Renting car using Platinum charge card – Turo vs proper rental

[ljms]

I’m doing 3 weeks on the U.S. West Coast and considering car rental options.

I’m torn between a Mustang/Chevrolet convertible or some type of SUV like a RAV4. Both have their pros and cons (if anyone wants to weigh in on this, feel free…)

Anyway.

All three of those cars cost about the same on Turo — $1300-$1600 whereas it’s going to cost around $3000 for a Mustang/Chevrolet via a traditional car rental company like Enterprise/Sixt/Hertz. Meanwhile, a RAV4 costs around the same — $1300-1600.

I didn’t consider insurance until now.

Is it true that if I book via a proper car rental (Turo isn’t covered by AmEx, apparently) that I’ll be fully covered for insurance and that I can cancel the extra insurance tacked onto the price of the rental by the rental company?

If I rent via Turo I’ll just have to pay their insurance fee, around $400 for full coverage which is built into the advertised price.

Thoughts?

[SteveJ]

Never heard of Turo.

For a normal rental, yes you decline all insurances if you have Amex Platinum. Car Hire thread in Destination Advice has loads of tips .

[RonnieB]

I think you need to check the Turo insurance again – if you want their comprehensive coverage I think it adds 100% to the rental cost, and it is near impossible to get 3rd party insurance that will cover you for using someone else’s private car.

I thought about TURO last year and the prices are attractive but when you look closely it is a bit messy. I’d be interested in any positive reviews of TURO though