I dropped my car off at LAX Terminal 4 parking at 6:00 AM for a 9:00 AM guest pickup. I locked the key in a lockbox on the window (as permitted) and messaged the guest the location. At 7:30 AM, a distracted driver in the parking garage smashed into my parked car and fled. The guest arrived, saw the damage, and cancelled. Turo said the trip hadn’t started yet. My personal insurance said I was “delivering for business.” I was stuck in the gap.
Key Takeaways
- The “Delivery Period” Gap: Coverage is tricky when the car is parked waiting for the guest. Turo covers the car during the “delivery period” (while you drive there), but the “sitting” period is a gray zone.
- Turo’s “Reservation Window”: Turo coverage generally begins at the scheduled trip start time. If you drop off 3 hours early, you are exposed for 3 hours.
- Airport Agreements Matter: Many airports (LAX, DEN, BOS) now have specific Turo lots. Using a regular terminal garage might be a violation of airport rules, giving insurers a reason to deny.
- Action: Always minimize the time the car sits alone.
The “Why”: Commercial Usage Exclusion
Your personal insurer sees the car parked at the airport with a lockbox as “Business Property awaiting a customer.” They will deny the claim.
Turo sees the car as “Not yet on a trip.”
However, Turo’s policy does technically cover the vehicle “while it is being delivered.” The argument is whether “parked and waiting” constitutes delivery.
The Investigation: Policy Language Analysis
I dug into the 2026 Turo Insurance Policy (Travelers/Assurant wording).
- “Delivery Period”: Ends when the vehicle is “dropped off.”
- “Reservation Period”: Begins at the “Trip Start Time.”
- The Gap: If you drop off at 8:00 AM for a 10:00 AM trip, the car is uninsured from 8:00-10:00 AM unless you have a commercial policy (Lula/ABI) or the specific “Car Share Endorsement” on your personal policy.
Comparison: Coverage at the Airport
| Status | Turo Coverage | Personal Coverage | Commercial (Lula) |
| Driving to Airport | YES (Liability only usually) | NO (Livery exclusion) | YES |
| Parked Waiting for Guest | NO (Usually) | NO (Business use) | YES (Off-rent) |
| Guest Driving | YES | NO | YES (via Turo) |
[IMAGE: Timeline graphic showing “Period 1,” “Period 2,” and “Period 3” with the specific “Uninsured Zone” highlighted at the airport drop-off]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Change the Trip Start Time: If you drop off early, ask the guest (or modify the trip in the app) to start the trip now, even if they pick it up later. This activates Turo coverage immediately.
- Use Designated Turo Lots: If your airport has an “Off-Airport Turo Lot,” use it. These are often considered safer and Turo has better legal standing there.
- Hide the Lockbox: Do not leave a lockbox visible in a public garage. It screams “Rental Car” to thieves and bad drivers. Put it on the tow hook or inside a wheel well.
- Take “Drop-Off” Photos: Photos timestamped at the drop-off prove the car was undamaged when you left it.
FAQ
What if the airport police tow my car?
If you parked in a prohibited zone (like curbside), you pay the tow. Turo won’t cover fines for illegal parking.
Can I ask the guest to modify the start time?
Yes. Message them: “I’m dropping the car off early. I’ll modify the trip start time to now so the insurance is active. No extra charge.” Most guests accept.
Does Turo pay for the parking ticket?
You can request reimbursement from the guest for the parking fee to exit the garage, but not for a violation ticket.