Smoking is the single most common frustration for Turo hosts. You pick up your car after a long trip, open the door, and that unmistakable stale scent of cigarettes or the chemical sweetness of a vape hits you.

It’s a moment that triggers an immediate headache—not just from the smell, but from the looming battle of filing a claim.

In the past, Turo’s smoking policy was famously difficult to navigate. Today, the platform has refined the process, but the burden of proof still sits squarely on your shoulders.

To get paid for the deep cleaning your car requires, you have to understand the nuances of the "Advanced Charging" structure and exactly what the platform needs to see to side with you.

The Turo No-Smoking Policy

Turo has a zero-tolerance policy regarding smoking and vaping. This includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, cannabis, and every form of e-cigarette or vape pen.

The rule is simple: if a guest or their passengers smoke in the car, they are in violation of the terms of service.

However, the "punishment" for the guest isn't just a slap on the wrist. Turo allows hosts to charge a $150 smoking fee. This fee is designed to cover the cost of professional odor removal and the physical cleaning of the interior.

If the car also returns excessively dirty with trash or spills, you can sometimes layer a cleaning fee on top, though Turo usually prefers one clear violation.

The Burden of Proof: "Physical Evidence"

This is where many hosts lose their claims. You cannot charge a guest for a "smell." Even if the car smells like a pack of Marlboros, Turo will deny your claim if you don't have physical evidence. Odor is subjective; a photo of a cigarette butt is not.

To win a smoking claim, you must find and photograph:

  • Ash: Even a tiny dusting of ash in the center console or on the floor mats.
  • Cigarette Butts or Tips: Often found in the door pockets or tucked under the seats.
  • E-Cigarette Remnants: Vape juice spills, pods, or charging components.
  • Burn Marks: Small singes on the upholstery or carpet.

If the guest was "smart" and used an ash tray or smoked out the window but left the scent behind, you are in a tough spot. This is why a thorough "Ash Hunt" during your post-trip inspection is the most important ten minutes of your day.

The Inspection Workflow

To ensure you have the evidence needed for a successful charge, follow a rigid inspection routine every time a car returns.

1. The "Initial Sniff"

Open the door and wait. If you smell smoke, don't just start cleaning. This is your cue to pull out your camera.

2. The Deep Dive

Check the "hidden" spots where guests think you won't look. Move the front seats all the way forward and back. Look inside the seat track rails. Pull out the floor mats and check the carpet underneath. Look inside the cracks of the center console and the cup holders.

3. High-Resolution Documentation

Take close-up photos of the ash or butts. Use a flashlight to make the ash "pop" against dark upholstery. If you find a burn mark, place a coin next to it for scale. These photos must be uploaded to the Trip Photos section of the app within 24 hours of the trip ending.

The $150 Fee: Where Does the Money Go?

When you successfully charge a guest $150 for smoking, Turo collects the money from the guest and passes it to you. It’s important to remember that this isn't "free money." Removing smoke odor is a labor-intensive process.

If you want to keep your car’s value high and your next guest happy, you should use that $150 for:

  • An Ozone Treatment: This is the only way to truly kill smoke molecules in the headliner and seat foam.
  • Cabin Air Filter Replacement: Smoke gets pulled into the HVAC system. If you don't change the filter, the smell will return the moment the next guest turns on the A/C.
  • Deep Upholstery Cleaning: Wiping down surfaces isn't enough; smoke sticks to fabric.

Advanced Charging: How to File

Turo’s "Advanced Charging" feature allows you to streamline these requests. Instead of opening a formal "Claim" through the insurance portal, you file a Reimbursement Request for the smoking violation.

The Timeline

You have 24 hours from the moment the trip ends to report the smoking. If you wait 25 hours, the "Charge Guest" button for smoking will disappear.

The Resolution Path

Once you submit the evidence, the guest has 48 hours to either pay the fee or dispute it. If they dispute it, Turo support will review your photos. If your "Pre-Trip" photos show a clean car and your "Post-Trip" photos show ash, Turo will almost always side with the host and release the funds.

Prevention: Stopping the Smoke Before it Starts

While the $150 fee is nice, most hosts would rather have a clean car and zero drama. Prevention is always more profitable than remediation.

  • Clear Signage: Place a small "No Smoking" sticker on the dashboard. It serves as a constant reminder and removes the "I didn't know" excuse.
  • The "Pre-Trip" Warning: In your automated check-in message, include a firm sentence: "Just a reminder that this is a non-smoking vehicle. Turo charges a $150 fee for any physical evidence of smoking or vaping found after the trip."
  • The "Ash Tray" Check: If you find a guest has put an ash tray in the car, take a photo immediately. Even if it's empty, it shows intent to smoke.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What if I only smell weed but find no ash?

Unfortunately, Turo rarely approves claims based on smell alone. Your best bet is to look for "shake" (small bits of green leaf) on the floor or seat gaps. If you find even a tiny amount, document it. Without physical evidence, you’ll have to handle the odor removal on your own dime.

Q2: Can I charge for smoking and a cleaning fee at the same time?

Turo generally only allows one violation fee per trip. If the car is trashed and smells like smoke, the $150 smoking fee is usually the higher and easier one to get approved.

Q3: Does an Ozone generator really work?

Yes. It is the gold standard for Turo hosts. By creating $O_3$ molecules, it breaks down the carbon bonds of the odor. Just be careful: never stay in the car while it’s running, and let the car air out for 20 minutes before driving.

Q4: Will a smoking claim hurt my host rating?

If you are professional about it, no. Most guests who smoke know they are breaking the rules and won't be surprised by the charge. However, some may retaliate with a bad review. If they do, you can often ask Turo to remove the review if it was clearly left in retaliation for a valid smoking charge.

Q5: How long does it take to get the $150?

Once the guest pays or Turo settles the dispute in your favor, the funds are usually added to your next scheduled payout.