Turo vs. Hertz: Which is the Better Rental Company?

Are you trying to decide between renting a car from Turo or Hertz for your next trip? 

You’re not alone. 

Many explore car rental options to find the best deal and experience. For example, Turo, a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform, and Hertz, a traditional car rental company, offer unique advantages and disadvantages. 

In this article, we’ll dive into various factors, like pricing, vehicle selection, insurance, and customer service, to understand what each company offers. 

Key Takeaways

• Turo is a peer-to-peer car rental service, while Hertz is a traditional car rental company offering users different experiences and vehicle options.
• Turo usually provides a wider variety of unique cars, while Hertz offers a more standardized fleet with consistent availability across locations.
• Pricing between Turo and Hertz can vary greatly, with Turo often being more competitive for longer rentals and Hertz potentially offering better deals for short-term rentals.
• Both Turo and Hertz prioritize user experience with easy-to-use booking platforms, but Hertz has the added convenience of numerous physical locations for pick-up and drop-off.
• Safety and insurance policies differ between the two platforms.

Below is a comparison table for Turo and Hertz:

Feature	Turo	Hertz
Business Model	Peer-to-peer car sharing platform	Traditional car rental agency
Car Selection	Wide variety of personal vehicles	Fleet of standard and specialty vehicles
Pricing	Varies, often competitive or lower	Standardized pricing, often higher
Availability	Available in select cities worldwide	Available worldwide at many locations
Minimum Age Requirement	21 (25 for premium vehicles)	20 (23 for luxury and special vehicles)
Insurance Coverage	Optional, provided by Turo or user’s policy	Mandatory, provided by Hertz or user’s policy
Mileage Limitations	Set by vehicle owner	Standardized, often unlimited or per-day
Additional Driver Policy	Varies by vehicle owner	Additional fees may apply
One-Way Rentals	Not widely available	Available at participating locations
International Rentals	Limited availability	Widely available
Customer Support	Online and phone support	Online, phone, and in-person support
Loyalty Program	None	Hertz Gold Plus Rewards
Cancellation Policy	Varies by vehicle owner	Standardized cancellation policy

What is Turo?

Turo was born in 2010 and was initially named RelayRides. It’s a car-sharing platform that allows car owners to rent their vehicles to people who need a ride. Think Airbnb, but for cars. Cool, huh?

What is Hertz?

Now, let’s turn to Hertz, the old stalwart. Hertz has been in the car rental business for over a century, founded in 1918. With its wide presence in airports and cities worldwide, Hertz has been a reliable choice for travelers needing wheels.

Comparing Turo and Hertz

Like the hip millennial, Turo operates mainly in urban areas and boasts coverage across the United States, Canada, the UK, and Germany. As a result, you can typically find Turo cars in cities and airports.

On the other hand, Hertz is like your cool, globe-trotting grandpa. With locations in over 150 countries, you can find a Hertz counter at nearly every major airport worldwide.

Vehicle Selection

Turo’s strength lies in its variety. Being a peer-to-peer platform, you can find everything from budget-friendly daily drivers to luxury cars, even classics and exotics. So if you ever want to drive a Tesla for a day, Turo’s got you covered!

While not as varied as Turo, Hertz offers many categories, from compact cars to luxury vehicles. They even have a “Green Collection” for environmentally friendly rides. However, Hertz’s selection tends to be more standardized.

Pricing

Individual car owners set Turo’s prices, which can result in great savings, especially for longer-term rentals. However, don’t forget to factor in extras like insurance, cleaning fees, and delivery charges, if applicable.

Hertz, as a traditional rental company, offers fixed daily rates. It might be a bit more expensive, especially for premium vehicles, but they often offer discounts and loyalty programs that can help cut costs.

Booking Process

Booking a ride on Turo feels a bit like online shopping. You browse, pick your favorite, and check out. Communication with the car owner is often necessary for arranging pick-up and drop-off.

Hertz’s process is more streamlined. You pick up your car, book it, and it’s waiting for you at the designated location. There is no need to coordinate with anyone.

Pros and Cons of Turo

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of using Turo:

Pros of Turo

Variety

Turo’s selection is as diverse as its users. You can rent anything from a Toyota Corolla to a Lamborghini!

Pricing

You often find more competitive prices, especially for longer-term rentals or unique vehicles.

Cons of Turo

Availability

Turo isn’t as widely available as Hertz. You might be out of luck if you’re not in a major city or airport.

Variable quality

As individuals own cars, their condition and cleanliness can vary.

Pros and Cons of Hertz

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of using Turo:

Pros of Hertz

Global Availability

Hertz is everywhere. Whether you’re in New York or New Zealand, chances are there’s a Hertz location nearby.

Standardized Fleet

With Hertz, you know what you’re getting. All cars are company-owned and maintained, ensuring consistent quality and cleanliness.

Streamlined Booking

With Hertz, you pick your car, book it, and are ready—no need to coordinate with the car’s owner.

Cons of Hertz

Less Variety

While Hertz does offer a range of categories, it doesn’t match Turo’s unique and varied offerings.

Price

Hertz can be more expensive, especially when it comes to premium vehicles. However, discounts and loyalty programs can help offset this.

Safety Measures and Policies: Turo vs. Hertz

Both Turo and Hertz take safety seriously, but their approaches differ due to the nature of their businesses.

Turo

Turo hosts must meet vehicle requirements and standards to list their car, including age, mileage, and condition. 

Cars must be no more than 12 years old with fewer than 130,000 miles. They cannot be salvaged, reconstructed, or kept in poor condition.

For insurance, Turo provides up to $750,000 in liability insurance through Liberty Mutual. Hosts can also choose from several protection plans with different deductibles and coverages.

Hertz

Hertz maintains its fleet according to manufacturer recommendations and industry standards. They also have strict cleanliness protocols in place. As for insurance, Hertz provides liability protection up to the state’s minimum requirements.

They also offer additional coverage options like the Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), Personal Accident Insurance (PAI), and Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI).

In the end, both platforms are committed to ensuring the safety of their users. However, the responsibility also lies with the users to understand and follow the policies and guidelines provided. 

Conclusion

In the end, Turo and Hertz offer solid car rental options. Turo stands out with its wide variety of unique cars and personal touch, while Hertz offers a more traditional, streamlined experience. 

What matters most to you: variety, cost, convenience, or a blend? Your specific needs and preferences will guide your choice. But remember, it’s not a one-time decision. Feel free to switch it up depending on your trip’s requirements. 

Happy travels!  

Frequently Asked Questions