If you only host one car, relying on Turo's protection plans (like the 75% or 80% plan) for liability and damage coverage is the simplest way to manage risk.
But, the moment you expand your fleet or look for commercial auto loans, your insurance needs change completely.
Switching to a third-party commercial policy allows you to select the "Commercial Host" option on Turo. This choice gives you the highest base earnings (usually 90%) and puts you in control of your fleet's financial future.
Why You Need Different Insurance When You Scale
The main reason to switch is not about what happens during the rental (Turo's coverage activates then), but what happens between rentals (often called Period 2) and the financial control you gain.
Reason #1: The Personal Insurance Gap
Most personal car insurance policies have an exclusion for "commercial use." If your car is damaged while you're driving it for a Turo business task (like taking it to the airport for delivery, or driving it to the mechanic), your personal policy will likely deny the claim or cancel your entire policy. Commercial insurance is specifically written to cover these necessary business activities.
Reason # 2: Fleet Growth and Cost Control
Providers like Tint and American Business Insurance (ABI) specialize in covering multiple vehicles registered under an LLC. They offer a single, unified policy built for the specific needs of a rental fleet. This often becomes cheaper per-vehicle than trying to cover the gap with complex personal policies. Tint, for example, often requires a host to have three or more vehicles to qualify.
Reason #3: Commercial Financing
Any traditional lender giving you a commercial loan for a rental vehicle will almost always require you to carry commercial insurance. They need a Certificate of Insurance (COI) that lists them as a lienholder, something personal policies cannot provide. This is a non-negotiable step toward serious scaling.
Key Commercial Providers for Turo Hosts
While Roamly is well-known in the Turo community, other carriers offer specific advantages, particularly for hosts expanding their operation past one or two vehicles. The choice often comes down to cost structure, required fleet size, and ease of management.
Option 1: Tint (The Turo Partner)
Tint is often chosen by growing hosts because the company has partnered directly with Turo. This partnership means they provide streamlined off-trip coverage and can integrate with the Turo platform to pull your vehicle data directly.
Their pricing is transparent, with plans available for liability only (starting around $56/month per vehicle) or comprehensive and collision coverage (starting around $89/month per vehicle).
Tint typically requires a minimum of three vehicles on the platform to begin a policy. Hosts should know that Tint generally requires the use of a Tint-approved GPS tracker, which helps verify off-trip business use and location.
| Pros | Cons |
| Turo Integration: Streamlines data transfer and renewal. | Minimum Fleet Size: Typically requires three or more vehicles to qualify. |
| Transparent Pricing: Clear starting prices for liability and comprehensive plans. | Mandatory Telematics: Requires use of a Tint-approved GPS tracker, adding hardware cost. |
| Off-Trip Focus: Policy specifically written for car-sharing business use. | Newer Entity: Less history than long-standing commercial insurers. |
Option 2: American Business Insurance (ABI - Period X)
American Business Insurance (ABI) provides the well-known Period X product, a flexible commercial fleet policy. Hosts often use ABI because they offer a sophisticated self-service website that allows you to add or remove vehicles 24/7, simplifying fleet management. Their policies are specifically designed to cover the insurance gaps that exist for vehicles between car-sharing trips.
While their cost structures are more complex and depend heavily on the vehicle type and location, ABI's focus is on the wider commercial transport market, giving them deep expertise in fleet risk management. Like Tint, ABI policies also generally require the use of a GPS tracking device for mileage and location verification.
| Pros | Cons |
| Self-Service Portal: Hosts can quickly add/remove vehicles 24/7. | Pricing Complexity: Cost structure is less transparent upfront than Tint's starting price points. |
| Wider Commercial Focus: Expertise in managing large, diverse fleets. | Mandatory Tracking: Requires a GPS device for mileage and location verification. |
| Established Entity: Long history in the commercial auto insurance market. | Less Turo-Specific: No direct integration with the Turo platform. |
High Earnings vs. Self-Management
Choosing third-party commercial insurance means selecting the Commercial Host option on Turo. This gives you the highest base earnings (90%) but shifts almost all liability management to you.
| Feature | Turo Protection (e.g., 75% Plan) | Commercial Host (e.g., 90% Plan) |
| Host Take Rate | 75% | 90% |
| Liability Coverage | Turo provides up to $750k | You provide the liability coverage via your commercial policy. |
| Damage Claims | Turo's team processes claim, pays the ACV minus deductible. | You file claim directly with your commercial insurer and manage the process. |
| Off-Trip Coverage | Personal policy must cover the risk gap (if it doesn't cancel you). | Commercial policy covers the car for business use 24/7. |
The move to the 90% plan significantly boosts your profit margin. Yet, it requires you to be familiar with insurance policies. You must understand your policy limits, file claims with your carrier, and manage deductibles directly. For many hosts, the extra 15% to 30% they earn per trip easily covers the monthly cost of the commercial policy, leading to a higher net profit.
Final Checklist: When is the Right Time to Switch?
Moving to commercial insurance is a sign of a mature Turo business. It involves a higher administrative load, but grants better cost control, higher net income, and necessary compliance for true fleet expansion.
If you say "Yes" to two or more of these questions, it is time to review and consider a commercial policy beyond Turo's internal plans:
- Does a commercial lender require a COI (Certificate of Insurance) to finance your vehicle?
- Do you have three or more cars, making the per-car cost of commercial coverage more competitive?
- Do you have the capital and knowledge to manage claims directly through your own insurer?
- Is maximizing your take rate (getting the 90% option) a priority for your business plan?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I drive a Turo car for personal use if I have Tint or ABI?
No. These commercial policies are generally for business use only (driving to the mechanic, car wash, or delivering the car). If you drive the car for personal errands, you usually need a separate personal insurance policy, or the policy must specifically allow for dual-use.
Does my commercial policy cover the guest during the rental?
No. When the guest is on the trip, Turo's protection plan (or the guest's own liability insurance) is the primary coverage. Commercial policies cover the vehicle when it is not being rented.
Does the Commercial Host option require an LLC?
While it is not always legally required, having an LLC is strongly recommended, as commercial insurance companies prefer to issue policies to registered business entities.
What if I decide to rent my cars on other platforms?
Commercial policies like those from ABI or Tint are often designed to cover vehicles used across multiple car-sharing platforms, giving you consistent insurance terms no matter where the car is listed (as long as you comply with the policy).