My new Corvette came back with a jagged 2-inch scratch right on the nose cone. It went through the paint. I got a quote for $800 to repaint the bumper. Turo denied the claim. Why? Because I was on the 75 Plan, and the scratch was “under 3 inches.” I was furious, but the math was in the fine print.
Key Takeaways
- Plan Matters: The 60 Plan covers scratches under 3 inches (usually). The 75, 80, 85, and 90 Plans consider anything under 3 inches to be “Wear and Tear.”
- The “3-Inch” Standard: This is the industry standard for “minor” damage. If a dent or scratch is smaller than a credit card (roughly), Turo won’t pay unless you have the premier coverage.
- Dents vs. Scratches: A dent is often treated differently than a scratch. A 2-inch dent might be covered if it broke the paint, depending on the adjuster.
- Multiple Scratches: You cannot combine three 1-inch scratches to make a 3-inch claim. Each impact is evaluated separately.
The “Why”: The Wear and Tear Exclusion
Turo defines “Wear and Tear” as: Dings, dents, scratches, and cracks less than 3 inches in diameter.
On lower-tier plans (where you keep more money), you assume the liability for Wear and Tear.
On the 60 Plan (where you pay more), Turo assumes that liability (Exterior Wear and Tear coverage).
The Investigation: Measuring the Damage
I tested how adjusters verify size.
- The Tape Measure Photo: You must hold a tape measure next to the scratch in the photo.
- The Angle Game: If you take the photo from an angle, a 2.8-inch scratch might look like 3.1 inches. Adjusters will use digital tools to measure. If it’s borderline, they deny.
- The “Gouge” Loophole: If the scratch goes down to the metal or plastic (deep gouge), some adjusters classify it as “Damage” rather than “Wear and Tear,” but don’t count on it.
Comparison: Coverage by Plan
| Plan | Host Share | < 3 Inch Scratch Coverage? | Deductible |
| 60 Plan | 60% | YES | $0 |
| 75 Plan | 75% | NO | $250 |
| 80 Plan | 80% | NO | $750 |
| 90 Plan | 90% | NO | $2,500 |
[IMAGE: Diagram showing a scratch measured against a standard Credit Card (which is approx 3.3 inches) to check eligibility]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Use a Yellow Tape Measure: High contrast helps the AI see the start and stop of the scratch.
- Measure Diagonally: If the scratch is diagonal, measure the longest point, not just the width.
- Check for “Related Damage”: Is the 2-inch scratch connected to a cracked clip or a misaligned bumper? If the bumper is misaligned, the whole bumper is damage, regardless of the scratch size.
- Buff it Out: If you are on the 75 plan and it’s 2 inches, don’t waste time filing. Buy some compound and fix it, or pay a mobile tech $100.
FAQ
What if the guest admits they did it?
Doesn’t matter. The guest is liable to Turo, but Turo’s payout to you is governed by your protection plan. If your plan excludes <3 inches, you get $0, even if Turo collects from the guest.
Can I ask the guest to pay me cash?
Technically, you can resolve “Wear and Tear” directly with the guest, but if they refuse, Turo won’t help you.
Does this apply to glass?
No. Glass (windshields) has different rules. A crack smaller than a dollar bill is usually repairable; larger is replacement.