Car A lot Rentals Rental Terms and Conditions

1. Who are the Parties to this Agreement?

(a) This Rental Agreement is between Car A Lot Rentals Limited (We, Us, or Our) and the person renting the vehicle (I, My, You, Your, or the Hirer), as well as any listed drivers (Driver).

(b) By signing or accepting this Rental Agreement, everyone agrees to follow the terms and conditions of this Rental Agreement.

2. What is the Rental Agreement?

(a) The agreement is that we will rent a vehicle to You, and You agree to take on the rental, as outlined in this Rental Agreement.

(b) The rental period for the vehicle begins and ends at the times specified on the first page of the Rental Agreement. If You need to return the vehicle early or extend Your hire, the later clause of this Rental Agreement will apply (this is called the Hire Term).

(c) If You return the vehicle outside our office hours or to an airport car park, You are still responsible for the vehicle, including any afterhours fees and potential damage until one of our team members checks the vehicle back in.

(d) You give Us permission to update the Rental Agreement when You pick up the vehicle, so we can add or change the registration number, and if needed, update the vehicle’s make or model to another that is considered equal or better, if we believe it is necessary.

(e) This Rental Agreement is made under the laws of New Zealand.

3. What are the costs involved?

(a) When You pick up the vehicle, You must pay the amount detailed in this Rental Agreement.

(b) Rental charges are calculated by the day, with each day being a full 24-hour period.

(c) If You return the vehicle less than 4 hours into the final day, You will only pay 50% of the daily rate for each hour (or part of an hour). But if You return it 4 hours or more into the last day, You will be charged for a full day.

(d) You are responsible for paying for all the fuel or electricity used during Your rental.

(e) Please bring the car back with a full tank. If not, You will need to pay for the fuel to fill it up at the current price per litre, plus a $50 refuelling fee.

(f) You will also need to cover these additional costs in the following situations:

i. the insurance excess for each instance of damage to the vehicle or spare parts;

ii. replacement cost for any damaged, lost, or missing accessories, keys, or key cards;

iii. cleaning costs if someone smokes in or near the car, or if any animal is in the vehicle;

iv. cleaning costs if the car is returned very dirty and needs extra cleaning or deodorising;

v. repair costs if the vehicle is damaged by sand or water, for example, from crossing rivers, lakes, or exposure to salt water or beaches. Repairs costs can be substantial, but more serious damage may result in the car being written off, in which case You will be responsible for the total cost;

vi. any and all road tolls;

vii. road user charges above 150 km per day of usage at the current price for the vehicle;

viii. if You return the car late, You will pay the daily rental rate for each extra day plus a one-off late fee of $250;

ix. any speeding or parking fines, toll charge notices, breach notices, or infringements incurred during Your hire, plus a $50 administration fee;

x. relocation costs if the car is left or returned somewhere other than the agreed location;

xi. any loss or damage not covered by insurance;

xii. processing fees for payments on credit cards or payment platforms Visa (GST applies to all processing fees);

xiii. if payment is overdue or in default, any outstanding balance will accrue interest at 25% per year.

(g) We may deduct any charges You owe from Your credit card during or after Your hire. You agree not to revoke this authority unless we give written consent. We will do its best to contact You about any charges (except rental charges) before making any deductions.

(h) If You do not pay on time, we may charge You for the reasonable costs of collecting unpaid money (including debt collection and legal fees), plus any costs from chargebacks.

4. Who is permitted to drive the Vehicle?

(a) Only the people listed in this Rental Agreement can drive the vehicle.

(b) Each driver must be at least 20 years old and have a valid full driver licence that suits the vehicle.

(c) All permitted drivers need to be at the pick-up when collecting the vehicle and must show their driver licences to Us.

(d) If an extra driver has already shown their licence at another location, they do not need to be present at pick-up.

(e) If Your licence is in a language other than English, please bring a translation in English from a NZ Transport Agency approved translator.

(f) We might accept a restricted New Zealand driver licence, but only at our discretion. If allowed, the driver must stick to all licence restrictions, and insurance may not apply if those rules are not followed.

(g) Pink, Blue, or Learner’s New Zealand Driver Licences cannot be used to rent a vehicle.

(h) Digital driver licences may be accepted if we can verify them, but we recommend You bring Your physical card just in case.

5. What are My obligations?

(a) What You need to do is:

i. take good care when handling and parking the vehicle;

ii. always lock the vehicle securely when it is not being used;

iii. check and top up water, tyre pressure, coolant, and oil as needed before the start of each day;

iv. for any accessories You rent:

a. look after them carefully;

b. do not leave GPS units or valuables visible in the parked vehicle;

c. follow all safety and usage instructions from the manufacturer or Us;

v. follow the rules for child restraints (Land Transport Rule 2004) and make sure any child seat is correctly installed;

vi. make sure all Authorised Drivers know these terms and carry their driver licence when driving;

vii. let Us know as soon as possible if the vehicle breaks down or gets damaged;

viii. keep a copy of this agreement in the vehicle during Your hire and show it to enforcement officers if asked;

ix. always drive and look after the vehicle responsibly.

(b) What You must not do is:

i. smoke or vape (or let anyone else) in or near the vehicle;

ii. let animals in the vehicle;

iii. let anyone tamper with the vehicle’s systems, such as the odometer, speedometer, engine, transmission, brakes, suspension or any other systems;

iv. rent the vehicle out or let anyone else hire it;

v. let the vehicle be used by anyone not authorised in this agreement;

vi. drive (or let others drive) under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or commit any related offence;

vii. use the vehicle for races, speed tests, rallies, or contests;

viii. break any road laws, rules, regulations or bylaws while using the vehicle;

ix. carry more passengers or weight than the vehicle is allowed;

x. let anyone drive who is not authorised in this Rental Agreement;

xi. tow or push other vehicles that exceed the recommended tow li

xii. use the vehicle to carry passengers for hire or reward unless we know and has approved it for a licensed passenger service transport.

6. What liabilities am I responsible for?

(a) You are responsible for paying Us for:

i. any loss or damage to the vehicle, its parts or accessories, or to other people's vehicles or property, as set out in this Rental Agreement;

ii. any extra costs or losses We incur as a result of the damage, loss or costs, including but not limited to paying for towing, not being able to rent the vehicle out, or losing income.

(b) We are not responsible for, and You agree not to hold Us or Our staff responsible for, any claims, losses, damages, costs, or problems You may have because of renting, possessing, using, or misusing the vehicle.

7. What obligations and rights does Car A lot Rentals have?

(a) We promise to provide you with a safe and roadworthy vehicle that meets current safety standards.

(b) We can cancel this Rental Agreement and take the vehicle bac, even after you have picked it up, in the following situations, if:

i. You break any important rule of this Rental Agreement;

ii. You cannot provide a valid licence, credit card, or required bond in Your name;

iii. You got the vehicle using false information or by being dishonest;

iv. the vehicle looks like it has been abandoned;

v. You do not return the vehicle on the agreed date;

vi. the vehicle is damaged or We reasonably think it is at risk of being damaged;

vii. We or a police officer reasonably believes that Your driving is likely to put You or others in danger.

(c) If Your Rental Agreement is cancelled or the vehicle is taken back for any of the reasons above, You will not get a refund for any part of the rental. Cancelling the agreement does not affect any other rights We may have.

(d) If Your Rental Agreement is cancelled because the vehicle was damaged or at risk of damage, We may share your, and any list driver’s, personal details with other rental companies to help promote safe driving in New Zealand.

(e) You give Us permission to enter any property You own or use to get the vehicle back if needed. You also agree to help us get access to any other property if the vehicle is there. You will need to pay any reasonable costs We incur in getting the vehicle back.

(f) If something happens that is out of our control, like a natural disaster (Force Majeure), and it stops us from meeting our obligations, Our responsibilities will be paused for as long as that event lasts, and We will not be held responsible for anything We cannot do because of it.

8. What are the main terms and conditions of the insurance provided?

(a) If You do not arrange your own insurance, Your rental vehicle will be insured by a New Zealand insurer. However, there are some things the policy does not cover, which are listed in the following section.

(b) We are not an insurance provider. We simply manage the insurance for You and decide whether to make a claim. If there is any damage, you will deal directly with Us rather than the insurance company.

(c) Your liability is covered up to $250,000 for damage to other people’s property or animals that happens while using the vehicle, by Our insurance provider, unless an exclusion applies.

(d) When booking or picking up the vehicle, You can choose from different insurance excess options. This affects the amount held on your credit card (the bond) or the excess you will need to pay if there is an accident or damage.

(e) If You pick the Standard or Premium insurance option, You will pay an extra daily fee, which you will find at the front of this Rental Agreement, for that option for Your entire rental period. (Note: If a bond is pre-authorised, it may take up to 10 working days or longer with some overseas banks to be released.)

(f) If there is an accident or incident during Your hire, You will need to pay the insurance excess amount for each new event. You will find this amount listed on the front of this Rental Agreement.

(g) Insurance Cover can only be used once for the first damage that happens during Your hire. After it is used, Your excess goes back to the standard amount, and the extra benefits of Insurance Cover stop applying.

(h) Payment is due straight away as soon as We are told about any damage.

(i) Your credit card will be charged for any costs mentioned in this Rental Agreement. If Your card does not go through, please provide another card or payment method straight away.

(j) We will check the damage as soon as possible. If repairs cost less than the excess You paid, we will refund the difference to your credit card.

(k) If there is a dispute about who is responsible for the damage, You may need to help resolve it, for example, by attending a tribunal hearing, either in person or by phone.

(l) If You are entitled to make a claim against someone else for damage, you give Us permission to handle the claim on your behalf, and you will need to provide reasonable assistance with the claim.

9. What is excluded from the insurance provided?

(a) The insurance will not cover certain situations. You will be fully responsible for any damage or costs if:

i. accessories on hire or Your personal belongings are lost or damaged;

ii. the vehicle is stuck or damaged due to off-roading or being driven somewhere it should not be;

iii. the roof is damaged from careless actions, like entering low buildings or standing on the roof;

iv. You ignore warning lights or fail to follow vehicle warnings;

v. the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs;

vi. the vehicle is unsafe or unroadworthy and you knew about it;

vii. someone not authorised / listed, or someone with a disqualified / restricted licence, drives the vehicle;

viii. damage is caused by reckless or dangerous behaviour;

ix. the vehicle is driven on prohibited roads or tracks, (Ball Hutt Road, Skippers Road, Ninety Mile Beach, Te Paki Stream Bed, Macetown Road, Deer Park Heights, State Highway 38 Lake Waikaremoana or any unformed off-road tracks, gravel roads not officially designated, and any beach);

x. the vehicle is used after your rental period has ended;

xi. You commit a reckless or dangerous driving offence while using the vehicle;

xii. the vehicle is overloaded with passengers or weight;

xiii. damage occurs in illegal circumstances in New Zealand;

xiv. the vehicle or spare parts are damaged by water, including rivers, beaches, or salt water;

xv. damage happens from incorrect fitting or use of snow chains, ski / snowboard racks, or bike racks;

xvi. damage is caused by items carried in or on the vehicle, like surfboards or bikes;

xvii. damage is caused by incorrect filling of fluids, fuel;

xviii. the vehicle is used in breach of this Rental Agreement;

xix. the vehicle warranty is voided or ended due to your actions.

10. Is it possible to use My own insurance policy?

(a) You can use Your own insurance, as long as you show Us your policy and We approve it before you pick up the vehicle.

(b) If Our Staff are of the opinion that your insurance is not as good as the insurance of Car A Lot Rentals Limited, We can refuse to hire the vehicle to You.

(c) If You use Your own insurance, you take on full responsibility for any losses, costs, or damages as described in this Rental Agreement.

11. What am I supposed to do if the Vehicle experiences a breakdown?

(a) All Our cars are covered for 24-hour roadside assistance.

(b) If your car has a breakdown or mechanical failure, please inform Us as soon as you can. If You do not, You may be responsible for extra costs or damage.

(c) If a warning light comes on, stop driving straight away, call the roadside assistance service, and notify Us as soon as possible.

(d) If the breakdown is something mechanical (like the engine or electrical faults) and is not Your fault, We will refund the call out fee to You.

(e) If the breakdown is not mechanical (such as running out of fuel, a flat battery from leaving lights on, lost keys, or tyre problems) and it is Your fault, You will need to pay any call-out, salvage, or towing charges, no matter the distance. The amount You will need to pay may be reduced depending on the level of insurance You purchased.

(f) If the vehicle cannot be driven due to a breakdown that was not your fault, We will refund the rental charges for the time the vehicle was not usable and will arrange a repair or replacement vehicle for You as soon as possible.

(g) Do not arrange or pay for repairs Yourself unless You need to salvage the vehicle to prevent further damage. If We have authorised repairs and You are not responsible for the breakdown, You will be reimbursed for those costs with the proper documentation.

12. What steps should I take if the Vehicle is involved in an accident, suffers damage, or is stolen?

(a) If the vehicle is damaged or involved in an accident, please:

i. Inform Us about the accident or any new damage as soon as You can; and

ii. Fill out all necessary paperwork, including insurance forms, within 72 hours after Your rental ends. Not doing this might affect your insurance claim and make You liable for costs.

(b) If the vehicle is in an accident, you must also:

i. notify the NZ Police and get a police report if possible;

ii. not admit liability to anyone;

iii. take photos of the accident scene and damaged vehicles, and share these with Us;

iv. Complete all provided forms, including details of everyone involved, witnesses, and a written statement with a diagram, within 72 hours after Your rental ends.

(c) If the vehicle cannot be driven after an accident and We determine it was not Your fault, We will arrange for repairs or a replacement vehicle for You at our branch.

(d) If You were at fault (or it is unclear), You will need to cover the costs, and unused rental or insurance will no be refunded.

(e) We reserve the right to decline to offer the Standard and Premium insurance cover for any replacement vehicle.

(f) We will decide if you get a replacement vehicle and are not responsible for getting You from the accident site to another location.

(g) Damage includes anything affecting the car or third-party property including but not limited to tyres, windscreens, towing, theft, fire, break-ins, and vandalism.

(h) There is a $50 damage administration fee for processing any claims, whether You use Our insurance or Your own. This fee may be refunded if the damage was not Your fault.

(i) If the vehicle is stolen, report it to Us as soon as possible and go to a police station to give a signed statement and get a police report. You will also need to provide a written account to Us and hand over the keys at your nearest GO Rentals location.

13. What are My responsibilities if I receive a fine, breach notice, or other infringement?

(a) You are responsible for any fines, fees, or penalties during Your rental period, including those related to speeding, traffic, tolls, or parking, including:

i. speeding tickets, not following traffic signals, or toll violations caught by surveillance cameras;

ii. parking tickets, breach notices, and vehicle clamping fees, whether from road authorities or private parking companies;

iii. Fines under the Freedom Camping Act 2011 relating to the vehicle.

(b) If We gets a notice about any of these offences during Your rental, We will send you copies of the notice and any reminders within 10 working days after We receive them.

(c) You have the right to dispute or ask questions about any offence with the relevant authority. You can request a court hearing within 56 days from the date on the infringement notice or 28 days from a reminder notice.

(d) If We receive an unpaid toll notice for the vehicle during Your rental, We will pay it for you and recover the amount, plus a $50 administration fee (for each unpaid toll notice), from your credit card.

(e) If You commit a speeding, traffic, parking, or freedom camping offence, We will transfer the responsibility for the offence to You, and You agree that We can provide your details to the relevant authority. There will also be a $50 administration fee to your credit card to cover any transfer and sending You the notices.

14. What are My liabilities if I want to hire the Vehicle for a longer?

(a) If you want to keep your rental vehicle for longer than originally planned, please contact Us at least 24 hours before Your current hire ends.

(b) Extensions can only be approved if You pay in advance, do no owe any money and are also subject to vehicle availability.

(d) If You return the vehicle late, after Your hire period or any approved extension, the following charges will apply:

i. If the vehicle is returned up to 4 hours late, You will be charged 50% of the current daily rate for each extra hour, or part of an hour, but there is no fee for the first hour You are late;

ii. If the vehicle is returned more than 4 hours late, You will be charged the full daily rate for each extra day, or part of a day;

iii. If the vehicle is kept without approval, You will be charged a penalty of up to $250 per day.

(e) The hire period includes any period you have the vehicle, even if you have not arranged the extension. You will still be responsible for the vehicle and any extras until it is returned safely to Us.

(f) If You do not bring the vehicle back to the agreed location, You will be responsible for the extra hire charges, as stated in this Rental Agreement, until We are able to collect and return the vehicle to the agree location.

15. What happens if I want to return the Vehicle earlier than scheduled?

(a) You are welcome to return the vehicle back before Your rental period ends.

(b) You can return the vehicle back to the location stated in this Rental Agreement.

(c) If You return the vehicle, including keys and accessories, less than 48 hours before the rental period ends, there will not be a refund.

(d) If You return the vehicle more than 48 hours before the end of the rental period, You will get a partial refund, after the vehicle is checked by Us.

(e) The partial fund will be calculated using the following method: We will keep the cost for 48 hours of the rental, plus 10% of the remaining days as a cancellation fee. In addition, there is a refund administration fee of 10% of the balance. The rest of the payment will be refunded to Your nominated credit card.

(f) If You paid more than the adjusted rental cost, the extra amount will be refunded to You, minus the administration fee.

16. How can I change or cancel my reservation?

(a) If You want to amend Your booking, We will need to approve it. If We agree, Your rental rate may be updated to the current rate for the vehicle.

(b) We do not have to match a cheaper rate You find online. Daily rental rates are set when You book, and normal terms apply if You need to amend or cancel.

(c) Cancelling or amending your booking is easy. Just let Us know in writing before the pickup day. The amendment and cancellation fees are below:

i. If You amend or cancel Your booking more than 48 hours before pickup, there is no cancellation or amendment fee of the total rental cost.

ii. If You amend or cancel Your booking less than 48 hours but more than 24 hours before pickup, there will be a 50% amendment or cancellation fee of the total rental cost.

iii. If You amend or cancel Your booking less than 24 hours before pickup, or do not show up, You will pay the full rental cost as an amendment or cancellation fee.

(d) If You amend or cancel Your booking online, it must be done at least 48 hours before pickup. The same amendment and cancellation fees apply.

(e) A change of name, pickup date, drop off date, location or vehicle category is classed as a booking amendment.

(f) Any refunds from returning your vehicle early or cancelling your booking will have an administration fee of 10% deducted or $20, whichever is higher.

(g) For booking through 3rd party websites special terms and conditions apply to amendments and cancellations. Please visit their website for details.

17. How will My personal information be handled?

(a) We collect Your details to process Your booking and manage Your Rental Agreement. We use Your information to help with Your rental, promote safe driving, offer customer service, check how happy You are with Our products, and, if You say yes, send You marketing messages.

(b) We may share Your information with Our partners, agents, and related companies for these reasons. Sometimes, We might need to run a credit check and share Your details with third parties, including government agencies, to help provide credit or manage Your account.

(c) If You give us Your driver licence, We may pass it to credit agencies and the Ministry of Justice for checks. Credit agencies could keep your info for credit reports and share it with others for credit checks or debt collection.

(d) If payment is overdue or there is an accident, we may share your details with debt collectors, Your credit card provider, or other parties involved. We might also share information with Government departments, agencies handling traffic fines and petrol stations if there is unpaid fuel.

(e) We may use GPS or other devices to track the vehicle’s location during Your hire. You agree to Us tracking the vehicle, and We may use this info to find stolen vehicles or share it with local authorities if needed.

(f) For more info on how we handle your personal data, please read our privacy policy online.

18. How do We resolve any disputes?

(a) If You think there has been a mistake with Your account or You believe You were charged too much, please contact the manager at the branch where You started Your hire.

(b) Please make sure to send Your complaint in writing within 20 working days, including all the relevant details and any supporting evidence.

i. If Your account was charged incorrectly, Your card will be credited and You will be notified in writing;

ii. If the charge is correct, We will explain the reasons and provide any supporting evidence.

(d) If You are still not happy or have more questions, let Us know in writing within 7 working days. We will organise a meeting with You as soon as possible to help resolve the issue.

19. Is there anything else I should be aware of?

(a) All payments are made in New Zealand dollars. The amount charged or refunded to Your card may vary because of currency changes and bank fees. We are not responsible for these differences.

(b) Your rights under this Rental Agreement are in addition to Your rights as a consumer under the Consumer Guarantees Act and the Fair Trading Act.

(d) If any part of this Rental Agreement is found to be invalid or illegal, the rest still applies. We will carry on as if the invalid bit was not included.

(e) You agree that You are not relying on anything said or written outside of this Rental Agreement. This document is the whole Rental Agreement and replaces anything discussed or agreed before, whether spoken or written.

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