If renting a Turo, should I get my own personal auto insurance?
May 27, 2022 12:08 PM Subscribe
I'm mulling over renting a Turo (which is a peer-to-peer car "rental" program, which apparently makes a difference for some auto insurance policies). As I'd most likely be going cross-country and back, and as I don't have a car, so no auto insurance, I'd like to make sure I'm insured to the teeth (especially as it'd be a super expensive Tesla).
From my understanding, Turo has insurance plans offered as an add-on, but it only covers up to $750k for liability, which is a bit low, especially in case there's a multi-car accident, which can easily add up to millions. My friend said that their coverage is on the low side, and doesn't really seem to cover personal vehicle damages like traditional car rental companies offer as add-ons.
So, what's the best option for someone who doesn't have a car, needs temporary insurance that would cover theft, loss, corresponding loss of use charges, and liability, up to x amount, BUT is acceptable for a peer-to-peer service like Turo? Their website isn't exactly clear with exactly what they cover (unless I'm missing something), and I also want a low or $0 deductible plan as well.
Hertz does offer Tesla rentals, but using Hertz is not an option here, so please don't suggest Hertz specifically. I do know Enterprise offers a limited set of Teslas as part of their exotic car collections, but availability seems spotty/far in between. I'm open to other options in renting a Tesla, and saw a few websites that purport renting Teslas as their primary businesses, but get a bit of a "sketchy" vibe from them, so Turo most likely is it.
Thanks!
From my understanding, Turo has insurance plans offered as an add-on, but it only covers up to $750k for liability, which is a bit low, especially in case there's a multi-car accident, which can easily add up to millions. My friend said that their coverage is on the low side, and doesn't really seem to cover personal vehicle damages like traditional car rental companies offer as add-ons.
So, what's the best option for someone who doesn't have a car, needs temporary insurance that would cover theft, loss, corresponding loss of use charges, and liability, up to x amount, BUT is acceptable for a peer-to-peer service like Turo? Their website isn't exactly clear with exactly what they cover (unless I'm missing something), and I also want a low or $0 deductible plan as well.
Hertz does offer Tesla rentals, but using Hertz is not an option here, so please don't suggest Hertz specifically. I do know Enterprise offers a limited set of Teslas as part of their exotic car collections, but availability seems spotty/far in between. I'm open to other options in renting a Tesla, and saw a few websites that purport renting Teslas as their primary businesses, but get a bit of a "sketchy" vibe from them, so Turo most likely is it.
Thanks!
I have looked into this as a non-car-owner. There are two kinds of thing you can be worried about:
1) small-dollar costs due to damage or theft
2) large-dollar liability due to causing injuries to other people
Non-owned auto insurance can definitely cover $1. The cost will depend on your state, driving record, etc., and you'll want to shop around because the quotes vary widely.
#2 is the thing I worry about, and what I found is that if I wanted a limit above $500k I really had to get an umbrella policy too. This adds a substantial amount to the cost to the point where it wasn't worth it to get it at all (vs. just buying supplemental liability from the rental company) for the amount that I drive.
If you book with a traditional car rental company, their supplemental liability is usually $18/day and covers up to $1M, which is a bad deal if you're renting a car for a week out of every month but is a good deal for a one-off rental. I can't speak to who will rent you a Tesla however.
posted by goingonit at 1:12 PM on May 27, 2022 [1 favorite]
1) small-dollar costs due to damage or theft
2) large-dollar liability due to causing injuries to other people
Non-owned auto insurance can definitely cover $1. The cost will depend on your state, driving record, etc., and you'll want to shop around because the quotes vary widely.
#2 is the thing I worry about, and what I found is that if I wanted a limit above $500k I really had to get an umbrella policy too. This adds a substantial amount to the cost to the point where it wasn't worth it to get it at all (vs. just buying supplemental liability from the rental company) for the amount that I drive.
If you book with a traditional car rental company, their supplemental liability is usually $18/day and covers up to $1M, which is a bad deal if you're renting a car for a week out of every month but is a good deal for a one-off rental. I can't speak to who will rent you a Tesla however.
posted by goingonit at 1:12 PM on May 27, 2022 [1 favorite]
Geico offers non-owner driver's liability at a rate that was substantially lower than any other company I asked.
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 1:14 PM on May 27, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 1:14 PM on May 27, 2022 [3 favorites]
Turo guests can buy supplemental coverage, but they are actually kinda expensive.
https://turo.kustomer.help/en_us/summary-and-cost-of-protection-plans-or-us-guests-BJSgBNgVq
Standard plan seems sufficient, but even the minimum plan seems okay for something that costs as much as a Tesla.
But what are you worried about?
posted by kschang at 1:24 PM on May 27, 2022 [1 favorite]
https://turo.kustomer.help/en_us/summary-and-cost-of-protection-plans-or-us-guests-BJSgBNgVq
Standard plan seems sufficient, but even the minimum plan seems okay for something that costs as much as a Tesla.
But what are you worried about?
posted by kschang at 1:24 PM on May 27, 2022 [1 favorite]
You are going to spend a lot of time charging on a cross country and back trip.
And insurance on a Tesla is not going to be cheap. Get what those above suggest.
posted by Windopaene at 1:30 PM on May 27, 2022
And insurance on a Tesla is not going to be cheap. Get what those above suggest.
posted by Windopaene at 1:30 PM on May 27, 2022
Response by poster: Worried about mainly liability and vehicle damage/theft/loss of use charges.
If I get Turo's insurance (and omit getting "named non-owner insurance"), would that save me from those kinds of situations, though?
posted by dubious_dude at 7:45 PM on May 27, 2022
If I get Turo's insurance (and omit getting "named non-owner insurance"), would that save me from those kinds of situations, though?
posted by dubious_dude at 7:45 PM on May 27, 2022
You could also check to see if your credit card offers rental car insurance and if so, whether it covers Turo and what coverage is provided. Most of my credit cards include this, not just travel oriented ones. You just have to use their card to pay for the rental.
posted by metahawk at 11:42 AM on May 28, 2022
posted by metahawk at 11:42 AM on May 28, 2022
I'd suggest calling an/your insurance agent. That's what they're for. To me an umbrella policy is the correct tool here but then again I'm not an insurance agent. Umbrella policies kick in after your base coverage and are seemingly decent insurance (as opposed to the scam I feel auto and home policies generally are) and are very affordable (especially if you're considering the cost of a tesla cross country rental).
Example. I'm a small business owner who drives my personal vehicle. I have a client who contractually forbids me from driving people or belongings of theirs in my vehicle and yet also requires a 1mil auto policy. I called my auto insurance policy and they wanted $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and lots of paperwork. I called my insurance agent and she was like oh hell ya you want an umbrella policy. I know hVe a blanket million dollar policy in all the things including car, boat, etc etc, and it's like $500 a year.
posted by chasles at 7:10 AM on May 29, 2022 [1 favorite]
Example. I'm a small business owner who drives my personal vehicle. I have a client who contractually forbids me from driving people or belongings of theirs in my vehicle and yet also requires a 1mil auto policy. I called my auto insurance policy and they wanted $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ and lots of paperwork. I called my insurance agent and she was like oh hell ya you want an umbrella policy. I know hVe a blanket million dollar policy in all the things including car, boat, etc etc, and it's like $500 a year.
posted by chasles at 7:10 AM on May 29, 2022 [1 favorite]
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Yes, you can and should get your own personal auto insurance. The phrase is "named non owner coverage" and you can call an agent and get coverage. It will probably not be cheap, but well worth it for peace of mind.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 12:22 PM on May 27, 2022