When a guest pays for a trip, Turo splits the revenue. Your share is your Host Take Rate, expressed as a percentage of the trip price.
The percentage Turo holds covers several items: the cost of the liability protection they provide, the financial risk they shoulder for physical damage (minus your deductible), and the operational costs of running the platform and marketing to guests.
The biggest financial decision you face as a host is selecting your Protection Plan. This choice sets your income percentage and your deductible.
1. The Protection Plans: Earnings vs. Risk Trade-off
Turo offers five standard protection plans to US hosts. They are set up with a simple inverse relationship: The more you earn, the more financial risk you accept.
The main cost Turo deducts from your earnings is the price of the third-party liability protection (up to $750,000 for all plans) and the cost of covering physical damage reimbursement for your car.
| Plan Name | Host Take Rate | Deductible (Physical Damage) | Liability Coverage |
| 60 Plan | 60% of Trip Price | $0 | Up to $750,000 |
| 75 Plan | 75% of Trip Price | $250 | Up to $750,000 |
| 80 Plan | 80% of Trip Price | $750 | Up to $750,000 |
| 85 Plan | 85% of Trip Price | $1,625 | Up to $750,000 |
| 90 Plan | 90% of Trip Price | $2,500 | Up to $750,000 |
| (Source: Turo Host Plan Summaries, US) |
Choosing the Right Plan: Risk Tolerance
- High Protection (60/75 Plans): New hosts or those with expensive, newer cars often pick these. They mean low out-of-pocket risk for damage, but you give up a large part of your revenue (25% to 40%). The 60 Plan includes zero deductible, making it a favorite for hosts who cannot pay any amount out-of-pocket for damage.
- Mid-Range (80 Plan): This plan offers a balanced approach. The $750 deductible is manageable for most hosts with a proper cash reserve, and the 80% take rate offers a healthier margin than the 75% plan. This is a popular choice for scaling hosts who can budget for a potential claim.
- High Earnings (85/90 Plans): Experienced hosts with large fleets often move toward these. They pocket the highest percentage of the trip price, yet they accept a much higher financial burden if a claim happens, requiring a deductible of up to $2,500. This choice should only be made if you have a cash reserve set aside to cover that large deductible without disrupting your personal finances.
Commercial Hosts: The 90% Option
Hosts who have secured their own commercial rental insurance policy (e.g., Turo-approved companies) can select the "Commercial Host" option. This typically results in a 90% Host Take Rate and carries no Turo-provided liability protection. You file claims directly with your insurance company. This choice is usually made by high-volume hosts where the lower cost of their commercial insurance makes the higher take rate more profitable.
2. The Great Misconception: The Guest's Total Price
Many hosts misunderstand their true net income because Turo reports the take rate as a percentage of the Trip Price. This is only part of the money the guest pays.
Turo Retains 100% of These Monies
The percentage split only applies to the base Trip Price. Turo keeps 100% of several other amounts the guest pays.
- Guest Trip Fees: Guests pay a separate trip fee directly to Turo. This fee can change and be large, especially for last-minute bookings or renters Turo considers higher-risk. Hosts see none of this fee. The guest's total payment can be double the base trip price, but the host still only splits the base price.
- Guest Protection Fees: Guests select and pay for a separate protection plan that covers their liability and deductible. Turo keeps 100% of this money. These protection fees are not split with the host.
The Impact on Net Profit
This means that while your take rate might be 75% of the Trip Price, your take rate might be closer to 45% to 55% of the Guest's Total Payment. Understanding this difference is key to setting profitable daily rates. Your pricing must account for the full commission taken from the base price.
3. Host Payments You Keep (High-Percentage Income)
Not all money related to a trip is subject to the high percentage split. These income streams are important for boosting your true profit margin.
- Reimbursements and Approved Fees (100%): You keep 100% of approved reimbursements for items like tolls, parking tickets, and unauthorized mileage overages. You also keep 100% of approved fees charged to the guest for cleaning (if eligible for a violation fee) or smoking issues.
- Extras and Delivery (90%): You keep 90% of the cost of Extras (e.g., prepaid refueling, child seats) and 90% of any delivery fee you charge the guest. Turo takes 10% for processing these add-ons.
4. Strategies for Maximizing Your Take Rate
Since the fees are set by your chosen plan, maximizing your profit means increasing the income streams Turo does not cut into heavily.
- Strategically Price Delivery: Setting a reasonable delivery fee (e.g., $25–$50) means you keep 90% of that price, giving you a strong reason to offer delivery as a service. If you choose to offer delivery for free, the benefit is increased bookings, but you forfeit the 90% revenue stream.
- Maximize Extras: Extras are 90% profit. Prepaid fuel, post-trip cleaning options, or accessories are simple ways to bring in extra, high-percentage revenue with minimal overhead. Offer items that require little personal time for high returns.
- Master Claims Documentation: When damage occurs, quickly filing and accurately documenting damage claims means Turo reimburses you for 100% of the eligible costs above your deductible. This process is where the value of your chosen protection plan (especially the low-deductible options) proves its worth. Be organized, since delays beyond 24 hours can void reimbursement.
- Maintain Your Commitment Rate: Turo's policies penalize hosts who cancel trips frequently. Maintaining a high commitment rate (over 95%) is necessary to avoid penalties, which can include temporary unlisting of all vehicles.
Understanding the complex math behind Turo’s earnings structure lets you move beyond simply accepting your income. You can strategically choose a plan that matches your risk appetite and maximize your profit from extras and delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Why does Turo take a higher percentage than platforms like Airbnb?
A: Turo's higher share covers the cost of commercial third-party auto liability insurance that Turo provides for every trip (up to $750,000). This is a much higher-risk product than home liability insurance.
Q2: What is the highest percentage a host can take home?
A: 90%. This is available through either the highest-risk Turo protection plan (which has a $2,500 deductible) or by using the Commercial Host option with your own insurance.
Q3: What fees are split 90/10?
A: Delivery fees and Extras are split 90% to the host and 10% to Turo.
Q4: How long does it take to get paid after a trip ends?
A: Turo typically initiates payment three hours after a trip ends. It then takes an additional three to five business days for your bank to process the payment as a direct deposit.