Starting on Turo? Here are some Tips from Real Hosts

If you're new here—welcome! Whether you're curious about starting on Turo or just looking for another stream of income, you’re in the right place. This post is for anyone who’s ever thought: “Could I really make money renting out my car?” . Because the truth is, yes—you can make money renting out your car. But like any business, success comes faster when you start smart.

We started with one car and a simple idea… and it’s grown into something much bigger. What began as a side hustle turned into a business that not only supports our family but helps other people start their own passive income journey through co-hosting.

So… how do you get started as a host?

Here’s what we tell everyone:

• You don’t need a fleet. One reliable car can kick things off.

  • One reliable, clean, well-maintained car is enough to begin. In fact, starting small is smart. It gives you the chance to learn the platform, figure out your local market, and make adjustments without getting overwhelmed. Some of the most successful hosts started with just one vehicle and built from there.

    Make sure your vehicle meets Turo’s requirements: it must be less than 12 years old, have under 130,000 miles, and hold a clean title. There are exceptions for classics and specialty cars, but most vehicles should meet those basics.

• Photos matter more than you think—clean, clear, and professional.

  • Guests are browsing listings the same way they shop online—photos matter. Clear, well-lit, high-quality photos will make your vehicle stand out. Take them in natural light, avoid busy or cluttered backgrounds, and show every angle. Don’t forget interior shots and any standout features like sunroofs, leather seats, or spacious cargo areas.

• Communication is key. Guests love fast replies and clear instructions.

  • Whether it’s answering questions before a booking or sending a quick check-in message before the trip starts, being responsive goes a long way. Guests appreciate fast replies and clear communication. You don’t have to be glued to your phone 24/7, but timely responses can directly impact your reviews and booking rate.

    If you're busy, use saved responses through the app to stay consistent without typing everything out each time.

• Keep Good Records From Day One

  • Turo should be treated like a business from the start. Because it IS one. Track your expenses, mileage, and earnings. Save copies of your trips, photos, and guest communications. Keeping things organized from day one makes life easier, especially when it comes time for taxes or handling claims. We use simple tools like Google Drive folders, spreadsheets, and mileage tracking apps to stay on top of everything.

• Turo protection plans help cover the “what ifs,” but YOU are your best protection with solid documentation and common sense guest screening.

  • Turo offers a few protection plans for hosts, each with different levels of coverage and income split. For example, the 60% plan gives you the most protection with the least income, while the 90% plan gives you the highest earnings but leaves you responsible for more risk. We recommend starting with a middle-tier plan, like the 80%, which offers a good balance of protection and payout. Make sure you understand what’s covered and what isn’t before selecting your plan. If your vehicle is financed, check with your lender first—some lenders don’t allow Turo rentals or have restrictions about which protection levels you’re allowed to use.
    

Want a more hands-off approach?

Not everyone wants to handle the day-to-day responsibilities. If you like the idea of earning income from Turo but don’t want to deal with cleaning, guest messages, deliveries, or maintenance—we offer co-hosting services to make this completely hands-off.

We manage your listing, handle guest communication, meet guests for pick-up and return, keep your vehicle clean and maintained, and deal with any claims or issues that come up.

You provide the car, we do the work, and you get paid.

Interested? Book a session here to chat about how co-hosting works and how we can help you build your own Turo income stream without the headache.

Stick around—we’ll be sharing weekly tips, tricks, and real stories from the road. Got questions you want us to cover next? Drop them in the comments or message us anytime!