RACV partnership maintains and rents out travellers’ cars from Tullamarine Airport

WHETHER it’s jetting off to catch the last of the European summer or going to visit family across the ditch, car owners are now making money while on holiday. Here’s how they’re doing it.

WOULD you let strangers drive your car when you go on holiday?

An RACV partnership is offering Victorians the chance to make some money off their unused cars while they travel.

The joint venture, between RACV, Busy Beaver Airport Parking and online peer-to-peer car rental service DriveMyCar, allows people to leave their car at Tullamarine Airport where it will be maintained, insured and rented out on their behalf.

Owners are required to pay RACV DriveMyCar 10 per cent of the income they earn during the rental period.

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If the car is not rented out owners pay $8 a day for parking and insurance.

Longer term travellers would gain the most from the scheme.

RACV DriveMyCar chief executive Chris Noone said the scheme was ideal for people travelling for extended periods, with the best financial return on the service if it was used for three months or more.

He said the business model also led to a range of different cars available for rent, from BMWs and SUVs to older, more economical cars.

RACV mobility general manager Elizabeth Kim said research showed the average car was parked 96 per cent of the time — 80 per cent at home and 16 per cent elsewhere.

With the average cost of running a car more than $200 a week, Ms Kim said cars were not earning their keep.

“Through RACV DriveMyCar’s new partnership with Busy Beaver Airport Parking, it is now possible for Victorian vehicle owners to leave their car at Tullamarine airport where it will be maintained, insured and rented out on their behalf while they travel interstate or overseas,” Ms Kim said.

Neil Newbegin rents his car out while he’s at work. Picture: Hamish Blair

“Car owners benefit from both saving money on taxis and parking, and even earning money through renting out their car from the airport.”

While not a frequent plane traveller, Neil Newbegin has been renting his car out while he’s at work.

“I’ve leased it out quite frequently and I haven’t had any problems,” the Bundoora resident said.

“I catch the train to work every day so I thought, why should I let my car just sit there and be dead money?”

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