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Published on Mar. 9, 2026
Here’s what you need to know about Turo. – Photo courtesy of Turo
We’re living in the golden age of travel. These days you can go from daydreaming to planning to booking a trip almost instantly, all in a matter of minutes with just a few taps on your phone. Thanks to sharing-economy services like Airbnb, Uber, VRBO and Zipcar, travelers are able to unlock one-of-a-kind experiences and a more luxurious way to travel — all without the burdens of traditional ownership.
Now, long-term car rentals have entered the same sharing economy mindset, led by platforms like Turo, a peer-to-peer marketplace that connects everyday car owners with drivers who want to rent their vehicles.
Forget Uber; Turo let’s you rent a car with ease. – Photo courtesy of Turo
Different from Uber (for ride-hailing) and Zipcar (for short-term rentals), Turo is an app-based diverse peer marketplace where individual car owners can rent out their personal vehicles to guests for short- and long-term trips. It’s frequently dubbed the “Airbnb of cars,” for obvious reasons. It claims to be more seamless and convenient than traditional car rental agencies, with a wider range of vehicles and transparent reviews of the vehicles and the car owners themselves.
Sounds simple enough, right?
While it sounds straightforward, Turo’s unique car-sharing app might raise questions for some. Like, how does insurance work? And is it any cheaper than traditional car rental companies? Below, we’ve broken down exactly what Turo is, how much it costs, how insurance works, and the key pros and cons to consider before you book.
You can connect to local car owners on Turo. – Photo courtesy of Turo
Turo is often described as Airbnb for cars — and it’s a pretty spot-on description. As a peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace, Turo connects people who own cars with people who want to rent them. In Turo’s case, private car owners are the “hosts” who list their vehicle for short-term rent by “guests,” who can easily book vehicles through the platform.
It’s often touted as a faster, cheaper and more convenient way to rent a vehicle than, say, at an airport car rental counter or a neighborhood dealership because you can choose to have your car delivered to an airport, train station, hotel, or vacation rental.
Right now, Turo is only available in the United States, Australia, France, the United Kingdom, and some Canadian provinces.
You can rent a car directly from your phone. – Photo courtesy of Turo
To rent a car, it’s surprisingly straightforward to get on your way with Turo. Once you’ve created an account, you’ll go through a quick approval process by entering your driver’s license and some other personal information. Notably, you don’t need your own personal insurance coverage to book a car. Once approved, you can begin browsing cars listed by hosts based on where and when you’ll need a vehicle. Filter to find the right vehicle for your needs — you can even read reviews from previous renters to help you make a decision.
You can have your car delivered for pickup and return at an airport, train station, hotel, vacation rental, or any number of convenient locations. Some hosts even offer free delivery. Once your host sends you pickup details, you’re ready to hit the road! If you have any problems on the road, you can chat with your host or Turo’s Support Team.
Want to add more than one driver to the booking? As long as they are all approved on Turo to drive, it’s easy for the primary driver to add additional drivers with no additional fees or charges. You may also want to make note of the booking requirements for the U.S., which include various age restrictions based on the type of vehicle you intend to rent, as well as needing a valid driving license.
Turo may be cheaper than traditional airport rentals. – Photo courtesy of Turo
There are plenty of reasons you may want to choose to rent a vehicle for your next getaway through Turo rather than a traditional car rental agency — but it’s important to know the facts so you can make an informed decision.
In some instances, Turo could be cheaper than traditional agencies, but those costs will be determined based on when you book, the protection plan you choose, delivery options, length of trip, type of vehicle you pick, as well as any possible additional fees and add-ons.
If hitting the road as soon as possible is your priority, Turo offers more streamlined and convenient options for pickup and delivery than traditional services. You’re also guaranteed a wider variety of vehicles on Turo — from budget cars to Teslas to luxury and vintage classics. Plus, you’ll always receive the exact vehicle you selected — no “or similar” models like when you book from a traditional rental company.
Turo does have some downsides, though. As with any sharing-economy business, many services that would typically be handled by a traditional agency — like car cleanliness, quality and maintenance — are instead the responsibility of the vehicle host, which means there can be inconsistencies from rental to rental.
Also, if you’re intending to rent a car in one city and drop it off in another (what’s known as a “one-way rental”) you’ll need to opt for a traditional car rental company with multiple drop-off destinations around the country rather than Turo. You may also deal with last-minute host cancellations and mileage limits set by the host, unless specifically listed as “unlimited mileage.”
Listing your own vehicle on Turo could be an easy way to earn extra cash each month. Whether you want to host one vehicle or intend to start a small business with a few different ones, you’ll need to take some early steps and gather the right documentation for all of the listing requirements. That includes things like vehicle eligibility requirements, valid car insurance, orientation training, and more.
Turo rentals come with a range of protections, but read your agreement carefully. – Photo courtesy of Turo
Turo provides protection plans for guests that are designed to limit your expected out-of-pocket costs for damage done to a host’s vehicle during your trip. All Turo trips include third-party liability insurance that provide excess coverage to make sure that drivers are insured up to their state’s minimum requirements for third-party liability. In some cases, your personal auto insurance might cover peer-to-peer vehicle rentals — but not always.
We recommend that you read up on Turo’s protection plans for guests and, if you have your own auto insurance, learn what it covers at peer-to-peer services like Turo to understand your maximum protection and responsibility in case of an accident.
For hosts, Turo offers a few different protection plans that affect how much you earn per trip and your deductible in case of damage. Each plan includes liability insurance, physical damage reimbursement and access to basic roadside assistance. To earn more from each trip, but have a higher deductible to pay before Turo tackles the remaining eligible costs above the deductible. For maximum protection, opt for a lower deductible plan where you’ll slightly less per trip. Be sure to read up on Turo’s insurance and vehicle protection policies to find the right plan for you. Be aware that these plans don’t cover reimbursement for routine wear and tear on your vehicle.
Turo may be cheaper than traditional airport rentals. – Photo courtesy of Turo
It depends. When you book through Turo, the protection plan you choose, delivery options and the type of vehicle you pick will all determine whether it actually is cheaper than other options. Turo can be cheaper than traditional car rental companies in some situations like long-term rentals or if you’re looking for niche vehicles like EVs or convertibles. However, booking last-minute during peak time periods might end up costing you more on Turo. But because you can pick up your car at hundreds of locations near airports, train stations, or hotels, you can save on costs like airport congestion fees — not to mention the cost of your own time not spent queuing in traditional car rental counter lines.
Our POV? If you’re booking a vehicle for your next trip, compare costs on Turo and traditional car rental companies to make sure you’re getting the best deal you can. Some traditional agencies offer more predictable pricing and loyalty perks, so you’ll want to factor those savings in as well.

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