Terms & Conditions

• "Premium" insurance cover (liability NZ $2750.00 Bolero & Voyager / NZ $5000.00 Kon-Tiki)
  
• Maps, guide books
  
• AA 24 hour Road Side Assistance
  
• 24 Hour South Island Travel help line
  
• Comprehensive living equipment Click here to view

• Picnic table and picnic chairs
  
• GPS satellite navigation system
  
• Reversing camera
  
• TV/DVD
  
• Complimentary DVD movies
  
• Radio/CD player/AUX socket for mp3 player (lead required)
  
• Complimentary CD’s
  
• And interior fixtures and fittings as detailed on our website.

We accept payments by Visa, MasterCard, or our preferred method of payment is Direct Bank Transfer.
We require a deposit of NZ$ 750.00 to secure a reservation, and the balance of the hire is payable in full 42 days prior to the start of your hire.

NB* all charges incurred for payment by Bank Transfer must be paid by the Hirer.

• Your vehicle will be available on the first day of hire from 9.00 am - 4.00 pm out of hour's pick-up will incur an additional fee of $75.00, due to delayed/late flight arrival and vehicles are not available to leave the depot if you arrive after 4.30 pm.
  
• All vehicles must be returned to South island Travel's depot on the final day prior to 2.00 pm. late return incurs additional fees ($100.00 for 1st hour $50.00 per hour after).
  
• We are located 20 minutes taxi ride from Christchurch International Airport, and five minutes taxi ride from Christchurch city centre.
  
• Complimentary transfers are available to clients selecting "No Worries" insurance cover prior to arrival. These must be pre-arranged prior to arrival, and within the hours of 9.00 pm - 3.00 am.

This will take between 45 minutes and 1 hour, minor delays may be possible due to several clients arriving together. Allow sufficient time on collection of the vehicle, as we will not allow our motorhomes to leave the depot until South Island Travel are happy that you are able to operate the vehicle and its features successfully. Clients travelling by air are advised to overnight in a hotel for flights exceeding seven hours. Severely jet lagged clients will be advised to return the following day for their own safety. All Hirers are required to be present for collection of the vehicle, paperwork, show through and familiarisation of the vehicle.

You will be required to have a valid full driverís licence, with a minimum requirement of at least 5 years driving experience on a full licence. Licenses must be in English; alternatively an international driverís licence will be required. No special licence is required to drive these vehicles. For all clients it is advisable to have driven a larger than average vehicle prior to hire, or to have driven a vehicle whilst towing a trailer. Most motorhome dealers in your country of origin offer short driving courses for motorhomes if you feel at all unsure about driving a larger vehicle.

For differences regarding driving in New Zealand, these can be viewed online here (opens in a new window).

• On collection of your vehicle you will be required to have supplied a current credit card of which the bond will be deducted vehicle and insurance option dependant (see above).
  
• The Security Deposit/Bond will be refunded to your credit card, less any charges incurred for road user charges (for all hires of 12 days and under) and any excess mileage (150km per day inc. on all hires), and subject to the vehicle being returned un-damaged, with diesel tank filled, LPG gas bottles re-filled, no interior damage, or items lost or stolen and in a clean and tidy condition, this may take 14-21 days to reach your credit card account. South Island Travel cannot be held responsible for currency fluctuations which occur during this period of time.
  
• Fines and penalties incurred during the hire for speeding/parking/toll fees are required to be paid on receipt by South Island Travel; these can arrive up to a month after the end of hire and an additional administration fee will be payable of $60.00.
  
• Should you have an incident/accident whilst on hire, this must be reported to South Island Travel within 24 hours.
  
• If an accident or other damage of some kind occurs you are always required to pay the excess (the bond) in the first instance even if the damage was not caused by you, and another bond is charged (i.e. One bond per incident).
  
• The bond is refunded as soon as South Island Travel receives a payment from a third party. This can of course take some time.

South Island Travel strongly recommends that you take your own personal travel insurance, if you are responsible for any accidents and are in breach of our terms and conditions, i.e. drink driving, dangerous driving, driving in restricted areas, you will be responsible for damage to our vehicle and to any third party. Your personal possessions are also not covered by our insurance.

This is provided by South Island Travel limited and covers damage to third parties and third party property. The renter him/herself is not insured for bodily injury and passengers do not count as third parties such that they are also not insured for injury or property damage/loss. We do not provide this kind of insurance cover for any passengers. In New Zealand third-party insurance is not compulsory. Therefore, in the event of an accident involving an uninsured driver or if a third party flees the scene of an accident the renter will be liable up to the level of the excess even if he/she is not at fault

• All insurance cover is null and void if the terms of the south island travel rental agreement are breached.
  
• Any damage that is caused when the renter acts outside of the terms & conditions is not covered by the insurance.
  
• Any water and/or saltwater related damage where the renter is at fault is not covered by the insurance.
  
• The insurance does not cover damage in the case of any vehicle submersion, the vehicle being stranded in a water area, driving through causeways or beach driving.
  
• Any personal property that is damaged or stolen during an accident, vandalism to our vehicles whilst in your possession or a theft is not insured.
• Private insurance should be purchased in your home country to cover any such issues.

In the cases listed below the renter is fully liable for damage to the rental vehicle and third-party property, i.e. No insurance cover whatsoever is provided in the following cases:

• Water/saltwater-related damage as listed above.
  
• Driving and activities that are in breach of the rental agreement conditions, including:
  
• Driving under the influence of drugs.
  
• Driving under the influence of alcohol.
• Driving under the influences of jet lag.
  
• Reckless driving.
  
• Dangerous driving.
• Negligence and or Negligent Driving.
  
• Driving on restricted roads including ski access roads and un-sealed roads.

In the following cases the renter is liable for the full amount of damage caused either to the rented vehicle or to the property of a third party involved:

• Damage to the interior of the vehicle, interior fixtures and fittings, and additional purchased hire items.
• Damage to the roof or under body.
  
• Awning. (Unless in road traffic accident).
  
• Damage caused by the use of the wrong fuel or when water or oil, etc are not topped up to minimum required levels (causing overheating, frost damage, etc) or where warning signals in the vehicle are ignored.
  
• Costs that arise for towing and recovery of vehicles that have been stranded or submerged as a result of the driver’s actions.
  
• Repairs, vehicle damage and towing costs that are incurred because of driving on unpermitted roads or in forbidden areas.
  
• Costs incurred if vehicle keys are either lost or locked in the vehicle
  
• If damage is caused as a result of people using the vehicle without the permission (not registered in rental agreement) of the rental company.
  
• If more passengers are in the motorhome than the maximum number allowed
  
• If any member of the rental party deliberately damages any part of the vehicle.

And (unless you purchase the “No Worries” option available @ + NZ$ 55.00 Per day)

• Windscreens (covers 1 screen only).
  
• Tyres(covers 1 screen only).
  
• Damage to the roof or under body. (Excluding: campsites, picnic areas, car parks, service stations and other privately owned land or roads).
  
• Costs incurred by South Island Travel as a result of the vehicle being out of action due to damage caused by the renter (local daily rate in NZ$ for max. 7 Days)

• If the rental dates are amended within 60 days of hire start date, no refund will be given if the hire is shortened.
  
• If either the pick-up or drop off location is amended within 42 days of the hire, an additional re-location fee will apply (unless changed to Christchurch) and is strictly subject to availability and confirmation with South Island Travel.
  
• Changes to drop off location after the commencement of the hire must be approved by South Island Travel reservations (Tel: (03) 326 3030) and if approved, a minimum charge of NZ $ 750.00 Applies to that change, and will require immediate payment upon confirmation (other than Christchurch).
  
• Rental extensions whilst on hire must be approved by South Island Travel and the additional cost must be paid for on confirmation of that extension. Please note that these would generally be un-available due to high demand for our vehicles.

• We reserve the right to change prices for hire rates at any time, but if you have confirmed a booking for a hire you will have accepted the price to you as offered at that time.
  
• At the time of receiving a quotation for a motorhome you must check the prices quoted are correct against the website upon receipt, and South Island Travel will not provide a vehicle or service at a discounted rate. If South Island Travel realises that a mistake after a booking confirmation has been sent, it is understood that you are aware of the error, are aware of the actual cost of the hire, and will not provide a vehicle unless you agree to accept an amended quotation.

Rates are current but subject to government changes.