Safari Auto 4WD ASA5

Insurance

Additional Information

DAILY RATES Daily rates are calculated per calendar day and not per 24-hour period.

PAYMENT A deposit of 20% is required to hold a vehicle. The remaining balance is payable 120 days prior to departure. A between 1.4% and 2% credit card fee is charged for Visa/MasterCard on the remaining balance. You can also pay fee-free if you wish to electronically transfer the remaining balance into our nominated bank account.

Any charges received for traffic infringements, tollway, or parking fines during the road trip are the responsibility of the driver.

BOND The Bond payment will depend on the Liability Option chosen. If the guest chooses an option where the Bond is a charge, the total Bond will be debited to the credit or debit card immediately. This is usually $5000 but can be up to $8000 depending on the seasonal rules at the time.

If the guest chooses an option where the Bond is an imprint, the Bond is payable by an open signed credit card imprint with an authorisation. The credit cardholder must be present to sign for the Bond when they pick up the RV and is liable for any damage to the RV.

The Bond is fully refundable provided terms are met.

The RV simply needs to be returned to the booked branch location, on time, full of fuel, and with the toilet cassette and grey water tank emptied. Credit card refunds (including Bond refunds) can take up to 14 working days depending on the guest’s financial institution.

If there is damage to the RV on its return or any other terms of the rental contract have not been met, the Bond will be used to cover the cost up to the amount of the relevant Liability. If the terms of the Rental Contract are not met and the Bond is not sufficient to cover the damage, extra costs will be charged.

COMPULSORY EXTRAS LPG Bottle Refill of $25 per hire.

GENERAL EQUIPMENT Each vehicle is supplied with complimentary general equipment (pegs and clothesline, dustpan & brush, fire extinguisher, bucket, hose, and broom.

KITCHEN & PERSONAL KITS To make things as comfortable as possible, each vehicle includes:

KITCHEN KIT Plates, bowls, knives, forks, spoons, bottle openers, can openers, mixing bowls, colander, saucepans, frying pans, cooking utensils, chopping board, kettle, teapot, toaster and tea towel. Electrical appliances are supplied in vehicles that have 240VA.

PERSONAL KIT Complimentary bedding (including sheets, blankets, pillows, pillowcases, and towels)

FIRST AID KITS are supplied in every RV. If the seal is broken or the kit is not returned the kit becomes the property of the guest and a fee is charged

DEPOT HOURS Monday to Saturday: 9.00 am – 3.30 pm. Open on Sundays based on the peak tourism season April to September.

Depots are closed on public holidays for Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Good Friday, and Australia Day. After-hours drop-offs are available outside of these times – we will provide a lockbox service on request for those needing to return outside of standard hours.

ONLINE CHECK-IN It is mandatory for guests to complete online check-in prior to pick up, this will be sent to you once your booking is confirmed.

24-HOUR HELPLINE  24hr Roadside Assistance on 1300 798 212

MINIMUM RENTAL 5 days, at certain times of the year this may be up to 10 days.

DRIVER LICENCE REQUIREMENTS A current and full motor vehicle driver’s licence is required to be shown at pick-up and all drivers need to be present. If the driver’s licence is not in English then we require an accredited English translation or an International Driver Permit. We do not accept Digital Driver’s licences.
Note: UK driver licences that have had approved extensions by the UK DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency) can still travel for up to 11 months past the licence expiry. This extension only applies to full GB driving licence holders. It does not apply to provisional driving licence entitlement.

DRIVERS AGE The driver must be 21 years of age or over and have held an unrestricted licence for at least two years and the licence must be valid for the entire booking duration.

DAYS AND TIMES FOR PICK-UP/DROP-OFF The minimum age for drivers must be over the age of 21, and have held a licence for at least two years.

KILOMETRE ALLOWANCE 300 Kilometres per day are included in the rental with extra kilometres costing $0.40 per kilometre. Customers that purchase the 4WD Additional Cover will be upgraded to unlimited kilometres per day. The distance from Cairns to Cape York and back is 2,000 kilometres and most people hire for at least 10 days for that trip which will give you 3,000 kilometres. If the distance travelled is a little longer, any excess kilometres will be charged.

TYRE & WINDSCREEN DAMAGE The renter will be responsible for tyre and windscreen damage, except if you take the “4WD Additional Cover” Insurance option.

SINGLE VEHICLE ROLLOVER Damage caused by a Single Vehicle Rollover (usually caused by driving too fast for the unsealed road conditions) is the full responsibility of the hirer and is not covered under any insurance option.

CLEANING FEE ON RETURN OF VEHICLE A cleaning fee may be charged if the vehicle is not returned in reasonable condition, with the interior cleaned and holding tanks emptied. Excessive dirt or mud on the exterior was removed. A cleaning fee may be charged at the depot manager’s discretion.

INFRINGEMENTS, TOLLS, AND FINES We will pass on any charges the guest receives for traffic infringements, tolls, or parking fines during their road trip. For tollway fees received, we reserve the right to charge the guest’s credit or debit card upon receiving the tollway fee. An administration fee of $75.00 to cover associated administrative costs per toll way fee, traffic infringement, or parking fine received may be charged.

CAPE YORK SEASONAL HIRE  Travel to Cape York is not permitted between the period of 1 December to 31 May and at all other times, permission is required. For restricted destinations listed such as Cape York (North of Daintree River), guests are required to nominate expected travel plans with the branch at pick-up and confirm with relevant local authorities that roads are passable prior to travel. Travel will be determined based on weather and road conditions at the time of travel.

ROAD RESTRICTIONS 4WD vehicles go from Cairns to Cape York on a regular basis and visit all the “Must See” tourist places on the way. The vehicles can be driven on recognised unsealed roads as long as the weather at the time is suitable for such a trip and this is why the vehicles can only be taken from Cairns to Cape York during the months of June to October. Some sections of roads like ” the Old Telegraph Road” (different from The Telegraph Road which leads you to Cape York or the CREB Track Cape York (between 1 December- 31 May), are not allowed to be accessed due to the harshness of the roads.

Small sections of the Old Telegraph Track can be traversed for the purpose of accessing specific locations such as Fruit Bat Falls which are easily reached from the main road, near the junction of the Old Telegraph Track, and Northern and Southern Bypass Road. The Telegraph Road, the Peninsula Development Road, and the Bamaga Road (also known in sections as the Southern and Northern Bypass Road) are all well taken care of and allowable for you to travel on. The roads that these vehicles are allowed on will lead you from Cairns to the very tip of Cape York – Australia where you can fish, catch ferries to the islands of the Torres Straits, and stand at the sign saying you are at the very top of Australia. Please consult a good map provider for road names and details like the “Hema Map” company.

Restricted (Permission Required) for Burke Development Road from Chillagoe to Normanton, Cape York (North of Laura/Cooktown*), Savannah Way (Normanton to Borroloola), Bloomfield Track, Sandover Highway, Frenchman Track, Starcke Track

BOOKING AMENDMENTS We understand that sometimes plans change. If this is the case, any changes made to a booking will be classed as a cancellation and a new booking will be required, including:

• Change to pick-up or drop-off dates
• Change to pick-up or drop-off branch location
• Change of vehicle, unless the vehicle is unavailable at the time of hire

EXTENDING A ROAD TRIP We will always do our best to accommodate any extensions, dependent on vehicle availability. Our friendly Reservations team will be happy to advise if the extension is possible, and the associated costs. To secure an extension, the extra costs (calculated on the current rate of the day), will need to be paid by credit card inclusive of all taxes and surcharges, at the time of an extension.

CANCELLATION FEES In addition to booking terms and conditions fees, additional fees charged for cancellation will include:

• If cancelled 61+ days prior to pick-up – Loss of Deposit
• If cancelled 60 to 22 days prior to pick-up – 10% of Total Rental + Loss of Deposit
• If cancelled 21 to 7 days prior to pick-up – 20% of Total Rental + Loss of Deposit
• If cancelled less than 7 days prior to pick-up – 50% of Total Rental + Loss of Deposit
• If cancelled on the day of pick-up or no-show – 100% of Total Rental
• There is no refund for late pick-up or early return of an RV.

The original pick-up date or the earliest confirmed pick-up date is used to calculate the cancellation fee. Refunds by credit card can take up to 14 business days depending on the guest’s financial institution. Cancellation Fees exclude Hot Deal Specials and Group Bookings

There is no refund for late pickup or early return of the vehicle. The original pick-up date or the earliest confirmed pick-up date is used to calculate the cancellation fee.

OTHER THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW  While on your road trip, you are responsible for:

• Damage caused where the terms of the Rental Contract have not been met by the guest (other than when a third party admits fault and provides full contact and licence details).
• Damage caused by negligence and/or wilful conduct.
• Damage caused to the RV in any way by part or total water submersion or salt water. It’s true, our vehicles can’t swim.
• Damage caused to tyres and the windscreen except where ‘Value Pack’ or ‘WAP’ has been purchased and applied.
• Damage caused to the RV when using the RV in contravention of any legislation or regulation controlling vehicular traffic.
• Damage caused due to a single-vehicle rollover except where the ‘Value Pack’, ‘4WD Additional Cover’, or ‘Single Vehicle Rollover’ has been purchased and applied.
• Damage and associated costs with the recovery of a bogged vehicle.
• Damage or loss caused to any personal belongings.
• Damage is caused due to the use of incorrect or contaminated fuel.
• Damage to the slide out of the RV.
• Damage to the undercarriage or overhead of the RV except where the ‘Value Pack’ has been purchased and applied.
• Damage to the awning or rooftop tent of the RV except where ‘4WD Additional Cover’ has been purchased and applied.
• Vehicles are equipped with a tracking device and reserve the right to send warnings to guests that are driving in contradiction to our terms and conditions, or exceeding speed limits. Guests who continuously ignore the warnings may be subject to a penalty fee of $300 charged on each occasion identified.

**Rates/Terms/Conditions are subject to change without notice.

FAQs

• When should I book car hire in Cairns for school holidays?

  As soon as possible! There is limited a supply of vehicles in Cairns and they sell out during school holidays. We suggest you book your vehicles as soon as you book your flights and accommodation. Try to book at least 4-6 months before you plan to come to be sure you get the vehicle you need.

  What if I have not booked yet? have a look on our website and see what is available, send us an email or give us a call 07 4051 1120 – there might be a cancellation if you are lucky!

• Do 4WD hire vehicles to Cape York sell out?

  Due to insurance reasons, not all vehicles can go all the way to Cape York. you must select a vehicle that is a capable 4WD and has the correct insurance to cover you on this trip. We can advise you of the correct vehicle to meet your needs. There is a limited supply of vehicles that can go to Cape York so be sure to book early – they sell out every year!

• Why is car rental so expensive in Cairns?

  Availability is scarce for certain destinations including Cairns, Uluru, and Tasmania. There are a limited number of vehicles available and it is difficult to get in extra vehicles from nearby locations. So when they are sold out they are sold out. Pricing is dynamic, so fewer cars equals more cost. If you want o reduce your cost try to book as early as you can to get the best deals. Some vehicles are fixed prices others can vary significantly. Make sure you talk to our helpful team to get the right vehicle for your next holiday to Cairns. Call 07 4051 1120.

• Why are some cars so much more than others?

  The cost of the vehicles varies depending on where you can take them once hired. The vehicles that can go from Cairns to Cape York have much higher insurance costs and wear on vehicles. The vehicles can be driven on recognized unsealed roads as long as the weather at the time is suitable for such a trip and this is why the vehicles can only be taken from Cairns to Cape York during the months of June to October. Some sections of roads like “The Old Telegraph Track” (different from The Telegraph Road which leads you to Cape York) and Creb Track are not allowed to be accessed due to the harshness of the roads but places like Fruit Bat/Elliot/Twin waterfalls, The Telegraph Road, the Peninsula Development Road and the Bamaga Road (also known in sections as the Southern and Northern Bypass road) are all well taken care of and allowable for you to travel on. The Roads that these vehicles are allowed on will lead you from Cairns to the very tip of Cape York – Australia where you can fish, catch ferries to the islands of the Torres Straits and stand at the sign saying you are at the very top of Australia.

  The cheaper vehicles have restricted locations such as the vehicle can be taken as far south as Airlie Beach, as far north as Cooktown, and as far west as Chillagoe.

• What if I need to amend my booking?

  We understand that sometimes plans change. If this is the case, any changes made to a booking will be classed as a cancellation and new booking will be required, including:

  • Change to pick-up or drop-off dates
  • Change to pick-up or drop-off branch location
  • Change of vehicle, unless the vehicle is unavailable at the time of hire
• Where do I pickup the vehicle?
  Vehicles pick up points will be listed on your paperwork. These vary depending on your needs and where the vehicle is stored. Please refer to the information provided for details.
• What is the Bond?

  The Bond is the amount which guests would be liable up to in case of any damage done to the vehicle.

  The Bond is payable on the pick-up and only by a credit card (the credit card holder must be present).

  The Bond would be fully refunded after they return the vehicle in the same condition as they rented it (no damages, no accidents)

  – Insurance is not offered on vehicles but you can purchase Liability Reduction Options.

  Payment of this Bond is only accepted by credit card, debit credit card and ins some cases cash. The amount will be debited to the credit card account immediately. A non-refundable bond administration fee will may apply at the time of the debit and the bond refund may take up to 21 working days.

• Should I buy travel insurance for car hire?

  Travel Insurance
  Personal injury or loss and damages to personal items are not covered with your vehicle hire. You may choose the option to use comprehensive travel insurance with car hire excess included rather than paying for rental vehicle excess insurance or excess reduction fees with the rental company. Ask our friendly team for more information or a quote.

• Are the Four Wheel Drives allowed to go to Cape York

  All the 4 Wheel drives that indicate in the text that they are allowed to go to Cape York will get you to and back from Cape York without any issues. The roads to Cape York are in good condition these days with the local council often grading the roads with earth-moving equipment. The main thing you need in a 4WD is “Ground Clearance” on a Cape York trip and those listed on our website have this. Please be aware that even if you have booked to go to Cape York when you collect the vehicle from the depot they have the final say in if you can take the vehicle to cape York depending on the road and weather conditions at the time. You are not refunded if you are unable to go to the Cape, you have booked a vehicle, not a destination.

• Do you hire camping equipment to go with your 4WD hire?

  No we do not hire camping equipment. You will need to bring your own or call into some local camping supply shops while here.