Conditions for Car Rental (Australia)
Valid 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006
Summary of Rental Conditions
This document contains a brief summary of our rental conditions. The full details of our rental contract do apply. Rates quoted are in Australian dollars.
Rental Charges
Daily rates are calculated on a 24-hour period.
Rental Duration
The minimum rental for all vehicles is three days.
Kilometre Allowance
Rates include 200 kilometres free per day. Excess kilometres are charged at 25 cents per excess kilometre.
Depots
Apex has car depots in Adelaide, Alice Springs, Brisbane, Broome, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Townsville. Depots are open seven days a week, 8am to 4:30pm. Depots will be closed Christmas Day, New Years Day and Good Friday.
Transfer
Vehicles must be collected and returned to our depots (not airports). In Brisbane we will transfer the client to and from the airport or local motel, however from all other branches it is the client’s responsibility to make their way to and from the depot.
Taxes
Our rates include 10% GST.
A charge of 2% of the total cost will be levied to cover state government taxes, duties and associated costs.
Credit Cards
Our preferred payment method is by credit card. We accept Bankcard, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club. American Express and Diners Club will incur an additional 4% surcharge fee on any transaction.
Driver’s Licence and Minimum Age
On pick up of the vehicle a valid, non-provisional, State, Overseas or International licence is required to be presented in person by all people wishing to drive the vehicle. The licence must be in English characters for our staff to read. The minimum age to drive the vehicle is 21 years, and the maximum age to drive the vehicle is 75 years.
Baby Seats
Baby seats (must be pre-booked) suitable for children under 3 years of age can be fitted to all vehicles. Cost is $20 each per rental.
Booster Seats
Booster seats (must be pre-booked) suitable for children between 3 and 8 years of age can be supplied for all vehicle models. Cost is $20 each per rental.
Camping Kits
Camping Kits suitable for two people (including a 3 person tent, built-in ground sheet, sleeping bags with personal liners, sleeping mats, esky, crockery & cutlery, pots & pans, gas cooker, salt & pepper, containers, tea towels, personal towels, torch, maps and camping ground directories) can be supplied on request. Rate is $15 per day (maximum amount payable is $315) payable direct to Apex.
Multiple Rentals
Rentals can be combined to entitle the client to a long-term discount (our minimum rental period rules still apply). Car and Motorhome rentals can be combined for long-term discounts.
One Way Rentals
One way rentals are available between all depots with the following conditions:
2wd Vehicles
A one way rental into or out of the Northern Territory/Western Australia attracts a $200 one-way fee. Apply the NT rates for a one way rental out of the NT. Apply the East Coast rates for all other one way rentals.
4wd Vehicles
A one way rental fee of $200 is charged for all one-way rentals of less than 21 days.
Broome Surcharge
An additional charge of $400 applies to all rentals picking up or dropping off (or both) in Broome. This is in addition to the one way fee if applicable.
Townsville Surcharge
An additional charge of $250 applies to all rentals picking up or dropping off (or both) in Townsville. This is in addition to the one way fee if applicable.
Travel Restrictions
Two Wheel Drive Vehicles can only be driven on sealed/bitumen roads.
In addition, Four Wheel Drive Vehicles can be driven on recognized unsealed tracks but may only travel to the following remote areas with the express written permission of Apex: Any Islands, Tasmania, Simpson Desert, Gunbarrel Highway, Cape York (North of Daintree River), Oodnadatta Track, Birdsville Track, Tanami Track, Gibb River Road, Kalumburu Road, Warburton Road, Strzelecki Track, Cape Leveque, Bungles and Bungles and any other remote area. No Vehicle is permitted on the last 2 kilometres of the Lennard River Gorge Road, the Canning Stock-route, The Lost City in Litchfield Park and the Telegraph Road section of the road to Cape York.
Vehicles picked up from Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney are not allowed to travel into Tasmania, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Vehicles picked up from Alice Springs, Darwin and Perth are not allowed to travel into Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. The only exception is a one way rental into or out of the Northern Territory/Western Australia.
Apex reserves the right at its sole discretion to restrict vehicle movements in certain areas due to adverse road or weather conditions.
Change of Vehicle
We reserve the right to substitute a comparable vehicle or superior vehicle at no extra cost. This shall not constitute a breach of contract, and does not entitle the renter to any refund.
Traffic Infringements
We reserve the right to charge the renter for any speeding or parking fines, traffic infringements or road toll fines. An additional administration fee of $50 will apply to cover the costs of processing.
Limit of Liability
In the event of no alternative vehicle being available to the renter our liability is limited to a refund of the hire charge or in the case of mechanical failure (unless caused by the renter) the remainder of the hire period.
Cancellation Fees
If cancelled less than 7 days prior to pick up - 50% of Gross Rental
If cancelled on the day of pick up or no show - 100% of Gross Rental
There is no refund for late pick up or early return of vehicle.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that clients ensure they take out the highest level of Travel Insurance.
PROTECTION PACKAGE
Personal Injury
The Vehicle has third party insurance cover. It is likely that any other vehicle involved in an accident also has third party insurance cover. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, the renter may be entitled to claim for your personal injury against the third party insurance of the party responsible for the accident. The extent of such third party insurance varies in different States and Territories and Apex strongly recommends that that all passengers take out their own Personal Injury Travel Insurance.
If the renter is responsible for the accident the Vehicle’s third party insurance should cover the renter for the liability except where the renter has committed a breach of the Vehicle’s third party insurance eg drink driving.
Property Damage
The Vehicle is insured for damage to it or damage to the property of a third party. However the renter is responsible up to the amount of the applicable Liability for the cost of such damage to third party property, or to the rented Vehicle. The renter is also responsible for the cost of demurrage for the period the Vehicle is unavailable due to repairs. The Liability applies in respect of each claim, not per rental. In addition to the Liability an administration fee of $50 will be charged per claim.
The Liability is applicable regardless of who is at fault and must be paid at the time the accident is reported to Apex, not at the completion of the rental Period. The Liability will be refunded if Apex is successful in recovering the cost of the damage from the third party.
2wd Vehicles
Standard Liability
Apex’s rental charge includes a Standard Liability of $2,000.
With this Option a Bond of $2,000 will be collected.
The Standard Liability can be reduced by taking the following Reduction Option:
Liability Reduction Option
A Liability of $250 applies. The Option can be purchased by paying to Apex $18 per day. The maximum amount payable for this Option is $720 (i.e. 40 days rental).
With this Option a Bond of $250 will be collected.
4wd Vehicles
Apex’s rental charge includes a Standard Liability of $5,000.
A Bond of $5,000 will be collected at the time of entering into the Rental Contract. Payment of this Bond is only accepted by credit card. The $5,000 will be debited to the credit card account immediately.
The Standard Liability can be reduced by purchasing one of the following Reduction Options:
Reduction Option 1
A Liability of $2,500 applies. This Option can be purchased by paying to Apex $20 per day. The maximum amount payable for this Option is $1,000 – i.e. 50 days rental.
With this Option a Bond of $2,500 will be collected.
Reduction Option 2 (VIP Cover)
A Liability of $250 applies. This Option can be purchased by paying to Apex $35 per day. The maximum amount payable for this Option is $1,750 – i.e. 50 days rental.
With this Option a Bond of $250 will be collected.
Single Vehicle Accident Liability
For all vehicle types, if a Single Vehicle Accident (an accident involving just the rental vehicle) occurs in the Northern Territory or Western Australia an additional Liability of $1000 applies.
Bond
On pick up of the vehicle the Bond is payable by cash, traveller’s cheques or by an open signed credit card imprint with an authorization obtained (sufficient funds must available) for the amount of the Bond. Personal or company cheques are not accepted.
If the Bond is given in cash or traveller’s cheques then the renter’s passport must be presented on pick up. Due to security reasons the refund will be by Apex’s company cheque, which is sent to the renter’s home address from the Apex Head Office.
The Bond is fully refundable when the vehicle is returned to the correct location on time, is full of fuel and all other terms of the Rental Contract have been complied with. If there is damage to the vehicle on its return, the Bond will be used to cover the cost of such damage up to the amount of the relevant Liability. However, if the terms of the Rental Contract are breached and the Bond is insufficient to cover the damage then any extra cost will be charged.
Note: If the Bond is given in cash or traveller’s cheques then your passport must be presented on pick up and the refund will be by Apex’s cheque.
Your Full Responsibility
At all times you will be responsible for:
• Damage caused to the Vehicle in circumstances where terms of the Rental Contract have been breached.
• Damage caused by negligence.
• Damage caused to the Vehicle in any way by part or total water submersion or salt water.
• Damage caused to the Vehicle by your willful conduct.
• Damage or loss caused to any personal belongings.
Rates/Terms/Conditions
Are subject to change without notice.