Turo Rented Toyota Supra Suffers $4K Damages After Teacher Attempts Land Speed Record | Carscoops

Recently, a rented Toyota Supra through Turo, a peer-to-peer car rental service, was severely damaged after a Utah school teacher attempted to break the land speed record. This incident highlights the potential risks involved with renting cars, especially high performance vehicles, through these types of services.

The Incident

The incident occurred when an individual in Utah named Spencer Cannon rented a Toyota Supra through Turo. Cannon is a high school teacher and reportedly used the car to attempt to break the land speed record on a public road. According to Cannon, he lost control of the vehicle while driving at high speed and crashed into a fence, causing significant damage to the car.

The Damage

The damage sustained by the Toyota Supra was estimated to be around $4,000. Insurance will cover some of the costs, but the excess and other fees will need to be paid by Cannon. Turo, the peer-to-peer car rental service, has stated that they will work with Cannon to help cover the damages.

The Risks of Renting High Performance Vehicles

While renting vehicles through peer-to-peer car rental services like Turo can be a more affordable alternative to traditional car rental companies, it does come with potential risks. One of the biggest risks is renting high performance vehicles that are not familiar to the driver.

Risks of Renting High Performance Vehicles Include:

• Lack of Familiarity: Renters may not be familiar with the performance capabilities of the car, leading to accidents or near-misses.
• Increased Insurance Costs: Rental car insurance for high performance vehicles is often more expensive than traditional rental cars.
• Reduced Availability: High performance vehicles may not be readily available for rental, depending on location and demand.
• Potential Damage: High performance vehicles are often more expensive to repair due to their special features and technology.

Turo’s Response

Turo has stated that they are committed to helping renters and owners in the event of an accident or damage to the vehicle. The company offers a variety of protection plans for both renters and owners, as well as 24/7 customer support.

Protection Plans Offered by Turo:

• Liability Insurance: Provided by Turo, this covers bodily injury and property damage up to $1 million.
• Collision Insurance: Covers physical damage to the rental car, with a variety of deductibles and coverage options.
• Premium Coverage: Offers additional coverage for high value rentals, with lower deductibles and enhanced protection options.

The Future of Peer-to-Peer Car Rentals

The incident involving the rented Toyota Supra highlights the potential risks and challenges involved with peer-to-peer car rental services, especially when it comes to high performance vehicles. While Turo has stated that they are committed to supporting renters and owners in the event of an accident or damage, it’s clear that there is still work to be done to make these services more user-friendly and safe for everyone.

Possible Future Changes to Peer-to-Peer Car Rentals:

• Increased Safety Regulations: This could include stricter requirements for renters and owners, as well as increased training and education on high performance vehicle use.
• Improved Insurance Options: This could include more affordable and comprehensive insurance plans for renters and owners, tailored specifically to high performance vehicles.
• Increased Accountability: Peer-to-peer car rental services may need to establish better protocols for verifying renters’ identities and ensuring that they are qualified to drive high performance vehicles.

The Bottom Line

The incident involving the rented Toyota Supra is a reminder that renting high performance vehicles through peer-to-peer car rental services like Turo comes with potential risks and challenges. While these services can be a more affordable and convenient way to rent a car, it’s important to be aware of the risks involved and to take steps to protect yourself in the event of an accident or damage to the vehicle.

Whether you choose to rent through a traditional car rental company or through a peer-to-peer car rental service like Turo, be sure to read the fine print and understand the risks involved before making a decision.