Renting out your car

Turo says its U.S. hosts averaged $10,489 per car in 2025, or $874 a month with cars booked 15 days a month. That is Turo's own mean of gross earnings, not reduced for ownership costs, so it is not what a typical host keeps. Hosts keep 70%, 80% or 90% of the trip price depending on the earnings plan, with damage responsibility per trip of $250, $1,500 or $2,750 respectively.

The main catch is insurance and wear. Turo says hosts still need personal insurance and that a personal policy likely excludes trips. It suits people who already own a newer car that sits idle part of the week and can absorb depreciation and repair costs.

How the money works

Turo's host share applies to the trip price, delivery fees and Extras, excluding certain fees and taxes, and Turo keeps the rest. Turo says it charges no fixed listing fee.

In nine markets (Austin, Dallas, Detroit, Las Vegas, Maui, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego and Seattle), host share varies with booking lead time. Turo says last-minute trips earn less and that the factors may change over time. From October 8, 2026, delivery fees and Extras use the plan's take rate, which lowers the host's take on the 70% and 80% plans.

What hosts actually earn

Turo publishes no median or distribution, so what a typical car earns is unknown. The multi-car figures are revenue from several vehicles, each with its own insurance, cleaning and depreciation.

Where the hours and money go

Turo says its earnings plans exclude wear and tear, lost hosting income and a replacement vehicle during repairs. The hourly earnings guide shows how to fold those minutes in.

What it costs to start

Insurance, cleaning and depreciation recur for as long as you list.

Where to find renters

Getaround shut down its U.S. operations in February 2025, and NerdWallet named Turo the closest alternative.

Renting directly to people you find yourself falls outside Turo's plans, which apply only to trips booked on Turo. The Illinois Department of Insurance says personal auto policies commonly exclude paid use (its page discusses ride-sharing). Ask your insurer in writing how it treats renting your car directly. Turo's help center also has a page for box truck hosts who meet its eligibility criteria.

Requirements and rules in the U.S.

Licensing. Peer-to-peer car sharing is regulated state by state. Nevada's NRS Chapter 482C licenses the car-sharing program with the DMV rather than individual hosts. Other states and cities differ, so check your state DMV and insurance regulator, then your city's business license office, before your first booking.

Insurance. Turo's liability limit varies by state and is lower in New York, where the default changed on Jun 17, 2026. If the car is financed or leased, check the contract before you list it.

Taxes. The IRS says rental of personal property is taxable rental income. It also says income earned through apps must be reported even without a 1099. Self-employment tax generally applies to net earnings of $400 or more if you are in business for yourself.

Risks and red flags

Damage claims depend on documentation: Turo requires hosts to photograph the car at trip start and end and report damage within 24 hours to be eligible. Turo cut host protection plans from five to three starting January 7, 2026, citing higher repair costs. Plan and share changes, plus the Getaround shutdown above, make income from one platform hard to plan around.

Disputes can also run against hosts: in October 2026 KSL reported a case where a host allegedly filed fraudulent damage claims and Turo initially charged the renter. Keep dated photos of every trip.

Who renting out a car fits, and who should skip it

Good fit

• You own a car that meets Turo's limits: under 12 years old, under 130,000 miles and under $200,000 in value.
• You can cover a per-trip damage share, which depends on your plan.
• You can handle photos, cleaning and handoffs on short notice, including weekends.

Consider skipping

• You need the car every day or can't afford repair downtime that Turo's plans don't pay for. Dog walking works without owning a vehicle.
• You want steady, predictable income. Turo changed its plans and host share in 2026.

How to start

1. Check your car against Turo's host requirements, including the minimum host age of 21 and its vehicle age, mileage and value limits.
2. Read your loan or lease contract and ask your auto insurer in writing how it treats paid car sharing.
3. Look up your state's peer-to-peer car sharing law, using Nevada's statute as an example of what to find, and ask your city about business licenses.
4. Compare the host earnings plans on Turo's plan page and note each plan's damage responsibility.
5. Create your listing through Turo's host sign-up. Turo says bookings are auto-approved for guests who meet its criteria.
6. Photograph the car at the start and end of every trip, as Turo requires.
7. Set aside money for taxes using the IRS gig economy tax center.