What Miles Rent a Car is and how to use it
Miles is a peer-to-peer car rental platform where private car owners list their vehicles for short-term rental to other people in their area. Instead of renting from a traditional company like Enterprise or Hertz, you rent directly from an individual owner through the Miles app or website. The owner sets the daily rate, and Miles handles the booking, payment processing, and insurance coordination.
To rent a car through Miles, you create an account, search for available vehicles in your location and dates, review the owner's listing and ratings, and book through the app. The owner approves your request, and you pick up the car at an agreed time and location — usually the owner's home or a nearby spot. You return it at the end of the rental period. Miles charges a service fee on top of the owner's daily rate, and you pay for fuel and any tolls you incur.
The platform operates in select cities across the United States. Coverage varies by region, so you'll need to check whether Miles serves your area before assuming you can use it for a specific trip.
Key Takeaways
- Miles connects you with private car owners rather than rental companies, which can mean lower daily rates but also less standardized terms and pickup locations.
- You must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver's license, and pass a background check to rent through Miles.
- The owner's insurance is the primary coverage, but Miles provides additional protection through its own insurance policy that covers damage and liability.
- Rental rates, car condition, and owner responsiveness vary widely because each listing is set by an individual, so read reviews and ask questions before booking.
- Miles operates only in certain cities, so confirm the platform is available in your area before planning a rental.
Requirements to rent a car through Miles
You must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driver's license issued in the United States. Miles will run a background check that screens for serious driving violations, major criminal convictions, and fraud. The exact criteria Miles uses are not publicly detailed, but the check typically takes a few minutes to a few hours after you submit your information.
You'll also need a valid payment method — a debit or credit card — to complete a booking. Miles holds an authorization on your card at the time of booking and charges the full rental amount when you pick up the car. Some owners may ask for an additional security deposit, which Miles will collect separately.
If your background check is denied, Miles will notify you but does not always explain the specific reason. You can contact Miles support to ask for clarification or to dispute the result if you believe there's an error.
How pricing and fees work
The owner sets the daily rental rate for their vehicle, so prices vary widely depending on the car's age, condition, mileage, location, and demand. A newer sedan in a major city might rent for $40 to $80 per day, while an older compact car in a smaller market might be $25 to $50. Luxury or specialty vehicles cost more. You can see the owner's rate before you book, so there are no hidden daily charges.
Miles adds a service fee on top of the owner's rate. This fee covers the platform's operations, insurance, and customer support. The service fee is shown before you confirm your booking, so you know the total cost upfront. You are responsible for fuel and any tolls, parking fees, or traffic violations you incur during the rental.
If you cancel before the rental begins, Miles' cancellation policy depends on how far in advance you cancel. Most owners allow free cancellation up to 24 or 48 hours before pickup, but some have stricter policies. Check the owner's specific cancellation terms in their listing before you book.
Insurance coverage and liability
The owner's personal auto insurance is the primary coverage for the rental. This means any damage to the car is first covered by the owner's policy, subject to their deductible. However, many personal auto policies exclude or limit coverage for peer-to-peer rentals, so the owner's coverage may not explore at all. This is why Miles provides its own insurance layer.
Miles offers a damage waiver that covers collision, theft, and vandalism up to the vehicle's actual cash value. This waiver is included in the service fee and acts as secondary coverage — it kicks in if the owner's insurance doesn't cover the damage or if the damage falls below the owner's deductible. The waiver typically has a deductible of $500 to $2,500 depending on the vehicle and your rental history with Miles.
You are liable for damage you cause through negligence or misuse — for example, if you ignore a warning light and damage the engine, or if you drive off-road when the listing says the car is for street use only. You are also responsible for any traffic citations, parking tickets, or tolls you incur. Miles will charge your payment method for these costs after the rental ends.
What to check before you book
Read the owner's listing carefully and look at all photos. Check the car's mileage, fuel level at pickup, and any existing damage the owner has noted. A good listing will include multiple photos of the interior and exterior, the exact pickup and dropoff location, and clear instructions for how to access the car.
Review the owner's ratings and read recent renter comments. Pay attention to feedback about the car's condition, whether the owner was responsive, and whether there were any issues during the rental. If an owner has few ratings or mostly negative reviews, consider booking a different car.
Confirm the pickup location and time work for you. Some owners meet you at their home; others arrange a nearby parking lot or street location. Ask the owner questions through the Miles app before you book if anything is unclear — for example, whether the car has a backup camera, whether pets are allowed, or what happens if you need to return the car early.
What happens during pickup and return
You'll meet the owner at the agreed time and location. Before you take the car, do a walk-around inspection with the owner and take photos or video of the car's condition, including the fuel level, mileage, and any existing scratches or dents. This protects you both — it creates a record of the car's state before you drove it. The owner will show you how to operate the car, where the spare key is, and any quirks or maintenance issues you should know about.
During the rental, you are responsible for the car as if it were your own. Don't exceed the mileage limits the owner may have set, don't smoke or allow smoking in the car, and don't transport pets unless the owner has approved it. Return the car on time, with a full tank of fuel (or the fuel level the owner specified), and in the same condition you received it.
At return, meet the owner again and do another walk-around together. The owner will check the mileage, fuel level, and condition. If there's damage, the owner will document it and report it to Miles. Miles will then investigate and determine whether the damage is covered under the waiver or whether you are liable for the cost.
Disputes and damage claims
If the owner claims you caused damage, Miles will contact you with photos and a description. You have the opportunity to respond and explain what happened. Miles reviews both sides and makes a information. If Miles finds you liable, they will charge your payment method for the repair cost or the vehicle's depreciation, whichever is less.
If you disagree with a damage claim, document your side of the story — for example, if you have photos from pickup showing the damage already existed, or if you have a receipt showing you paid for a repair yourself. Contact Miles support with your evidence and request a review. Miles' decision is usually final, but you can escalate if you believe the process was unfair.
Disputes can take weeks or months to resolve, so don't assume the matter is closed when you return the car. Keep your rental confirmation and any photos or communications with the owner until well after the rental ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a Miles car for a one-way trip?
Most Miles rentals require you to return the car to the same location where you picked it up. One-way rentals are not standard on the platform. If you need a one-way rental, contact the owner directly through the app to ask if they're willing to make an exception, but expect most owners to decline.
What if the car breaks down during my rental?
Contact the owner when ready and let them know. The owner is responsible for the car's mechanical condition, so any breakdown that's not caused by your misuse is their problem. Miles can help coordinate roadside information or a replacement vehicle depending on the situation. Do not attempt repairs yourself without the owner's permission.
Do I need my own insurance to rent through Miles?
You do not need your own auto insurance to rent through Miles, but having it can provide additional protection. Your personal policy may cover you as a renter, depending on your coverage and your insurer's rules. Check with your insurance company before you rent if you want to know whether you're covered.
What happens if I get a speeding ticket or parking ticket during the rental?
You are responsible for all traffic citations and parking tickets you receive. The owner or the city will report the violation to Miles, and Miles will charge your payment method for the fine. The owner may also charge you an administrative fee for the inconvenience.
Can I extend my rental if I need the car longer?
Contact the owner as soon as you know you need more time. If the owner has another booking after your rental, they cannot extend. If they're available, they may agree to extend for an additional daily rate. Do not straightforward keep the car past your return time without permission — this is considered a breach of the rental agreement.