turo

Turo is a peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace that allows individuals to rent out their personal vehicles or rent cars listed by others. The platform provides a digital interface for listing, searching, booking, and paying for trips, along with messaging between hosts and guests. It operates via a website and mobile apps.

The company was founded in 2010 in San Francisco as RelayRides by Shelby Clark and Andre Haddad and rebranded to Turo in 2015. It expanded from the United States to other markets, growing through partnerships and venture funding to support insurance, safety features, and broader access to vehicle sharing.

How it works: hosts list vehicles with descriptions, photos, and a price; guests search by location and date, select a vehicle, and complete a booking. Turo charges a service fee to the guest and takes a commission from the host. Insurance and protection plans are offered as part of trips, with layers of coverage provided through partnerships to manage liability and damages.

Markets and features: Turo operates mainly in North America and parts of Europe, with a range of vehicle types from economy cars to luxury options. The service emphasizes verification, ratings, 24/7 support, and safety guidelines, while enabling extras such as delivery or child seats where available.

Reception and regulation: as a marketplace dealing with private vehicle usage, Turo has faced regulatory scrutiny in some jurisdictions and has worked with insurers and regulators to set standard terms, fees, and safety measures. The company continues to compete with other car-sharing platforms and traditional rental agencies.

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