Question 1

What are some of the benefits of sharing my car?

Accepted Answer

The passive income you earn can help offset the cost of car ownership (use our car cost calculator to see how much your car costs you annually). Additionally, car sharing through Avail happens on your schedule and ensures no disruptions to your workday or routine. We'll clean and inspect your car after every trip and even share routine maintenance costs for things like oil changes, tire rotations/replacements, brakes and fluids. Best of all, you'll get paid fast at the end of each booking after your car is dropped off.

Question 2

How much money will I earn?

Accepted Answer

When your eligible car is borrowed, you’ll earn a fixed amount each day based on your car’s class. Standard cars, mid-size SUVs and vans earn $20 per day and large SUVs earn $25 per day. Even if your car is not borrowed during its sharing period, you will still get guaranteed earnings from Avail (more on that below). If your car is borrowed and you earn a fixed daily amount, it will count toward your guaranteed earnings. If your car is borrowed frequently during your sharing period, you can earn more than your guaranteed amount. If your car is not borrowed at all during its sharing period, you will still make your guaranteed earnings.

Guaranteed earnings
You’ll earn a guaranteed $50 for every 7 consecutive days you share your eligible car. That means you’ll earn $100 for two weeks of sharing, $150 for three weeks and $200 for 28 days.

You don’t have to share your eligible car in 7-day increments, though. No matter how long you share past the 5-day required minimum, your guaranteed earnings will be prorated accordingly ($7.14/day).

Unlock your earning potential
Want to earn even more? Share a direct link to your vehicle page on social media or with friends and family. Earn an extra $100 bonus each time a new borrower signs up using your link and completes a booking on one of your cars.

Question 3

What are some examples of the payout?

Accepted Answer

Here are a few examples of how this works:

Example 1: If you list your eligible car to be shared for 5 days and you earn $20 from borrower trips during that time, you’ll make a prorated guarantee of $35.71.

Example 2: If you list your eligible car to be shared for 7 days and earn $0 from borrower trips during that time, you’ll still earn $50 in guaranteed income.

Example 3: If you list your eligible car to be shared for 28 days and earn $400 from borrower trips during that time, you’ve surpassed your minimum guaranteed earnings, and you'll earn $400.

Guaranteed earnings are paid out per eligible car and are set automatically per sharing period. If you share for 28 consecutive days, you can expect your automatic payment to be sent on day 29.

Question 4

Do I need to live in Chicago to share my car?

Accepted Answer

At this time, we are only able to accept cars from owners who live in Chicago or Denver. If you need help, please contact our team of listing specialists at share@availcarsharing.com.

Question 5

Is there a minimum or maximum listing length?

Accepted Answer

You must be able to share your car for a minimum of 5 consecutive days. There is no limit on how long you can share.

Question 6

Do I need to do anything before I share my eligible car?

Accepted Answer

Create an Avail account and schedule your car to be listed for sharing for at least 5 consecutive days. Then, remove your personal items from your car, park in a designated Avail parking space and leave your keys in our key box — we'll handle the rest. We facilitate sharing, insurance, cleaning and customer service, so the money you earn is truly passive.

Avail shall not be responsible for items left, stored, or transported in or on the car at the time of sharing.

Question 7

How do I get paid?

Accepted Answer

We'll make your earnings available in your Avail account each time after your eligible car is shared and at the end of your sharing period if you haven’t already met your guarantee. Owners who list their eligible car to be shared for more than 28 consecutive days will receive their guaranteed earnings payout on day 29, and again at the end of their sharing reservation or after the next 28-day period if they share for multiple months.

You can then transfer the funds from your Avail account to your bank account at any time.

Question 8

Does Avail offer insurance coverage?

Accepted Answer

Every trip on Avail is covered up to $1 million in insurance from Allstate, along with 24/7 roadside assistance.

Question 9

How do I qualify for select maintenance coverage?

Accepted Answer

You may choose to have a qualifying third-party inspection to be eligible for complimentary routine maintenance coverage, including oil and filter changes, transmission and differential fluid changes and some wear and tear items such as tires and brakes. Coverage will be based on mileage accrued while the vehicle is listed on the Avail platform. Those who choose not to receive an inspection can still share their car, but won’t receive any routine maintenance coverage.

Question 10

How does the inspection process work?

Accepted Answer

You’ll be responsible for scheduling an inspection with Pep Boys and driving your car to and from the appointment, as well as paying the $49.99 fee. You’ll need to tell Pep Boys you are receiving an inspection for Avail and email your completed inspection to inspection@availcarsharing.com.

Currently, third-party inspections can only be performed by Pep Boys. We’re working to add more partners and expand ways to receive a qualified inspection.

Question 11

Can I change my sharing dates?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Go to “Reservations” in your Avail account to change your sharing dates.

Question 12

Who will be driving my car?

Accepted Answer

Someone like you. They may be local or from out of town. No matter where they're from, we always pre-screen the drivers who borrow with Avail. Additionally, every driver on Avail must be 21+, pass a motor vehicle record check and have a valid U.S. driver’s license.

Question 13

What if I need to use my car?

Accepted Answer

If you need your car while it's listed for sharing, you can check it out for a day or more, as long as your car isn't already booked for a trip at the same time.

Earn passive income by sharing your car in Chicago

Find us around Chicago

Edgewater

Evanston

Gold Coast

Hyde Park

Lakeview

Lincoln Park

Loop

Oak Park

Ravenswood

River North

Rogers Park

South Loop

Streeterville

Uptown

West Loop

Car sharing in Chicago made simple

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How car sharing works

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Avail Car Care Plan

Inspection locations

Edgewater

North Milwaukee

Skokie

Brickyard Mall

Cicero

Forest Park

Avail Car Care Plan

Inspection locations

Edgewater

North Milwaukee

Skokie

Brickyard Mall

Cicero

Forest Park

You sign up. We take it from there.

We keep your car and keys secure

We list your car to be borrowed

We pre-screen drivers

We hand off and collect your keys

We collect and manage payment

We cover select maintenance for qualifying cars

We keep your car and keys secure

We cover select maintenance for qualifying cars

We collect and manage payment

We list your car to be borrowed

We pre-screen drivers

We hand off and collect keys

Is your car ready to earn?

An automatic transmission

Model year 2015 or newer*

A gas-powered or hybrid engine

No visible damage or major maintenance issues

Less than 125,000 miles

No open recalls

A valid, up-to-date registration

Insurance coverage that meets your state minimum requirement

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Frequently asked questions