City Car Club Rental Car Insurance Review: How good is the coverage in 2024?

Over the years, many people have been opting to renting out cars rather than investing in owning one. For someone who lives in the city and drives very little or occasionally, renting a car is great. Car clubs offer car rental services which can save you a fortune.

Apart from the cost involved, car clubs vehicles are also known to produce lesser carbon emissions as they are driven for fewer miles. You get a clean car at your disposal, and you do not even need to worry about finding a parking space when you are done using the vehicle.

City Car Club is Britain’s biggest car-sharing company, established in 2000 in London and Edinburgh. It was acquired by the world’s largest vehicle rental business, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and renamed as Enterprise Car Club in 2016.

The company offers individuals and businesses mobility solutions when they require a vehicle for an hour, for a day, or for longer periods. It has worked in partnership with different communities to reduce the need for conventional car ownerships. 

Let us take a brief look at how Enterprise Car Club, formerly known as the City Car Club, works.

How does the City Car Club work? 

The Enterprise Car Club has a range of fuel-efficient cars and vans that one can rent by the hours or by the day. On joining the club, you can access vehicles all around the country, pick them up from a convenient street, train station, car park, or an Enterprise Rent-A-Car branch. 

You can download the Enterprise Car Club app on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. After downloading the app, select your nearest location for joining. After your request is approved, you can use your access card or the app to get started. 

You can select out of 1,400 plus car-sharing vehicles and pick your reservation start or end times. You can also reserve your vehicle in advance or on the go. You can use the app to unlock the vehicle, locate the pin pad in the glove-box compartment, follow the instructions and retrieve the keys. 

You can return the vehicle to the same location where it was picked up from and use the app to lock the vehicle. You can also extend the reservation if needed from the vehicle itself by using the mobile app, the website, or directly calling the company. 

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Benefits of an Enterprise Car Club Membership

Being an Enterprise Car Club member comes with a lot of perks. You have easy access to your pick of cars across the country and can quickly drive to your destination, eliminating the dependence on public transport without the hassle of buying your own car. Here are some benefits of joining the City Car Club.

• Advance and last minute reservations

You can reserve the vehicles through the app, website, or by directly contacting the company. You can reserve your vehicle in advance or even at the last minute. You have access to the reservations 24/7 through the mobile app. 

• Access on-street cars across the country

The company has more than 1,400 cars and vans of different size ranges, electric and hybrid, with different van sizes all across the UK. Once you join the location that is the closest to you, you have access to the entire fleet. The cars and vans are parked in their designated areas from where they can be picked up and be dropped back at without worrying about parking space. 

• Save Money 

With Enterprise Car Club you get the convenience of a vehicle without the hassle of owning one. You only pay for the time and distance you require the vehicle for. You can book the vehicle on an hourly basis or by the day. You do not need to pay a deposit and the company offers free cancellation for up to five hours before your rental period begins. 

• Lower emissions 

City Car Club vehicles are known to produce 72% lower emissions than the average car. One car club vehicle is equal to 18.5 private cars. This contributes to improving the air quality and congestion. 

• Discounted business plans 

The company offers customized plans for organizations that allow them to decrease their travel expenses, increase productivity, and also meet sustainability goals. The business plans offered by the company have relatively low rates and fees. 

• Member discounts and offers 

Once you are a member of the Enterprise Car Club, you get access to a range of discounts and joining offers. The company has a long list of several discounts that members can take advantage of. 

Pricing And Plans For City Car Club  

The charges of the vehicle are based on three key components; membership, rental, and mileage. 

• Membership 

The membership can be paid monthly or annually. After joining you can select a rate plan among the ones that are available in the city or the area that you live in. You will get access to all the rate plans that are available around the country and can choose from a fleet of private and commercial cars.

• Rental

The charge for every trip is based on the type of car or van that you have chosen, the length of the reservation, and the location. Before you confirm your reservation, an estimated cost of your rental will be displayed. 

• Mileage 

A per-mile charge is calculated based on how far you drive on your reservation. This charge is added to your rental charge and is billed at the end of your trip. 

The fuel, insurance, servicing, MOT (Ministry Of Transport), road tax, breakdown cover, and vehicle depreciation are covered under these costs. The factors below also need to be considered.

• Fuel 

The company covers the cost if you fill up during your rental. You can pay using the fuel card in the glove-box compartment or on the right side of the steering wheel.  

• Physical damage/liability protection 

Physical damage or liability protection is included at an excess cost of £750 across all plans. If you are above the age of 22 years, you can reduce your excess cost to £100 by paying £10 per month or £90 per year. You can also reduce your excess for a reservation to £100 per incident by paying an hourly fee of £1.50 per hour up to £12.00 per day. 

• Parking 

If you park the vehicle outside the vehicle’s home location, you will be liable for the parking costs. Free parking is available in Edinburgh and Kensington & Chelsea in London. 

• Tolls and fines 

You will be liable for any parking tickets or traffic violations that may incur. This may also include an administration fee. 

Available Plans for Enterprise Car Club

Enterprise Car Club offers different rate plans across different locations all over the UK. 

• Standard 

This plan is suitable for casual users and includes standard rental rates but does not offer included mileage. The rental rates are applied on an hourly or daily basis. It has a seven-day maximum rental or a £250 spend limit exclusive of mileage. 

• Standard+ 

This plan is suitable for medium and frequent users and includes 60 miles per day of your rental at fractionally higher rental rates. The rental rates are applied on an hourly or daily basis. This plan too has a seven-day maximum rental or a £250 spend limit exclusive of mileage depending upon whichever is lesser. This plan is not available in all areas. 

• Enhanced 

This plan is suitable for frequent users and includes a benefit from reduced rental fees by paying higher membership charges. The rental rates are applied on an hourly or daily basis in this plan as well. The plan similar to the above plans has a seven-day maximum rental or a £250 spend limit exclusive of mileage. This plan is not available in Scotland and North Ireland. 

• Under 22s 

This plan is suitable for young drivers with a driving history of one year. The rental rates for this plan are applied only on an hourly basis. The mileage charges are £50 per mile. The plan gives access to only small and medium cars. The renting hours are restricted to between 5 am and 10 pm or a £100 spend limit exclusive of mileage. 

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Pros Of Enterprise Car Club 

You can find Enterprise almost everywhere. The company is spread over 8,000 locations worldwide. It also offers free pick up from your home or hotel and takes you to the rental office. If you are renting a vehicle for more than a month, you can get a discount on the total rental payment through the long-term car rental program. 

Even though the daily charge rates might seem higher, there are no hidden costs. Enterprise has a loyalty reward program, Enterprise Plus, which helps you earn points for the money you spend on rentals. After six rentals, you can earn an additional 10% and one free car upgrade per year. The upgrades increase with the increased number of rentals. 

Enterprise also rents out exotic vehicles in case you have a special event to attend. It also offers electric and hybrid vehicles, as well as passenger vans for larger groups of people. 

Standard insurance 

All the vehicles are insured for the members to drive. The vehicles also include third-party and passenger liability coverage. All the vehicles have a damage waiver in case of any damage to the vehicle or theft of the vehicle with a standard excess of £750. If the repair cost is less than the excess, you will only have to pay that amount. 

Reducing your excess 

You can choose to reduce your excess to £100 per incident. For this reduction, you can pay either £10 per month or £90 annually. You can fill in a form and submit your member ID to get started with the procedure. If you are not a member, you can directly choose the preferred excess protection option on the application form. 

Cons Of Enterprise Car Club 

If you want to add a driver other than your spouse or domestic partner, it costs £11 per day. You cannot earn any rewards if you make a reservation through a third party. (For more information, read our “Cheap Auto Insurance Companies That Allow Spouse Exclusions“).

Reasons To Opt For a Car Club 

A car club is a great option for bigger families who need a second car. Instead of buying a whole new car, renting a second car is a much more feasible and affordable option. For someone who is into occasional motoring, car clubs can be a great option for them as well.

Car clubs offer cars and vans of different types, styles, and sizes to choose from. Car clubs also allow young drivers to rent out cars. 

Enterprise offers to pick up and drop stations for the vehicles at or near 34% of train stations which makes it easy for people who use public transport to rent and use a vehicle. This also contributes to reducing congestion and emissions and improving the air quality, which makes it perfect for eco-conscious drivers and travelers. 

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption

Contacting Enterprise Car Club 

Becoming a member 

You can log in to the Enterprise Car Club website and start by browsing the current car share locations. You can join in the area you live, your preferred or nearest area and get access to vehicles all around the nation. Once you choose the location you can search for vehicles on the map by proximity to a postal code or a landmark. 

Connect directly 

You can contact Enterprise Car Club directly for general queries by sending them an email at [email protected] or call the Enterprise Car Club phone number at 0345 266 9290. 

Final Verdict 

Car clubs are designed to provide a complimentary mode of transport. If you are someone who drives regularly, car clubs might not be a good option for you. But if you live in a city where you majorly use public transport, prefer not investing in owning a car, or drive occasionally, car clubs can be an attractive, feasible, and affordable option to consider. Consult an expert about the process for joining, and read through Enterprise Car Club insurance reviews before making a decision.

Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save

 Secured with SHA-256 Encryption