How to Document Turo Damage

Your photos are your only evidence. Bad documentation means denied claims, lowball estimates, and disputes you cannot win. This guide shows you exactly how to photograph your vehicle before every trip and after you find damage.

20-30
Pre-trip photos
8-12
Damage photos
24h
Reporting deadline

Before Every Trip: Pre-Trip Photo Checklist

Take these photos every time before handing over the keys. Total time: 5-10 minutes. This is your baseline -- without it, Turo can argue the damage was pre-existing.

Front (center)
1
Include bumper, hood, and headlights
1 shot(s) -- Include bumper, hood, and headlights
Front left corner
1
45-degree angle showing bumper-to-fender transition
1 shot(s) -- 45-degree angle showing bumper-to-fender transition
Front right corner
1
45-degree angle showing bumper-to-fender transition
1 shot(s) -- 45-degree angle showing bumper-to-fender transition
Driver side (full)
1
Stand far enough to get the entire side
1 shot(s) -- Stand far enough to get the entire side
Passenger side (full)
1
Stand far enough to get the entire side
1 shot(s) -- Stand far enough to get the entire side
Rear (center)
1
Include bumper, trunk/hatch, and taillights
1 shot(s) -- Include bumper, trunk/hatch, and taillights
Rear left corner
1
45-degree angle
1 shot(s) -- 45-degree angle
Rear right corner
1
45-degree angle
1 shot(s) -- 45-degree angle
Roof
1
Stand back and angle up, or take from a high point
1 shot(s) -- Stand back and angle up, or take from a high point
All 4 wheels
4
Close enough to see curb rash or tire condition
4 shot(s) -- Close enough to see curb rash or tire condition
Interior - dash/center
1
Show clean dash, screen, and center console
1 shot(s) -- Show clean dash, screen, and center console
Interior - front seats
2
One shot per seat showing condition
2 shot(s) -- One shot per seat showing condition
Interior - rear seats
1
Show clean seats and floor
1 shot(s) -- Show clean seats and floor
Trunk/cargo area
1
Show empty, clean cargo area
1 shot(s) -- Show empty, clean cargo area
Odometer
1
Clear photo of mileage reading
1 shot(s) -- Clear photo of mileage reading

Total: approximately 20 photos. Store in a dedicated album per trip for easy retrieval.

When You Find Damage: Documentation Shots

Found damage after a trip? Take these photos immediately, before moving the vehicle. Good damage documentation can increase your claim payout significantly.

Wide shot of damaged panel
1-2
Show the full panel with damage visible in context
1-2 shot(s) -- Show the full panel with damage visible in context
Close-up of damage
2-3
Fill the frame with the damage area
2-3 shot(s) -- Fill the frame with the damage area
45-degree angle shots
2
Shoot from above-left and above-right
2 shot(s) -- Shoot from above-left and above-right
Scale reference
1
Place a coin, pen, or ruler next to the damage
1 shot(s) -- Place a coin, pen, or ruler next to the damage
Paint depth/texture
1
Angle to show if paint is chipped vs surface scratch
1 shot(s) -- Angle to show if paint is chipped vs surface scratch
Comparison to before photo
1
Same angle as your pre-trip photo for direct comparison
1 shot(s) -- Same angle as your pre-trip photo for direct comparison
Any secondary damage
1-2
Check adjacent panels, trim, lights for related damage
1-2 shot(s) -- Check adjacent panels, trim, lights for related damage

Photo Quality Tips

DO

  • ✓ Use natural daylight whenever possible
  • ✓ Keep the phone steady -- use both hands
  • ✓ Enable location services for GPS metadata
  • ✓ Use the standard camera app (not a filter app)
  • ✓ Include a scale reference for close-ups
  • ✓ Take a video walkthrough of the damage

DON'T

  • ✗ Use flash -- it washes out detail and creates glare
  • ✗ Zoom in digitally -- move closer instead
  • ✗ Edit or filter photos -- Turo may question authenticity
  • ✗ Take only close-ups -- you need context shots too
  • ✗ Wait until later -- lighting and conditions change
  • ✗ Forget the interior -- check seats, dash, and carpet

Metadata That Matters

Modern phones embed metadata in every photo: timestamp, GPS coordinates, device info. This metadata can prove when and where photos were taken -- critical if a guest disputes your claim.

Timestamp

Proves photos were taken before/after the trip. Enable auto-date in camera settings.

GPS Location

Proves photos were taken at the handoff location. Enable location services.

Original Format

Send original files -- screenshots and social media strips metadata.

Pro Host Workflow

Experienced Turo hosts with 10+ vehicles follow this workflow to protect themselves:

1

Create a photo album per trip: "{ Vehicle } - { Guest Name } - { Date }"

2

Take pre-trip photos and store in the album. This takes 5 minutes.

3

At return, do a full walkaround before the guest leaves. Add photos to the same album.

4

If damage found: upload damage photos to RepairSnap immediately for an instant cost estimate.

5

Report to Turo with before/after comparison + your independent estimate as supporting documentation.

Turo Damage Claims Guide

Complete step-by-step guide to the claims process.

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