Renting a vehicle through platforms like Turo has become increasingly popular due to its convenience, affordability, and the variety of options available. Turo is a peer-to-peer car-sharing service that connects vehicle owners with renters. The idea is simple: Individuals can rent vehicles directly from private owners rather than dealing with traditional rental car companies like Hertz, Avis, or Enterprise. 

Our Destin car accident lawyers know that collisions can happen anywhere at any given moment – even while driving a Turo vehicle. That said, knowing your rights and responsibilities after an accident is essential for protecting yourself legally and financially.

Understanding Turo's Insurance Policies

When you rent a car from Turo, both you and the car owner are covered by insurance, but the extent of that coverage depends on the protection plan chosen. Turo offers several different protection plans that provide varying levels of liability, collision, and damage protection.

For Renters

When you book a vehicle, Turo offers several insurance plans, ranging from premium to minimal coverage. Here’s a glimpse into what you need to know:

  • Premium Plan: This plan offers the highest level of coverage with up to $750,000 in third-party liability insurance, covering you for most damage or injuries caused to other people or property. This plan also includes comprehensive and collision coverage, with no deductible for physical damage.
  • Standard Plan: This plan provides moderate coverage, including up to $750,000 in third-party liability insurance. However, there is a $500 deductible for damage to the rented vehicle.
  • Minimum Plan: This plan covers third-party liability up to the minimum legal requirement in the state where the accident occurs. There is no coverage for damage to the vehicle, meaning renters must pay out of pocket for any repairs.
  • Decline Coverage: Similar to traditional car rental companies, renters can choose to decline Turo’s protection plans and rely on their own personal coverage. Note, however, that many personal policies exclude coverage for rental vehicles or peer-to-peer rentals like Turo, which could leave you financially exposed in the event of an accident.

For Vehicle Owners

Turo provides insurance to vehicle owners, as well, depending on the protection plan chosen:

  • 60% Plan: Owners receive 60% of the trip price and are covered by Turo’s $750,000 liability insurance. The owner also gets physical damage protection, with a $0 deductible, if the renter opts for protection.
  • 75% Plan: Owners receive 75% of the trip price but have a $250 deductible for physical damage and the same $750,000 in liability insurance.
  • 85% Plan: The owner receives 85% of the trip price but must pay a $2,500 deductible for physical damage. This plan still offers $750,000 in liability coverage.

Vehicle owners must ensure that their personal insurance policies do not exclude rentals, as relying solely on Turo’s coverage may not be enough.

What to Do After a Turo Accident

If you’re involved in an accident while driving a Turo rental, the steps you take immediately following the incident are crucial for protecting your legal rights and ensuring that any damages are covered.

  1. Check for Injuries: Your first priority should always be safety. Check for injuries to yourself, passengers, and other parties involved in the accident. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately for medical assistance.
  2. Move to a Safe Location: If the vehicles are drivable and the accident occurred in a busy area, move to a safe location (i.e., the side of the road) to avoid further accidents.
  3. Call the Police: It is legally required to report any accident resulting in injury or significant property damage. Even if the accident seems minor, filing a police report can help establish a clear record of what happened, which can be useful later when dealing with insurance claims.
  4. Document the Accident: Take pictures of the damage to both vehicles, the accident scene, and any other relevant details such as road conditions, traffic signs, or skid marks. If there are witnesses, get their contact information in case you need to obtain details from them to pursue a case in court.
  5. Exchange Information: Get the contact information, driver’s license number, and insurance details of the other driver(s) involved in the accident. Since you’re driving a Turo vehicle, provide the other party with the details of Turo’s insurance, which should be available in your rental agreement or app.
  6. Report the Accident to Turo: Contact Turo’s customer support as soon as possible to report the accident. Turo will guide you through the process of filing a claim and may help facilitate repairs or a replacement vehicle if needed.
  7. Notify Your Insurance Company: If you opted out of Turo’s protection plan or if the accident involved significant damages or injuries, notify your personal insurance company. Depending on your policy, they may need to handle some aspects of the claim.

Who Is Liable in a Turo Accident?

Determining liability in an accident involving a Turo rental can be complex, as it may involve multiple parties, including you, the vehicle owner, Turo, and potentially other drivers involved in the accident. Here’s a brief look at who could be held liable:

  • The Renter: If you were driving the Turo vehicle and caused the accident, you would likely be responsible for the damages. Your liability could be covered by the protection plan you chose or your personal insurance policy.
  • The Vehicle Owner: In some cases, the vehicle owner could share liability, especially if there were mechanical issues with the vehicle that contributed to the accident. Owners are responsible for ensuring that their vehicles are safe and properly maintained.
  • Turo: Although Turo provides a platform for renting vehicles, it’s generally not held liable for accidents. Turo’s role is to facilitate the transaction, and they rely on protection plans and third-party insurers to cover damages and liability.
  • Other Drivers: If another driver caused the accident, their insurance would typically be responsible for covering damages. You would still need to work with Turo and the other driver’s insurance company to resolve the claim.

Legal Rights After a Turo Accident

If you’re involved in a Turo accident, understanding your legal rights is critical to ensuring you aren’t unfairly burdened with expenses or legal consequences. Some key rights include the right to compensation, the right to representation, and the right to a safe vehicle.

Right to Compensation

If another driver caused the accident, you have the right to seek compensation for property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. You may need to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or even pursue legal action if they deny liability.

Right to Legal Representation

Whether you’re a renter or vehicle owner, you have the right to hire an attorney to represent you in any disputes arising from the accident. Our Destin car accident lawyers can help negotiate with insurance companies and ensure your rights are protected.

Right to a Safe Vehicle

Vehicle owners must provide safe and well-maintained vehicles. If you can prove that a mechanical failure or safety issue with the rented car caused the accident, you may have a legal case against the owner or Turo.

Work with Our Skilled Destin Car Accident Lawyers to Ensure Your Rights are Protected

Accidents in Turo rentals can complicate the normal process of dealing with car accidents, especially when it comes to liability and insurance coverage. Understanding Turo’s insurance policies, knowing what to do after an accident, and recognizing your legal rights can help protect you from financial and legal consequences. If you are involved in an accident while driving a Turo vehicle in Destin or elsewhere in Florida, contact our car accident lawyers to learn more about your rights and options under the law.