by Turo
posted on August 29, 2024
Welcome to Turo
Turo is the world’s largest car sharing marketplace, with over 365,000 active vehicles and 165,000 active hosts worldwide.1 Car owners have been earning money by sharing their cars on Turo since 2010, and today the marketplace operates in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, and Australia — we launched Down Under in November 2022.
Hosts are an integral part of the Turo community
Turo hosts across the world are known for providing great experiences, with 96% of all rated trips in Australia this year receiving a five-star review from the guest. The high-quality service provided by Turo hosts ensures guests keep coming back, which helps the platform continue to grow. This sustainable growth has allowed hosts to place their trust in the marketplace and continue to invest in growing their car sharing business on Turo.
Earning money on Turo
Top hosts on Turo in Australia earn an average of $1,080 a month per vehicle.2 Turo hosts set their own daily prices and choose their own level of risk-reward through three protection plans, outlined below.3 By sharing some of the risk through a deductible on the protection plans, hosts are able to take home a larger share of the trip cost and earn more while still being protected. For a more detailed explanation of the protection plan options offered on Turo, please click here.
| 65 plan | 75 plan | 90 plan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host take rate | 65% of the price you set | 75% of the price you set | 90% of the price you set |
| Host deductible | $0 | $500 | $1,200 |
| Legal liability protection for third party property damage | $20,000,000 | $20,000,000 | $20,000,000 |
| Loss of hosting income during repair | Yes | No | No |
| Exterior wear and tear reimbursement | Yes | No | No |
Turo remits payments daily, though Stripe. Bank processing times can mean hosts do not receive payment instantly.
Logistics of hosting on Turo
With the average trip lasting almost four days,4 Turo hosts operate a different business model than other higher-frequency, lower-duration platforms. Most hosts meet their guests and hand over the keys in person, however some use physical lockboxes located at their properties, or some use remote access systems such as Linkey. Turo hosts are expected to hand over a clean car, and are required to upload trip photos within 24 hours of the trip starting and ending in order to be eligible to make claims. To boost revenue and increase utilisation, some hosts offer delivery to popular locations such as airports and train stations, and set their own price for the service.
We understand that these differences represent a change to the way you might have previously operated your car sharing business, but we encourage you to give Turo a shot. We’re confident in the successful track record Turo hosts have experienced in Australia, and the strength of the Turo business globally.
If you aren’t sure about hosting on Turo yet, or might like a period of time to adjust or try Turo out, you can apply to our passive income program to have trusted co-hosts manage your vehicles for you.
Support at Turo
Turo provides hosts with 24/7 customer support. In addition, through australia-host@turo.com, hosts have direct access to the local market management & supply team. You can also enjoy additional perks such as account management, access to data and insights, and expedited support through the Power Host Program. There are regularly held in-person host community events where you can get tips, support, and insights from fellow hosts and the Turo team.
Key information for Turo hosts
| Turo | |
|---|---|
| Vehicle eligibility | – Model year 2013 and newer, with exceptions made for specialty and classic vehicles – 200km maximum odometer reading – No write-offs – Passenger vans up to 10 seats allowed, cargo vans not allowed |
| Protection plans | Choose from three protection plans: – 90 plan: 90% take rate, $1,200 deductible – 75 plan: 75% take rate, $500 deductible – 65 plan: 65% take rate, no deductible There is no monthly membership fee, and hosts do not receive a per-km fee. |
| Key handoff options | – In-person key handoff by default – Remote access allowed via lockbox or self-managed approach. There is no keyless access feature through Turo. |
| Car stickers | Vehicles with external branding cannot be shared on Turo. Turo does not provide Turo-branded stickers. Listing photos must show clear evidence that other brands’ stickers have been removed prior to activation. |
| Delivering vehicles | Hosts can offer delivery to travel hubs or custom locations and set their own prices, up to a limit of $120, for the service. |
| Verifying guests | In addition to internal Turo verification systems, hosts must check each guest’s licence before the start of a trip, either virtually through the app or in-person. |
| Taking trip photos | Both guests and hosts take pre-trip and post-trip photos, which are required as evidence in the case of any additional charges or damage claims. Adequate photo evidence is mandatory for claims to be processed. |
| Managing tolls | Hosts provide their own toll solution; toll charges are manually reimbursed. |
| Refuelling & recharging | Guests pay for all fuel usage. Hosts get reimbursed for refuelling cars returned with less fuel and can charge a $10 refuelling inconvenience fee. |
| Recording mileage | Mileage is manually recorded via odometer trip photos taken by hosts. If guests exceed the distance included with the trip, hosts are paid according to the additional distance rate for the vehicle. |
| Reporting damage | Hosts must report damage within 24 hours and demonstrate that the damage occurred during the guest’s trip. |
| Keeping vehicles clean | Cars should be cleaned by hosts prior to each trip. Hosts can receive a payment of $150 for cleaning violations when a guest returns a car excessively dirty. |
| Off-app insurance | Turo does not currently offer an off-app insurance option. Turo hosts are required to have Compulsory Third Party insurance but are not required to have other insurance to share their cars on the platform. |
FAQs
Why do the protection plans include a deductible?
Turo offers three protection plans for hosts. Both the 90 and the 75 plans include a host deductible, which means the host takes on a fraction of the risk. By sharing this risk, Turo can pass more of the earnings onto hosts, allowing them to earn more money from the platform.
Do I need to remove my stickers from other car sharing companies?
Yes, please remove your stickers — vehicles cannot have external branding.
Do you offer account management to hosts with multiple cars?
Yes! Hosts that meet certain requirements can benefit from account management through the Power Host program, as well as other perks. To assist with the transition to Turo, hosts with multiple cars can contact australia-host@turo.com to schedule a call with the local Australia team.
Where can I learn about specific host policies mentioned in this post?
The Turo Help Center is the place to go! You can check out specific articles for hosts in AU about: vehicle eligibility, host protection plans, offering delivery, verifying guests at check-in, setting rates for additional distance driven, reporting damage for a claim, and the cleaning policy and expectations.
General Advice Warning: Turo Australia Pty Ltd is an Authorised Representative (AR No: 130021) of Picnic Licensing Pty Ltd (AFSL No: 532540). Any advice we provide about Turo Travel Mutual’s products is of a general nature only. It does not take into account your personal circumstances. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Financial Service Guide to see if the product is right for you.
- As of 30, June 2024
- Calculated using the average monthly performance of the top 50% of Australian Turo hosts (based on their average monthly earnings) in the 6 months ending June 30, 2023. Earnings not reduced to reflect other costs of vehicle ownership such as maintenance and insurance. Figures are rounded down to the nearest dollar.
- Turo Travels Mutual Limited (the Mutual) is a discretionary mutual providing risk protection products. The Mutual issues and distributes its products via Picnic Licensing Pty Ltd, ACN: 647 642 117 AFSL: 532540. The Mutual is managed by Turo Travels Management Pty Ltd ACN 661 462 433 (AR No: awaiting issuance). The Managing Agent is Turo Australia Pty Ltd, ACN 659 649 073 (AR No: awaiting issuance). Discretionary risk protection is not the same as insurance. For more information before deciding to become a member, please review the Constitution, Financial Services Guide, Host Product Disclosure Statement, and related materials at https://turo.com/au/en/policies/turotravels.
- 2024 Turo Australia data from Jan 1, 2024 – July 31, 2024.
