Opinions on Yescapa – Rental platform for motorhomes, vans and converted vans between private individuals
How do you find a motorhome, van or camper van in which to spend your vacations, take a memorable road-trip or experience the freedom of your own vehicle? Sleeping in your own vehicle means traveling in total freedom, without having to worry about booking hotels or campsites. Between the backpacker, hippie and retired backpacker lifestyles, Yescapa meets this demand by connecting vacationers with vehicle owners. But you may be reluctant to rent a vehicle from an owner you don’t know, or whose trust you can’t test. The same goes for the vehicle owner, who may be apprehensive about renting to a stranger.
Yescapa, the Airbnb of motorhomes, has established itself as a leader in France and Europe for motorhome rentals between private individuals. Six years after its creation, the company is present in five European countries: Spain, Portugal, Italy, the UK and Germany. Here’s our overview of Yescapa, a start-up that already boasts 250,000 users, 6,500 available vehicles and an average annual growth rate of 54%.
What is Yescapa?
Photo credit: Yescapa
The Yescapa adventure began in 2011 when Benoît Panel, planning to visit the UK in a motorhome with his family, was alarmed by the exorbitant prices of vehicle rentals. A year later, Benoît Panel met his future partner Adrien Pinson at a Startup Weekend in Brittany.
The two decided to create their rental platform in May 2012. Yescapa, the motorhome and converted van rental company between private individuals – whose reputation among travelers continues to grow – was born. Initially called JeLoueMonCampingCar, it took on its current name in April 2016 to conquer the European market. Since renting a vehicle doesn’t come without insurance, a partnership with MACIF was set up in May 2012.
In November 2013, the start-up won first prize in the « Meet Iinvest » competition, a springboard that accelerated its race to its launch pad. In February 2015, the start-up secures a €550,000 fundraising round and extends its first international ramifications to Spain. In January 2016, the iPhone mobile application is developed, and in the spring, JeLoueMonCampingCar, newly renamed Yescapa, takes over Europe’s leading motorhome market: Germany. In 2017, Yescapa raises 3 million euros in funding from MAIF. Italy, Portugal and the United Kingdom follow in Yescapa’s footsteps.
After six years in business, Yescapa boasts over 300,000 stays having been booked since 2012, with almost half of them in 2018 alone. The company recently expressed the hope of conquering other European markets by 2019-2020, doubling its business.
How does it work?
Photo credit: Yescapa
Yescapa’s principle is simple: the platform enables individuals to rent out their vehicles to other individuals – who don’t have a converted vehicle – when they’re not using them.
- You are a traveler
– Search for the geographical area where you want to pick up the vehicle
– Compare offers
– Create your account
– Send your reservation request with details of your trip
– Pay the rental online if it has been accepted by the owner
– Then meet the owner on the day the keys are handed over, sign the rental contract with the driver’s license and deposit, take inventory, and set off on your adventure!
- You are the owner
– Create your account to post your free ad on the website, specifying the motorhome or van model, rental dates and price.
– Add photos of the interior, equipment and bodywork to make your vehicle attractive.
– Then respond to rental requests, and contact the renter directly to prepare for the first meeting. During this meeting, you’ll check the driver’s license, collect the deposit, carry out an inventory of fixtures, define the return schedule and draw up the rental contract.
– You can then hand over the keys to the tenant with complete peace of mind. Of course, you’re covered by comprehensive insurance in case of accident or theft.
– On your return, sign the rental contract with the tenant, and evaluate each other to boost your digital reputation with the Yescapa community.
Advantages and disadvantages of Yescapa
Photo credit: Facebook – Yescapa
Benefits
- Finding reliable rental companies
- Drive with well-maintained vehicles
- Comprehensive insurance
- 24/7 assistance
- Travel in total freedom
- Complete freedom of itinerary
- Savings on accommodation
- Wide choice of vehicles (Yescapa has the largest fleet of vehicles for private hire in Europe).
Disadvantages
- Deposit required by the owner, who sets his own rental conditions
- Little information on electricity
Yescapa : Editor’s opinion
On the site, Yescapa claims to have 30,423 reviews, with an average rating of 4.7 stars out of 5. Yescapa offers an interesting solution between Airbnb, Blablacar and car rental companies, at reasonable rates, with the guarantee of booking with reliable rental companies.
On the one hand, owners have a guarantee against non-payment and incidents, and on the other, travelers can be sure of driving with a well-maintained vehicle that won’t break down in the first few kilometers. And if a breakdown does occur, Yescapa’s assistance service will take care of the problem. Most owners – English-, Spanish- and French-speaking – who have posted reviews on the Yescapa website say they are satisfied with their hosts: « motorhome returned clean », « well tidied, on schedule », « well-equipped vehicle », « pleasant owner », « very nice and punctual owner », etc.
With Yescapa, rates couldn’t be more reasonable, in stark contrast to competitors offering the same kind of service: you can rent a fully-equipped campervan for €50 to €60 per day, including accommodation and transport. In short, there’s no better way to travel at reduced prices! Owners who don’t use their vehicles can therefore make ends meet and satisfy those who don’t have such vehicles, which in the end satisfies everyone.
Would you like to discover Andalusia with your family, go on a road-trip in the Balkans with friends, visit Portugal as a couple, or tour the Provence wine route? Don’t hesitate, we recommend this Yescapa solution, with the guarantee of secure payment and no surprises when you hand over the keys!