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Turo vs. Traditional Car Rentals: The Pros and Cons of Booking

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Table of Contents

What is Turo?

Turo rental car prices: are they a good or bad deal, when renting a car with turo is a smart money move, is renting a car on turo worth it.

Ever considered renting a car from the actual owner? Turo, a peer-to-peer car sharing platform, lets you do just that. The car rental alternative allows you to potentially save money compared to traditional rentals. Plus, it unlocks more potential places to rent cars beyond standard rental car facilities.

But is Turo the right fit for you? Here's your guide to renting a car through Turo, including the pros, the cons — and any potential fees to watch out for.

Turo is a peer-to-peer car sharing platform that allows car owners to rent out their own cars to regular people. Consider it a sort of Airbnb for cars .

Peer-to-peer car sharing platforms are growing in popularity. The global car sharing market was worth $2.9 million in value in 2022, and is expected to grow 20% annually from 2023 to 2032, according to January 2024 data from Allied Market Research. That would make the market for car sharing services, including Turo, worth $17.8 million by 2032.

Interest in Turo exploded in the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was an era of high rental car prices due to high demand for roadtrips and limited rental car availability. Skyrocketing rental car prices became one of the biggest pandemic-era travel stories as they hit record highs in July 2021. Given all that, alternative rental car services like Turo were often a lifesaver.

And while rental car prices have eased from their record highs set in the early years of the pandemic, they're still high. Car rental prices in May 2024 are up 34.8% versus May 2019 — the last equivalent month pre-lockdowns in the U.S.

And while Turo car rentals can provide an excellent rental car alternative, it’s not necessarily better. It's also not always cheaper. Here are some of the times you might consider booking with Turo, and what to look sorts of fees and potential pitfalls to look out for if you do:

Turo prices are highly variable. Because car owners set the prices, sometimes they can be cheaper than traditional rental cars — but not always.

A car owner who now works from home and has minimal need for a car during the week might be inclined to make it available on Turo at a low price to make some extra cash or even to get some value out of a car that's otherwise sitting idle.

Many owners offer discounts for longer trips, and some offer discounts to guests who book at least a week in advance.

Beware of extra Turo fees

The total cost to rent on Turo might balloon once extra fees kick in.

When you browse the primary search page, which displays available vehicles in either a map or a list view, Turo displays the rental fee and the tip free. But your price can balloon higher than that.<br><br>For starts, Turo adds standard protection by default (though you can decline damage protection). You might include extras such as a pet fee, child safety seat, unlimited mileage or prepaid refuel.

Here are some examples of Turo fees you may be on the hook for before checking out:

Turo trip fee. Turo adds a trip fee that goes to Turo (not the owner). Fees vary, but in the U.S., trip fees range from 2.5% to 100% of the overall price.  This fee is disclosed up front when you compare prices on the main search page.

Turo young driver fee. Folks under 24 owe a young driver fee (a minimum of $50 per day if under 21 or $30 per day if under 25 in the U.S.).

Miscellaneous extras. You may also owe other fees including airport fees, pickup or return fees, and optional extras like unlimited mileage (many rentals have a mileage cap).

And the fees might not end there, adding to why Turo could be wrong for folks anxious about potentially unknown costs.

Reimbursement bills. Hosts can send renters a reimbursement invoice for all sorts of potential situations. That might include fuel replacement, distance overages, failure to return an EV with charge, tickets and tolls, if applicable. 

Turo cleaning fees . If you return a car in a condition that violates Turo’s cleaning and disinfection policy, the host can report the issue to the company. If Turo sides with the host, you’ll owe $150 for the cleaning violation plus a 3% processing fee.

Turo explicitly says that renters “aren’t expected to clean or disinfect the car before returning it,” but there's a gray area between what Turo considers normal wear and tear versus what teeters into violation territory.

“Significant amounts of pet hair” are a violation, as are “major stains or residue,” but “minor food or beverage spills” are OK.

Plenty of renters have documented negative experiences of receiving violation penalties they felt were unjustified, leading to back and forths with customer service to get those fees removed — or just paying the fine.

Your personal or credit card insurance may not apply to Turo

Turo offers three optional protection plans at an additional cost, each with increasingly more insurance coverage: a minimum, standard and premier plan.

Depending on the level of add-on insurance from Turo selected, prices in the U.S. start as low as $10 per rental day. It’s pretty easy to compare and add plans at checkout.

You can decline protection, but you (or possibly your own personal insurance company, if covered) are responsible for all costs related to physical, mechanical, and interior damage, plus administrative claims fees and appraisal costs.

Usually NerdWallet recommends holding a credit card that offers car rental insurance , which provides some level of free protection for rental cars paid for on that card. Some of the best credit cards with car rental insurance benefits even offer primary rental car coverage, so you don’t have to use your personal auto insurance. 

However, when renting on Turo, don’t assume your personal auto insurance policy or credit card coverage works in the same way it applies to traditional rental cars.

Many credit card car rental insurance benefits specifically exclude coverage for peer-to-peer car rental companies , such as Turo.

“Turo is not a rental car company,” according to a post on Turo’s site. “We’re a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform, so credit card companies may provide no coverage for a car booked through Turo.”

Popular credit cards consumers leverage for car rentals

To better understand if Turo is the right fit for your car rental needs, compare its three protection plans with insurance, reimbursement and rewards rate details about credit cards commonly used when renting a car. Options can include:

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

Primary rental car coverage with reimbursement up to the cash value of most rental vehicles.

Booking a car rental through Chase Ultimate Rewards® earns 5 points per dollar spent.

Redeeming points to book travel through Chase — including renting cars — gives you 25% more value per point.

Earn unlimited 10x miles on rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

Auto rental collision damage waiver.

Complimentary elite status with Avis, Hertz and National, which entitles the member to upgrades and discounts.

Secondary rental car coverage.

Other benefits include expansive airport lounge access and hundreds of dollars' worth of travel credits.

Terms apply.

Primary rental car coverage with reimbursement up to $75,000.

Booking a car rental through Chase Ultimate Rewards® earns 10 points per dollar spent.

Redeeming points to book travel through Chase — including renting cars — gives you 50% more value per point.

Cardholders eligible for special benefits from Avis, National and Silvercar.

There are a few situations where renting a car through Turo makes especial sense:

If you can pay for your rental car in advance

Turo has a generous cancellation policy, allowing you to cancel free-of-charge up to 24 hours before the trip starts. Trips canceled within 24 hours of the start time are typically entitled to a partial refund.

Refunds are issued immediately, though it can take three to five business days to receive the money.

While Turo’s cancellation policy is relatively generous, you still are required to pay for your rental before your actual trip date. You can opt to pay in full upon booking or pay later, closer to your trip.

Here's when you get charged:

Cars booked 3 to 4 days out: You get charged two days before the trip start.

Cars booked 5 to 13 days out: You get charged three days before the trip start.

Cars booked 14 or more days out: You get charged seven days before the trip start.

For example, if guests choose to pay later and their trip is booked three to four days in advance, Turo will charge the full amount two days before the trip starts. If a trip is booked more than 14 days in advance, Turo will charge the full amount seven days before the trip starts.

In contrast, most rental car companies allow payment at the counter. That’s often more convenient than Turo's system because — if your travel plans change and you can no longer rent the car — you likely won’t be on the hook for a rental car reservation you didn’t show up for. Just understand the rules of any rental car company you book through, as some may still charge a no-show fee.

If Turo is more convenient to your destination

Turo operates in countries including the U.S., Australia, Canada, France and the U.K.

What’s unique about Turo is the range of places you’ll find the vehicles. Traditional rental car companies typically operate in places with a lot of tourists, such as airports, downtowns and hotels. But with Turo, you could very well find a car available from the home next door.

The map’s purple dots indicate available vehicles. You might find one in a location far more convenient than the nearest traditional rental car.

That’s convenient for someone who is usually car-free but wants to rent one every once in a while from a neighbor. Travelers who want a car only for part of their trip might skip the airport rental car and rent a Turo nearby for the days they need it.

But Turo isn’t available in every city. While it’s now available in all 50 U.S. states, availability is largely contingent upon whether a host is willing to post their car for rent. 

If you need special pickup and drop-off locations or times

When renting from many rental car companies, you’re tied to their operating hours. That’s annoying if your flight lands at 9 p.m. but the rental car company closes at 8.

Many Turo rentals, however, are available for drop-off and pickup 24/7 because of a built-in service called Turo Go. Turo Go allows renters to unlock cars directly from the Turo app, thus never needing to meet the host in person.

Other hosts prefer in-person exchanges. The owner might pick you up at the airport and drive you to your hotel before handing over the keys (typically for an additional fee, though some hosts offer the service for free).

Turo’s delivery service can be especially convenient if you want the car for only a few days or a few hours. 

While the range of pickup options can certainly be a pro, it also adds layers of complication — and it means your next Turo experience won’t be exactly like your last.

Read the pickup and drop-off rules carefully, as they vary by owner. Some cars are parked in facilities requiring a fee to exit. While Turo requires hosts to disclose such fees in their vehicle listing, it’s still one more annoying cost.

While Turo Go can certainly be convenient, you must have Wi-Fi or cellular data to unlock the car at the start of the trip. And you won’t have in-person customer support, which might pose challenges if you run into any problems upon pickup.

For one-way rentals, it’s tricky. You’re not able to book one location for pickup and a different location for return. 

There is a one-way rental workaround where you can request to change your pickup or drop-off location once the trip is booked, but you’d have to work that out with the host — and it’s not guaranteed they’ll accept.

If there's a particular vehicle you're looking for

Ever wanted to test drive a car you're considering buying — without the car salesperson sitting in the seat next to you making a pitch? Maybe you're just dreaming about driving the latest Tesla or drive a specific luxury sports car.

That's where the Turo limitless search feature comes in. With this unconventional search tool, Turo puts the car’s make and model as the first point of search, rather than filtering vehicles initially by location. Turo's limitless search encourages you to search by specific vehicle, or at least style of vehicle.

(Image courtesy of Turo)

Turo also has created curated lists of cars available for rent that span themes like vintage cars, sports cars and campers.

Turo can provide myriad benefits. Especially in big cities, you might find a car in far more convenient locations. Turo Go enables pickup and drop-off at any hour, so you’re not constrained by rental car companies’ operating hours. 

Because much of the rental price goes directly back to the car’s owner, more money stays in local communities. Turo often offers a range of cars, from a tiny Smart Car to electric vehicle rentals to flashy muscle cars.

But renting on Turo also entails high variability. The experience is rarely consistent, nor are the cars (or their owners). A vehicle might have squeaky brakes, and some owners might have higher cleaning standards than others.

If Turo doesn't have sufficient options, but you're generally enticed by such rental car alternatives , you might also consider Turo's competitors, such as Getaround .

Sometimes Turo is cheaper, but once the fees add up (and you realize your credit card car rental insurance likely won’t kick in), it’s not always as budget-friendly as you might think.

Insurance Benefit: Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

on Capital One's website

2x-10x Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel, Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Find a Long-Term Car Rental with Turo

Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Nico

Need to rent a car for a month or longer? You might consider a long-term car rental with Turo , a peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace that’s been likened to an Airbnb for cars. With over 350,000 car listings on Turo, this is definitely a well-established marketplace. If you’re 21 or older, Turo can match you up with car owners willing to rent out their vehicles for as little as a day or to up to a year.

Upsides of Turo

The upsides are impressive. The platform is available worldwide, but most listings are in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Germany. Many people like Turo’s non-corporate vibe, where the rental experience feels more like borrowing a car from a friend than renting from a big company. Contracts have a lot less fine print than you get with a traditional rental car company.

Downsides of Turo

One potential downside with Turo is insurance. Turo offers two rather pricey insurance plans that include comprehensive collision and liability coverage. While drivers under age 25 will find Turo more hospitable than major rental agencies, there is still an extra fee for young drivers.

Ask AutoSlash for a Quote on a Cheap Car Rental

It also may surprise some people to find out that long-term rentals through Turo are not necessarily cheaper than those from major car rental companies. While some owners offer discounts for longer-term rentals of a month or more, prices in general are in the same ballpark as those at rental companies. When we compared different options for long-term rentals in a price-check sample, Turo was just as pricey as the agencies.

Other drawbacks include uncertainty about the state of the vehicle. With Turo, you’re at the mercy of the car owner when it comes to the condition and maintenance of the car. Turo says it removes listings when it receives reports that a vehicle hasn’t passed inspection or isn’t well-maintained. You can’t use your credit car insurance coverage, and the insurance that Turo offers can get pricey.

Another factor is availability. Depending on where you want to pick up a vehicle, you may find that there are slim pickings on the kind of make and model available. Generally speaking, there are more options in more populated areas. Turo is not available in New York State.

How to Rent a Car on Turo

Turo is an online marketplace. The first time you rent from Turo, the process isn’t instantaneous. Before you can become an approved driver, Turo will check your credit and driving history and make sure you meet their eligibility requirements .

Next, you can search for a car, specify the rental period, and select your insurance plan. You can communicate directly with the owner and, if approved for the rental, you can pick up the car or have it delivered . The owner will give you the keys and answer any questions. Check that the gas tank is full and the car in good condition. Once your rental is completed, return the car with the tank filled.

What to Know About Renting on Turo

Turo offers two pricey insurance plans, Premium and Basic. Just like major rental companies, Turo gives you the option to waive the insurance options if you already have coverage . Turo’s insurance plans cover physical damage to the vehicle as well as liability. The premium plan is priced at a whopping 40 percent of the rental, and the basic plan costs 15 percent of the rental. Here’s a detailed view of Turo insurance options .

If your personal car insurance policy covers rentals, then you might be covered. Call your insurance to ask if your policy would cover a rental through Turo. Credit card collision coverage generally won’t cover a Turo rental.

Turo will charge for additional mileage, late returns and cleaning. Here’s the full guide to fees and fines .

Limitations and Restrictions

Turo allows you to rent a vehicle for up to a year. Young drivers under age 25 pay a fee—either a one-time charge of $10 or 30 percent of the rental price, whichever is higher. Deluxe, super deluxe, specialty and classic cars have additional restrictions.

Roadside Assistance

Turo’s insurance plans include roadside assistance. If you have a breakdown or other issue, they’ll connect you with a dispatcher. The services provided, however, must be paid out-of-pocket unless the problem is due to improper maintenance, in which case the car owner pays. If you have roadside assistance through AAA or your credit card, you can also use that.

Let AutoSlash Track Your Car Rental for Price Drops

Long-Term Discounts

Some owners provide a discounted monthly rate, typically ranging between 10 and 35 percent off the regular rate. Turo has a search tool for long-term rentals, we found that this tool does not produce results different from the standard search tool.

The Takeaway

Turo is a great service that lets you can find relatively cheap long-term rentals without the hassle of dealing with a huge company. If you do your homework about insurance options and communicate with the owner, renting through Turo should be a breeze—provided that you are in a high-availability area.

If you’re using Turo for a long-term rental, be sure to check with the owner about any persistent issues and how you will deal with any necessary maintenance. Who pays for oil changes and tire rotations? Who pays for larger repair jobs? Set up a recurring call to keep communication going throughout the rental period.

• Ultimate Guide to Cheap Long-Term Car Rentals
• 3 Ways to Maximize a Cheap Monthly Car Rental

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Everything You Wanted To Know About Turo, The Car Sharing Marketplace

Turo is a car-sharing marketplace operating in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Australia, and France — we'll explain all you need to know about this unique car-sharing platform. Turo bills itself as a cheaper and more flexible alternative to traditional car rental services, and Turo's operation is similar to short- and long-term accommodation platforms. Guests can choose from and book a variety of vehicles on Turo's car-sharing marketplace, from rugged SUVs to luxurious sports cars and grand touring sedans.

Turo guests use filters such as vehicle type, rate, and host status when choosing their rides. Guests may be able to score deals on the vehicles they choose, but this depends on whether the host offers any deals. On the other hand, hosts — or those sharing their vehicles — use Turo to rent out their vehicle (or vehicles) for as short or as long a time as they wish, while setting their rate and managing their car-sharing operation via Turo's app.

Both Turo guests and hosts are obligated to fulfill certain requirements when renting or sharing a vehicle. These responsibilities are vital to both properly using Turo and getting the most out of this sharing network, as a guest or a host. Information for this guide was sourced directly from Turo itself and Travelers, the insurer providing third-party liability coverage to Turo guests and hosts in the U.S.

What you need to book on Turo

To book a vehicle on Turo, the first thing to do is create an account, either through Turo's website or via Turo's mobile app, which is free to download. To book a vehicle in the U.S., guests need to be at least 18 years of age and carry a valid driver's license. You'll be asked to upload your driver's license and some other information into the Turo app before going through a brief approval process. Approval is usually granted immediately, or shortly thereafter. Upon approval, you'll be able to book a vehicle on Turo.

Turo is an international vehicle sharing marketplace, allowing you to book vehicles in other countries. But keep in mind requirements to book a vehicle on Turo differ slightly depending on location. For instance, guests in the U.S. need to be 18 years old to rent a vehicle, but that doesn't mean an 18 year old guest can book any vehicle they'd like — U.S. guests must be 30 years old or older to rent a vehicle in the Super Deluxe category. For all eligibility requirements for booking in any of Turo's five markets around the globe, Turo lays this information out in a handy driver eligibility page .

Other (authorized) drivers can operate the vehicle

If you want another person to be able to drive a Turo vehicle booked under your name, you (as the primary driver who booked the vehicle) must request to add a driver through the Turo app. This is an easy procedure, similar to adding a  driver to a car rental contract . Any person wishing to drive a Turo vehicle booked by someone else must first create a Turo account, meet any eligibility requirements in that country, and be verified by Turo before being approved to drive. Guests can add up to eight additional drivers to a vehicle.

Only Turo guests in the U.S. and Canada can add drivers to a trip once that trip has started. In the U.K., Australia, and France, any additional drivers will need to be added to a trip before it starts to be eligible to drive. Once a Turo trip starts outside North America, no additional drivers can be added to the vehicle. One thing to remember — Turo does not offer any wiggle room about allowing unauthorized drivers to drive a Turo vehicle. If Turo finds out you allowed an unapproved driver to drive a Turo vehicle, your Turo protection plan will become void.

Turo's cancellation policy

Turo offers flexibility when canceling your trip — so long as you cancel more than 24 hours in advance, you will receive a full refund. If you book a Turo vehicle less than 25 hours before starting your trip, a full refund is only guaranteed if you cancel one hour after your initial booking. All cancellations are based on the vehicle's time zone. So, if you live in New York City and need to cancel a Los Angeles booking, you'll need to cancel more than 24 hours ahead according to Pacific Standard Time. Use the messaging function within the Turo app and follow the steps to cancel a booking when notifying your host. Shortening your trip may bring extra fees if you don't follow Turo's rules, similar to  returning a rental car early (or late) .

Hosts are charged a $50 fee for canceling a trip within 24 hours of a trip start time, and $25 if you cancel a guest's trip more than 24 hours in advance. Hosts should notify guests via the Turo app as soon as possible when canceling. If a guest re-books with the same host within 24 hours, the fee will be waived. Every time a host cancels, Turo generates an automated review which is attached to the vehicle listing, noting when and why the cancelation occurred. If a host cancels multiple trips, Turo may penalize the host. This could mean a host losing All-Star status or even being removed from Turo.

Can I get my Turo vehicle delivered to me?

Your Turo host will deliver your vehicle to you, but there is a catch — it all depends on your host, the type of vehicle you have booked, the length of your trip, and other factors. Only some Turo hosts offer free delivery, while others add a fee to deliver the vehicle. Before accepting delivery of your Turo vehicle, make sure you check in with the Turo app first. Once your ride has arrived and you have the keys, you're good to go.

According to Turo, guests should be strategic when looking for hosts offering free delivery. Booking vehicles that are close to travel hub locations, such as airports, hotels, and train stations, increase your chances of finding vehicles with free delivery. As well, the longer your trip, the more likely your host will offer free delivery. That said, read the fine print of your booking to see if the host will deliver the vehicle for free. If you aren't sure, ask your host.

How much does it cost?

Your Turo trip price depends on several factors, including the type of vehicle you book, your trip length, trip location, and more. The host sets the daily rate. This rate may fluctuate throughout your trip — if part of your trip falls on a weekend, your host may charge more for those days. Any extras included in your bookings, like pre-paid fuel or host-provided equipment (such as camping gear), will incur extra charges as set by the host.

Turo charges a trip fee as part of the overall trip price. This fee goes back to Turo to help keep the platform running. The trip fee varies for every trip. In the U.S., Turo will take anywhere from 2.5% to 100% of the trip price as its fee, though this depends on trip circumstances. Factors affecting the Turo trip fee include the vehicle's worth (a luxury car will have a higher trip fee than a lower-tier vehicle), the length of the trip, the time the trip was booked (closer to the trip date likely means a higher trip fee), and other factors.

Also, some trip bookings in the U.S., U.K., and Australia come with a young driver fee, ranging from $30 to $50 depending on the booking driver's age. This shouldn't be a surprise, as rental companies often charge car rental fees for young people . Turo does not charge a young driver fee in Canada or France.

Guest liability insurance with Turo

When you sign up for Turo and book a vehicle in the U.S., you are automatically covered by Turo's third-party liability insurance, underwritten by Travelers . Liability coverage shields guests from financial consequences up to the policy's limit if the guest is deemed at fault for an accident in a Turo vehicle. This insurance covers medical bills in cases of bodily harm to another person, and/or physical damage to someone else's vehicle or property.

Guests in all five of Turo's markets — the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and France — are not required to carry their own personal liability insurance when booking on Turo. If you have personal auto liability coverage, Turo's liability coverage acts as supplemental coverage to your policy. This means Turo's coverage kicks in once your own liability coverage has been exhausted.

Turo guests are covered by different amounts of liability coverage in each of Turo's five markets. In the U.S., guests are covered by up to $750,000 of liability coverage. In Canada, guests are backed by $2 million CAD ($1.47 million) in liability coverage. Turo supplies $20 million AUS ($1.31 million) of liability coverage to guests in Australia. U.K. guests are supplied with an unlimited amount of bodily liability coverage and £20 million ($25 million) in property liability coverage. In France, guests are covered by an unlimited amount of bodily liability coverage and €100 million ($107 million) in property damage liability coverage. Turo supplies a handy breakdown of the liability coverage  offered across its five markets.

Guest physical protection plans from Turo

Turo offers optional physical protection plans covering all or some damages to your shared Turo vehicle if you are involved in an at-fault collision. Keep in mind physical protection plans are not insurance — they are agreements between Turo and the guest regarding how financial responsibility would be split up if a guest is responsible for exterior damage to a Turo vehicle. These plans do not cover mechanical or interior damage.

Guests can decline to buy a physical protection plan, but Turo strongly urges guests to purchase some level of protection. If your Turo vehicle is damaged due to your actions, and you don't have a protection plan, you'll be responsible for covering those costs. Turo recommends protection plans because many credit cards and car insurance policies do not cover peer-to-peer vehicle sharing. A credit card or personal insurance policy may suffice in lieu of rental car insurance , but car-sharing is different. 

In the U.S., there are three types of physical protection plans — Premium, Standard, and Minimum. The Premium plan costs 65% of your trip price but limits your financial responsibility to $0 for exterior damage to your Turo. The Standard plan costs 40% of your trip price and limits financial responsibility to $500 — any costs above that are covered by Turo. The Minimum plan ranges from 18% to 25% of your trip price, depending on trip length. This plan limits a guest's responsibility to $3,000. Physical protection plans are slightly different across Turo's five markets.

Roadside assistance for Turo guests

Turo provides 24/7 roadside assistance in the U.S. and Canada only to guests who purchase a physical protection plan — this assistance includes lockout services, fuel delivery, jumpstarts, tire changes, and more. The more robust plans offer access to more services. Flat tire changes are covered by the Premium physical protection plan, but not by the Standard or Minimum plans. If your Turo vehicle gets a flat tire due to an accident or vandalism and you only carry a Standard or Minimum plan, you'll be on the hook to cover that cost. Turo offers similar roadside assistance plans in the U.K., Australia, and France.

If on-the-spot roadside assistance doesn't solve the problem, or if your vehicle leaves the road and needs recovery, the vehicle will be towed to an authorized garage, and the roadside plan will cover this cost. If Turo determines that a guest has violated Turo's Terms Of Service resulting in vehicle damage, roadside assistance will not be made available.

Turo's pitch for vehicle owners to become hosts

Turo pitches its peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing marketplace as a place where hosts can generate passive income and build entrepreneurial skills. According to Turo, sharing a vehicle is a great way to make thousands more dollars in income. Since there are no limits on how many vehicles a host can share on Turo, the possibility exists of leveraging your vehicles to earn more income and speed up the return on investment in your vehicle.

No entrepreneurial experience is necessary to start a car-sharing business on Turo, and hosts can manage their entire inventory of vehicles on the Turo app. The app also gives hosts the ability to message guests, adjust inventory and pricing, and accept trips. Turo provides 24/7 support to hosts, and insurance is provided for all hosts. According to Turo, the platform boasts more than 14 million guests worldwide, so money-making opportunities are available — it's up to hosts to cash in on those opportunities.

How much money can Turo hosts make?

The amount of money a Turo host can make depends on a slew of factors, including the number of vehicles a host shares, the rates charged for guests to use those vehicles, a vehicle's age, the region a host is located in, demand, and more. Before signing up as a host, use the Turo Carculator to get an estimate of how much money you could make sharing your vehicle. The Carculator allows you to search by budget or by vehicle to get an approximation of how much money you might earn, measured against the national average or the average of hosting a vehicle in your country's biggest cities.

To start, Turo places every host vehicle in a price range based on the vehicle's value. In the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., all of a new host's vehicles are opted into Turo's Automatic Pricing, if available. This means Turo's Automatic Pricing adjusts your vehicle's price based on vehicle age, location, trip history, and demand for the vehicle. You can opt out of Automatic Pricing by switching this feature off in the "pricing and discounts" tab. When setting prices manually, your rate must fall within Turo's minimum and maximum price range set for your vehicle.

Insurance for Turo hosts

All Turo hosts must carry their own personal auto liability insurance, even though Turo automatically protects hosts with up to $750,000 (in the U.S.) of third-party liability coverage. If a host's shared vehicle is involved in a collision and they are deemed liable for bodily injury and/or physical property damage, the host's personal insurance would kick in first. Only when and if that personal liability insurance is exhausted would Turo's supplemental liability coverage kick in.

Turo's third-party liability coverage for hosts covers different amounts of liability in each of Turo's five marketplaces. In Canada, Turo automatically provides up to $2 million CAD ($1.47 million) in liability coverage. Turo provides up to $20 million AUS ($1.31 million) in liability coverage for Australian hosts. In France, bodily injury liability coverage for Turo hosts is unlimited, along with €100 million ($107 million) in property liability. In the U.K., Turo provides an unlimited amount of bodily injury liability and £20 million ($25 million) in coverage for property liability claims.

Protection plans for Turo hosts

Unlike Turo guests, Turo hosts are required to purchase a physical protection plan for their vehicles. As with guests, a host's physical protection plan is not insurance. Rather, a host physical protection plan is an agreement between Turo and the host about how to split up the cost of repairing exterior vehicle damage if a guest is involved in an at-fault accident.

In the U.S., Turo offers five protection plans, the 60, 75, 80, 85, and 90 plans — the numbers indicate the percentage of the overall trip fee a host earns with each plan. The 60 plan is the most comprehensive and includes 100% coverage of eligible damage costs, no deductible, and eligible wear and tear reimbursements. In comparison, the 90 plan, where hosts keep 90% of the overall trip fee, is far less comprehensive — it includes a $2,500 deductible, no coverage for damage costs, and no wear and tear reimbursements. Physical protection plans vary from country to country, and the company offers protection plan breakdowns for Canada, the U.K., Australia, and France.

Reimbursement for a replacement Turo vehicle

In the U.S., Turo offers reimbursement to hosts if their vehicles are rendered undriveable for a period of time, but this depends on the protection plan a host has. Only the 60 and 75 plans offer reimbursement for a replacement vehicle if a guest damages a host's vehicle and it needs repairs. The 60 plan offers the option of replacing lost hosting income during the time the vehicle is off the road, or $50 per day for a replacement vehicle (for 10 days only). The 75 plan only offers a $30 per day replacement fee for a rental vehicle if a host's Turo vehicle is being repaired, for 10 days only.

The other physical protection plans do not offer any reimbursement for replacement vehicles for U.S. hosts. As with all of Turo's protection plans, the details vary from country to country, so if hosting a vehicle outside the U.S., get the lowdown on reimbursement for replacement vehicles in Canada, the U.K., Australia, and France.

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Everything You Need to Know About Using Turo, the Airbnb of Cars

The experience was seamless, according to this writer.

Turo is much like Airbnb but for cars: Owners ("hosts") create a profile for their car on the platform and set a price and mileage limits. Prospective renters ("guests") search by location and filter by price, rating, type of car, etc., and rent directly from the hosts.

I came across the Turo car-sharing platform during the pandemic when renting a car for three days would have cost more than a roundtrip flight to Europe. I read multiple accounts of other users' experiences and found mostly positive reviews. As with using any new service for the first time, I had my reservations: What if the car didn't match the photos or description? What if I had car trouble during the trip or got into an accident?

I decided to give Turo a try, and my experience was seamless. Here's what to expect from a Turo vehicle rental.

Choosing a Car on Turo

With Turo, you get to choose the exact car you drive. You can search for specific brands — even Tesla, Ferrari, and Rolls-Royce on the higher end. The company has compiled its most special vehicles in a section called wedding getaway cars , where you can find a white convertible or other unique car to make a grand exit. I chose a fuel-efficient Toyota Prius, a car I knew I'd be comfortable with.

Pickup and Dropoff

The closest pickup location was right across the state line in Hoboken, New Jersey, a quick subway ride from my Brooklyn home. The car was located just a five-minute walk from the subway station — a much more convenient pickup spot than the airport, where I typically have to go for a rental car.

Pickup was the most seamless process I've experienced with any rental car service. Instead of waiting in line at an airport counter or riding a shuttle to a lot, I met the Turo host in a specified pickup location (outside an apartment building), was handed the keys, and was on my way in minutes. The car was in pristine condition, very clean, and ran super smoothly.

Dropoff was equally easy. I messaged the host with my ETA and then again when I was nearby. It took just minutes to return the keys, and then I was off to the subway.

Car Troubles and Schedule Changes

Choosing a car with high user reviews is a good way to decrease the likelihood that you'll run into issues with cleanliness or the pickup and dropoff process. Reviews will also give you an idea of any quirks the car has (like the air-conditioning not being very strong or issues with connecting to Bluetooth) and whether the host is flexible and responsive about schedule changes.

If you have issues with the car's condition upon pickup, Turo recommends you communicate with your host immediately and contact Turo support, which is available 24/7. Turo also provides 24-hour roadside assistance to those who purchase a protection plan. If you decide to extend or shorten your trip, just submit a request via the app or through your online Turo account, and your host can either accept or decline it.

Insurance Coverage Through Turo

While some credit cards provide insurance coverage for rental cars, most exclude coverage for peer-to-peer car-sharing platforms like Turo.

Turo offers guests three tiers of insurance coverage — premier, standard, and minimum — but you have the option to decline physical damage coverage entirely. Through the booking process, you will be given the cost of each plan and an overview of coverage. As with all insurance, the more the plan costs, the less you'll have to pay out of pocket for any damage to the host's vehicle. Those who choose to decline a Turo protection plan are responsible for any damage, liability, and claims that could come from their trip.

One thing to note: Turo's protection plans provide third-party liability insurance (i.e., coverage for bodily injury to another person or damage to their property), whereas credit cards usually don't.

Should You Try Turo?

I would recommend Turo to anyone looking to avoid the high prices at traditional car rental agencies and for overall convenience.

As someone who pores over reviews of anything I spend my money on, I appreciated that I could read about the cars and know what to expect from interactions with the host. In the event of an unforeseen issue, I had a direct line of communication with the host rather than having to contact a customer service agent.

Whereas traditional car rental companies have locations at airports and some outposts in cities, Turo's cars are scattered all over (across the U.S. and more than 50 other countries ). Some hosts even offer to deliver the car right to you.

While cost varies widely based on the make, model, your location, and other factors, Turo is often more affordable than traditional car rental. When comparing, pay attention to any additional fees (like a pickup/return fee or an airport fee).

Turo aims to "provide hosts the platform to tap into their entrepreneurial drive," as CEO Andre Haddad explains to Travel + Leisure. Just as Airbnb hosts do with extra rooms in their homes and Depop sellers do with clothes, Turo gives people an opportunity to make money on an item they aren't using. It makes sense to share cars that are sitting unused — and Turo makes the process feel more like borrowing from a friend.

Some people are hesitant to rent through Turo as personal auto insurance might not provide coverage when driving a Turo car, and credit cards typically exclude coverage for peer-to-peer rentals. Of course, you should call your insurance provider or credit card company to ensure you understand what is and isn't covered before selecting Turo coverage.

Related Articles

Rideshare vs. Turo: Which One is Better?

In the world of transportation, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have become popular choices for getting around. But while they are both great platforms, choosing the one that satisfies your needs might be tough.

In this article, we compare the two services and provide valuable insights for you to make an informed decision.

Table of Contents

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Key Takeaways

• Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft provide on-demand transportation with a driver, while Turo is a peer-to-peer car rental platform where users rent vehicles from hosts.
• Rideshare and Turo differ in vehicle ownership, pricing models, and user relationships, with Rideshare focusing on driver-passenger and Turo on renter-host interactions.
• Rideshare is generally more suitable for short-term transportation, city travel, and commuting, while Turo caters to long-term needs, road trips, and leisurely exploration.
• Choosing between Rideshare and Turo depends on personal preferences, costs, convenience, flexibility, and environmental impact.
• Insurance coverage, one-way trip options, and vehicle types vary between rideshare services and Turo, with each platform offering advantages and limitations.

What is Rideshare?

Rideshare is a service where individuals use their personal vehicles to transport passengers who request rides through a smartphone app. 

The concept revolves around sharing transportation resources, reducing congestion, and offering a convenient alternative to traditional taxi services.

What is Turo?

Turo is a car-sharing platform allowing car owners to rent their vehicles to others. It’s similar to Airbnb but for cars. 

The idea behind Turo is to provide a flexible, cost-effective alternative to traditional car rental services by leveraging the sharing economy model.

Key Differences between Rideshare and Turo

Some key differences between Rideshare and Turo include the following:

Ownership and Responsibility for Vehicles

In rideshare services, drivers use their personal vehicles to transport passengers. 

They are responsible for maintaining their cars, carrying proper insurance, and covering all expenses related to their vehicle, such as fuel and maintenance.

On the other hand, Turo involves car owners renting out their vehicles to others. As a result, the car owner (host) maintains their vehicle and provides proper insurance coverage. 

The renter is responsible for following the host’s rules and returning the car in the same condition as they received it.

Pricing models and structures

Rideshare services use dynamic pricing models, considering factors like demand, time of day, and location to determine the fare. 

This means that prices fluctuate, sometimes resulting in higher costs during peak hours or in high-demand areas.

The car owner sets a daily rate for their vehicle, determining Turo pricing. Prices can vary depending on factors like the type of car, location, and rental duration. 

Renters can negotiate with hosts for better deals or discounts on long-term rentals.

Driver/Passenger vs. Renter/Host Relationships

In rideshare services, the relationship between the driver and passenger is more temporary and transactional. 

Passengers request a ride, and the driver transports them to their destination. The interaction typically lasts for the duration of the ride.

With Turo, the relationship between the renter and host can be more personal, as they communicate directly to arrange the car handover and return. 

This interaction can lead to a more customized and friendly experience, where hosts may offer additional services or recommendations to renters.

Pros and Cons of Rideshare and Turo

To make an informed decision, knowing the good and bad of both platforms is important.

Advantages of Using Rideshare Services

Convenience.

Rideshare services offer on-demand transportation, making them a convenient option for short trips or when a car is not needed for an extended period.

No parking hassles

Passengers don’t need to worry about finding parking, which can be a significant advantage in crowded urban areas.

Cost-effective

Rideshare can be more affordable than traditional taxi services, especially for short trips.

Advantages of Using Turo 

Wide selection of cars.

Turo offers various vehicles, from luxury models to budget-friendly options.

Cost savings

Renting through Turo can be more affordable than traditional car rental agencies, especially for longer trips or unique car models.

Flexibility

Renters can choose the vehicle that best fits their needs and preferences and negotiate rental terms directly with hosts.

Potential Drawbacks for Each Option

Surge pricing .

Fares can increase during peak hours or high-demand periods.

Limited control

Passengers have no control over the car or driver they get, which may affect their experience.

Inconsistency

The quality of vehicles and hosts can vary, impacting the overall rental experience.

Availability

Turo may have limited options in some areas, especially compared to rideshare services’ coverage.

Situations Where Each Option is Best Suited

Short-term vs. long-term transportation needs.

Rideshare is ideal for short-term transportation, such as quick trips around town, rides to the airport, or when you don’t want to worry about parking. 

Turo is better suited for longer-term transportation needs, like weekend getaways, road trips, or when you need a specific car for an extended period. 

It offers the flexibility to choose the exact vehicle you want and negotiate rental terms with the host.

City Travel vs. Vacation and Road Trips

For city travel, Rideshare is a great option. 

It’s readily available in most urban areas and provides a hassle-free way to get around without worrying about parking or navigating public transportation.

On the other hand, Turo is an excellent choice for vacations and road trips. 

It allows you to select a vehicle that suits your travel needs and preferences, such as a convertible for a coastal drive or an SUV for a family adventure.

Commuting vs. Leisure and Exploration

For daily commuting, rideshare services are a convenient and cost-effective solution, especially if you don’t own a car or want to avoid the stress of driving in heavy traffic.

Turo is a better fit for leisure and exploration. It offers the freedom and flexibility to choose your vehicle and itinerary, enabling you to discover new places at your own pace.

Tips for Choosing Between Rideshare and Turo

These tips will help you choose between Rideshare and Turo:

Assessing Your Needs and Preferences

Before choosing between Rideshare and Turo, consider your transportation needs, preferences, and the type of experience you’re looking for. For example, are you seeking a quick, convenient ride or need a specific vehicle for longer?

Comparing Costs, Convenience, and Flexibility

Evaluate each option’s costs, considering factors like distance, time, and the type of car you need. 

Also, consider each service’s convenience and flexibility, such as availability, pick-up and drop-off locations, and ease of use.

Considering Environmental Impact and Personal Values

Think about the environmental impact of your transportation choices and how they align with your personal values. 

Rideshare services can help reduce the number of cars on the road, while Turo allows you to choose eco-friendly vehicles or support local car owners.

In a nutshell, rideshare services like Uber and Lyft focus on providing quick and convenient transportation for short-term needs. At the same time, Turo offers a more personalized car rental experience for longer-term use.

Ultimately, the choice between Rideshare and Turo depends on your needs, preferences, and circumstances. Weigh the pros and cons, consider your travel plans and budget, and pick the option that’s the best fit for you. 

Happy travels!

Frequently Asked Questions

How does insurance coverage differ between rideshare services and turo.

Insurance coverage for rideshare services typically covers drivers and passengers during active rides, while Turo offers various insurance options for hosts and renters, covering liability, physical damage, and roadside assistance.

Can I use Turo for one-way trips or return the car to the same location?

Turo usually requires returning the car to the same location, but some hosts may offer one-way trips for an additional fee.

Are there any restrictions on the types of cars I can rent on Turo?

Turo has eligibility requirements, restricting cars older than 12 years or with over 130,000 miles, but offers a diverse range of vehicles, from economy to luxury.

Do rideshare services have any advantages over traditional taxis for short trips?

Rideshare services often have lower prices, quicker response times, and user-friendly apps with driver ratings and real-time tracking, making them more convenient for short trips.

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Nzoputa has been writing for Rentalero since day one and is one of our most experienced members when it comes to the rental industry. For her, nothing beats Uber!

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