Trust & Safety
What the platform handles, what owners control, and what renters must verify.
ThrottleShare is a platform, not a party
We connect owners and renters. We process payments. We store the paperwork. That's it.
The rental itself is a direct transaction between the owner and the renter. ThrottleShare is not a party to the agreement, does not own any vehicle listed, and is not responsible for the condition, operation, or safety of any vehicle or the conduct of any user.
Step 1
Insurance check
Before a booking, both sides confirm whether their own policy or short-term coverage applies. ThrottleShare does not sell coverage.
Step 2
Deposit terms
Owners set deposit expectations up front, and renters see the deposit before they decide to request the ride.
Step 3
Pickup inspection
Photos, fuel or charge, odometer or hour meter, accessories, and visible damage should be documented in platform messages.
Step 4
Return record
Return photos and notes create the evidence trail if a cleaning, deposit, or damage issue needs to be discussed.
What we do
- Platform record: account registration, booking details, and payment metadata
- Payments: Stripe payment processing; card data is not stored on ThrottleShare servers
- Documents: signed liability waivers before booking completion
- Audit trail: IP-stamped and timestamped waiver records
- Owner control: owners can approve or deny booking requests
- Deposits: owners can require a security deposit
- Messaging: in-platform communication between owner and renter
What we don't do
- No vehicle control: we do not own, inspect, maintain, store, or operate listed vehicles
- No pre-rental inspection: ThrottleShare does not physically inspect a machine before each rental
- No platform insurance: we do not provide owner or renter insurance coverage
- No license verification: owners and renters must verify operating credentials required for the vehicle and location
- No safety guarantee: we do not guarantee any vehicle is safe, legal, or fit for a specific use
- No damage adjudication: we store records; owners and renters resolve vehicle-condition disputes directly
- No agency relationship: owners decide whether, when, and to whom they rent
Responsibility of the owner
Owners keep 100% of the listed rental rate, cleaning fee, delivery fee, and approved deposit recovery. In exchange, the owner must make the condition and handoff clear enough that a renter can trust the listing before requesting it.
- Maintaining your vehicle in safe operating condition
- Verifying the renter is legally allowed to operate the vehicle
- Carrying your own insurance coverage if required by law or prudence
- Uploading current photos and documenting pickup and return condition
- Following all local, state, and federal regulations
- Handling disputes with the renter directly (we provide messaging tools)
Responsibility of the renter
Renters should treat a peer-to-peer vehicle like a handoff, not a counter rental. Read the listing, ask questions in messages, confirm coverage, and inspect the vehicle before riding.
- Reading and signing the liability waiver before every booking
- Having appropriate license / credentials to operate the vehicle
- Operating the vehicle safely and legally
- Returning the vehicle in the condition you received it
- Carrying your own insurance if required
- Photographing pickup and return condition when there is any uncertainty
Insurance status
ThrottleShare currently operates in owner-managed / bring-your-own-coverage mode. The platform does not provide insurance coverage for the rental period. Owners and renters should confirm coverage before listing, booking, or pickup. The platform is designed to make the allocation of responsibility clear:
- Owners should confirm whether their policy permits rental-to-others activity
- Renters should confirm whether their policy applies to rented powersports vehicles
- The booking flow requires a plain-language coverage acknowledgment before a booking request is sent
- The waiver documents the responsibility allocation between owner and renter
- The visible rental record helps both sides preserve what was agreed, signed, paid, photographed, and returned
Future carrier signal remains open
Owners can still join the carrier pilot signal so ThrottleShare can show organized demand by state, category, vehicle value, and current policy type. It is not coverage and does not change today's owner-managed mode.
Join the carrier signalImportant: Personal policies usually do NOT cover rentals
Most personal auto, motorcycle, and powersports insurance policies contain a "public or livery conveyance" exclusion, meaning they may not cover your vehicle while it is being rented to someone else, and they may not cover you while operating a vehicle you rented from someone else. Credit-card collision damage waivers often exclude motorcycles and powersports.
If you are an owner: you may need a commercial rental endorsement, a commercial auto/powersports policy, or specialized P2P rental coverage. Call your broker before your first booking and ask specifically about "rental to others" activity.
If you are a renter: do not assume your own auto or motorcycle policy extends to a vehicle you rent from a private owner. It may not, especially across vehicle classes. For example, an auto policy may not cover a rented motorcycle or jet ski. You may need to purchase short-term rental coverage.
The signed liability waiver addresses the allocation of legal risk between owner and renter. It is not a substitute for insurance.
Damage and security deposits
Owners may set a security deposit and should document the machine at pickup and return. ThrottleShare preserves the booking, waiver, payment, message, and photo record, but it does not decide vehicle-condition disputes for the parties.
Reporting a problem
If you experience fraud, abuse, or a Terms of Service violation, contact us at [email protected]. We take these seriously and will investigate.
See also: Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Waiver Information