posted on September 18, 2018
The perks & the work
Hosting on Turo can give you access to serious perks — like letting your car pay for itself — though not without some personal investment. If you’ve thought about sharing your car on Turo, but aren’t sure if it’s the right move, read on to learn the most baller benefits, and the practical considerations that will affect your hosting.
The goodies
EXTRA INCOME
The average US host on Turo makes upwards of $1,000 per month, which can cover a car payment, pay for school, or finally get you behind the wheel of your dream car. It also means you’re earning money from your otherwise idle, depreciating car — though the cat who likes to nap on top of it might be upset.
COVERAGE
So you can rest easy, Turo offers protection packages that cover your car while it’s being driven by your guests. Hosts choose from three levels of protection,* so you can opt for a large safety net or earn more by receiving less coverage. All plans in the US include $1 million** in liability insurance provided by Liberty Mutual, and each plan comes with varying levels of physical damage protection. All insurance in the US is offered through Turo Insurance Agency, LLC. And, in the rare event that something does go wrong, our Claims team is ready to help.
ALL OF THE LOVE
Being part of the sharing economy is about making connections and expanding your world. Your guests may be traveling for work or getting married, but you and your car will play a key role in making their trips memorable. Additionally, Turo hosts have a strong and vibrant community that produces awesome friendships and a wealth of handy tips.
It’s not just about sharing the car, but also the passion. Hosts who share their Teslas, Porsches, classic cars, and other iconic models often find that their cars attract other enthusiasts and gearheads, who are thrilled to drive them and may even be looking to buy their own.
TURO SUPPORT
The feedback we get from our host community is incredibly valuable, and Turo is always building new tools to make hosting more efficient so you create even better guest experiences. From the Host Hub, which offers in-depth info on host performance and earnings, to the Extras feature, which allows hosts to add items like prepaid fuel or car seats to a trip, Turo keeps hosts’ needs top of mind.
For extra convenience, near SFO in San Francisco and LAX in Los Angeles, Turo offers Valet. For a small fee, hosts can leave their cars at a lot with our expert valets, who meet your guests and take photos of your car’s condition for you at the beginning and end of trips to ensure you’re covered in case something happens during a trip. In select cities, we’ve also partnered with delivery services, who can deliver your car to guests on your behalf.
Things to consider
If hosting on Turo sounds great, that’s because it really can be — it’s even transformed some hosts’ lives! — but it’s also a commitment that requires care and solid time management. As you’re making the decision to dive into hosting, keep these caveats in mind.
KICK THE TIRES
Your car must meet a few requirements to be listed on Turo. For instance, unless you’re listing a classic car, your vehicle should be less than 12 years old and have racked up fewer than 130,000 miles — you can find the full list of requirements here. It’s also important to keep your car in good condition to share, which means getting it cleaned, taking it in for service regularly, and staying on top of repairs and recalls.
YOUR LOCATION
You can certainly be a successful Turo host anywhere, but you’re more likely to get steadier bookings if you’re near a metro area, and especially if you’re near or can deliver to an airport. If you’re interested in a particular metro area, check out the Market guides on our blog to get a sense of trends and how top hosts are performing.
FLEXIBLE LIFESTYLE
There are some all-star Turo hosts who manage to accommodate guests while they work a full-time job, but these hosts also tend to have some flexibility with their schedule. It takes time and energy to coordinate drop offs and pick ups, as well as to stay in touch with guests in case their flights are delayed or their schedules change. Top hosts have the ability to go with the flow, and to get cars quickly cleaned and refueled before their next trip, which is also why some committed hosts make Turo their full-time gig.
That said, Turo also provides tools for hosts with busy schedules. You can block off dates when your car is not available — great for when you’re planning to use your car — and set times of day when you can meet guests, so you only get trip requests you can accommodate. Hosts also set their own prices and requirements for delivery, so you can set a fee that covers your travel time and costs.
IS YOUR HEART IN IT?
As with most satisfying life endeavors, what you put into hosting directly affects what you get out of it. Turo hosts are happy to offer timely and excellent communication, and want to meet guests’ needs. 5-star hosts on Turo typically go above and beyond the basic duties of exchanging keys and pleasantries, because they care on a personal level about each guest — some even go out to buy extra cars so they don’t disappoint!
Whether you’re prepared to become a host right now or if you’re not quite ready to make the commitment, we’re delighted that you’re considering it. We hope you’ve decided that you’ve got what it takes, and that you’ll join our mission to put the world’s cars to better use.
* Protection plans vary by country. This information applies to the United States only.
** Liability coverage varies by country. Hosts are covered by CA$2 million in Canada (provided by insurance partner Intact), and €100 million in Germany (provided by insurance partner Allianz).
Kamala Puligandla
Kamala Puligandla is a writer, editor, and bon vivant in LA. She is the author of two books, Zigzags and You Can Vibe Me On My Femmephone, and is always on the look-out for strange stories, excellent eats, and relaxing locales.
