Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

 "The car is merely a conveyance. It is inconvenient and a waste of parking fees to always keep it at home. But it is economical and environmentally friendly to rent it out online."

A new kind of online car rental platform has become increasingly popular among both car owners and drivers who occasionally need use of a vehicle. Car owners can post information about their vehicles to the platform, which drivers can then use to pick out a car to rent. The platform has been touted as being simpler and cheaper than renting a vehicle through a car rental company. Still, legal and insurance experts are worried that car owners and renters will have trouble protecting their interests when accidents occur.