How damage claims work | US

Fast Facts:

  • This article applies only to trips in the US for which hosts have chosen a Turo protection plan. Commercial Hosts must process their own damage claims through their insurance provider.
  • Learn the process for damage claims in Canada, Germany, and the UK. 
  • To start the claim process, hosts must report damage within 24 hours after the trip ends via our Claims Resolution Center. 
  • Many claims can be resolved within a few days. Some will take longer. It depends on the circumstances and damages.
  • Hosts who submit invalid claims will be subject to fines. 

Step 1: Damage reported 

Hosts must report damage within 24 hours after the trip ends to start the claims process. Claims requests received more than 24 hours after the end of a trip won’t qualify for claims review. Once damage is reported, a claims specialist will be in touch with the host and guest within 24 hours. Learn more about how to report damage. 

After the process begins, there are two options: 

  1. Have Turo manage the claims process 
  2. Work it out directly with their guest

Turo-managed claim

  1. Unless the primary guest chose the Premier Plan, we’ll ask for their personal insurance information. 
  2. We’ll charge the primary guest a damage deposit. The amount depends on the initial assessment of the damage and the guest’s protection plan:
    • Premier Plan: no initial charge
    • Standard Plan: up to $500
    • Minimum Plan: up to $3,000  
    • Decline: up to $3,000
    • If final damages plus related costs, minus insurance collected, are below the deposit amount, we’ll refund the difference. 
    • If the claim is ineligible, we’ll refund the full damage deposit. 

Invalid host claims

We take every claim seriously, and agents spend time validating each one. To make the process as quick and efficient as possible, it’s important that you file only valid, legitimate claims. If you file an invalid claim, you may be subject to fines. 

Examples of invalid claims include submissions for damage that:

  • is pre-existing 
  • did not occur during a Turo trip
  • has been altered
  • is not covered by the host’s protection plan  

This list is not all-inclusive. Learn more about avoiding material misrepresentation. You can also read our policy on Reimbursement Tool & Claims Resolutions Tool Misuse.

We also require hosts submitting a claim to have taken and uploaded pre- and post-trip photos that document the vehicle’s condition. If photos are missing, we’ll charge a penalty. We waive this requirement for Turo Go hosts but still strongly recommend that they take these photos to better support their claim. 

If a claim is found to be invalid and you’re charged a fine, we’ll collect the cost from your future earnings. For a list of host fines, including misrepresentation, frivolous claims, and missing photos, see Fees & Fines. 

Work it out claim

Turo won’t investigate the claim’s eligibility.

If a host wants to work it out but the guest wants Turo to handle the case, we will. The guest must reply to the damage notification email within 10 days to ask Turo to intervene. We’ll waive this 10 day requirement if the host is actively working with the guest’s insurance company. 

Step 2: Eligibility determined  

Turo-managed claim

We’ll take 1–3 business days to determine if the claim is eligible for coverage. We’ll check if the damage:

Once we determine a claim is eligible, the host can either:

  • drop the claim
  • continue the process through Turo's claims administrator, which typically takes 5 business days

If the claim is ineligible, we’ll refund the guest’s damage deposit. 

Work it out claim

Hosts and guests who chose to work it out can change their mind and ask Turo to handle the claim. They must contact us with their request within 10 days from the trip’s scheduled end date. After 10 days, Turo won’t take ownership of a claim. If the host takes payment from the guest, Turo won’t take over the claim.

If we charged the guest a security deposit, we’ll refund it 80 hours after the scheduled trip end. The guest’s bank will take another 3–5 business days to process the refund.

Step 3: Damage appraised 

Turo will have the damage appraised through one of our appraisal partners. Most claims are handled via photo-based appraisal and often take less than a day. Depending on the damage and the quality of the pictures, this may take longer for some claims. Complex cases requiring physical inspection may take 5–7 days. It depends on location, vehicle availability and other factors.

We offer transportation options for hosts while their vehicle is being repaired. They should request these through their Turo claims specialist.

Step 4:  Repairs and financial obligations completed 

Turo will send the guest a detailed breakdown of damage costs and charge their payment card on file for any balance owed. Charges will include the cost of appraisal, repairs, and a processing fee of up to $150. We’ll issue payment to the host per the terms of their protection plan. We’ll send an electronic link for them to complete the payment process.

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