Turo allows car owners to earn substantial income renting out their vehicles when not in use. However, earnings can vary widely depending on vehicle selection, pricing tactics, trip volume, and other factors under your control as a host.
This comprehensive guide provides proven tips, best practices, and strategies for maximizing your rental income on Turo in 2023. Follow these recommendations to start earning far more per month beyond just casual side income.
Table of Contents
Choosing the Right Vehicle
Picking an optimal vehicle that aligns with local renter demand is the first step to profitability. Consider these factors when selecting your Turo rental:
Popular, High-Demand Models
Research models and makes that frequently appear in local Turo search results and book fast when listed. Cross-reference with best-selling new and used cars in your area. High demand translates to strong bookings.
Sporty, Luxury, or Specialty Vehicles
More exotic rentals like convertibles, luxury sedans, sports cars, and specialty SUVs rent more easily. Renters often seek out rides they can’t afford to own. Unique features command higher rates.
Newer Model Years
Unless listing a vintage classic, aim for newer vehicles, ideally 2015 or newer. Renters pay extra for the peace of mind and features of nearly new models.
Excellent Condition
Impeccable, like-new condition with no major defects, dents, stains etc. Renters expect perfection paying premium pricing, especially for higher end vehicles.
Hybrid or Electric Cars
As gas prices remain high, eco-friendly hybrid and EV rentals attract renters. Emphasize fuel efficiency and low charging costs in listings.
Choosing in-demand vehicles rented out frequently in your market is the easiest route to maximizing occupancy and income.
Competitive and Dynamic Pricing
Carefully balancing pricing enables earning the highest returns possible while maintaining bookings.
Research Local Rates Thoroughly
Analyze Turo listings in your city for identical and similar vehicles to align rates competitively. Periodically recheck.
Price Based on Demand
For exotic cars or specialty vehicles without direct comps, research pricing should still reflect local demand rather than just guessing.
Don’t Overprice
While aiming for premium pricing, an overly ambitious rate relative to alternatives will deter rentals. Leave room to come down slightly when negotiated.
Adjust for Seasons and Events
Increase rates when higher demand is expected around holidays, summers, festivals etc. Lower pricing to fill vacancies during slower seasons.
Respond to Market Shifts
If you notice lower bookings, adjust pricing down incrementally until demand picks up again at the ideal rate.
Enable Instant Booking Discounts
Offer 5-10% discounts encouraging renters to book instantly rather than requesting a rate. This leads to higher occupancy.
Continuously optimizing pricing according to market conditions ensures you earn the maximum rental rate possible relative to demand and alternative options.
Maximizing Bookings
The more days your vehicle rents, the higher potential earning. Implement strategies to maximize occupancy.
Update Availability Calendars
Block off days when the car won’t be available well in advance. Nothing deters renters faster than outdated calendars showing as open when the car is booked or unavailable.
Choose Accurate Availability Settings
To allow maximum bookings, set availability to all days rather than just weekends or weekdays unless necessary.
List Year Round
Avoid delisting during slower seasons. Even sporadic bookings provide incremental earnings. Keep your profile active continuously.
Message Non-Bookers
If a renter inquiries but doesn’t book, follow up quickly seeing if they have questions or want a rate adjustment. Don’t let leads lapse.
Highlight Standout Features
Emphasize uncommon amenities like Apple CarPlay, leather seats, special sound systems etc. Differentiators attract renters.
Market Locally
Post Turo rental links on neighborhood forums and community Facebook groups to boost local awareness.
Doing everything possible to convert inquiries into booked rentals ensures your car stays productive. Leaving it sitting idle unnecessarily leaves potential earnings on the table.
Enhancing Your Listing
Crafting a stellar listing profile with great photos and selling points motivates renters to select your vehicle.
Professionally Photographed Images
Display your car attractively with high resolution photos taken in flattering light against clean backdrops. Avoid amateurs shots.
Include All Seating Angles
Photograph both the front and back seats to showcase legroom, features, and cleanliness for all passengers.
Capture Unique Details
Zoom in on special features like wheels, sound systems, charging options etc. to highlight interesting details.
Write a Compelling Title and Description
Sell the benefits of renting your car specifically versus just stating standard facts. Highlight selling points.
Outline Amenities
List every appealing feature of your vehicle like leather seats, navigation, sunroof etc. to impress renters.
Showcase A Clean Interior
Open doors in photos to prove immaculate clean condition without stains, scuffs, or damage of any kind.
A gallery of favorably staged photos and well-crafted listing text motivates renters to confidently select your vehicle.
Providing 5-Star Service
Delivering amazing experiences earns 5-star reviews building credibility and trust for future rentals.
Meet and Greet Renters
Make in-person exchanges. Briefly introduce yourself and offer tips for a great rental experience. Give contact info in case issues arise.
Provide Local Suggestions
Share written guides to favorite local restaurants, attractions, and hidden gems. This thoughtful touch is appreciated.
Small Gift Items
Leave mints, bottled water, or other inexpensive gifts adding pleasant surprises. Renters love these extras.
Quick Communications
Respond promptly to initial inquiries and any messages during trips to proactively provide assistance.
Offer Airport Pickup/Drop-off
For long trips, offer airport transfer as an add-on option for an extra fee if feasible. One less travel hassle.
Aim to impress at every stage, from your introduction to attentive check-ins during the trip. Going the extra mile ensures great reviews driving more bookings.
Catering to Business Travelers
Accommodating business travelers with amenities provides easy income during weekdays.
Add Electronics
Provide charging cords for phones and laptops, WiFi hotspots, and GPS units to satisfy business amenities.
Enable Instant Booking
Business travelers value the ability to book instantly with no waiting or negotiation to eliminate hassles.
List Workday Availability
Cater availability to cover Monday to Friday for business travelers needing routine transportation.
Emphasize Extended Trip Savings
Offer weekly and monthly discounts attractive for executives needing continuous access to a vehicle.
Add Fuel Cards
Providing prepaid fuel cards enables business travelers to conveniently gas up on the go without upfront costs.
Adjusting offerings for business travelers takes little effort while earning higher weekday income when personal renters are fewer.
Maximizing Income Through Add-Ons
Additional ancillary offerings like insurance, prepaid mileage, and cleaning increase revenue per rental.
Charge for Extra Mileage
Require pre-purchasing add-on mileage packages beyond your base free inclusion to earn overage fees.
Offer Delivery Service
For a sizable additional fee, provide delivery and return of the vehicle within a set local radius.
Charge for Cleaning
Rather than including post-trip cleaning, charge $25-$50+ as an add-on option and handle cleanings in-house between rentals.
Prepaid Refueling
Offer renters the ability to pre-pay for a full tank of gas to avoid refueling. Charge a 20%+ premium on top of gas cost.
Airport Parking/Tolls
Offer prepaid parking/tolling packages at a marked up price to simplify logistics for travelers.
Pet Fees
If allowing dogs, add a $25-$50+ pet cleaning fee to cover additional time and supplies removing hair etc.
Building desired add-ons into your pricing structure provides incremental revenue from each booking adding up significantly.
Leveraging Referral Bonuses and Coupons
Refer friends to host and offer renters referral codes and coupons to earn additional cash rewards.
Refer Hosts
Refer friends to sign up as hosts and earn $50 bonuses when they complete their first rental in addition to 25% of their earnings.
Provide Coupon Codes
Give renters referral codes to share offering discounts on future bookings. You earn $25 per first booking via your code.
Ask for Reviews
Politely request 5-star reviews from renters who had great experiences. Reviews build credibility for higher prices.
Redeem Host Rewards
Cash earned rewards frequently into your bank account rather than letting points accumulate.
Leveraging the various kickbacks Turo provides hosts maximizes total compensation beyond just rental earnings.
Offering Delivery Services
Provide car delivery and collection within a local radius for an extra fee to earn more from renters valuing convenience.
Competitive Auxiliary Pricing
Price delivery at parity to other local options from rental agencies, taxis, Uber/Lyft etc. around $50 each way within 20 miles.
Highlight Convenience
Emphasize the ease of having the rental brought straight to their doorstep ready to go without needing to Uber to pick up the vehicle themselves.
Ideal for Airport Pickup/Dropoff
Many renters need vehicles delivered to and collected from the airport at the start and end of trips, providing easy revenue.
Requires Little Additional Effort
When already driving to drop off vehicles between renters, offer delivery en route for extra income from the trip.
Provides Differentiation
As an extra service competitors may not provide, delivery helps attract renters to your vehicle over alternatives.
For busy travelers or one-way trips, delivery services make renting more appealing while earning you hefty premiums with minimal additional effort.
Maintaining Standout Vehicles
Preserving vehicles in impeccable shape maximizes renter satisfaction, reviews, and rental pricing.
Detail Frequently
Fully detail and hand wash cars often to keep exterior and interior looking perpetually clean as when purchased new.
Perform Preventative Maintenance
Follow the service schedule for regular oil changes, fluid flushes, tire rotations etc. to avoid issues arising during rentals.
Act Quickly When Damage Occurs
Use Turo’s protection policies to promptly repair dents, scratches etc. that occur to restore original condition fast.
Make Upgrades
Upgrade older stereo and entertainment systems to newer technology renters expect.
Address Wear Items
Replace worn wiper blades, brake pads etc. before deterioration impacts the driving experience.
Going beyond the minimum required maintenance preserves your asset in flawless rentable condition able to sustain premium pricing and continuous bookings long-term.
Leveraging Rental Management Tools
Integrated tools like the Turo app streamline managing bookings, payments, maintenance etc.
Respond to Messages
Promptly return messages within the Turo platform to provide good customer service and urgently address any issues.
Update Calendars
Block off dates for maintenance, unavailability etc. to accurately reflect openings.
Review Payments
Archive and download statements for tax documentation. Ensure receipt of proper payment on trips.
Manage Listings
Refresh pricing regularly and update photos showcasing improvements. Keep listings favorably positioned relative to competitors.
Track Mileage
Log odometer readings between rentals to monitor when oil changes are due and account for miles.
File Claims Immediately
If an incident occurs, file the applicable claims right away to start the reimbursement process quickly.
Optimizing use of Turo’s purpose-built tools saves time while ensuring you execute best rental management practices.
Recommended Vehicles for Maximum Income
While Turo supports hundreds of makes and models, certain vehicles tend to out-earn others based on desirability. Top rental cars include:
- Audi A4
- BMW 3 Series
- Jeep Wrangler
- Ford Mustang
- Chevy Corvette
- Chevy Suburban
- Porsche Boxster
- Honda Civic
- Toyota RAV4
- Tesla Model 3
Crossovers and SUVs rent well for family utility while sports cars provide exhilaration. Listing current-year models of luxury makes ensures high rates for high-end features.
Handling Insurance, Protection Plans, and Related Policies
Follow all Turo guidance, insurance requirements, and protection plans to cover risks associated with car sharing.
Carry Sufficient Independent Insurance
Maintain applicable personal insurance on rental vehicles as required in your state with declared Turo use. Check with your insurer.
Review Turo’s Policies
Understand included liability coverage, deductibles, exclusions etc. to select optimal supplemental protection packages.
Install Telematics
Use approved GPS trackers when renting high value performance vehicles enabling locating and disabling if stolen.
Handle Claims Timely
Collect documentation, communicate with renters politely, and work promptly with Turo claims staff if any incident occurs to resolve matters fairly.
Take Condition Photos
Photograph vehicles thoroughly before and after each rental to accurately assess and document damage liability if discrepancies arise.
While major issues are infrequent, properly structuring insurance and adhering to policies saves major headaches if items do occur. Protect yourself and your assets.
Maximizing Income Through Diversification
Managing a small fleet of vehicles broadens options and opportunities to scale earnings.
Diversify Makes and Models
Offer a range of complimentary vehicles – SUVs, sports cars, sedans, trucks etc. – widening your renter audience.
Provide Options at Various Price Points
Include both economy vehicles and high-end models to capture all segments of renters.
List Cars Locally and Regionally
If you travel or own vehicles registered in different locations, list them regionally to establish geographic diversity.
Acquire Inventory Strategically
Search classified listings and auctions for newer, high-demand makes and models priced reasonably.
Standardize Amenities & Services
Maintain consistent brand standards across all vehicles providing a uniform, premium experience.
Managing 3-5 well-selected vehicles provides economies of scale to run a streamlined small business versus just renting out a single car.
Top Locations for Maximum Rental Demand
Certain cities perpetually see peak rental demand making them ideal places to host vehicles. Top US markets include:
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Seattle
- Portland
- Denver
- Dallas
- Miami
- Orlando
- Atlanta
- Washington DC
- New York City
- Boston
- Chicago
Coastal cities and tech hubs with high costs of vehicle ownership typically result in strong Turo demand and profits. But secondary markets can also thrive with the right vehicle types and smart management.
Handling Taxes As a Turo Host
Keep accurate records throughout the year to simplify reporting additional income on your taxes.
Track Both Income and Expenses
All rental earnings and costs for insurance, maintenance, registration, loan interest etc.
Categorize Business vs Personal Use
Prorate deductions based on the percentage of total mileage dedicated to rentals vs personal driving.
Receive 1099s
Turo issues 1099 tax forms reflecting annual rental earnings similar to other 1099 self-employment income.
Deduct Eligible Costs
Deduct legitimate rental-related vehicle, maintenance, travel etc. costs to offset tax liability on Turo earnings.
Make Quarterly Estimated Payments
Pay estimated taxes quarterly on Turo income rather than owing a full lump sum when filing annual returns.
Working closely with a knowledgeable tax preparer ensures you properly report Turo earnings while maximizing eligible write-offs to minimize your tax burden.
FAQs About Maximizing Turo Earnings
Does Turo put more wear on your car?
Turo driving does add mileage and normal wear on vehicles faster than just personal use. But the financial returns typically outweigh added depreciation costs. Thoroughly maintaining cars also reduces wear issues.
Are luxury cars better for Turo?
Luxury and sports cars earn substantially higher rental rates. But they also require higher insurance, maintenance, cleaning, and other costs cutting into profits. Balance pricing potential with total expenses for your best net returns.
How much income can Turo generate?
Typical Turo earnings per vehicle range from:
- $500 – $1,000+ per month renting casually
- $1,000 – $3,000+ for serious high-volume hosts
Top performers earn $3,000 – $5,000+ monthly by treating Turo rental management as a full-time business. Income scales based on rental rates, occupancy, and fleet size.
Does Turo damage your car?
While dents and dings can happen, Turo provides policies protecting against damage costs. Enabling delivery service and monitoring vehicle condition minimizes risks. Overall, the vast majority of Turo rentals occur without incident.
Is Turo better than Getaround?
Turo and Getaround offer similar peer-to-peer car sharing models. Key differences:
- Turo has significantly larger renter reach.
- Hosts set all rates and terms on Turo, rather than fixed tiers.
- Turo delivery services enable earning more per rental.
For hosts focused on maximizing revenue, Turo provides more pricing control and upside. But evaluate both platforms as potential options.
Final Thoughts on Maximizing Your Turo Earnings
Turo car sharing represents an outstanding income opportunity. But earning substantial profits requires smart optimization based on market conditions, pricing tactics, maximizing occupancy, and providing exceptional renter experiences.
