The guest called saying the car “just stopped” a mile from the gas station. My mechanic pulled a fuel sample: it was green and smelled like diesel. The engine is toast. Turo initially denied it as “Mechanical Failure” (which they don’t cover). The guest denies it. I am looking at a $8,000 engine swap.
Key Takeaways
- It is “Damage,” not “Mechanical Failure”: You must frame this correctly. Misfueling is acute damage caused by guest negligence.
- The Fuel Sample is Evidence: You must keep a jar of the contaminated fuel. Take a video of the mechanic pumping it out.
- The Receipt Trail: Ask the guest for the gas receipt. If they “lost it,” that’s suspicious. You can sometimes find the station via the GPS tracker and pull security footage (hard, but possible).
- Comprehensive vs. Collision: This often falls under “Other than Collision” or “Vandalism/Misfueling” on personal policies, but on Turo, it’s just a standard damage claim.
The “Why”: The Classification Game
Claims adjusters look for reasons to deny. “Engine stopped working” = Mechanical Failure (Excluded).
You must prove “External Substance introduced to system” = Damage (Covered).
If you let the shop write “Internal engine failure” on the invoice without mentioning the fuel, you lose.
The Investigation: Winning the Claim
I followed a successful claim for a Jeep Gladiator.
- The Evidence: The host uploaded a photo of the fuel receipt found in the cup holder. It said “Diesel #2.”
- The mechanic’s note: “Removed fuel tank. Found 15 gallons of diesel fuel. Fuel pump destroyed. Injectors clogged.”
- The Turo Ruling: Approved. The host paid their deductible, Turo covered the $6,500 repair.
Comparison: Fuel Types
| Fuel Error | Severity | Repair | Coverage Probability |
| Diesel in Gas | High | Drain tank, flush lines, replace plugs/injectors. | High (With proof) |
| Gas in Diesel | Extreme | High Pressure Pump explodes. Engine often ruined. | High (With proof) |
| Regular in Premium Car | Low | Engine knock. ECU adjusts timing. | Low (Hard to prove damage) |
[IMAGE: Photo of a glass jar holding a mix of gasoline and diesel, clearly showing the separation/color difference]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Secure the Sample: Tell the mechanic: “Do not dispose of the fuel. Put a sample in a clear jar and seal it.”
- Get the ‘Cause of Failure’ in Writing: The invoice must say: “Engine failure caused by incorrect fuel (Diesel) introduced by user.”
- Check GPS: Did they stop at a truck stop? Truck stops often have confusing pumps.
- Submit to Turo: Upload the jar photo, the mechanic’s statement, and the GPS log showing the gas station stop.
FAQ
Does the “Green Handle” mean diesel?
Usually, but not always. BP stations use green handles for gas. Guests get confused.
Can I sue the gas station?
Only if the pump was mislabeled. Usually, it’s user error.
What if the engine is salvageable?
Often, a flush and new spark plugs fix it. Don’t assume you need a new engine until you flush it.