Renting a carfor DoorDashin Des Moines

By Dillon Davis, owner of CrownPoint Rentals · Des Moines, Iowa

If you deliver in Des Moines and your own car is down or not up to it, renting is an option. But a rental that is fine for a weekend trip can be a bad deal for delivery work. Here is what matters.

Mileage limits kill gig rentals

This is the big one. Most rental cars come with a mileage cap, often around 100 to 200 miles a day, with a per-mile fee after that.

Delivery driving eats miles. A full shift running orders from Jordan Creek to the East Village and out to Ankeny adds up fast. Go over a cap and the per-mile charge comes straight out of your earnings.

So the first question for any rental company is: "Is mileage unlimited?" If the answer is anything but a plain yes, do the math on your typical shift first.

At CrownPoint, economy cars and the Ford Fusion come with unlimited miles. The Tesla Model 3 is 150 miles a day, which can work for short shifts but not full-time delivery.

The weekly math

Our economy cars rent for $350 a week. That is $50 a day over seven days, or $70 a day if you drive five.

Only you know your numbers, but here is how to run them. Take what you typically clear per hour after gas, multiply by the hours you plan to work in a week, and compare that to $350 plus fuel. If the rental is a small slice of what you bring in, it makes sense. If it is most of it, it does not.

Factor in that you are not paying for your own car's repairs while you rent, and that an economy car burns less gas than most trucks and SUVs. Weekly also beats daily: seven days at $65 would be $455.

That is your math to do, not a promise about what you will make. Earnings depend on the app, the hours, and the week.

Insurance: what you need to have

You need your own full coverage auto insurance, in your name, to rent from us. We do not sell insurance and do not rent without it. Two things gig drivers should know:

Ask your insurer about delivery driving. Some personal policies have exclusions or require an add-on for delivery or commercial use. The answer varies by carrier, so ask them directly.

Rideshare with passengers is different. For Uber or Lyft passenger rides, the apps set their own vehicle requirements, such as vehicle age, doors, and inspections. Those rules come from the app, not us, so check the app's vehicle page before booking. Delivery apps are generally lighter on vehicle rules, but confirm with the one you drive for.

Maintenance is included

When you rent, oil changes, tires, brakes, and anything that breaks are our problem, not yours. Call us and we handle it. Gig miles wear a car down fast, and one repair bill can wipe out a week or two of earnings. With a rental, your weekly cost is your weekly cost.

How fast you can start

Fill out the two-minute form at crownpointrentals.com/inquiry-form. We call you back, go over the contract on the phone, and deliver to your home, work, or anywhere within about 30 minutes of Des Moines, including the airport. Delivery fee depends on location. We are open 24/7, so a Saturday morning start usually works.

You need to be 18 or older (21 for the Tesla), a valid license, and that full coverage policy. Some vehicles carry a refundable deposit. Pay by card, Zelle, or cash.

Local weekly rental vs. the app's own rental programs

Some apps partner with rental companies to offer cars to their drivers. Those programs can make sense for some people. Here is a fair look, kept general since details change by app.

App rental programs are built for gig work, so the car is usually already approved for that platform, and some include insurance while you are on the app. Downsides: the car may be tied to one app, pricing can be hard to compare, and pickup is on their schedule at their location.

Renting weekly from a local company like us means the car is yours for the week, for any app or your own errands. You deal with one person by phone, and the car comes to you. You do need your own insurance.

If you cannot get full coverage on your own, an app program that includes insurance may be your only option. If you have coverage and want unlimited miles and a car you control, weekly local rental is usually simpler. Compare the all-in weekly number for both.

FAQ

Can I use the rental for more than one app? Yes. DoorDash in the morning and Instacart at night if you want.

What if I need the car for another week? Call or text 515-442-0861 before your week is up and we extend it. You keep the same car.

Can I rent for a few days to try it out? Yes. Economy cars are $65 a day with unlimited miles, and we can switch you to weekly if you keep going.