Getaround hosts often have questions about how best to use the platform's technology to keep their cars safe. Follow these guidelines and recommendations to helps us provide a safer car sharing experience for all Getaround members.
Sections
- The Connect Device and Enhanced Security
- Securing Your Car with the App
- Choosing a Secure Home Location
- Obscuring Your License Plate
- Purchasing and Installing a Lockbox
- Preparing Your Car for Listing
1. The Connect Device and Enhanced Security
The Getaround® Connect® is a hardware device installed in your car that makes car sharing easy.
It facilitates real-time location tracking, keyless entry, and immobilization capabilities courtesy of its Enhanced Security feature.
Enhanced Security
Enhanced Security (ES) is a software feature that immobilizes your car when it’s not being used.
When ES is activated, it prevents your car from being started. After unlocking the car with the app, the car will start as normal.
It is strongly recommended for most car hosts to activate ES. In a few cases, such as when the car’s home location is a valet-accessed garage, ES should not be activated.
Turning On Enhanced Security
You can check your Enhanced Security setting anytime using the Getaround® desktop site (but not the app).
Simply click “manage” on the car you need to check. Then click “Connect” on the left side of the screen.
Now make sure to check the box that reads “Turn on Getaround Connect enhanced security.”
Remember: If Enhanced Security isn’t turned on, your car will not be immobilized!
Even if activated, Enhanced Security may not protect against all damage or theft.
2. Securing Your Car with the App
As a Getaround® host, you have access to an exclusive suite of tools and information in the Getaround® app. Understanding the app is key to keeping your car secure.
The Getaround® app’s exclusive host features can be found under the "Share" heading in the app menu. From here, navigate to the “Car Key” to lock and locate your car.
Lock: Locks the car doors and immobilizes the car through the Enhanced Security feature, preventing the car from starting.
Unlock: Unlocks the doors and enables the starter so the car can be driven. Do this when you’re using your car for personal use.
Remember: App-In, App-Out
App-In to the car when using it for personal use, and App-Out when you’re done to immobilize the starter. Lock the car with the app whenever you leave the key in the car!
GPS
When your car is not in a reservation, you will be able to see its GPS location in the Getaround® app by clicking “Car Key.”
This feature allows hosts to check on the car’s location at the end of a reservation or when they need it for personal use.
GPS does not appear during a reservation for the sake of the guest’s privacy.
3. Choosing the Right Home Location
The right Home Location can make all the difference when sharing a car on Getaround®.
A good Home Location...
- … is someplace where you feel safe leaving the car, and where another member will feel safe picking it up.
- … is easily accessible. Getaround® encourages hosts to check their cars within 24 hours of every trip.
- ... has good reception. Getaround®’s Connect® relies on cell reception to act on commands and to update the GPS.
4. Obscuring A Car's License Plate
Some hosts choose to obscure their license plates in their listing photos. This makes it more difficult for a would-be thief to identify a car from the listing photo alone.
You can obscure your car's license plate using even the most basic photo editing software to add a blank rectangle to the image to hide the license plate. This is more reliable than using blurring tools that may leave the license plate partially legible.
The photo above was created using the Preview app that's part of Apple's basic suite of apps in its default operating system. Windows users can use Microsoft Paint. Or any other app that functions in a similar way.
After modifying the photo, save it to your computer, then upload it using the Getaround desktop site. Look for the "Photos" heading under the "Manage" listing option.
5. Purchasing and Installing a Lockbox
Since you’ll be keeping a key in your car, installing a key lockbox is a quick way to add an extra layer of security while using Getaround®.
If you decide a lockbox is right for you, remember to add the combination to your car’s pick-up instructions.
Purchasing
When purchasing a lockbox, be sure to choose one with a shackle on top. The model pictured here is the KeyGuard SL-501. Pair it with a steel cable such as ones sold for bicycles. Another model popular with some hosts is the WordLock Key Lockbox.
Installation
To install a lockbox, use the cable to secure it to a seat post in the car, then connect the end loop to the lock’s shackle. It's important that the lock box can't be removed from the car without the combination.
A lockbox may not, however, protect against all damage or theft.
6. Preparing Your Car for Its First Trip
Now that you understand how Getaround®’s technology works, and you’ve had time to consider a lockbox and the best home location, it’s time to prepare it for booking.
Remove Personal Items
Remove all personal items before your car’s first trip, including car accessories and phone chargers.
- Remove car accessories
- Remove phone chargers
If Your Car Is Push-to-Start...
Remember to leave your key in an RFID-blocking pouch. (Also known as a Faraday pouch.) They cost about $12, and they prevent the key from communicating with the car while it’s parked. Forgetting this step can drain your car battery and leave your key susceptible to signal spoofing. If you lose or misplace a pouch, replacement RFID pouches can be purchased from many retailers.
Remove the key blade from the fob. Other Getaround® members won’t need it during a reservation, and removing it prevents it from going missing. Store it someplace safe where you’ll remember it.
Keep Your Car Covered
Personal Insurance
Host sharing their cars on Getaround® must keep their cars insured as legally required. Getaround®’s insurance is only active during a reservation. Keeping both collision and comprehensive coverage is highly recommended.
Spare Key
One key will be kept in your car while sharing is active, but Getaround® also requires host to keep a spare key with them in case the primary key goes missing.
