Skurt delivers rental cars. This is not a new concept, but it is the core of Skurt’s business model. “We don’t consider ourselves a car rental company,” says Harry Hurst, Skurt co-founder. “We’re a mobility provider.”

This is an important distinction considering Skurt’s market. Hurst says the aim is to create convenient and affordable access to short-term mobility for people who may not have even considered a rental for their use case.

Skurt doesn’t own fleet; rather, it partners with car rental companies to offer their fleet for a daily rental through Skurt’s app. For car rental companies, the value proposition is to reach new local markets utilizing excess inventory — without associated costs. “There are no investments in infrastructure, real estate, labor, or marketing,” says Hurst, who comes from a technology and business background. “Skurt handles everything.”

Launched in October 2015, Skurt operates in Los Angeles and Orange County at present, with plans to “expand quickly” over the next year. Skurt has existing national supply partnerships, Hurst says, and is looking for others.

A Recycling Program

Renters access Skurt by downloading a smartphone app and undergoing Skurt’s prequalification process. When they make a reservation, Skurt sends offers to multiple car rental companies with customers’ information, a daily rate, and length of rental. The rental company can either accept or decline the offer.

After accepting an offer, a Skurt representative picks up the car from the rental company at the agreed time and delivers it to the renter. The contract is digitally signed by the renter and is available online, along with vehicle inspection photos. The contract stays with the rental company. There is no fleet commitment or contract between Skurt and the fleet provider.

Skurt insures the vehicles during the drop-off and pick-up periods. The renter’s insurance is primary during the rental. Any damage, theft, or loss claims during the rental are handled by Skurt and guaranteed through its $100,000 loss protection policy.

Ancillary products, such as loss damage waiver, can be offered through the app and the incremental revenue is passed through to the rental company.

Regarding Skurt’s pricing model, Hurst reiterates that the daily rate offered is stripped of any cost to the car rental company, such as OTA fees, marketing expense, and labor. “There is no cost to acquire the customer with Skurt,” Hurst says.

In an optimal scenario, the car would be cleaned (by Skurt) and “recycled” to a new reservation until it’s called back by the fleet owner. Skurt’s profit is built into the premium it charges customers for the convenience. The Skurt recycling program “creates efficiencies that can be passed onto the consumer,” he says.

Fueling Growth

“The way I saw it, I have excess inventory sitting around, why not?” says Steve Vahidi, president of MPG Car Rental in Los Angeles. “[Skurt has] become a big account for us.”

Vahidi says his profit margin is maintained on each Skurt rental, with the added benefit of lower costs.
He doesn’t touch the reservation, except to see Skurt drivers pick up and drop off the cars. “I’ve been able to cut labor hours and lower my payroll expense,” he says.

In terms of marketing, “I’ve had no reason to advertise using pay-per-clicks anymore and compete with the major car rental companies,” Vahidi says, “and I don’t knock on body shop doors for new business.”

Vahidi says he is satisfied with Skurt’s management of his vehicles, including handling potential damages, collections, and chargebacks. “They take full responsibility if anything happens to the car,” he says. “I would say it’s almost safer for us to rent a car through Skurt.”

Since starting with Skurt, Vahidi estimates his utilization has gone up 10% to 15%. His average rental length with Skurt is 4.5 days, similar to Skurt’s overall average.

Taking it one step further, Vahidi says Skurt is fueling business growth. He’s invested in extra fleet and is considering locations in other areas to park cars — instead of opening a storefront and all associated costs. “This is an opportunity for me to get into markets I don’t even have,” he says. “Our business has changed because of Skurt.”