Discovery Motorhomes New Zealand   -   Backpacker Terms & Conditions 2012 - 2013
0800 448 112
motorhomes new zealand - NZ campervan rentals

Backpacker Terms & Conditions

Conditions for Campervan & Motorhome Rental (New Zealand)
Valid 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013

This document contains a summary of some of the Rental Conditions. For full detailed Conditions refer to the Rental Agreement on pick-up.

Branch Opening Hours

Depot Branch Hours
Auckland
Christchurch
Queenstown
Wellington
8:00am-4:30pm

Branches are open all public holidays except Christmas Day (25 December).

Standard Package Rates inclusions

  • Vehicle Insurance - Standard Liability
  • Unlimited Kilometres
  • Kitchen Equipment
  • Bedding & Linen
  • Return Airport Transfers (except Wellington)
  • 15% GST (Goods & Services Tax)
  • 24 hour Roadside Assistance
  • Maps & Campground Guides

Rates Exclude

  • Liability Reduction Options
  • Road User Charge Recovery Fee (RUCRF) if applicable
  • Extra Driver Fees
  • Refundable Vehicle Security Deposit
  • Fuel and LPG Costs
  • One-way Fees and Location Fees if applicable

Stress Free Package

The Stress Free Package is payable per day in addition to the daily rental rate as follows:

  • Breezer, Lowrider, Nomad & Wanderer - NZ$38 per day (max NZ$1,900 per rental)
  • Quattro & Six Pack - NZ$49 per day (max NZ$2,450 per rental)

Stress Free Package inclusions as follows (this is in addition to the Standard Package inclusions):

  • Liability Reduction Option 2
  • Road User Charge Recovery Fee (RUCRF)
  • LP Gas Refill (PGO)
  • Extra Driver Fees
  • Tyre and Windscreen Cover
  • Overhead & Underbody Damage Cover
  • Camp Chairs
  • Snow Chains
  • Portable Heater (if required)

It is strongly recommended to purchase the Stress Free Package for travel with peace of mind.

Road User Charge Recovery Fee (RUCRF)

The Road User Charge Recovery Fee is included in the Stress Free Package. If the Stress Free Package has not been selected the Road User Charge Recovery Fee will be calculated and collected on return of the vehicle based on the kilometres travelled during the hire.

The vehicle rates per 100 km are as follows:

Vehicle Cost per 100km
2 Berth Nil
2 Berth (toilet and shower) NZ$4.96
4 Berth NZ$4.84
6 Berth NZ$5.13

Backpacker reserves the right to amend the Road User Charge Recovery Fee in response to
changes in Government Road User Charges.

Credit Cards

For security purposes, only a credit card can be used for payment of bond. The credit card holder must be present and able to sign for the vehicles security deposit upon vehicle collection. The credit card holder is jointly and severally liable for any damage to the rental vehicle.Any type of prepaid travel card is not acceptable as a means to provide a vehicle security deposit.

PLEASE NOTE: Electronic Credit cards are not accepted for Bond Payments. An electronic credit card is one where the numbers are not raised.

Debited bonds are subject to a 2% credit card administration fee in addition to the bond amount when the credit card used is either Visa or Mastercard or 4.5% for American Express. These surcharges will be refunded when the vehicle security deposit is refunded.

FOR YOUR PROTECTION

New Zealand legislation provides limited coverage for personal injury. We strongly recommend that all people travelling in New Zealand take out Personal Travel Insurance.

Standard Liability

All Vehicles are insured for the damage to the vehicle or to the property of a Third Party. The hirer is responsible for the first NZ$3,500 for the Breezer, Lowrider, Nomad and Wanderer Motorhomes and NZ$5,000 for the Quattro and Six Pack of the cost of damage to Third Party property or to the rented vehicle, including single vehicle accident (does not include single vehicle roll over), windscreen and tyre damage, towing and recovery costs, theft, fire, break in or vandalism with the exception of the exclusions. This also includes the cost of the daily rental for the period the vehicle is off fleet for accident repairs (demurrage).

Please see the Exclusions section below, whereby all liability cover will be made void.

The liability is applicable regardless of who is at fault and must be paid at the time the accident report is completed, not at the completion of the rental. The liability will be refunded if Backpacker is successful in recovering the cost of the damages from the Third Party. Please note that Third Party claims can take months to resolve.

The liability applies in respect of each claim, not rental.

The liability can be reduced, in most circumstances, by the purchase of Liability Reduction Option 1 or Liability Reduction Option 2 (LRO2 is included in the Stress Free Package).

Liability Reduction Option 1 (LRO1)

Cost per day Liability Fee Vehicle
$20 (max NZ$1,000) NZ$1,500 Breezer, Lowrider, Nomad, Wanderer
$27 (max NZ$1,350) NZ$2,500 Quattro & Six Pack

The hirer is responsible for the first NZ$1,500 for Breezer, Lowrider, Nomad, and Wanderer and the first NZ$2,500 for the Quattro and Six Pack vehicle of any accident cost of damage to Third Party property or to the rented vehicle, including single vehicle accident (does not include single vehicle roll over), windscreen and tyre damage, towing and recovery costs,theft, fire, break in or vandalism with the exception of the exclusions. This also includes the cost of the daily rental rate for the period the vehicle is off fleet for accident repairs. The liability applies in respect to each claim, not rental.

Liability Reduction Option 2 (LRO2)

Cost per day Liability Fee Vehicle
$30 (max NZ$1,500) NZ$0 Breezer, Lowrider, Nomad, Wanderer
$36 (max NZ$1,800) NZ$0 Quattro & Six Pack

When Liability Reduction Option 2 has been purchased, the hirer will have no Liability at all with the exception of the exclusions.

Note Liability Reduction Option 2 is included in the Stress Free Package.

Tyre and Windscreen Damage

Cost per day is NZ$5 (max charge NZ$250).

Where the hirer purchased tyre and windscreen cover unlimited windscreen and tyres will be covered for accidental damage.

Tyre and Windscreen cover can only be purchased in conjunction with Liability Reduction Option 2 or is already included in the Stress Free Package.

Additional Protection Coverage

Cost - $89 per rental.

Where the hirer purchases Additional Protection Coverage the cost of damage resulting from a
single vehicle roll over will be covered.

Additional Protection Coverage can only be purchased in conjunction with Liability Reduction
Option 2 or the Stress Free Package.

Please see the Exclusions section below, whereby all liability cover will be made void.

It is recommended to all customers to take the Stress Free Package for travel with peace of mind.

 

Exclusions:

All liability cover will be made void if any of the following Exclusions are breached:

  1. Overhead and underbody damage to the vehicle except where Liability Reduction Option 2 or the Stress Free Package has been purchased (does not include single vehicle roll over).
  2. Tyre and windscreen damage unless tyre and windscreen cover has been purchased.
  3. Any water related damage, which includes but is not limited to:
    • any vehicle submersion
    • creek or river crossing
    • driving through flooded areas
    • beach driving
  4. Personal belongings. Backpacker recommends the hirer does not leave valuables in the vehicle and that they have travel insurance to cover for the loss/damage of personal belongings.
  5. Any damage caused by wilful misconduct (eg sitting or standing on the bonnet or roof of the vehicle.
  6. Any damage caused while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  7. Damage caused to the vehicle bhy snow chains.
  8. A single vehicle roll over occurs except where Additional Protection Coverage has been
    purchased.
  9. The Customer will be liable for any costs associated with the incorrect use of fuel or the use of Bio-Diesel which should not be used (fuel being diesel or petrol), or water or other contamination of fuel.
  10. The cost to retireve or recover a vehicle, which may include, but is not limited to a vehicle that has become bogged, submerged, caught, trapped, stuck or restricted in anyway and/or has been abonded.
  11. The cost to replace keys, which have been lost or retrieval of keys, which have been locked in a vehicle.
  12. The vehicle rented may only be used to carry the maximum number of passengers as dictated by the vehicle type. If more passengers are carried than what is allowed Backpacker does not accept any liability.
  13. Damage caused to the vehicle because total load (kg) has exceeded recommended load as stated in vehicle manual. Vehicles are not to be used for the purpose of transporting and haulage of goods other than what might be reasonably expected of a leisre rental.
  14. Drivers not identified on the rental agreement and/or drivers that have a licence that has been cancelled or suspended and/or drivers who have a licence that is classified as a learners or probationary licence.

Vehicle Security Deposit

Upon vehicle collection, a vehicle security deposit is required. The amount is determined by the Liability Reduction Option Selected.

For security purposes, only a credit card can be sued to provide a vehicle security deposit. The credit card hilder must be presnt and able to sigh for the vehicle security deposit upon vehicle collection. The credit card holder is jointly and serverally liable for any damage to the rental vehicle. Any type of pre-paid travel card is not acceptable as a means to provide a vehicle security deposit.

Debited vehicle security deposits are subject to a 2% credit card administration fee in addition to the vehicle security deposit amount. Accepted credit cards are Visa or MasterCard.

If a Liability Reduction Option is not selected, the vehicle security deposit is NZ$3,500 for the Breezer, Lowrider, Nomad and Wanderer or NZ$5,000 for the Quattro and Six Pack payable by credit card.

The NZ$3,500 or NZ$5,000 is debited to the hirers card when the vehicle is collected. For this reason it is important that the hirer have the funds available on the credit card and that the amount does not exceed the hirers daily withdrawal allowance available on the credit card.

If Liability Reduction Option 1 has been taken the vehicle security deposit is AU$1,500 for the Breezer, Lowrider, Nomad and Wanderer or AU$2,500 for the Quattro and Six Pack vehicles payable by credit card.

The NZ$1,500 or NZ$2,500 is debited to the hirers card when the vehicle is collected. For this reason it is important that the hirer have the funds available on the credit card and that the amount does not exceed the hirers daily withdrawal allowance available on the credit card.

If Liability Reduction Option 2 is selected with our without Tyre and Windscreen Cover or the Stress Free Package is booked, the vehicle security deposit is NZ$220.

The NZ$220 is taken as an imprint to the hirers credit card when the vehicle is collected. An imprint simply records a figure against the hirers credit card of NZ$220 that Backpacker can then debit if required.

The vehicle security deposit is fully refundable, including the applicable credit card surcharge if
the card used to provide the vehicle security deposit is a Visa or MasterCard, provided the vehicle is returned on time, to the correct location, undamaged, in a clean condition with full fuel tanks (fuel being petrol or diesel) and gas bottle. Except where the customer has purchased the Pre-Purchase Gas Option (PGO is in the Stress Free Package) and/or Pre Purchase Fuel, failure to return the vehicle with full petrol or diesel tanks and/or a full LPG bottle will result in refill charges, which will be advised upon return of the vehicle.

Backpacker reserves the right to retain an NZ$220 cleaning fee if the vehicle is not returned in a clean condition. This includes smoking related cleaning, as smoking is not permitted in the vehicle. The toilet and waste water tank must be emptied prior to the return of the vehicle, or an additional NZ$125 soiling fee will be retained.

FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, ONLY THE HIRERS CREDIT CARD CAN BE USED FOR VEHICLE SECURITY DEPOSITS.

Rental Duration

  • Breezer campervan rentals have a minimum hire of 3 days when pick up and return are to the same location. The Breezer is available from Auckland and Christchurch.
  • The Minimum Rental period is 5 days.
  • All campervan rentals with a collection date between 1 September 2011 and 31 October 2011 have a minimum 7 days rental requirement.
  • All campervan rentals with a collection date between 23 December and 10 January are subject to a 10 day minimum requirement.
  • Minimum rental period is 10 days when a vehicle is being collected from the North Island and is being returned to the South Island if the rental commences between the months of October through to March.
  • Minimum rental period is subject to change during peak periods.
  • Rental days are calculated on a calender day basis. When calculating the number of days a vehicle is rented, the day of pick up is counted as day one of the rental, regardless of pick up time. The day of the vehicle return is counted as the final day of the rental.
  • Late Pick-up or early return of vehicle, does not entitle the hirer to any refund of the unused portion of the rental.
  • Late returns will be charged on a per day basis. Failure to obtain authorisation for a rental extension will result in a daily fee of NZ$150 in addition to the daily rate.

One-Way Rentals

One way rentals are available between all branch locations with the exception of the Breezer which is available to and from Christchurch and Auckland only. A one way rental fee of NZ$210 is charged for the Breezer, Lowrider, Nomad and Wanderer rentals or NZ$260 for Quattro and Six Pack rentals, to and from the North Island to the South Island and vice versa, where pick up is between the 1st October and 31st March.

Rentals between the Auckland Beach Rd location and the Auckland Mangere location are subject to a NZ$60 one way fee. this applies in either direction and all season.

Location Fees will apply if applicable.

Wellington and Queenstown Fees

A location fee of NZ$210 applies to all campervans picking up or dropping off in Wellington or Queenstown.

If the pickup and drop off occurs in the same city , only one location fee will apply. One way fees will apply if applicable.

Additional products and services

  • Camp Table - NZ$25 per rental
  • Camp Chair - NZ$18 per rental
  • Extra Driver Fees - NZ$5 per day, per driver (max charge $NZ150), per hire
  • Baby/Booster - NZ$36 per rental
  • Portable Shower Hire - NZ$16 per rental
  • Electrical Adaptor - NZ$14 for purchase
  • Portable Heater - NZ$16 per rental
  • Snow Chains - NZ$36 per rental
  • First Aid Kit - NZ$31 for purchase
  • Souvenir Atlas - NZ$25 for purchase
  • GPS - NZ$10 per day (max charge of NZ$100)
  • Pre-purchase Gas Option (PGO) - NZ$28-$38 depending on vehicle.

Note the PGO, Extra Driver Fees, Camp Chair, Portable Heater and Snow Chains are included in the Stress Free Package.
 

Rental Extension

If the customer wishes to extend the rental whilst on hire, they must first obtain authorisation from Reservations or any of the Backpacker Branches. The rental extension is subject to vehicle availability. The cost of an extended rental must be paid by credit card over the telephone on confirmation of the rental extension. The rate charged may not reflect the original date booked. Failure to obtain authorisation will result in a daily fee of NZ$150 in addition to the daily rate.

Change of Location

If the customer wishes to change the drop-off destination after the rental has commenced, they must first obtain authorisation from Reservations or Scheduling Department.

Subject to the change being approved, an additional charge of up to NZ$700 may apply.

Transfers

At Backpacker, we offer free transfers to and from Auckland Airport to our Auckland Airport branch or Christchurch Airport to and from our Christchurch Airport branch on the day of your arrival or departure. The Queenstown branch is located 600m from the airport. On arrival to the airport make your way to the Backpacker Airport Desk and a shuttle bus will be organised for you Transfers to and from our Wellington and Auckland city locations are the customers own expense.

Infringements and Administration Fees

Backpacker reserves the right to charge the hirer for any speeding, toll way or parking fines and/or vehicle damage including Third Party property damage not reported on return of the vehicle. In addition to these costs Backpacker reserve the right to charge for associated administration costs for processing of fines (irrespective of liability) and/or claims in the event of the customer not having a NIL liability. In addition to the costs assocaited per fine and/or cliam, an administration fee of NZ$60 will be applicable.

Exchange Rate / Currency Variations

All credit card transactions are conducted in New Zealand dollars for deposit portion. Due to exchange rate fluctuations and bank transaction fees there could be some variance in the amount refunded compared to the amount initially charged. Backpacker does not accept any liability for variances up or down.

Licence

A current and full (ie no probationary licences are accepted) motor drivers licence is required and must be produced upon vehicle collection. Should a foreign licence be in a language other than English, it must be accompanies by a current International Driving Permit (IDP) issued in the same country as the drivers licence was issued. An accredited English translation will be accepted in lieu of an international driving permit.

Age Restrictions

Drivers must be 21 years of age or over.

Age Restrictions for the Nomad, Lowrider & Breezer

Drivers must be 18 years of age or over.

Multiple Rentals

Should a customer have more than one consecutive rental, they can be combined to qualify for longer term hire discounts off the vehicle rate. Consecutive campervan hire for Australia & New Zealand can be combined to qualify if travel is within a 3 month period. For all rentals to qualify each booking needs to be made at the same time. If a customer makes another booking at a later time, the new booking can be combined to qualify if the vehicle collection date/s are within a 3 month period however, the original bookings will only qualify for a discount if the booking/s are not already travelling or travelled.

Longer-term discounts must be requested at time of booking.

For campervans that pick up and drop off on the same day, the less expensive rental day will be free of charge. This also applies to the Liability Reduction option or the Stress Free Package if applicable.

If multiple hires are within the same country and total days exceed 50 days only the maximum charge applicable to Liability Reduction Option or the Stress Free Package will apply. If combining a vehicle hire with another Backpacker vehicle that has a more expensive Stress Free Package or Liability Reduction Option, the more expensive Stress Free Package / Liability Reduction maximum cost is applied.

Vehicle security deposits can be transferred between most multiple rentals. This service is available when the booked products are campervans and the vehicle security deposit is the same.

Road Restrictions

2WD Campervans can only be driven on sealed/bitumen or well maintained roads.

No vehicle is permitted to travel on:

  • Skippers Road (Queenstown)
  • Ninety Mile Beach (Northland)
  • Ball Hut Road (Mt Cook)
  • Bluff Road that runs between Kuatunu and Mataurangi
  • North of Colville Township (Coromandel Peninsula)

Backpacker reserves the right at its sole discretion to restrict vehicle movements in certain areas due to adverse road or weather conditions.

Customer Care On-Road Assistance

Any problems associated with the vehicle, including equipment failure, must be reported to Backpacker as soon as possible and within 24 hours in order to give Backpacker the opportunity to rectify the problem during the rental. Failure to do so will compromise any claims for compenstion. We do not accept liability for any claims submitted after this period.

Please contact us toll free on: 0800 422 267

Repairs

Repairs up to NZ$200 may be affected wthout authorisation and will be reimbursed upon presentation of a receipt. For amounts over NZ$200, Britz will need to be informed in advance. Repairs will be approved provided the customer was not directly responsible for the damage. Receipts must be submitted for any repair or the claim will not be paid.

Change of Vehicle

Should the vehicle booked be unavailable through unforeseen circumstances, Britz reserve the right to substitute an alternative vehicle without prior notification and at no extra cost. This shall not constitute a breach of contract and does not entitle the hirer to a refund.

Vehicle Category

Vehicles cannot be requested by make or model, only by vehicle category.

Voluntary Downgrade

Should the hirer decide to take a lesser vehicle than booked they will not be entitled to any refund.

Cancellation and Amendments

In the case of cancelling your reservation, the deposit is Non Refundable. In addition there is a $100 cancellation fee. A No Show is considered as a cancellation.

Amendments are charged at a rate of NZ$60 per change. This applies but is not limited to changing the client name, vehicle type, reducing the number of rental days, changing the pickup dates or locations. No refund will be given on the initial deposit paid.

If an amendment is made to the rental whereby the length of hire is shortened, no refund will be given on the initial deposit amount. In addition, if an amendment is made inside 14 days of pick up, the rental will be charged at the number of days originally booked.

Where the hire is being extended, the amendment fee will not apply.

Please note that amendments may result in the daily rental rate to be recalculated at the rate applicable on the date of the amendment for the entire rental period.

Important

Backpacker reserves the right to refuse any rental at its discretion.

Animals

No animals are permitted in our vehicles, excluding guide dogs.

Personal and Company Cheques

Personal and Company cheques will not be accepted as balance payment for rentals at the time of pick up. These must be received by Britz 14 working days prior to commencement of the hire/s.

Calculation Errors

We will not honour calculation errors. Should a calculation error occur we will charge for the shortfall.

Note: Terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.