Having a car in these situations could make things a lot easier. Fortunately, there's a way for you to have access to a car without owning or renting it. Many city dwellers are experimenting with something called car sharing, which lets them use and share cars conveniently parked in various locations around town. Here are some of the benefits of car sharing:
1. You don't have to worry about insurance or gas
Most car-sharing services, including the popular Zipcar and car2go, cover the costs of gas and insurance for you. If you get in a car accident in a car you're sharing, you don't have to worry about dealing with the aftermath in terms of the insurance. Additionally, you avoid having to pay the pesky insurance fees you'd have to pay each month as a car owner. Since gas is an expense most car owners and renters dread having to pay, having the costs associated with fuel is taken care of for you is a definite perk of car sharing.
2. You're doing the environment a favor
It helps the environment when you choose to forgo owning a car and only use a vehicle to get around when you absolutely need to. Those who participate in car-sharing programs reduce their carbon footprints and help create a more sustainable future for generations to come. Something as simple as car-sharing may not seem like it'll make much of a difference in the long run, but every small effort counts for something, especially when it comes to saving the earth.
3. You'll get to try out different cars
Most car-sharing services provide their program members with a number of different vehicle options. As a car sharer, you may get to drive a hybrid to the grocery store, a sports car to the doctor's office, and a pickup truck to a concert. If you enjoy driving and enjoy trying out different cars, you'll probably enjoy car sharing.
Car sharing is a reliable alternative to owning your own car, but adjusting to life without your own wheels can be tough. Can you imagine yourself becoming a car sharer, instead of a vehicle owner? Let us know!
Author Bio
Rebecca Morris is a guest blogger and freelance writer who contributes to various sites about cars and curates content for carinsurance.org. When Rebecca's not writing, she's researching car insurance trends and green technology. Please leave your questions and comments for Rebecca below!