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Your complete guide to hosting on Turo in Canada
A complete guide to hosting basics, creating a stellar listing, plus resources and top tips to get you on the fast track to success.
Becoming a Turo host
So you’ve signed up for an account on Turo. Now what?
In this guide, you’ll learn how to set up your account on Turo, craft a competitive listing, optimize your settings for your schedule and goals, and earn big on the world’s largest car sharing marketplace.
We’ll cover best practices for hosting before, during, and at the end of each trip, as well as how to troubleshoot common issues.
Why share your car?
Earning opportunities
By sharing their cars, Turo helps Canadian car owners generate $712* on average of extra income a month.
After getting set up on Turo, many hosts earn enough to offset the costs of owning their cars, including monthly payments, fuel, and maintenance.
*Figure represents the average monthly performance (based on their gross monthly earnings) of all Canadian hosts in the 12 months ending June 30, 2024."
Peace of mind
Turo guests are screened, and every trip is covered with up to $2,000,000 in third-party liability insurance from Economical Insurance or Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) as well as physical damage for up to $150,000 in Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island.
Getting started
Before you create a listing, get started on Turo with these simple steps.
Download the app
Hosts must download the Turo app for check-in, check-out, and photo uploads. The app allows you to manage trips on the fly and easily message your guests wherever you are.
Get in the hospitality mindset
By hosting on Turo, you’re getting into the hospitality business, where outstanding customer service (in addition to clean and safe cars) is one of the most important thing you can offer.
Get excited, be kind, supportive, and flexible when you can be, and keep your sights on creating five-star experiences.
Outstanding Turo hosts, also known as All-Star Hosts, get rewarded for their hard work and all-star customer service skills with more visibility in search results, priority support, travel credit bonuses, and boosted booking opportunities.
Learn more about the All-Star host program
Listing your vehicle
Check your vehicle’s eligibility
Before creating your first listing, check that your vehicle meets the eligibility criteria in Canada.
What is Turo’s eligibility criteria?
Eligible
Eligible passenger vehicles
Located in Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador
Registered to you or to an owner who’s authorized you to list their vehicle
Meet all provincial legal requirements
Have permanent plates
No more than 12 years old, with exceptions for “specialty” or “classic” vehicles
Please note, once listed, vehicles that reach or exceed 200,000 km may remain listed if they’re in excellent condition and continue to meet all legal, safety, and mechanical standards
Meet our maintenance requirements
Market value up to $150,000
Have a clean title
Ineligible
Limousines
Motorcycles
RVs
Three-wheeled vehicles like the Polaris Slingshot or Vanderhall Venice
Vehicles that seat more than nine (including the driver)
Vehicles that require a commercial license
Off-road vehicles
Branded title (including salvaged or “written off” vehicles)
Washed title
Unclean Carfax history
Registering for Turo Go
Turo Go allows you to check guests in remotely without physically handing over the keys. To enable Turo Go, your vehicle must meet Turo’s eligibility criteria as well as some additional requirements.
How can I check if my vehicle is compatible with Turo Go?
Open the Vehicles tab in the Turo app and select Turo Go at the top of the screen. A list of your currently compatible vehicles will display. Select “Upgrade” to register your eligible vehicle(s) for Turo Go.
To see the names of all vehicle makes and models currently compatible with Turo Go in Canada, check out the eligibility list.
How to set up your account
Check your eligibility to host
Before you can list your vehicle and start earning on Turo, check that you meet the following requirements:
Have valid car insurance
Meet legal and insurance standards and requirements for your region
Check vehicle eligibility requirements
Be at least 21 years old
All good? Then it’s time to sign up and list your first vehicle!
Sign up for Turo
Start by creating a Turo account. Next, go to your Account page, tap “Get Approved to Drive,” and fill out the required information.
Confirm that you meet the age requirements to list your vehicle. In Canada, all hosts must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver's license.
Types of listings
There are three types of listings on Turo. A vehicle’s market value and location determines whether it’s eligible to be listed as Deluxe Class or Super Deluxe Class. These categories determine guest eligibility when it comes to booking your vehicle.
How do I set up my account to get paid?
Turo uses Stripe for host payment accounts. When you list your first vehicle, you’ll be prompted to verify your identity and create an account, which will be verified by Stripe.
Next, enter your direct deposit information to receive earnings payments. When prompted for your business URL, you can use the URL of your vehicle’s listing on Turo. Stripe securely stores your payout account information, and Turo doesn’t have access to it.
Perfect your pricing
The easiest way to score more bookings is to price your car competitively.
You can easily set and change vehicle prices and use Turo’s pricing insights to guide your decisions. Find easy-to-follow instructions for pricing on your Calendar page. Tap/click the information icon on the top left.
Dynamic and custom pricing
All Canada listings use dynamic pricing to keep your listing competitive and optimize your earnings according to your local market, demand patterns, and seasonality.
You still have the option to manually customize prices on your Calendar. Before you do, the Turo app or website will prompt you to complete a short lesson on dynamic pricing.
Pricing insights
You can make better-informed pricing decisions by selecting the Insights button in your Calendar. This will show pricing trends for vehicles similar to yours in your area so you can price more competitively.
Learn more about pricing your vehicle.
What your guest sees
In addition to the trip price that you set for your vehicle, guests can review the following fees at checkout:
Trip fee — A percentage of the trip price, added by Turo and calculated at checkout. Trip fees vary dynamically and go directly to Turo to help us run the platform.
Protection plan fee — The cost of your guest’s protection plan, if selected.
Airport fee — Turo collects and remits this fee to the airport to allow hosts to offer airport delivery. Turo does not set, mark up, or retain any portion of it.
Extras — The cost of any add-on items you offer as a host, if selected by your guest.
Delivery fee — The amount you charge as a host to cover the delivery of a vehicle at the start or end of a trip, if applicable.
Duration discount — The discounted rate applied to trips booked or extended for three consecutive days, one week, two weeks, or two months, if offered by you as a host.
Understanding vehicle protection
What does my Turo protection plan include?
Hosts can choose one of two vehicle protection plans on Turo: the 75 plan or the 85 plan.
Plan | 75 plan | 85 plan |
|---|---|---|
Host take | 75% of the trip price | 85% of the trip price |
Deductible (per claim of physical damage to your vehicle) No reimbursement during the Delivery Period in British Columbia | Within the Reservation Period: None Within the Delivery Period: $2,000 | Within the Reservation and Delivery Periods: $2,000 |
Third-party liability insurance No third-party liability coverage during the Delivery Period in British Columbia | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
Replacement Vehicle Reimbursement | Up to $500 | Not included |
You can find our full policy and more details about host protection plans here.
Frequently asked questions about vehicle protection
What happens if my vehicle gets into an accident?
In the rare case that your vehicle is involved in an accident, your guest should report it immediately. If you notice damage at the end of a trip and your guest hasn’t yet reported it, it’s important to report it immediately at the claims resolution center.
To ensure eligibility for reimbursement under a protection plan, hosts must:
Report damage within 24 hours of the end of the trip. You can do this under the Details tab in the Turo app. Tap “Report Damage” to make your report. A Turo associate will then reach out and guide you through the process.
Take clear photos to document the vehicle condition at the start and end of each trip. Use the in-app check-in and checkout features to take and upload the photos.
If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your insurance professional.
Why don’t I get to keep 100% of the trip price?
The percentage of the trip price that Turo retains helps us run the platform smoothly. It also covers:
The costs Turo incurs for assuming the financial responsibility for potential damage to your vehicle during a trip.
Other expenses, including operational costs to run the platform, as well as marketing and advertising costs to help drive demand and promote hosts’ cars.
Do I need my own vehicle insurance?
Yes, you still need your own insurance for your vehicle. Because protection plans offered through Turo cover trips booked on Turo only, you are still required to carry your own insurance in order to comply with the law.
Although your personal insurance will not be used during a Turo trip, please contact your insurer before you list your car as your personal insurer must approve your participation in peer-to-peer car sharing.
Most major auto insurers allow their policyholders to participate in car sharing, such as Intact, Desjardins, Aviva, Wawanesa, Co-operators, and more. You can find the full list here.
The protection plan is the primary source of protection for damage that occurs during a trip. Your own insurance — which likely has an exclusion for coverage when you engage in car sharing — should not be affected.
For more information, review the protection plan policy specific to your province:
Alberta, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec: Economical Insurance Company
British Columbia:
Are Turo protection plans valid for personal use?
No, Turo protection plans are not valid for personal use outside of the duration of a guest’s trip.
For hosts in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador, protection plan coverage is active during a trip’s Reservation Period and Delivery Periods.
For hosts in British Columbia, coverage is active only during a trip’s Reservation Period.
Are guests allowed to drive my vehicle to the US?
Yes, guests can drive a vehicle booked in Canada across the US-Canadian border.
Our roadside partner operates in both the US and Canada, ensuring hosts have access to roadside assistance in either country.
Setting yourself up for success
Now that you’ve created your first listing, here are a few tips to make it shine.
Polishing up your listing
Thorough listings show up higher in search rankings and attract more guests.
Upload at least 10 clear, well lit photos
Include photos of both your car’s interior and exterior, and take some aspirational shots with a nice background to really stand out from the crowd.
Review the photo guide for five tips to help you with composition and lighting, and see if there’s a professional photographer available in your area to kick your photo game up a notch.
Describe your car thoroughly and accurately
List basic details about your car using the structured options, like the number of seats and required fuel type, as well as special features that make your car unique, like a sunroof or all-wheel drive. Including all the features will help beef up your listing and improve its discoverability, since guests can filter by feature.
Write a unique description. Share what’s great about your car, and remember — a little personality goes a long way! Tell your guests about your cleaning routine, fun local drives, and any other interesting under-the-hood facts to get guests excited to book your car. Be sure to write at least 100 words in your description — more robust descriptions get a little boost in search results!
Representing your vehicle accurately
It’s important to ensure all information about your listed vehicle is accurate.
Make sure that you list your vehicle make, model, and features accurately and mention any pre-existing damages. Otherwise, you may be in violation of our vehicle misrepresentation policy.
Misrepresentation of your vehicle will result in a $100 violation fee, loss of host earnings for affected trip(s), and any applicable fees.
It may also result in removal from Turo and/or voiding your protection plan.
Optimize your settings
Boost booking opportunities by honing your settings
First, get to know your Host Hub — it’s essentially your control centre where you can:
Adjust your vehicle settings (under the "Vehicles" tab)
Monitor your performance metrics (under the "Performance" tab)
Check your ratings and reviews (under the "Reviews" tab)
Track your earnings (under the "Earnings" tab)
Update your account-level settings (versus your vehicle-specific settings, under the "Settings" tab)
Top hosting tips
Stay committed. Avoid cancelling reservations unless it’s an emergency. Cancellations can negatively impact your search ranking and deter future guests from booking. They also show on your listing.
Get trips that are right for you. Fine-tune your trip preferences, like how much advance notice you need before a new trip starts. Keep your availability up to date so you only get trip requests when your vehicle is available. Also, set Pickup & Return hours so you get trip requests that start and end when you’re available to meet guests.
Gearing up for your first trip
Which insurance documents do I need to keep in the vehicle?
Hosts in Canada are required to keep the following documents in their vehicle for all Turo trips. Ensure your vehicle registration is up to date and that all documents are valid for the full duration of the current guest trip.
Vehicle registration
Proof of personal insurance
Certificate of Turo insurance
Turo incident information card
Incident information cards
Incident information cards are updated annually and can be downloaded at the links below:
Checking in your guest
You can begin the check-in process up to 24 hours before the start of a trip.
Open the trip and tap “Get Started”. To check in your guest, complete the following steps:
Confirm the guest’s license
You must complete this step before giving the guest access to the vehicle
For remote check-ins, tap “View Photos” and use the photos that appear here for license confirmation
Document the vehicle’s condition
Give the guest access to the vehicle and provide them with a key
Even if your vehicle has remote locking/unlocking technology, you still need to leave a key for the guest in the vehicle and/or a secure lockbox.
Learn more about the check-in process.
Confirming a license
Before the start of any trip, you must confirm the primary guest’s license in order to verify their identity and eligibility to drive. Only give vehicle access to a guest whose license you’ve confirmed.
To confirm a license, check that:
the guest’s name and date of birth match the reservation information of the primary guest
the guest’s face matches the photo on their license
the license won’t expire before the end of the trip, hasn’t been altered, isn’t conditional, probational, provisional, or restricted, and isn’t a learner’s permit
Accepted license types
Turo accepts the following types of driver’s licenses:
Valid Canadian driver’s licenses (i.e. G2, G)
Probationary licenses (Quebec only)
International licenses
Temporary licenses (Must be accompanied by a second form of government photo ID)
Turo does not accept learner’s permits (i.e. G1 licenses).
If you’re unable to confirm a license, report the incident as a guest no-show.
Your pre-trip checklist
Once a guest books your car, you’ll get a notification in the app and via email. Follow this checklist to ensure you’ve covered all your bases before the trip starts:
Message your guest to coordinate a pickup time and location
Clean your car thoroughly, following the enhanced cleaning and disinfection guide
Refuel or charge your car for your guest so it’s got a full tank or a full charge when they pick it up
Take clear pre-trip photos documenting the vehicle’s interior and exterior condition and upload them to the “Trip photos” section — this step is crucial to be eligible for your reimbursement under your protection plan! Turo needs pre- and post-trip evidence when processing claims
Exterior photos: Take at least 15 photos of your vehicle’s exterior from these viewpoints. Include close-ups of any scratches, dents, or other pre-existing issues.
Interior photos: Take at least eight photos of the following areas of your vehicle’s interior. Be sure to clearly document fuel/EV charge level and odometer reading, as well as any interior stains, spills, or debris.
Complete quality checks and maintenance between trips. Keep a full-sized spare tire in the car and top up coolant, oil, and wiper fluid, check tire tread depth and age, and ensure no dashboard lights are on.
Message your guest before the trip starts. You can set up scheduled messages to make this easier.
Check in your guest using the Turo app when the trip is starting, verifying their driver’s license.
See them off and stay attentive and responsive to any questions, messages, or extension requests that may roll in until it’s time for checkout.
Be flexible with pick-up. guests have a 30-minute grace period and you can shorten or extend the trip to accommodate an adjusted pick-up time.
Get paid — after your guest returns your car, you’ll get paid via Stripe within three days.
Supporting your guest during a trip
Your role as a host doesn’t end once you’ve handed your guest the keys. Follow these steps to best support your guest if they require assistance on the road.
Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance is available 24/7 through Turo protection plans for accidents, breakdowns, and other issues. Turo will cover the cost to dispatch assistance.
You may be responsible for the roadside service costs if they were needed due to your vehicle being poorly maintained.
Safety and cost-saving measures
Keep a copy of the Turo incident information card in your vehicle so guests have instructions for contacting roadside assistance and proof of financial responsibility
Keep Turo’s roadside assistance number — 1-888-391-0460 — handy so you can share it with guests who may run into car trouble. If your guest gets into an accident and the vehicle is still driveable, have them report the damage within 24 hours
Consider keeping a full-size replacement tire in your vehicle and tell guests where to find it
Include important vehicle operating instructions in the “Car description” field in of your listing so guests know what fuel to use, where to find the EV charging plug, how automatic features work, and more
Consider having your own roadside assistance provider to manage roadside issues and avoid potential charges from Turo
Towing
When arranging roadside assistance, we’ll contact you to ask for a location to tow the vehicle. If we’re unable to reach you, roadside assistance will tow the vehicle to the nearest secure facility.
Roadside assistance will tow your vehicle if:
on-the-spot assistance is unsuccessful
it’s undriveable after an accident
it’s an electric vehicle that needs to be recharged
You’re responsible for towing costs if:
the tow is needed due to a maintenance issue or wear and tear
you or a designee retrieve the vehicle and it’s not there when roadside arrives
You’re not responsible for towing costs if the tow is needed because of an accident, unless we find you violated Turo policy. In this case, you’re responsible for the full cost of the roadside services and for any additional charges tied to the policy violation.
How do I submit a claim?
You can contact Turo to file a claim In the case of an accident or roadside issue. Check out the post-trip section of this article for steps on how to submit a claim.
Pro tip: stay in touch!
Download the Turo app and turn on notifications so you never miss a message from your guest. Staying attentive to your guest’s questions or concerns is the best way to ensure they’re supported throughout the trip. In the rare case of an accident, our customer team and roadside providers will be in touch with you.
Wrapping up a trip
From double-checking your earnings to filing a claim, there may be loose ends to tie up after a trip ends. Tackle them with confidence with the following best practices.
How to charge for post-trip incidentals
At the end of a trip, you may need to charge your guest for incidentals or a policy violation.
Depending on the situation, you’ll either need to send them an invoice or submit a report.
Sending a reimbursement invoice to a guest
To send a reimbursement invoice to a guest, complete the following steps within the allotted time frame:
Upload supporting photo evidence
Upload supporting documentation
Check your invoice for accuracy before submitting
The documents and timing required will depend on the type of charge. Follow the links below for details:
Receiving payment
Hosts and guests are prohibited from requesting, accepting, or making payments outside of Turo. For more information, review our Gray market transaction policy.
Types of policy violations
Smoking
A reimbursement can be considered if the guest admits to smoking or vaping in the vehicle OR any of the following are present:
Compelling evidence of ash revealing abusive behavior within the interior of the vehicle
Used cigarettes or a rolled marijuana cigarette
Burn marks in check-out photos that were not present in check-in photos
Cleaning
An eligible cleaning issue is one that only could have resulted from irresponsible or abusive behavior. Before charging a guest for cleaning, make sure that the issue is eligible for reimbursement by referring to the list below:
Biowaste or bodily fluids
Spills or waste that requires cleaning inside of vents or between the door panel and window
Major stains or residue that covers a large area of the vehicle’s interior and requires steam cleaning or a full detail
An extreme amount of caked-on mud, dirt, sand, or insects that requires professional-level exterior detailing
Significant amounts of pet hair
For more information, review our cleaning policy for hosts.
Late returns
As a host, you can be reimbursed for any additional mileage if a guest returns your vehicle after the 30-minute grace period.
Before you report a late return, give your guest the chance to extend their trip and make sure to wait at least 30 minutes after a trip’s scheduled end time.
Your vehicle’s protection remains active during the grace period, and you may be eligible to receive guest fees for additional usage as long as you report the late return within 24 hours of the trip's end.
Follow the links below for more details on violation reporting:
Reporting a late return
Submitting a claim
You can submit a claim through the Host Hub here.
Hosts who’ve filed a claim with Turo will receive status updates from their Claims associate and can check the claim status on their Claims dashboard.
The quickest way to get in touch with a claims associate is to reply to their most recent email to you.
How do I submit a claim through Turo?
Report damage no more than 24 hours after the trip ends. A claims associate will be in touch within 24 business hours
Turo will check your claim’s eligibility. This usually takes about three days, and we’ll let you know if additional information is needed
Be referred for an estimate by one of our trusted body shops
Receive payment for damage costs above your protection plan’s deductible
You can visit our partner CrashBay to locate a repair shop and schedule an appointment for a free estimate.
If you have your vehicle repaired at a shop listed on CrashBay, we’ll pay the repair shop directly and apply your applicable host deductible. Otherwise, we’ll pay you the net price minus your plan’s deductible.
How do I resolve a claim directly with a guest?
Choose the “Resolve directly” option when you report damage or respond to a guest’s damage report.
Get a damage estimate within 72 hours of choosing to resolve it directly with your guest. You can visit our partners CrashBay to locate a repair shop and schedule an appointment for a free estimate
You may also work with your guest’s insurance company
Request payment from your guest via your claims dashboard
Receive payment from your guest in the app or on the web, as with any other reimbursement invoice.
If you can’t come to an agreement with your guest, you have 20 days from the trip’s end to escalate the issue to Turo and have us take over the claim.
Learn more about resolving damages directly with a guest.
Taxes
You can consult our article and further in-depth Host Tax Resources to learn about taxes as they pertain to Turo.
Note that Turo can’t provide advice on tax matters. Consult the Canada Revenue Agency or a tax professional with any questions.
Getting paid
How are earnings paid out?
It typically takes Stripe three business days to confirm and process payment. Once Stripe has confirmed, Turo will initiate payment to you in your native currency.
Host take rate is the percentage you earn of the trip price and some other guest charges. Your take rate is determined by the protection plan you choose — 75% for the 75 plan, or 85% for the 85 plan.
Learn more about host take rates
When will I receive payment?
Once we initiate payment, your bank will take an additional three to five business days to verify and process the payment as a direct deposit.
If you have a trip that lasts longer than a week, we’ll make weekly partial payments until the trip has ended and you’ve received all your earnings.
What do I do if my earnings are incorrect or missing?
There are a few things you can check if you have an issue with your earnings or payments before contacting customer support.
If you think your earnings are incorrect, check your completed trips and the host take rate you selected. Review your approved funds, notices of approved reimbursements, and notices of any fee changes to account for adjusted earnings.
If you’re missing a payment, check that you’ve set up direct deposit and that you don’t have outstanding invoices for incidental charges to your guests. Consider that there may also be additional processing time for trips longer than one week, and for checks performed by your bank.
Review the articles below for more information on earnings:
Post-trip hosting tips
Make returning your car clear and simple. Add clear and concise drop-off instructions under Guest Instructions and Location & Delivery to avoid lower reviews due to improper return charges or parking infractions.
Check your reviews. Ask guests for feedback at the end of each trip. Take the time to read through your reviews and use them to enhance your service.
Accommodate your guests when it’s reasonable to do so. Stay attentive after the trip ends, and provide support for extending the trip if possible.
Contact Turo
Need more support? Here’s how you can get in touch with us.
Contact Turo via our chatbot
Click here to use our chatbot and get quick answers to your questions or to resolve your issue.
If our chatbot can’t help you, we’ll connect you to customer support.
When prompted, tap “Contact Support” and follow the prompts to help us understand your issue and direct you to the right agent.
If prompted, tap “Chat” to connect with an agent for immediate help
If prompted, tap “Email” to enter your email address and a detailed description of your issue. Allow 24 hours for a reply.
Contact Turo by phone
Canada: +1 (888) 391-0460
Our customer support line is available 24/7.