1. Rental Locations
1.1 Pickup and Drop-off: The primary location for vehicle pickup and drop-off is 160 Featherston Street, Palmerston North, unless otherwise agreed.
1.2 Operating Hours: Pickup and drop-off hours are from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
1.3 Alternative Drop-off Locations: Requests for returning the vehicle to a different location must ensure the vehicle is returned by the agreed time on the return day (usually 10am or 12pm depending on the location).
2. Driver’s Licence
2.1 Eligibility: All drivers must present a full or restricted car licence, which must be sighted by check-in staff prior to commencing the rental and stored on file.
2.2 Accepted Licences: Licences from approved countries or an international driver’s licence are acceptable. If the licence is not in English, an authorised/official translation must be provided.
2.3 Additional Drivers: There is no charge for additional drivers, but all licences must be sighted.
3. Cancellation Fees Policy
3.1 Standard Rentals (28 days or less)
3.1.1 28+ days prior: No charge, deposit refunded.
3.1.2 15-27 days prior: 20% of hire cost charged.
3.1.3 4-14 days prior: 50% of hire cost charged.
3.1.4 1-3 days prior: 100% of hire cost charged.
3.1.5 Day of Pickup/No Show: 100% of hire cost charged.
3.1.6 No Refunds: No refunds for cancellations or early returns after travel has commenced.
3.2 Long Rentals (29 days or more)
3.2.1 20% Fee Cancellation Period: The length of the booking determines the 20% fee cancellation period before pick-up (e.g., a 42-day booking incurs a 20% fee if cancelled 22-42 days prior).
3.2.2 4-21 days prior: 50% of hire cost charged.
3.2.3 1-3 days prior: 100% of hire cost charged.
3.2.4 Day of Pickup/No Show: 100% of hire cost charged.
3.2.5 No Refunds: No refunds for cancellations or early returns after travel has commenced.
3.3 Amendments to rentals: Amendments that result in a reduction of the rental duration or value will be treated as a cancellation for the affected portion of the booking.
4. Pets and Smoking
4.1 No Pets: Pets and livestock are not permitted without prior agreement.
4.2 Damage caused by pets is not covered by insurance and you will be liable for the full cost.
4.3 No Smoking: Smoking in or near the vehicles is strictly prohibited. Additional cleaning charges will apply if the vehicle smells of smoke on return. These additional charges are not limited by the insurance excess and you will be charged the full cleaning costs incurred.
5. Traffic Infringements
5.1 Liability: Renters are fully liable for any traffic fines, parking violations, or toll fees incurred during the rental period. Relevant authorities will be provided with the renter’s details as necessary.
5.2 Rental Fines: Should infringement notices be received after the rental period, they will be transferred into the renters name where possible. If Palmy Campers is required to pay on the renter’s behalf, the associated costs plus a 3% card payment fee and a $25 administration fee will be charged.
5.3 Toll Road Fees: These should be paid while on hire. You are authorised to make these payments via the governments toll road website. If we receive an unpaid toll notice we will make the payment on your behalf plus a $10 administration fee and a 3% card payment fee.
6. Accidents and Breakdowns
6.1 Reporting: Any problems with the vehicle or equipment must be reported to Palmy Campers as soon as possible to avoid compromising any subsequent claims.
6.2 Minor Repairs: Repairs up to NZ$100 may be made without prior authorisation and will be reimbursed upon presentation of an itemised receipt. Repairs above NZ$100 require approval from Palmy Campers.
6.3 Breakdowns: In the event of a non-user error breakdown, Palmy Campers will either replace the vehicle with a similar one or refund the hire charges for lost days. Additional transport or accommodation costs are not covered by Palmy Campers and are the renter’s responsibility.
6.4 User Error: If a breakdown is due to user error, no refund will be given for lost days of hire. The renter is responsible for the cost of repair, as well as returning the vehicle to the drop-off location, and may incur additional rental day charges and recovery costs.
6.5 Customer Liability: The customer is liable for the cost of any damage to the vehicle, including glass damage, up to the value of their excess, unless a claim can be made from a 3rd party involved.
6.6 Damage Charges: The cost of repairing any damage, as well as any associated costs such as vehicle recovery, administrative fees, and additional hire days, will be deducted from the security bond.
6.7 Intentional Damage/Pet Damage: If there is intentional damage or damage from a pet to the vehicles this is not covered by insurance and therefore the excess limit does not apply and the customer is liable for the full repair costs. The vehicle smelling of smoke is also included in this category.
6.8 AA Cover: There is AA cover on all our vehicles. There is a call out charge for a non mechanical breakdown (wrong fuel, flat tyres, flat batteries, key issues etc) and vehicle accidents.
7. Vehicle Return
7.1 Cleanliness: Vehicles must be returned reasonably clean. Failure to do so will result in a cleaning fee of NZ$150.
7.2 Specific Cleaning Tasks: Renters must:
- Empty the toilet and waste water tank.
- Refill fuel, LPG, and fresh water.
- Wash all dishes.
- Sweep the floor.
- Remove personal rubbish.
- Ensure the outside of the vehicle is clean enough to check for any damage.
7.3 Fuel: Vehicles must be returned with a full tank of fuel. If not, the cost to refill plus a $25 administration fee will be charged.
7.4 Additional Fees:
- Failure to empty the toilet or waste water tank will incur a $250 fee.
- Failure to refill LPG will incur a $50 fee.
8. Road User Charges
8.1 Diesel Vehicles Only: For diesel vehicles, kilometres driven will be calculated at the end of the rental and charged at 9c per km to cover government Road User Charges.
9. Conditions of Hire
9.1 Pricing and Tariffs: All prices and tariffs are valid at the time of publication and may be altered without notice.
9.2 Responsibility: Palmy Campers accepts no responsibility for detention, delay, loss, damage, or injury experienced by the renter, regardless of cause.
9.3 Rental Agreement: The rental agreement is the sole contract between Palmy Campers and the renter and passengers.
9.4 No Refunds for Unavailable Days: No refunds are payable for accommodation or days when vehicles are not available due to amendments, cancellations, or variations by the renter after departure.
9.5 Comparable Vehicles: Palmy Campers reserves the right to provide a comparable vehicle if the booked vehicle is unavailable. Any cost difference will be refunded if a lower valued vehicle is provided.
9.6 Payment: A deposit is required at the time of confirmation. The balance must be paid 14 days before pickup for standard bookings or 21 days before pickup for long bookings. Full payment is required before vehicle pickup.
9.7 Booking Extensions: If the booking is extended after the rental has commenced, payment for additional days must be made at the time of the extension request.
9.8 Card Payment Fee: A 3% card payment fee applies to all card payments other than the rental hire. This includes charges taken from a bond or charged after the rental for damage, tolls, or infringements.
9.9 Amendment Fees: One amendment can be made free of charge after booking confirmation. Additional amendments will incur a $25 fee, waived if the amendment increases the hire value. Changing the pickup date to a later date will result in a 100% cancellation fee for any subsequent cancellations.
9.10 Pickup and Drop-off Times: These must be arranged in advance between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Late returns without prior agreement will incur an additional day’s hire charge. Out-of-hours pickups may be requested with a $100 fee.
9.11 Non-Variation of Conditions: These conditions cannot be varied, altered, or waived by any employee, agent, or representative of the company.
9.12 Debt Recovery: Unpaid debts beyond 14 days after the rental period or due date may be referred to a debt collection agency. Renters are responsible for any associated recovery costs.
10. Insurance
10.1 Standard Excess Insurance Cover: All vehicles come with fully comprehensive commercial insurance, including recoverable third-party accident damage, theft, and break-ins (excluding personal belongings). A standard excess of $5000 per incident applies.
10.2 Excess Reduction: Renters can reduce the excess with an additional daily rate charge (read more here):
- $3000 per incident excess: $15 per day (max $500 per rental).
- $500 per incident excess: $35 per day for campervans (max $1500 per rental)
10.3 Vehicle Security Bond: A security bond equal to the excess amount is required before vehicle pickup. The bond will be charged 2 days before the rental starts and held up to 7 days after vehicle return unless damage has occurred, in which case the bond will be retained until any damage is resolved and bills are paid.
11. Insurance Exclusions
The indemnities above shall not apply where the damage, injury or loss arises when:
(a) The driver of the vehicle is under the influence of alcohol or any drug;(b) When the vehicle is in an unsafe or unroadworthy condition, such condition arising during the course of the hire, that caused or contributed to the damage or loss, and the hirer or driver was aware or should have been aware of the unsafe or unroadworthy condition of the vehicle;
(c) at any time when a mechanical failure breakdown or breakage occurs and/or an electrical or electronic failure or breakdown occurs that is the result of improper use of the vehicle. This exclusion also applies to damage to the engine or transmission system directly resulting from any mechanical failure breakdown or breakage, but does not otherwise apply to resulting damage to other parts of the vehicle;
(d) at any time when the vehicle is driven by anyone not named or described in the Rental Document as a person permitted to drive the vehicle (unless the hirer is a body corporate or Department of State and the driver is authorised by them to drive, subject to all other terms and conditions in the Rental Agreement);
(e) at any time when the vehicle is driven by an unlicensed person;
(f) at any time when the vehicle is willfully or recklessly damaged or lost by the hirer, a nominated driver, or a person under the hirer’s authority or control;
(g) at any time when the driver commits a traffic offence while driving the vehicle;
(h) at any time when the vehicle is loaded or is being loaded in excess of the manufacturer’s specifications;
(i) at any time when the vehicle is being loaded or unloaded beyond the limits of a thoroughfare and such loading or unloading is not performed by the driver or attendant of the vehicle;
(j) at any time when the driver fails to stop or remain at the scene following the occurrence of an accident where required to do so by law;
(k) to any fine or penalty imposed as a result of prosecution for breach of any law;
(l) to any puncture, cut or bursting of any tyre, or damage to any tyre by application of brakes;
(m) to any liability for damage caused by vibration or the weight of the vehicle or its load to any: bridge or viaduct; any road or anything beneath a road; any underground pipe line or cable; or any other underground installation provided that the limit of liability in these circumstances will be $500,000;
(n) to any overhead damage to the vehicle or to the property of any third party resulting from such overhead damage;
(o) at any time when the vehicle was being driven on any of the following roads: Skipper’s Canyon (Queenstown), Ninety Mile Beach (Northland), or any unformed roads and/or roads other than tarseal or metal; including but not limited to beaches, driveways, or any surface likely to damage the
vehicle; or (p) at any time when the vehicle was operated in contravention of the terms of the Rental Agreement or any agreed extension of the terms of the Rental Agreement.
By hiring a vehicle from Palmy Campers, the renter confirms acceptance of the above terms and conditions.