The Real Math Behind Turo’s Protection Plans
Let’s cut through the marketing speak and look at what these plans actually cost you. It’s not just about the percentage you keep – it’s about the risk you’re taking on with that deductible, and perhaps more importantly, whether you can actually afford that risk.
I think most hosts focus too much on the earnings percentage and not enough on the potential out-of-pocket costs. That was certainly my mistake early on.
60 Plan: Maximum Safety, Minimum Profit
You keep 60% of the trip price, but here’s the thing that makes this plan unique – you have zero deductible. That means if someone scratches your car, dents a panel, or heaven forbid, totals it completely, you pay absolutely nothing out of pocket for eligible damage[12].
I used this plan when I first started hosting with my 2019 Honda Accord. The peace of mind was worth it initially, even though I was giving up 40% of my earnings to Turo. For a $100 daily rental, I’d keep $60, and Turo would take $40 – but I slept better at night knowing I wouldn’t get hit with surprise repair bills.
However, as of June 2025, this plan lost some benefits it used to include, like lost hosting income and replacement vehicle coverage[26]. It’s still the safest option, but not quite as comprehensive as it once was.
Best for: New hosts, expensive vehicles, or anyone who genuinely can’t afford unexpected repair bills without financial stress.
75 Plan: The Sweet Spot for Most Hosts
This is where most experienced hosts end up settling, I think. You earn 75% of the trip price with just a $250 deductible. It’s like having a small insurance deductible on a traditional policy – manageable but not devastating if you need to use it.
Let’s say your car gets dinged in a parking lot and needs $800 in repairs. You pay $250, Turo covers $550. On that same $100 daily rental, you’re keeping $75 instead of $60. Over a month with decent bookings, that extra 15% adds up pretty quickly.
Like the 60 plan, this one also lost some additional benefits in June 2025[26], but the core coverage remains solid.
Best for: Most hosts with vehicles worth $15,000-$40,000 who can comfortably handle a $250 unexpected expense.
80 Plan: Where Risk Starts Getting Real
The jump from $250 to $750 deductible is significant. That’s car payment money for a lot of people, or a decent chunk of many emergency funds. But you’re now keeping 80% of trip earnings, which can be quite tempting when you’re looking at higher-end bookings.
I switched to this plan after about eight months of hosting, once I’d built up some confidence and financial cushion. The extra 5% seemed worth it – until I had my first claim. A guest backed into a concrete pole and caused $1,200 in damage to my rear bumper. Paying $750 out of pocket definitely stung, but I’d still come out ahead over time given the higher earnings.
Best for: Experienced hosts with solid emergency funds and vehicles in good condition who understand their local market risk patterns.
85 Plan: Serious Risk Territory
$1,625 deductible. That’s rent money for most people, or a significant dent in anyone’s emergency fund. You better be really confident in your guest screening process and have that money sitting readily available, because when (not if) a claim happens, it’s going to hurt financially.
But the math can work if you’re booking consistently at higher rates and in decent volume. On luxury vehicles or in high-demand markets, that extra 5% over the 80 plan can add up to meaningful money over time.
I know hosts who’ve made this work, but they typically have multiple vehicles and can spread the risk across their fleet.
Best for: High-volume hosts with luxury vehicles, solid financial cushions, and excellent damage prevention systems.
90 Plan: Maximum Risk, Maximum Reward
$2,500 deductible. I’ll be honest – this makes me nervous even thinking about it. You’re essentially self-insuring for anything less than major collision or total loss damage. But if you’re running multiple vehicles and really know your numbers inside and out, the math might actually work.
I know hosts who swear by this plan, but they’re typically running fleets of 5+ cars and can absorb the occasional big hit because their volume is so high and they’ve got sophisticated damage prevention and guest screening processes.
Best for: Fleet operators with significant cash reserves, high booking volumes, and proven track records of minimizing claims.
Calculating Your Real Return on Investment
Here’s what I wish someone had told me from the start: it’s not just about earnings percentages. You need to factor in the probability of claims, your ability to handle deductibles, and your overall financial situation.
Let me walk through a realistic example with a $25,000 vehicle earning $1,200 monthly:
75 Plan Scenario:
- Monthly earnings: $900 (75% of $1,200)
- Annual earnings: $10,800
- Deductible per claim: $250
- If you have 1.5 claims per year: $10,425 net
85 Plan Scenario:
- Monthly earnings: $1,020 (85% of $1,200)
- Annual earnings: $12,240
- Deductible per claim: $1,625
- If you have 1.5 claims per year: $9,802.50 net
See how the 75 plan actually comes out ahead in this scenario? And this assumes just 1.5 claims per year – some hosts have more, some have fewer. The key is being realistic about your expected claim frequency.
For comprehensive insights into how all Turo insurance works together, check out our complete guide to Turo car insurance coverage.
What Most Hosts Actually Choose (And Why)
Based on conversations with dozens of other hosts and observing patterns in Turo forums, here’s what I see in practice:
- Brand new hosts: Usually start with 60 or 75 plan until they understand their market
- Experienced hosts with 1-3 cars: Typically gravitate toward 75 or 80 plan
- Fleet operators (5+ vehicles): Often use 85 or 90 plan because they can spread risk
- Luxury car hosts: Varies widely, but many stick with lower deductible plans due to high repair costs
Perhaps more importantly, many hosts switch plans as they gain experience and confidence. I started on 60, moved to 75 after six months, then to 80 after another year. There’s no shame in being conservative initially.
Factors Beyond Just the Numbers
The “best” plan isn’t always the one with the highest theoretical ROI. You need to consider these often-overlooked factors:
Your Risk Tolerance
Can you honestly sleep at night knowing you might owe $2,500 tomorrow if something goes wrong? Some people can handle that psychological pressure, others can’t. There’s no wrong answer here – know yourself and be honest about your comfort level.
Your Financial Cushion
If paying a $1,625 deductible would require you to put it on a credit card or dip into funds earmarked for other important things, maybe the 85 plan isn’t right for you yet. Build up your hosting income and emergency fund first.
I always recommend having at least 3x your chosen deductible amount readily available, because claims sometimes come in clusters.
Your Vehicle’s Condition and Age
Newer, well-maintained cars typically have fewer surprise mechanical issues that could complicate claims. If you’re hosting a 2015 vehicle with 150k miles, maybe stick with lower deductible plans until you see how it performs.
Your Local Market Characteristics
Some cities are rougher on cars than others. Urban hosts often see more minor damage from tight parking, street use, and higher traffic density. Beach towns might have more sand and salt-related wear. Know your environment.
Common Mistakes I See Hosts Make
Chasing the highest percentage without considering actual risk. That extra 5% looks fantastic until you’re writing a $1,625 check for the third time this year.
Not factoring in their personal claim history. If you’ve had three claims in six months, maybe reconsider that high-deductible plan regardless of the earnings boost.
Forgetting about the claims process requirements. Higher deductible plans mean you’ll be paying more out of pocket more frequently. Understanding exactly how Turo claims work becomes even more critical.
Not understanding what “deductible” really means in practice.Learn the specifics of how much you’ll actually pay with each deductible level in different damage scenarios.
Ignoring seasonal patterns. Some hosts see more claims during busy summer seasons or around holidays when more inexperienced drivers are renting.
Advanced Strategies for Experienced Hosts
Once you’ve been hosting for a while, you might consider these more sophisticated approaches:
Vehicle-Specific Plan Selection
Maybe your reliable Toyota Camry goes on the 80 plan, but your temperamental BMW stays on the 75 plan. Different vehicles can have different risk profiles.
Market-Based Adjustments
Some hosts use lower deductible plans during busy seasons (more risk, more inexperienced renters) and higher deductible plans during slower periods.
Portfolio Risk Management
Fleet operators often mix deductible levels across their vehicles – maybe 70% on higher deductible plans and 30% on safer plans to balance overall risk.
The Role of Off-Trip Insurance
Don’t forget that Turo’s protection only applies during active trips. If you’re driving your car to meet guests, using it for personal errands, or it’s sitting in your driveway, you need separate coverage.
Turo has partnerships with companies like Tint for off-trip coverage starting around $89/month[4], but this is typically for more serious hosts with multiple vehicles. Single-car hosts still need regular personal auto insurance for non-trip periods.
My Personal Recommendation Strategy
For most hosts starting out, I’d suggest this progression:
Months 1-6: Start with the 75 plan. It offers good balance of protection and earnings, and $250 is manageable for most people if something goes wrong.
Months 6-12: Evaluate your actual claim frequency and comfort level. If you’ve had minimal issues and built up some financial cushion, consider the 80 plan.
After 12+ months: If you’ve got solid experience, strong emergency funds, and good systems for preventing damage, then maybe look at the 85 plan.
I’d only recommend the 90 plan for hosts running multiple vehicles who can truly treat it like a business with proper risk management.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing
Before selecting your protection plan, honestly answer these questions:
- Can I afford my chosen deductible amount 2-3 times in a single year without financial stress?
- Do I have solid guest screening processes in place?
- How much hosting experience do I have in my specific market?
- What’s my vehicle’s condition and likely repair costs?
- Am I treating this as a casual side income or a serious business?
The Bottom Line on Protection Plan Selection
Don’t get seduced by the higher earnings percentages without seriously considering the deductible implications. That extra 5% or 10% looks great until you’re dealing with actual claims and real money leaving your bank account.
Choose a plan you can actually afford to use, not just one that maximizes your theoretical earnings. The best protection plan is the one that lets you sleep at night while still generating reasonable income from your hosting.
Remember, you can always change your plan as you gain experience and confidence – it only affects future bookings, so there’s no harm in starting conservatively and adjusting as you learn more about your specific situation.
And please, build up that emergency fund before you commit to higher deductible plans. Having the money readily available makes all the difference when you actually need to use your coverage.
For more context on how protection plans fit into the bigger insurance picture, explore how Turo coverage compares to personal auto insurance or dive deeper into guest protection options if you’re also renting vehicles yourself.