Rules of Vehicle Use
Members are required to follow these rules. Applicants must read this before they apply or before they pay membership fees. We must have record of your acceptance of these rules before you can drive a Zipcar.
Capitalized terms used in this Schedule shall have the same meaning assigned to such terms in the Membership Contract and Corporate Membership Contract.
Only Zipcar Members are allowed to drive Zipcar vehicles.
any speed race, competition, or timely delivery of goods;
for the purpose of towing, pushing, or propelling any trailer or any other vehicle;
for the primary business purpose of transporting people or operating a taxi service;
by any person who is under the influence of (i) alcohol or (ii) any drug or medication under the effects of which the operation of a vehicle is prohibited or not recommended;
in the carrying out of any crime or any other illegal activity;
in an imprudent or abusive manner or for any abnormal use of this vehicle;
by any person who has provided Zipcar with false information or whose representations are determined to be false (including, without limitation, regarding his name, age, or address);
to drive a Zipcar vehicle from the US into Canada without a valid insurance card (provided, however, that Canadian residents and citizens are prohibited by Canada customs from driving a Zipcar vehicle with US license plates into Canada from the US); or
to drive a Zipcar vehicle from the US into Mexico and any use of a Zipcar vehicle in Mexico.
Zipcar reserves the right to immediately suspend the use of its service to any Member for a violation of any of the provisions above, or for a breach of any provision of the Contract. Upon suspension, any existing reservations for the Member or Associate Members (as the case may be) may be cancelled by Zipcar at its discretion. In addition, Members will be responsible for any and all charges, fees and expenses incurred by Zipcar as a result of a breach of any of the foregoing prohibitions.
In some circumstances Zipcar may request mileage and trip documentation from a driver or estimate usage data from available data for the purpose of billing or providing information to Zipcar's business, college and/or university customers of which Member is associated.
Reservations are required. You must always reserve a vehicle in advance of use.
Use of a vehicle for a period of longer than four days contiguously may be arranged at Zipcar's discretion only with a Zipcar representative.
Time period. The minimum period for which a vehicle can be reserved is one hour. A vehicle can be reserved in half-hour increments thereafter.
Canceling or shortening a reservation. If you wish to cancel a reservation or shorten the period for which a vehicle has been reserved, you must do so at least three hours before the start of such period. Reservations of 8 hours or more must be cancelled 24 hours in advance of their start. Reservations cancelled or shortened less than three hours before the start of the reservation period within these periods may be subject to certain penalties, as further described in the Penalty Policy.
Extending a reservation. You may extend a reservation only if another Member has not already reserved the vehicle during the period you wish to extend through.
$3.50 Service charge. You will be charged a $3.50 service charge per call when a member services representative makes, extends or cancels a reservation for you. There is no service charge when you make, extend or cancel reservations yourself by website or automated phone system. If you are disabled and your disability prevents you from using the website or the automated phone system, and you identify yourself as disabled, we will then waive this service charge.
You must pick up the selected vehicle at its designated Zipcar parking space and return it secured, clean and in good working order, to the correct and designated Zipcar space, no later than at the end of the period it has been reserved for. You are responsible for assessing the condition of the vehicle you reserve and drive as noted below and while you are operating it.
Prior to taking possession of a vehicle, you must do an exterior walk-around and an interior look-over. Before driving the vehicle, you must advise Zipcar by phone of any new damage or abnormality encountered on the vehicle or in the operation of the vehicle. If Zipcar is not notified of a problem at the start of a reservation, then we will necessarily assume that you caused the problem.
After each use, the key to the vehicle must remain in the vehicle in the designated position. The period of reservation ends when the user secures the car with the Zipcard. The user will be billed for the full amount of the reserved time period, even if the car is returned early.
Zipcars must be returned no later than the end time of the reservation. Should a member return a vehicle late, they will be responsible for late fees as described in the Penalty Policy. Zipcar reserves the right to suspend or terminate a membership if the member repeatedly returns vehicles late.
You must advise Zipcar immediately if you fail to leave the keys in the vehicle. You must pay the hourly rate for using the vehicle until the key is returned.
Reserving members are responsible for all charges and costs incurred for Zipcar vehicle use from the time of pickup to the time the car is returned and secured and serviceable (All accessories off, key out of ignition and in proper place, all windows, doors, hatches, sunroofs and other openings closed) to its designated location. Members are required to report to Zipcar immediately by phone any condition that renders the car unserviceable, including poor driving feel, external or internal damage that renders the car unsafe, including but not limited to, missing or inoperable signal or driving lighting, broken or missing rear-view mirrors and windshield glass.
Refueling - When you use a Zipcar vehicle, Zipcar is responsible for the cost of fuel, provided however, when returning the vehicle, you must ensure that the tank is at least 1/4 full. Zipcar reserves the right to charge Member a penalty of $20 if Member returns the vehicle with less than 1/4 of a tank of gas. Member acknowledges and agrees that Zipcar gas cards may only be used to fuel Zipcar vehicles and may not be used to fuel any other vehicle.
Eligible Expenses - An "Eligible Expense" is defined as an expense incurred by the Member for minor (under $30) routine maintenance on Zipcar vehicles, such as fuel, new wiper blades, light bulbs, or windshield-washer fluid. Any expense (other than fuel) that exceeds $30 must be authorized in writing prior to incurrence by a Zipcar Representative in order to qualify as an Eligible Expense. If you pay for an Eligible Expense, you must keep the receipt and note the odometer reading at the time of the purchase on it. Please print your name on the receipt and fax (617.995.4300) or mail it to us and we will deduct it from your bill. No credit will be given without a receipt.
Zipcar will perform routine maintenance on all of its vehicles. However, on longer reservations and otherwise as needed, we expect Members to take responsibility for the cleanliness and driving safety of the vehicle.
Member's Responsibility. Members must be responsive to all warning lights, chimes and other indicators and alerts. You are responsible for routine maintenance such as checking fluid levels and cleaning the vehicle as needed. While Zipcar will take the cars in for regular servicing, you should make minor repairs to render the car safe for use, or have them made, all of which will be Eligible Expenses, subject to the provisions of this Contract. Examples include replacing wiper blades and light bulbs.
Refund of Expenses. Eligible Expenses incurred by the Member will be deducted from the Member's monthly bill. The Member must show the receipts of these transactions to Zipcar according to the procedure described at section 7.2. No credit will be given without a receipt.
Car wash. Zipcar will reimburse up to $15, and give the Member one hour of driving credit if he or she chooses to wash the car.
Windshield washer. Please fill up the reservoir if empty. Windshield wiper fluid is an Eligible Expense.
Cleanliness of windows. Please make sure that all windows of the car are clean enough to drive safely.
Inappropriate noises or driving feel, including but not limited to warning lamps, indicators, inappropriate sounds, performance changes or unusual driving feel, must be reported to Zipcar, as soon as noted. Failure to report such irregularities during the use of a Zipcar vehicle may result in such Member's immediate suspension or cancellation of the Member's membership.
All breakdowns or accidents involving Zipcar vehicles must be reported to Zipcar immediately by phone to 1.866.4ZIPCAR.
Breakdown. When using a vehicle, you must follow the owner's manual's instructions. If a problem arises that prevents or limits the use of the vehicle or that may compromise people's safety, you must immediately notify Zipcar and dispose of the vehicle in a safe manner in accordance with Zipcar's instructions. Members may make outlays for towing, repairs, and other expenses, as authorized by a Zipcar Representative, or you may charge them to Zipcar's account. When a Member makes outlays, such outlays shall be deducted from such Member's monthly bill upon presentation of the appropriate receipts, provided that they qualify as Eligible Expenses or have been previously approved by the Zipcar Representative.
Jump start. If you perform a jump start to the Zipcar vehicle, you must inform Zipcar immediately or upon returning the vehicle at the end of your reservation. You are fully responsible for any damage that may result from the improper use of jumper cables. It is strictly forbidden to provide a jump start to any vehicle other than a Zipcar vehicle.
Accident. In case of an accident involving property damage or any other person, the Member must fill out an official police report form, and, if possible, provide a jointly agreed-upon statement, complete Zipcar's accident report form, and obtain the following information:
Date, time, and place of accident;
The license plate numbers of any other vehicles involved, their make and year, their identification number (serial number), and the insurance certificate's number (with name, address and phone number of the insurance agent);
The names, addresses, and driver's license numbers of the persons involved in the accident;
The name, address, and driver's license number of the owner of the car (if he or she is not the driver);
The name, addresses, and phone number of witnesses, passengers, and any other involved persons;
Circumstances of the accident; and
If the circumstances indicate the Member is not at fault, a police report will be required.
Investigation and procedure. You agree to provide Zipcar and any other claims adjustment service with the findings of any report or any notice relating to a claim or a lawsuit against Zipcar regarding any accident involving a Zipcar vehicle. You agree to cooperate fully with Zipcar in the investigation and defense of any such claim or lawsuit.
Subject to Section 10.2.1 of these Rules, the Member shall be responsible for the first $500 of costs related to the repair, recovery, and loss of use of any Zipcar vehicle resulting from any of the foregoing if such costs are determined to be the fault of the Member or fault is not established to any other person or entity. Estimates for any costs will be available to the Member for review and costs may be assessed in advance of repair.
Any person 21 years of age or older authorized to operate a vehicle under these Rules is covered by our automobile liability insurance policy which consists of a combined single limit of $300,000 per accident. Drivers under 21 years of age are covered up to state mandated levels, which vary by the state in which an accident occurs.
Authorized drivers who are determined by Zipcar to be at fault, or where no fault is determined, or where Zipcar is unable to collect from the other driver or insurance company, are responsible for paying the first $500 (the "damage fee") for any costs involved in the accident, including but not limited to: third party liability, the repair, recovery and loss of use of any Zipcar vehicle.
Zipcar offers for purchase, at the option of the member, Damage Fee Waivers.
For an additional charge, new Zipcar members age 21+ and existing Zipcar members age 21+, who have not had an at-fault or no-fault accident in a Zipcar during the past 12 months, have the option to purchase a DFW to cover your financial responsibility for damage to a Zipcar. Before purchasing a DFW, you should check to see if you already have rental vehicle collision coverage through your credit card or personal automobile insurance policy. The purchase of a DFW is optional and may be declined. A DFW is not insurance and does not provide or alter insurance coverage.
By purchasing an optional DFW, you can reduce or eliminate the $500 damage fee, described in section 10.1.1 and 10.1.2 of these Rules. If you purchase a DFW, Zipcar will waive your responsibility for the damage fee that remains beyond your buy down amount, if you are determined to be responsible (at fault) in an accident. A purchase of a damage fee waiver is non-refundable.
The cost, term and buy down amount of the damage fee may vary by membership location. The DFW is limited to the period stated at the time of purchase; after which you will be responsible for the regular damage fee of $500 or for renewing your DFW.
DFWs do not apply and can be terminated if the member (1) uses the vehicle in violation of the Member Agreement and Rules of Use (2) has been suspended due to an incident (3) has had two at-fault, no-fault or suspected fault accidents during the waiver period (4) fails to close and lock all windows, doors and trunk, and the vehicle is stolen or vandalized; (5) fails to notify Zipcar immediately after the loss; and (6) fails to pay penalty charges under the Membership Agreement; or (7) other exceptions as allowed by the applicable state or provincial law.
You are responsible for the full value of any damages caused to Zipcar's property or the property of all third parties which are neither covered by insurance nor by manufacturer's guarantee while you are responsible for the vehicle as described in section 6.5 of these Rules. Without limiting the foregoing, you shall be responsible for all damages arising from violations of the Contract which occur during your use of a Zipcar vehicle.
You are responsible for any traffic violations incurred due to your use of a Zipcar. This includes, but is not limited to: parking, speeding, red light, photo enforcement, and toll violations. You are liable for all penalty costs from any such violation, including fines for late payment and any processing fees added by the issuing municipality. You are liable for payment of all tolls and any fines for toll evasion. You must report to a Zipcar Representative as soon as possible any such violations that cannot be resolved within the prescribed deadline (for example, if the case is being taken to court). See our penalty policy.
You must notify Zipcar of any traffic violation notices found on a vehicle at the moment of pick up of the vehicle. All unreported traffic violations will be the responsibility of such Member if they occur during the time period during which a Member is responsible for the Zipcar vehicle as described in section 6.5 of these Rules.
At the end of your reservation, you must not leave a vehicle in a zone which has parking restrictions. If you leave the vehicle in such a restricted zone, you must notify Zipcar, and you will be responsible for any and all violation notices or towing charges incurred by Zipcar.
Members are billed for the use of vehicles, costs incurred and for any penalties incurred via credit card or other means as established by Zipcar. Any credit card provided by the Member to Zipcar for billing which is rejected may result in suspension of the Member's membership or may result in Member being billed in advance. The term of suspension will be determined by Zipcar. Ongoing issues with credit card billings may result in termination of membership.
If you have an overdue balance then your access to Zipcar services will be suspended until payment is made.
Members must carry their access cards when using Zipcar vehicles. Vehicle-rental companies, service stations, and other businesses who have relationships with Zipcar may require Zipcar Members to present their access card to receive the services.
Smoking is absolutely prohibited in Zipcars. Pets are too, unless they are transported in locked pet carriers. Assistance animals are an exception to this rule and are allowed in the car without being in locked pet carriers. Members are subject to penalties if evidence of smoking or pets is found in Zipcars.