Latest news with #Turo
Motor 1
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Woman Fears Her Ford Bronco Got Stolen After Putting It on Turo. Then She Tracks It Down
For many car owners, Turo offers a way to turn a parked vehicle into passive income. But when a routine rental left one woman unable to track her brand-new Ford Bronco, the line between entrepreneurship and anxiety blurred fast. A viral TikTok from Texas-based creator Christina Haley ( @mrs_tink ) reveals that loaning a vehicle on the popular app can lead to numerous worries and second-guessing. Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Routine Trip Turns into Radio Silence Haley, who had recently listed her Ford Bronco on Turo, thought she had everything covered until she received an unexpected notification from FordPass. The app enables owners to remotely monitor their vehicle's diagnostics and location. According to her TikTok, the message stated that her vehicle's onboard system had been manually reset. 'Someone manually reset my computer without my permission,' she says in the clip. 'I have not been able to track my car in three days.' Trending Now 'Menace to Society:' Man Says Ford, Nissan, and Chevy Make the '3 Most Reckless Cars on the Road.' Are You Driving One? 'Another Pink Tax:' NYC Woman Hires Man to Be Her Boyfriend for 1 Hour So She Doesn't Get Scammed When Buying Ford Truck The renter gave vague reasons for the reset, Haley says, claiming the radio wasn't working. But FordPass support purportedly said that the explanation didn't make much sense. Compounding the anxiety, she says messages to the renter went unanswered for hours. When they finally replied, Haley says they suggested extending the trip. Instead, they dropped the vehicle off later that day. For Ford owners using apps like Turo, FordPass is a critical link in the trust chain. The platform allows remote locking, unlocking, and GPS tracking. When a renter performs a master reset on a Ford vehicle, all synced accounts, including FordPass, are disconnected. The car's location and status become invisible to the owner. Ford's support documentation confirms this: A factory reset removes all personal data and cloud-connected accounts from the system, including navigation history, Bluetooth devices, and app access, such as FordPass or Alexa integrations. A Turo spokesperson said that hosts have tools to use when these scenarios arise. "There was no vehicle theft or malicious intent, as the guest was simply seeking to use the vehicle's audio system. For hosts' peace of mind, Turo recommends our partner vehicle tracking provider, PassTime, which offers tailored features to monitor and protect vehicles during trips, including detecting tampering and towing," a Turo spokesperson told Motor1 via email. "The host has since learned about Turo's preferred tools, helping her choose the provider that makes her most comfortable with sharing her vehicle on the Turo platform." Returned, But Not Reassured In Haley's case, the Bronco came back intact, but not in the same condition it left. The soft top panels had been incorrectly reinstalled, she says, the interior was dirty, and signs of rushed or careless use were apparent. 'It's definitely dirty,' she says. 'Could I charge [them] a cleaning fee? Yes. I'm probably not, because it's not a big deal.' Turo allows hosts to add a post-trip cleaning fee for excessive mess. Common guidelines cite issues such as stained upholstery, pet hair, or strong odors as justification for additional charges. In this case, Haley chose not to escalate the situation. Numbers Don't Always Add Up After four days and 264 miles of driving, the trip paid Haley just $190. While that's not unusual for a standard Turo rental, it puts the cost-benefit tradeoff into sharp relief. Once you factor in potential wear, stress, and post-trip cleanup, the margins can feel thin. According to Turo's calculator , a 2021 Ford Bronco in good condition can typically earn $50–$100/day, depending on location, trip length, and options. However, that estimate doesn't include Turo's cut, which reportedly typically ranges from 7.5%–40% depending on the protection plan, plus maintenance, depreciation, and time spent managing communication and logistics. For those with a second vehicle or limited driving needs, apps like Turo can unlock a source of extra income. But a potential user should do their homework about the tools out there to protect themselves and ask hard questions about whether it's worth it. Motor1 reached out to Haley via TikTok direct message. We'll be sure to update this post if she responds. More From Motor1 Coolest Cars To Rent On Turo In America's 10 Largest Cities Ford Just Issued Its 90th Recall This Year. It'll Cost the Brand Half a Billion Dollars The New Electric Ford Bronco Looks Awesome. But It's Not for America Ford Just Issued Another Massive Recall. And It Doesn't Even Have a Fix Yet Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Cision Canada
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
Canadian Car Owners Earn $300 Million Through Turo as Economic Pressures Fuel Car Sharing Français
Turo milestone shows sharing economy has evolved from early adopter trend to mainstream income solution amid rising cost of living. TORONTO, July 9, 2025 /CNW/ -- Turo, the world's largest car-sharing marketplace, today announced that Canadian car owners have collectively earned over $300 million by sharing their vehicles on the platform since the company launched in Canada in 2016.* The $300 million in host earnings represents a significant injection into the Canadian economy at a time when rising living costs are pressuring household budgets nationwide. With car ownership costs climbing 9% to an average of $5,497 annually according to Turo's 2025 Car Ownership Index, Canadian car owners are increasingly turning their idle assets into income generators. "For most Canadians, their cars sit idle 95% of the time, but they don't have to," said Bassem El-Rahimy, Vice President of Turo Canada. "Hosting on Turo is giving everyday Canadians a powerful new way to unlock value from what they already own. Whether it's to cover bills, fund passions, or build a business, more people are realizing that their car can work for them, not the other way around." Turo sees a broad range of Canadians host their cars on Turo. Many hosts share a single car, earning income when it's not in use, while other hosts have found the platform so lucrative that they have turned it into a full-time business, with some Canadian hosts listing 5 to even 50 vehicles. Success Stories Reflect Broader Trend Turo's growth in Canada is being driven by entrepreneurs like Ian Thomas, a Vancouver-based host who turned a single car listing into a thriving fleet of 10 vehicles in just two years. "I started on Turo as a student, just testing the waters with my personal car," said Thomas. "Canadians were so kind and respectful to my vehicles, and I was surprised by how quickly bookings came in. What started as a small experiment has turned into a real meaningful side business. It's grown faster than I ever expected." Canadian hosts are earning an average $3,500 during peak summer months, with many using the income to offset rising costs of living, fund education, or build emergency savings. Domestic Travel Boom is Driving Demand The milestone comes as Canadians increasingly choose domestic travel options, creating strong demand for unique vehicles in popular destinations. Leger data shows 77% percent of Canadians plan to travel domestically up 8% year-over-year, with car-sharing benefiting from travelers seeking alternatives to traditional rental cars. "Travelers want authentic experiences, and they want to support local communities," said El-Rahimy. "When you book through Turo, you're not just getting a car – you're putting money directly into a Canadian's pocket, supporting local economies from coast to coast." Platform Safety and Protection Drive Confidence This mainstream adoption has been enabled by Turo's comprehensive insurance coverage that addresses both host and guest concerns. Every reservation includes $2 million in liability coverage, with protection plans covering physical damage up to the vehicle's full value, maximum $150,000. "Trust and safety are foundational to the sharing economy," El-Rahimy noted. "Insurance coverage provided by Economical Insurance and ICBC gives both hosts and guests confidence to participate, which has been crucial to our growth beyond early adopter communities." Looking Ahead: The Future of Asset Sharing The company plans to continue expanding across Canada, most recently launching in the Yukon last month. Turo is now available in BC, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and the Yukon. *Based on host earnings in Canada from April 2016 to July 2025. About Turo Turo is the world's largest car-sharing marketplace, where you can book the perfect car for wherever you're going from a vibrant community of trusted hosts across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and France. Flying in from afar or looking for a car down the street, searching for a rugged truck or something smooth and swanky, you can skip the rental car counter and choose from an extraordinary, totally unique selection of nearby vehicles shared by local hosts. Entrepreneurs can take the wheel of their futures by becoming hosts and building car-sharing businesses on Turo, leveraging our established platform to scale their businesses to meet their goals. With an unwavering mission of putting the world's 1.5 billion cars to better use, Turo unlocks the hidden value in idle and underutilized assets, empowering anyone to get in the driver's seat. Find your drive® — Turo.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
If you plan on buying multiple cars, consider this Turo host's approach
Stephen Carter isn't your typical car owner. Not only does he own five vehicles, but he rents them out on Turo (think Airbnb for cars). But last fall, Carter didn't qualify for auto loan approval for that fifth vehicle. The other four were on his personal credit report, which meant that his debt-to-income ratio was out of whack. Eventually, Carter learned about a lender that offers a unique product: an auto line of credit. 'When Carputty came along, it was a godsend,' says Carter, who's based on the Gulf Coast and financed a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van last October. He adds: 'My business year to date is almost twice what I did last year with just an additional vehicle.' Whether you need a fleet for your business or prefer multiple sets of wheels for your personal life, Carter's journey might help you understand alternative financing options. Before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in 2020, Carter got into Turo 'by accident.' His car was giving him problems, and a friend suggested he trade it in for a Mercedes Sprinter. The large vehicle could be used for his transportation and logistics gig for his government contractor work. 'Then, the pandemic hit, all government contracts kind of froze,' says Carter, who also worked as a car salesperson for 10 years earlier in his career. 'And I was like, 'Now, what am I gonna do with this car note on the vehicle?' A friend suggested that he list the vehicle for rent on Turo as a way to generate income. 'And 240,000 miles later, it's still — I think right now it's in Tennessee somewhere,' Carter says. 'So yeah, I just fell into it.' The Turo business has proven lucrative enough for Carter to keep at it, continually adding to his fleet of vans, which are routinely rented by large groups. 'That typically is my clientele, the family that's going somewhere… the church group that's going to a baseball game or a football camp or a water park,' Carter says. 'I get those calls regularly.' Carter previously used auto loans to finance the purchase of each new vehicle in his Turo fleet. But with four such debt accounts on his personal credit report, his debt-to-income ratio made lenders wary of funding a fifth vehicle. When Carter encountered auto loan lenders that didn't want him as a new or repeat customer, he considered alternatives. After all, his rental business was thriving, and he wanted to reinvest in it. One realistic option was an unsecured personal loan from a reputable national lender. 'With American Express, I would basically only get enough to do maybe one or two cars, three really cheap cars… and AmEx was at 10 percent [interest], almost 11 percent for a third of the money,' Carter says. Eventually, while browsing a Reddit forum for Turo hosts, Carter came across a mention of Carputty, which requires a minimum credit score of 680 and operates nationally (except in California, Mississippi, Nevada and Washington). The nature of its auto line of credit — up to 15 cars and as much as $250,000 for personal use and $800,000 for LLC operators — gave him the flexibility to avoid another lump sum debt on his credit report. Carter was thrilled to secure an interest rate below seven percent. The only issue he experienced was skepticism among car dealers. No one had heard of Carputty, a fintech that was founded in 2020. 'Craziest name ever… I had at least two dealerships just hang up on me, just saying, 'I never heard of it, click, it sounds like a scam,'' Carter recalls. Average number of cars per Carputty 'Flexline' Consumers, personal use 1.7 Consumers, commercial use 2.2 Carter says his goal is to refinance all of his vehicle loans to house them on the Carputty line of credit, which can be used to buy new or used cars, refinance auto loans or buy out leases. As for the Sprinter van he most recently financed through Carputty? 'I couldn't even tell you where it is,' Carter says, 'but it's been gone [rented] since October.' In most cases, if you're looking for an auto loan and having trouble qualifying, it's likely a sign that you're not ready to borrow. After all, traditional car loans are the best way (besides paying in cash) for most of us to finance our vehicles. And their eligibility criteria are meant, in part, to keep you from borrowing a loan you can't afford to repay. But if you're in a situation like Carter's, where you have strong credit and still can't find the ideal loan, consider being flexible about the type of financing you're seeking. Carputty's line of credit is a unique option — you can finance multiple cars on one account, even if you're not a small business owner — but this company doesn't have a monopoly on atypical financing. Some lenders offer commercial auto lines of credit (Ally Financial and National Business Capital, for example) or business auto loans. The keys are to consider your options, shop around with various types of lenders and prequalify to limit any impact to your credit. Carter's advice on becoming a Turo host 'Now, if you're going to buy a couple of $5,000 cars, and you can afford to pay them off, that's different, but … you may want to do a little bit more research before you just buy that dream car and put it on Turo, because I see the horror stories. And we talk amongst the hosts about people buying used Ferraris because they thought it was a niche market for an antique car, and they're stuck with a note.' — Stephen Carter As Carter did, it's wise to consider all of your options, including auto loans and lines of credit as well as personal loans for cars. Consider the pros and cons of various financing types. A line of credit might give you more flexibility, for example, while a loan might carry a lower interest rate. Once you find the right product for your situation, you can spend more time on finding the right vehicle and calculating your potential loan repayment. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Metro
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Metro
I tried a 'hybrid holiday' and discovered the secret to work-life balance
My life in the city is non-stop. I spend my days travelling across London on heaving Tubes, working in an office, then rushing through crowded streets to meet friends. I wouldn't change it for the world, but sometimes, I want to escape. The only problem is, I don't drive. Maybe I shouldn't admit this, but I didn't even turn up to my driving theory test last month. I'm not alone; nearly half of London households don't have a car. So when I want a break in the UK, I must pack myself onto a train, pay a fortune for taxis, or endure the clunky process of renting a car (that someone else will have to drive). For all of that hassle, I'd never even think to bank the annual leave and work on that hard-earned staycation instead. That's where Turo comes in. It's an app that lets you rent cars directly from local hosts. A bit like Airbnb, but for vehicles. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. On your phone, you tailor your search, scroll, and pick a model that suits your price range. There's everything from Ford Fiestas to a Porsche 911, and your ride is delivered straight to your door. Then it's just you, the open road, and the kind of car that makes even the M25 feel glamorous. After being invited to test it out, I found myself on my first hybrid holiday. Not a full digital detox, just space, fresh air, and a change of scenery. It's part remote work, part mini-break, and I didn't need to use my limited leave to get out of the city for a night or two. My partner and I checked the weather forecast, saw glorious sunshine, and booked a convertible BMW Z4 for two days that would normally be around £300 in total. Compact enough for narrow country roads, but still stylish enough to make the trip feel like something special, the host arrived with the keys days later. We did a quick walk around, checked the app, and off we went. I'd recommend checking your host's reviews and previous bookings to make this experience as smooth as possible. Our destination was a cosy hut in the woods, buried in the Cotswolds countryside at The Fish hotel in Broadway. With a promise of strong WiFi, good food, a private hot tub and a log burner, it ticked all the boxes: peaceful, remote, and perfect for working during the day and unwinding in the evenings. If you're doing a hybrid holiday, you need to make the most of the time you aren't working. We made sure to make the journey part fun, cruising with the roof off and stopping for lunch at The Boxing Hare, a renowned pub in the famous Cotswolds town of Chipping Norton. After a breezy check-in at the hotel, where rooms start from £350 a night, I logged on to work for a couple of hours. For working from home, the Hilly Huts are perfectly set-up to spend hours huddled over your laptop. The fridge was filled with snacks and drinks, there was a tea station brimming with options, along with a coffee machine for that caffeine fix. And if that wasn't enough, the hut was installed with a buzzer to ring for more refreshments. Equally, if you're someone who needs a change of scenery, across the grounds are communal areas and food stalls with plenty of seating to work from. Staff were incredibly accommodating and made our stay as comfortable as possible. I've never 'worked from home' in such luxury; the only problem was feeling sorry for my poor colleagues who had to endure my Zoom background whilst they sat at their usual desk. After I signed off at the end of the day, it was time for a well-earned dip in the hot tub, with drinks brought directly to our garden. Having had time to switch off and relax, we got ready for dinner at Hook. It's a seafood restaurant on-site of the hotel, promising a laid-back but luxurious vibe. For those that don't like seafood, there are other options for meat-eaters and vegetarians, but for me, The standout dish was a tuna tartare with wasabi and a ponzu dressing. What followed was the best sleep I've had in ages. Needing to wake up ready to log on at 8 am the next day, I barely needed an alarm clock. Instead, an open blind let the countryside sun stream in, starting my day in the most relaxed way possible. Armed with my laptop, I worked for the day on the veranda. We can all relate to the issue of working outside with no charging ports, so you will have to shuffle around to charge your devices indoors with plug sockets in relative short supply. It may not be as accessible as your monitors and keyboards at home, but we returned to London feeling so refreshed before the weekend had even started. We're in this weird in-between space right now, where offices are open, but remote work is still the norm for many of us. And while I love the flexibility, working from home can get monotonous. That's why I'm convinced hybrid holidays are the future. You don't need to block off a full week or use up all your annual leave, but just refresh your routine by working somewhere else. More Trending And Turo makes it so easy. Whilst owning a car suits a lot of people, for those who rarely need them, it's better value, better for the environment, and way less stress. It's fine to love your bustling city life but also admit you need to recharge. When we're building careers, we don't always want to fully unplug to experience a new environment. My eyes have been opened to the hybrid holidays and honestly? It's the best kind of work-life balance I can imagine. Choose the car based on your destination. For narrow country roads, I loved having something small and agile. But for a coastal road trip or wild camping weekend, I'd be looking at an SUV. Read the host reviews. Like Airbnb, you can check feedback and see if hosts are communicative and accommodating. Look for places with good WiFi and phone signal. If you're working from home, you don't need the stress of losing a connection mid-meeting. Pack light but smart. Small cars require small cases. Comfy clothes for working, walking boots for exploring, and a good portable charger are a must. Give yourself breathing room. Don't try to do it all. Even just changing your work surroundings makes a big difference. Anna Staddon was a guest of Turo and The Fish Hotel. MORE: Crying at work is embarrassing — but it can reveal your biggest strength MORE: I hate the beach, but a £13 trip to one of the UK's 'worst seaside towns' changed my mind MORE: I spent 96 hours in Canada's 'forgotten province' — one of its last untouched gems
CTV News
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Renting out your car or backyard to generate extra cash? What to know about insurance
Whether it's camping equipment, your backyard or a vehicle, the peer-to-peer sharing market has boomed in recent years. 'It seems, naturally, that consumers see a benefit when they're not using their space or otherwise to generate additional income for themselves,' said Daniel Ivans, an insurance expert with 'This might be a quick, easy opportunity to maybe make some money.' At a time when many Canadians are struggling to make ends meet, renting out their personal belongings has become a side hustle. But offering assets, especially big-ticket items like a car, for rent is more complicated than just getting an ad up on an app or online forum. It's also about considering the wear on the item and potential damage costs — and finding the right insurance coverage. When bigger assets such as a home or vehicle are made available as short-term rentals, Ivans said they're exposed to additional damage risks. The first thing the host should do is notify their insurance broker and talk about how their situation is changing, he said. If the individual doesn't inform their insurance provider about short-term rental usage of the asset, they could end up losing their policy coverage and be left with a hefty bill in case of damages, Ivans said. Most apps, such as car-sharing app Turo, come with existing insurance for the host's vehicle. Every trip on Turo is covered by the company's commercial insurance policy across provinces, said Bassem El-Rahimy, vice-president of Turo Canada. The company's insurance covers up to $2 million in liability per host, while renters can take on additional protection plans, he added. 'Insurance is essentially built in,' El-Rahimy said. Most Turo hosts don't opt for supplemental insurance on top of what the company and their personal auto insurance provide, he added. 'If anything happens to the car while it's being shared, our insurance policy will cover it and kind of keep the host's insurance policy intact,' El-Rahimy said. Turo also mandates its hosts notify their personal auto insurer about the car usage. 'Insurance is a trust game,' El-Rahimy said. 'You can't be lying or hiding anything from your insurer.' But not all apps may provide that built-in security. Ivans said it often gets hard for insurance companies to evaluate additional exposure when the item is shared with strangers. 'You're not only loaning something to a friend ... but loaning something to the general public,' he said. 'How many providers are out there that are ready to take on that kind of exposure? Probably not too many,' Ivans said. Home insurance can be complicated to assess when a homeowner adds more usage to the property, he said. 'If (consumers) are renting out, say, for example, items like swimming pools or usage of their property, they would want to consult with a broker who can look around to try to find the right company,' Ivans said. David Adams started Sniffspot for city-dwelling pet owners who couldn't find open spaces for their pets in Washington. His solution was to connect dog owners with homeowners who have empty backyards. The idea took off and spread across the United States, eventually moving north of the border. Adams said safety is a key aspect of the idea — making sure no one is injured and no property gets damaged. Like many peer-to-peer sharing apps, Adams said the company offers damage protection and liability insurance. 'Damage protection provides up to $5,000 of protection against any kind of damage that a guest would cause at your property, like a broken gate or a broken chair, things like that,' he said. Liability insurance covers up to $1 million for accidents or injuries that may occur at the property during rented hours, he added. Still, Ivans warned there can be disparities when using peer-to-peer share apps, especially those with a cross-border presence or international markets. 'There are no guarantees that any app or any organization necessarily can provide somebody with full and holistic coverage for (the) household and their family in the potential case of financial devastation,' he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 26, 2025. Ritika Dubey, The Canadian Press
