Car owners that use a carsharing platform to lease or rent out their vehicle will be recommended to get a vehicular lockbox, like a Turo lockbox. The choice of the right car lockbox will depend on the location or storage of the vehicle or desired security features, including ease of use for self and potential customers. Most of the time, key lock boxes cost around $20-$100, whereas cheaper lockboxes may compromise the durability and integrity of the lockboxes, making them easier to break.
Lockbox Types
The four standard car lockbox types are biometric, combination, hide-a-key, key-only, and keypad. Beginning with combination lockboxes, they may also be called dial locks. Regardless, a combination lockbox will use a three-prong combination made with letters or numbers that can be reprogrammed to one of over 10,000 possible combinations at any time. Typically, combination lockboxes are made of thick zinc alloy exterior that is corrosion- and rust-resistant. Still, those wanting a lockbox more robust against high-heat torch attacks consider purchasing one made with stainless steel.
Biometric lockboxes are more modern and may be called electronic key or smart lockboxes. This would be the best option for car owners who want to minimize face-to-face interactions on-site or reduce the potential of needing to travel to the location in case of a lockout. Some can be paired with an Android or iOS mobile phone to unlock the key box through the application. Those with an application have various access code options, the first being a permanent access code that can be used all the time. Next is the one-time use access code, which should be used for car renters. Likewise, duration access codes are codes that only work within a specified date range, like those recommended by Turo lockbox. Lastly, recurring access codes, such as every Thursday morning, allow cleaning crews to access the car during a specific schedule timeframe.
Key-only and keypad lockboxes are not highly recommended for car owners despite being the most economical option. On the one hand, key-only lockboxes require car owners to hide the key and hope it does not get taken. A spare key is needed to keep just in case and will require car owners to be available whenever the renters cannot find the lockbox key or state that it is not at the location that either the owner or previous renter placed it.
On the other hand, keypad lockboxes can be chosen instead. Like combination lockboxes, keypads can provide upward of 10,000 combination options but are known not to be secure, meaning it is easy for thefts to recode or break into with a hammer. Keypad lockboxes can come with pushbuttons that can easily jam, as well.
Another not recommended car lockbox is hide-a-key or hidden key lockboxes that usually look like a rock. Even though they are weather-resistant, they are not waterproof. However, if the rock match garden décor, thefts can quickly pick it up. Therefore, biometric, electronic, and smart lockboxes are the best option for car owners looking to lease out their vehicles.
