Carsharing company Getaround has announced that the Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing Program Act will now allow its carsharing platform to be widely available for New Yorkers. At a press conference held on July 12, city officials spoke alongside Getaround executives to share how this shift will enable New York residents to access a contactless mobility solution via carsharing.

While Getaround has been active in New York since 2019, state laws required individuals to have commercial insurance to share their vehicles. The Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing Program Act (Senate Bill S6715) now allows Getaround to provide platform insurance to cover trips within New York at no extra cost to the user. 

“The enactment of Senate Bill S6715 is an important step for the state of New York,” said Sen. Neil Breslin, chair of the Senate Insurance Committee. “I am encouraged by Getaround’s advancements and the expansion of carsharing in our state, which will promote an equitable and sustainable future.”

Available across New York City, Getaround’s initial efforts will concentrate on the areas where there are unmet needs for additional transportation options in Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx. To incentivize residents of these neighborhoods to share their cars on the platform, Getaround is offering special owner-earning guarantees and bonuses for hosts who onboard and list their vehicles for carsharing over the coming weeks. In many cases, these earnings can equal up to $2,000 a month, according to Getaround. 

“We’re thrilled to expand access to carsharing in New York,” said Sy Fahimi, Getaround's chief operating officer. “This policy shift means that Getaround will be able to operate at full capacity in New York City. Not only will Getaround’s presence help reduce the number of vehicles in one of the nation’s most congested road networks, it will play a major part in democratizing carsharing by providing more equitable access to cars and enabling residents to take advantage of accessible and sustainable transit options.”