How to File a Claim After a Turo Accident

By Aghabegian & Associates on February 25, 2021

Ridesharing has been all the rage over the past few years, shaking up the rental-car industry, taxicabs, chauffeur services, and even California’s laws. The convenience of having an on-demand driver pick you up and take you to your destination is freeing, and its success has also sparked a new innovation in the tech industry. Not only can people take advantage of ridesharing services, but they can also use car-sharing services like Turo.

However, as with ridesharing companies, you should be aware of how the claims process works after an accident with one of these vehicles.

What Is Turo?

Turo is a car-sharing service that operates like rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft. Instead of offering chauffeur services, Turo offers on-demand car rentals through “peer-to-peer car-sharing.” Car owners can create free accounts and list their vehicles for other drivers to rent. Generally used by high-end car owners who want to make money from their exotic and stylish vehicles, Turo also allows drivers to share trucks, vans, and jeeps with prospective drivers. Turo is available in many major cities, including here in Los Angeles.

Alongside providing peer-to-peer car-sharing services, Turo also works with local rental car companies called “Commercial Hosts.” The rules for these companies are slightly different than those for regular car owners, including how insurance works.

Are Turo Cars Insured?

Every vehicle on California’s roads is required to have a minimum liability insurance policy, which includes:

• $15,000 for injuries to a single person
• $30,000 for injuries to multiple people
• $15,000 for property damage

With Turo, liability insurance is automatically included when a car owner lists their vehicle. Car owners are offered several different plans based on the rate they want to charge for their vehicles, but all of these plans include liability coverage for up to $750,000.

Drivers who rent a Turo are not required to have personal car insurance, but if they do, it can be supplemented through Turo’s policy if they agree to the protection plan. Guests have the option of declining protection plans, however. In these cases, their personal auto insurance may cover an accident, but this is not always true.

Commercial Hosts can also choose whether to include liability coverage in the price of a vehicle or charge it separately from Turo’s platform. Commercial policies operate in the same way as they do for as normal rental cars, and drivers have the option of adding on rental car insurance separately or using their own insurance if it applies.

Turo does not offer PIP insurance for drivers in California.

Who Pays for My Injuries?

If you were hit by a Turo car, you may be wondering how you can receive compensation for your injuries. In a straightforward car accident, you could file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company. With Turo cars, you first need to determine what company is providing coverage:

• Turo Protection Plans: If the other driver has a Turo protection plan, then you will need to file a claim against the protection plan’s policy, which can include up to $750,000 in compensation.
• Personal Auto Insurance: If the driver denied a protection plan, you may need to file a claim with their personal auto insurance policy. However, if their insurance does not cover the accident, then you may have to file an uninsured motorist accident claim (UM) with your own insurance company, but only if you have such a policy.
• Commercial Host: If the other driver was using a Commercial Host, then you may be able to file a claim against their rental car insurance or their personal policy.

In all instances, you should discuss your case with an experienced and knowledgeable Glendale car accident attorney at Aghabegian & Associates, PC. With over 40 years of combined experience under our belts, our team can investigate your accident, review all available insurance policies, and advocate for full compensation in an accident claim. Insurance companies are rarely ever charitable and may try to deny coverage given how complex Turo policies are. Your best option is to work with a skilled attorney who can advocate for your best interests. To discuss your accident in a free case evaluation, call Aghabegian & Associates, PC, at (818) 507-4311.