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Looking for a new way to get around town? Ever wished rental cars were cheaper? Well, that's now a reality, thanks to Turo, an online car-sharing service that connects drivers with car owners. But is Turo legit?
Here's what you need to know before using this car rental company alternative.
Contents
What Is Turo?
You know the drill when renting a car. You find the rental car company kiosk at the airport, hand over your credit card, and hope that everything goes smoothly. Is there a better way? Turo is a new kind of car rental service that's shaking up the traditional rental company industry.
Founded in 2009, Turo car rental is a peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace. That means that instead of renting from traditional car rental agencies, you can rent vehicles from regular car owners who are looking to earn some extra cash. All rental cars are covered by Turo's insurance policy, so you don't have to worry about a thing.
And best of all, Turo rentals are often much cheaper than other rental car companies.
Just as with a rental car company, travelers can hire the car they want, wherever they want it - the difference is the vehicle will be sourced from a community of local car owners. Available in more than 7,500 cities and 300 airports worldwide, with a selection of rental car options from economy cars to luxury SUVs, Turo has everything you could possibly need or want.
With over 350,000 cars in 56 countries and 1,300 unique makes and models to choose from, Turo is the world’s largest car sharing marketplace. Turo has the perfect car for every trip and also provides 24/7 roadside assistance, making it a safe and convenient way to earn money by sharing your car.
So whether you’re looking for a Tesla Model S for a weekend getaway or a Honda Fit for your next family vacation, Turo has you covered for your next rental car.
How Does Turo Work?
Turo is a car rental company that allows users to rent out their personal vehicles to others, also known as peer-to-peer. It's just like Airbnb, but with cars!
The process is simple: after creating an account and listing their car, hosts can set their own rental prices and schedule. Then, when someone requests to rent the car, the owner (host) will receive a notification. If they approve the rental car request, they will make arrangements with the renter to hand over the keys.
After the rental period is over, the car's owner will retrieve the vehicle from the drop off location and receive payment through Turo. The process is designed to be as convenient and hassle-free as possible, giving everyone involved peace of mind.
If you want to learn how to make money with your car, see our complete guide here!
Is Turo Legit?
So is Turo legit? Absolutely! Thousands of people use the Turo app every day to rent vehicles, and the company has an excellent track record for customer satisfaction.
If you're looking for a cheaper, more flexible alternative to traditional car rental agencies, Turo is definitely worth checking out.
Turo as a Guest
For those looking to rent a car, the Turo app is a great option. With its large selection of vehicles and competitive prices, it's no wonder that Turo car rental is top of mind among popular car-sharing services. Let's have a look at the process in more detail.
Finding a Car
The first step is finding a Turo vehicle. You can use the Turo website or app to browse through the available cars in your area. Once you've found a car you like, request to book it for a certain period of time.
Renting a Car
Hosts have the right to approve or deny any rental requests, so make sure you're respectful when requesting to rent a car. Once your request is approved by the car owner, you'll arrange with the host to collect the keys. Then, you're free to hit the road!
Remember that you're responsible for returning the car in the same condition it was in when you rented it.
How Much Does Turo Cost?
Turo prices vary depending on the car you're renting, the length of your rental, whether or not you are a young driver, and other factors. There may be extra fees in addition to the estimated trip price shown on the results page, such as a Turo trip fee, protection plan fee, and young driver fee. In general, though, the Turo app is much cheaper than traditional rental companies.
You'll have to pay extra if you want unlimited mileage, and there's a young driver fee if you are under 25 at the time of booking, but you should still save anywhere from 20% to 50% off the cost when Turo fees are compared to a standard car rental place.
To get an accurate estimate of how much your Turo rental will cost, be sure to use the Turo price "carculator."
Turo’s Insurance
Every Turo rental vehicle comes with insurance coverage, so you don't have to worry about using your own personal auto insurance. In the event of an accident, damage, or theft, Turo's policy will protect you.
However, it's important to note that the insurance Turo provides does have some limits. For example, the policy has a $750,000 liability limit, so if you cause an accident that results in more than $750,000 in damages, you would be responsible for the rest.
To learn more about the insurance policy, visit Turo's website.
What Happens If You Crash a Car on Turo?
Turo requires that you notify the company of any accidents immediately, or at least within 24 hours of the end of your trip or the date of the incident. You must also file a police report and provide Turo with the report number to be eligible for compensation.
Turo takes accidents very seriously, and they will work with you to make sure the situation is resolved quickly and smoothly. However, it's imperative to remember that you are ultimately responsible for the car, so be sure to drive safely!
Can You Return a Car Early on Turo?
Yes, you can return a car early on Turo. If you cancel your car hire early, you will not receive a refund or credit, except in the case that you have submitted a request to modify your trip.
Return a vehicle up to three hours early without submitting a trip change request if you get the written permission of the car owner in the messaging function. A trip change is only valid if you contact your vehicle's host via Turo messenger and your host approves the request.
Do You Have to Clean a Turo Car?
No, you do not have to clean a Turo car, but if you return the car in an excessively dirty condition, your host may report the issue to Turo for the customer support team to review. If the evidence shows a significant cleaning issue, Turo will charge a cleaning fee, and, in some cases, your account may be terminated.
Does Turo Cover Gas?
No, Turo does not cover gas. You're responsible for filling up the tank before returning the car. Make sure you return the car with as much electric charge or gas as it had when you collected it.
Tips for Renting on Turo
Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your Turo experience:
- Read the rental agreement carefully before booking a car. This will help you avoid any surprises later on.
- Always inspect the car carefully before driving away with it. If you notice damage, take pictures and report it to the host.
- Drive safely! Remember, you are responsible for the car, so be sure to drive carefully and obey all traffic laws.
Turo as a Host
Have you ever wished you could make some extra money by renting out your car? Well, now there's a way! Turo is not just for people who own fancy cars. Instead, any vehicle owner can list it on Turo. Let's have a closer look at what it's like to rent out your car through Turo.
What Do I Need to Become a Host on Turo?
To become a Turo host, you'll need to have a car that meets the company's criteria. The main requirements are that your car must be:
- Less than 12 years old,
- Have fewer than 130,000 miles, and
- Have a clean title (no salvage or rebuilt cars)
As your vehicle gets older, you are responsible for keeping it in good running order and up to Turo's safety and mechanical standards.
Upon meeting these requirements, you can sign up to be a host on Turo's website. Once you're approved, you can start listing your car and renting it out to guests!
How Much Does Turo Pay?
Turo pays hosts 65-75% of the rental price, minus any fees. For example, if you charge $100 per day for your rental, Turo will keep $25-35 and you'll receive $65-75.
In addition to the rental price, hosts may also charge a cleaning fee, a refueling fee, and/or an early return fee. These fees are all paid to the host directly, so be sure to factor them into your pricing.
How Often Can I Rent My Car on Turo?
You can rent your car on Turo as often as you like! There are no limits on how many rentals you can do in a day, week, or month.
Can I Put My Leased Car on Turo?
Yes, you can put your leased car on Turo. However, you'll need to get permission from your leasing company first. Most companies will allow you to do so, but some may charge a fee.
How Much Can You Make Per Month on Turo?
How much you can make with a Turo vehicle depends on a number of factors, including the type of car you have, its location, and the price you charge. In general, hosts can expect to make around $500 per month. However, some hosts make significantly more than this!
Is Turo Passive Income?
Yes, Turo is one option for passive income ideas. Once you list your own car on Turo and set your price, you can start receiving rental requests immediately. You don't need to do anything else except hand over the keys when it's time for a guest to take your car!
Tips for Hosting on Turo
Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your Turo experience:
- Be sure to clean your car thoroughly before each rental. This will help ensure that guests have a positive experience.
- Take pictures of your car before each rental so you can document its condition. This will protect you in case of any damage claims.
- Respond to rental requests quickly. The sooner you respond, the more likely you are to get the booking.
- Be flexible with your pricing. You may want to lower your rates during slow periods to attract more guests.
What are People Saying about Turo?
Overall, people have had positive experiences with Turo. Turo reviews show that many guests appreciate the wide selection of available vehicles, the easy booking process and the ability to rent from local owners using the car sharing platform. Turo hosts enjoy the passive income and the flexibility to set their own rates.
The company seems to have a great reputation. According to Trustpilot reviews, the average customer rating for Turo is 4.6 out of 5 stars with over 28,000 reviews. 88% of Trustpilot scores are 4 or 5 stars, putting them firmly in the "Excellent" category.
Turo customer service should give themselves a pat on the back because they're obviously getting it right with so many glowing reviews.
Of course, there are always a few negative reviews.
Some guests have complained about being charged hidden fees, while others have had issues with communication.
However, these problems seem to be relatively rare and Turo is a legit company you can usually trust.
If you're considering using Turo, be sure to read reviews from both guests and hosts before making a decision. This will help you get a better sense of what to expect from the platform.
Turo Alternatives
Here are a couple of alternatives the the Turo platform you can try.
FetchTruck
FetchTruck is a contactless truck rental platform that lets you list your trucks to those in need. Simply sign up and you'll appear in the local directory. Then when a verified renter needs to use your truck, Fetch will help take care of the rest. And it's super easy to get started.
Getaround
Getaround is another peer-to-peer car rental service that's similar to Turo. Like Turo, Getaround allows guests to rent cars from local owners. The company has a Trustpilot score of 3.9, based on over 16,000 reviews, so they've got a pretty decent reputation.
However, Turo is more widely available than Getaround, so be sure to check if Getaround is available in your area before signing up.
Hyrecar
If you're an Uber or Lyft driver, you know that having a reliable car is essential to your success. But what if you don't own a car, or your current car isn't up to the task? That's where Hyrecar comes in. Hyrecar is a car rental service specifically for rideshare drivers.
Whether you need a car for a day, a week, or longer, Hyrecar has you covered. And best of all, they have a wide selection of cars to choose from, so you're sure to find one that's perfect for your needs.
With a Trustpilot score of 3.5 based on nearly 2,000 reviews, they're classed as "good" rather than "excellent," but if you're looking for a rideshare-specific car rental service, Hyrecar is definitely worth checking out.
Is Turo Legit? Final Thoughts
So, is Turo legit?
Absolutely! Turo is a legitimate company with a great reputation. They offer a unique service that allows guests to rent cars from local owners. Bottom line, Turo is definitely worth considering if you're looking for an alternative to traditional car rental companies.
Just be sure to read reviews from both guests and hosts before booking to get a better sense of what to expect and so that you understand when any extra fees are applied. Traditional rental car companies can be expensive and inflexible, so Turo's alternative business model is definitely worth considering.
For other ideas on how to make some passive income, check out these articles:
- 119 Side Hustle to Create New Income Streams
- 45 Weird Ways to Make Money Online
- How to Make Extra Money Online Without Ever Leaving Your House
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