In the current context, boat rental is an ideal way to get away from the crowds while respecting health measures. So, how can you take to the open sea in complete serenity on a platform like Click&Boat? Here are our insights.
1. Ensuring that the online platforms are working properly
Following the example of Click and Boat, which unveils its own system, the online boat rental platforms put renters and boat owners in touch with each other. The advantage of using these platforms is that they have developed processes to ensure the proper functioning of their site and to control both the truthfulness of the information disclosed, but also the owner behind the ad. Each ad posted is verified. On these sites, any owner can freely publish one or more ads in order to offer his boat for rent and/or, only for private owners, for co-browsing. All owners commit themselves to publish ads in accordance with the reality of the services offered. They are the only ones responsible for the content and the sincerity of the information on their published ad(s). But to ensure the sincerity of the latter, all ads are verified after publication.
Measures are put in place to ensure the quality of the services of these platforms. On Click&Boat, a professional renter will have to give his identity card, his KBIS and the IBAN in the name of the company. A private renter will have to present his identity card as well as his certificate of insurance adapted to the boat.
Christopher, lead account manager at Click&Boat; explains the verification process: " Each owner who joins the platform is contacted within 24 hours. We have more than 20 employees who take care of them, whether they are private or professional. Each owner goes through a process called "onboarding" where they are contacted by phone. We have a list of specific questions and each owner must provide the necessary supporting documents. Each file is closed once the ad is filled out with the correct information. The owner knows the terms and conditions of the site and we have the appropriate documentation on their business if they are a professional."
An ad on the Click&Boat website
2. Discuss with the boat owners
Before booking
On online boat rental platforms such as Click&Boat, each renter can, after having found the chosen boat, discuss freely via a chat with the owners, whether they are private individuals or professionals. Any doubt? It is possible to ask any outstanding questions. The owners are there to discuss, guide and possibly reassure before the big departure. Once the reservation is validated, the yachtsman gets access to the boat owner's phone number and email, allowing him to have more direct exchanges.
Once the reservation is validated request documents from the owners
On these online platforms, any owner can freely publish one or more ads to offer his boat for co-browsing and/or rental. When publishing an ad, the owner must be able to prove at any time that he/she is the owner of the boat, that he/she only offers equipped and maintained boats for reservation and that he/she has taken out insurance which he/she must maintain for the entire duration of the publication of his/her ad. In this sense, we can ask the owner for his Special Verification Register or a valid insurance certificate.
3. Avoid deposits by transfer on Click&Boat
In order to avoid the risk of mishap, the only solution is to refuse to pay a deposit by bank transfer. Edouard Gorioux, co-founder of ClickAndBoat, explains the existing procedure: " In the case of a professional renter [...] the deposit is paid directly to the professional on the day of the rental. For private renters, the deposit is secured by Click&Boat through a bank imprint. "
Indeed, the private owners can require a deposit, via a pre-authorization of withdrawal collected by the platform. The amount of the deposit is always specified in the advertisement and the private owner commits himself not to require the payment of the deposit directly.
The professional owners, on the other hand, ask for a deposit by check, by bank print or by credit card debit directly on the spot before boarding. If a professional owner asks for a deposit by bank transfer in advance, beware. You should immediately inform the platform concerned.
On Click&Boat, the amount of the deposit, as well as the entity in charge of the management (Click&Boat or professional owner), can be found at any time on the contract that can be downloaded from the user's personal account on the platform.
