If this has happened to you, it’s probably because the car hire company failed to tell you about the extra charges you have to pay if you want to lower your insurance excess (the amount you’re liable for if the car gets damaged).

If you don’t fork out the extra cash, they’ll charge the full excess in case of an accident. This could be as much as $6900. And if the repairs cost less than the excess, you’ll just have to trust them to refund the difference to your credit card.

To hire a basic compact car from Sydney Airport for a week from Avis you’ll pay a minimum of $66 a day, but to reduce your excess from $5900 to $0 for the same hire, you’ll be slugged with an additional $74 a day.

On this page:

• What are the alternatives to paying the car hire excess waiver?
• What’s the cheapest way to reduce car hire excess?
• Which hire car excess cover should you choose?
• What to ask about your car hire excess cover
• What to do if you’ve damaged a hire car vehicle

What are the alternatives to paying the car hire excess waiver?

Instead of succumbing to the pressure-sale tactics at the car hire counter, you can:

• use the car hire excess cover in a travel insurance policy
• buy a standalone car hire excess insurance policy from a specialist insurer.

If you’re hiring a car for a week, these are both cheaper alternatives to the excess waiver offered by the car hire company. Standalone policies also often have fewer exclusions.

So what’s the catch? The alternatives may not be as convenient. If you’re in an accident in your rental car, you may have to pay the car hire company for the damages and then claim them back from your chosen insurer.

What’s the cheapest way to reduce car hire excess?

Below, we compare the daily cost of the car hire excess waiver offered by seven car hire companies (SIXT, Thrifty, Hertz, Avis, Budget and Europcar) against standalone insurance products from: 

And the domestic travel insurance products from:

• .

• Car hire quotes are based on the cheapest car hire options from Sydney Airport.
• The cover level selected for the car hirers is the level that includes excess reduction as much as possible (to zero in all cases except Hertz) and includes windscreen and tyres, since this is covered by all the standalone products we included.
• Travel insurance quotes are for one traveller aged 35 and the lowest policy excess level offered by the online quote.
• Variable excess level increased to $6000 where necessary since the basic excess for car hires is over $6000.

Which hire car excess cover should you choose?

Standalone car rental excess cover 

This is often the cheapest option for covering your car hire excess, especially for hire periods longer than one day. It also has the advantage of providing extra cover for items over and above what’s covered by your car hire contract.

Many of these items aren’t typically covered by the default excess waiver that comes with your rental car. Some of the extra items covered include:

• Headlights (covered by RentalCover)
• Key loss (covered by Prosura and RentalCover)
• Single vehicle accident (covered by Car Hire Excess and Prosura)
• Tyres (covered by Car Hire Excess, Prosura and RentalCover)
• Underbody (covered by Car Hire Excess, Prosura and RentalCover)
• Windscreen (covered by Car Hire Excess, Prosura and RentalCover).

Travel insurance

Both domestic and international travel insurance policies often contain cover for hire car excess. If you’re travelling overseas, travel insurance is essential, so if you already have good rental car excess cover in your travel insurance policy, you won’t need to shell out for additional cover.

If you’re travelling in Australia, domestic travel insurance can be useful for cancellation cover for high value trips, or protection of valuables like laptops and ski gear, as well as car hire excess cover. 

There are a few traps to keep in mind when relying on the car hire excess cover included in your travel insurance.

• If you only want cover for car hire excess, domestic travel insurance may be a good option for longer trips, but it can be an expensive option for short trips.
• It’s charged on a per person basis, so if you have more than one driver, you’ll need insurance for each person. 
• The rental car excess cover in your travel insurance will generally only cover things that are already covered by the car rental company. So for example, if the agreement you have with the car rental company excludes cover for things like tyres and windscreens, then the travel insurance rental excess may not cover those items either.
• We found some domestic travel insurance policies only cover car hire excess up to $5000 but the default excess for allcar hire companies we looked at is above $5000.

Credit card travel insurance doesn’t usually cover domestic car hire, but if you’re travelling internationally, many offer cover for rental car excess. Depending on the policy, it may only cover the cardholder, and there may be conditions for accessing the cover, such as paying for the car rental on the card.

The car hire company’s excess waiver product

The main advantage of forking over the extra cash to the car hire company to lower or completely waive the excess is you only have to deal with one company. All the paperwork is done with the car hire company, and if you’ve paid to waive the excess altogether, then you don’t have to dig into your own pocket at all if you do have an accident.

The car hire company may be friendlier after you’ve handed over the extra cash, but if you look at the standard excess cover, you could be forgiven for thinking their business model is partly based on getting you to pay extra to bring these alarming excess amounts down.

What to ask about your car hire excess cover

It helps to ask the rental agency a few questions before you commit to anything.

What is my excess liability under the rental agreement?

Ask your rental agency how much the excess is for the vehicle you’re hiring. This will help you determine how much excess cover you need. Keep in mind that the excess for luxury vehicles and 4WDs is often higher than for standard vehicles. 

Also ask if there are any situations where the excess may be higher, for example for younger drivers or single-vehicle accidents.

If you’re considering using a standalone car hire excess insurance product, ask them if they’ll cover any of the items that aren’t covered by your car rental agency.

What are the exclusions to the cover?

Usually there are two levels of excess reduction on offer. One that reduces your excess to something a little more reasonable, say $1500, and a more expensive option that will reduce your excess to zero. If you look at the fine print, there are more exclusions when only reducing your excess a small amount, but even if you pay to reduce your excess to zero, either through the car hire company or an alternative provider, you’re unlikely to have waived all of your potential expenses. There are usually exclusions to the cover, which means there will be scenarios where you’ll have no cover at all (and it’s not always possible to buy cover for such scenarios).

Typical exclusions are damage to windscreens and tyres, overhead and underbody damage, and damage to headlights.

When aren’t I covered by my car hire excess insurance?

It’s fairly standard among rental agencies and alternative third-party providers to hold you fully liable for damages (i.e. beyond the standard excess amount), if it occurs as a result of breaching the contract or as a result of an excluded activity.

Common rental agreement breaches include:

• disobeying road rules or being in contravention of any law
• driving in specified remote areas or outside any town or city limits in Western Australia or the Northern Territory between dusk and dawn
• driving on unsealed roads
• an unauthorised person driving the vehicle
• using the incorrect fuel type
• driving above the snow line during ski season
• driving under the influence of alcohol.

Your expenses in this case may not just be limited to damage done to the vehicle. You could also be held liable for expenses such as admin and towing fees. If the car is off the road as a result of damage, you may also be held liable for the loss of income to the rental agency while it’s being repaired.

What to do if you’ve damaged a hire car vehicle

If you’re unfortunate enough to have an accident in your rental vehicle, here are a few tips to keep in mind. 

• If there’s any damage that needs to be repaired, get an itemised receipt for the cost of repairs. If there is anything suspicious, challenge it. We’ve heard of cases where rental agencies have added on hundreds of dollars’ worth of extra ‘miscellaneous fees’ in addition to the repair costs. These charges were dropped when challenged.
• While it goes against Australian Consumer Law guidelines, rental agencies sometimes charge the maximum damage excess fee without a repair quote, or place extra charges on your card without first giving you a chance to dispute them. If this happens, you can try seeking a chargeback through your credit card company.

The post Is car hire insurance worth it? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

On this page:

• Travel insurance for car hire
• Travel insurance for mopeds and motorcycles
•  Tips for driving overseas
• Driving in Europe and North America
• Driving in Indonesia
• Driving in Thailand
• Driving in New Zealand
• Where to apply for an International Driving Permit

You can use an Australian driver’s licence in most countries you may travel to, but many countries will require you to also have an International Driving Permit, which is a United Nations-sanctioned translation of your Australian licence into nine different languages.

We look at a few other things worth knowing about driving abroad so you can cruise about town with ease.

Travel insurance for car hire

Travel insurance is a must when going overseas, and it can also save you a lot of money when hiring a car. Usually a car hire company’s insurance comes with a large excess and you might be charged a daily fee to decrease that excess to a more manageable amount. 

Most comprehensive travel insurance policies come with an excess waiver ranging from $3000 up to $10,000, which means you can avoid the additional daily fee.

The travel insurance policies offering the highest collision damage and theft waiver excess are:

• $10,000 – Flight Centre YourCover Plus
• $10,000 – NRMA Comprehensive
• $10,000 – Virgin Australia Travel Safe Plus 
• $10,000 – Webjet Travel Safe Plus 
• $8000 – AANT Premium
• $8000 – FastCover Standard Saver
• $8000 – FastCover Comprehensive
• $8000 – InsureandGo Gold
• $8000 – RAA Premium
• $8000 – RAC Comprehensive
• $8000 – RACQ Premium
• $8000 – RACT Comprehensive
• $8000 – RACV Comprehensive.

Be sure to check the ÌÇÐÄVlog n to find the excess waiver for car hire for over 60 single trip and annual multi-trip policies.

Can you drive a rental car across country borders?

If you’re planning to drive a hire car between countries, explain your itinerary to the car hire company when you make your booking enquiry. Many companies allow their cars to be taken across borders in some places, like Europe, but some will refuse for insurance reasons and you often get charged an additional fee.

Some companies don’t allow their cars on ferries, such as in between the South Island and the North Island of New Zealand, and some companies have restrictions on driving cars from Western Europe into Eastern Europe. 

Travel insurance for mopeds and motorcycles

While nearly all travel insurance policies include cover (or cover for an extra fee) for riding a motorcycle with an engine capacity of 125cc and above, cover for mopeds is harder to find. Cover is only available with a licence valid in the country you’re in, the appropriate Australian licence, and while wearing a helmet. 

The following policies include cover for mopeds with an engine capacity of 50cc or below, 125cc or below, and a motorcycle with an engine capacity of 125cc and above: 

• Go Insurance Go Plus and Go Basic
• InsureandGo Bare Essentials, Silver and Gold
• Tick Travel Insurance Top, Standard, Budget and Basic.

The following policies offer cover for an extra fee for mopeds with an engine capacity of 50cc or below, 125cc or below, and a motorcycle with an engine capacity of 125cc and above:

• AHM Comprehensive and Medical Only
• Allianz Comprehensive
• Bupa Comprehensive
• Cover-More Travel Insurance Basic, Comprehensive and Comprehensive Plus
• Flight Centre YourCover Essentials and YourCover Plus
• Medibank Travel Insurance Comprehensive, Medical Only and Multi Trip Comprehensive
• NRMA Essentials and Comprehensive
• Simply Travel Insurance Comprehensive
• Virgin Australia Travel Safe Plus International and Travel Safe International
• Webjet Travel Safe International and Travel Safe Plus International
• Worldcare Comprehensive.

 Tips for driving overseas

Driving overseas can be a great way to explore the countryside but it can also be dangerous, from confusing traffic laws and driving on the right-hand side to poor quality roads and the hustle and bustle on roads shared with pedestrians, carts, cattle and other livestock in some countries.

Conditions can be very different depending on your destination. For example, Norway, Estonia and Iceland are rated as the world’s safest countries to drive, while South Africa, Thailand and the USA are rated as the most dangerous ones according to international driver education company Zutobi.

Check local traffic laws and customs before driving overseas, as they may differ from Australian laws. If you breach a law, you could be charged an on-the-spot fine or even get arrested.

For example:

• While drink-driving is illegal almost anywhere and may void your travel insurance cover, limits vary and in some countries the limit is zero.
• In France, the speed limit in most city centres is 30km/h. 
• In India, if you’re driving in a car that has an accident, go straight to the nearest police station, especially if you hit a cow or pedestrian. You may become a victim of extortion or get attacked, even if you weren’t the driver.
• In Indonesia, if you’re riding a motorcycle, you’re often assumed to be at fault if there is an accident. You may have to compensate the other party even if the accident wasn’t your fault.
• In Italy, you must use headlights at all times on main roads outside urban areas, such as a highway.
• In Spain, you have to carry two red warning triangles and a reflective jacket and use them after an accident or breakdown.
• In the USA, if you’re pulled over by police, do not exit your car unless instructed to do so. Keep your hands on the steering wheel or where they can be easily observed. If the police officer asks for documents and they’re out of your reach, tell the officer where they are and wait for the officer’s acknowledgement before reaching to retrieve them.

Driving in Europe and North America

Driving in Europe

While many European countries recognise Australian licences, you need an International Driving Permit to be on the safe side. You need it in Italy and Spain, and in some other European countries, like France, it may be a requirement to rent a car.

In the UK, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta, vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road. In all other European countries, vehicles drive on the right-hand side. 

Driving in the UK and Ireland

If you’ve been in the UK for fewer than 12 months, there’s no need to get an International Driving Permit – you can drive with your Australian licence.

Road and traffic conditions are comparable to Australia, with vehicles driving on the left-hand side of the road.

Driving in the USA

Check the law in the state(s) you’ll be visiting to find out whether you can drive with your Australian licence, but be aware that some car hire companies will only rent to customers who have an International Driving Permit.

Speed limits and road rules vary between states. Also, check the weather and the availability of petrol stations before a long journey; you should be cautious of snowfall in mountainous and isolated areas and take extra water when driving through a dry desert.

If you get pulled over by police, stay calm and keep your hands visible to the officer at all times.

Vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road.

Driving in Canada

You must have your Australian driver’s licence as well as an international licence to drive in Canada. Check the weather before setting out on a trip and if you’re travelling in winter, make sure your car has snow tyres and that you’re prepared for heavy snowfall by carrying water, food and blankets. 

Vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road.

Driving in Indonesia

You must have your Australian driver’s licence as well as an international licence to be properly insured (and to avoid fines from police) when driving in places like Bali. 

It’s best to drive defensively. Roads can be congested and extremely hectic, with many drivers speeding and breaking the rules. Traffic accidents can escalate and you may be at risk of a violent assault. Driving in Indonesia is not for the faint-hearted!

Like Australia, vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Motorbike and scooter hire in Bali

Getting around on two wheels in Bali is a popular option for travellers, but it’s also a risky one. You’ll need an international motorcycle licence as well as your Australian motorcycle licence. By law you’ll also need a helmet. 

Be aware that standard travel insurance policies may not cover motorcycle or scooter accidents. Use our free tool to compare travel insurance policies and find cover that suits your needs.

Driving in Thailand

You’ll need an International Driving Permit as well as your Australian licence when driving a car or motorbike in Thailand. 

Thailand’s roads are one of the most dangerous in the world with very high fatality rates. Road accidents are common even in resort areas like Phuket, Pattaya or Koh Samui. Be especially careful during local holidays such as Songkran (Thai New Year).

Motorcycle and scooter hire is easy to find on the street in tourist areas, and most vendors are local small businesses. Make sure you never drive without a helmet. Motorcyclists are most at risk of accidents.

Like Australia, vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Driving in New Zealand

Hiring your own set of wheels is a great way to see New Zealand on your own schedule, particularly since many of the country’s best parts are well off the beaten track and may not be accessible by public transport.

There’s no need to get an International Driving Permit – you can drive with your Australian licence.

But prepare for longer travel times than in Australia, particularly in the mountains where roads may be narrow and unpaved. High winds and roaming animals may cause safety hazards, and heavy rain could lead to landslides. Be especially careful at railway crossings as they are often unfenced.

Like Australia, vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Where to apply for an International Driving Permit

You can get an International Driving Permit from the . It’s a translation of your Australian licence in nine languages: English, Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, Greek, German and Japanese.

As of November 2023, the cost is $49 plus postage. You can apply online and your permit will normally be delivered within three to five business days in metropolitan areas. 

For the application you need a passport style photo and a photo of the front and back of a valid physical driver’s licence.

If you’re in a hurry, applying in person in an office of your state’s motoring club could speed up the process.

• New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory – NRMA
• Queensland – RACQ
• Victoria – RACV
• South Australia – RAA
• Western Australia – RAC
• Tasmania – RACT
• Northern Territory – AANT

International Driving Permits are valid for one year. If you stay overseas longer than that, you may need a local licence. Some countries require that you get a local translation of your licence sooner than that, and in some cases you may even have to do a new driving test.

You’ll still need to take your Australian driver’s licence with you when going overseas. An International Driving Permit alone doesn’t count as a licence to drive.

The post What you need to know about driving overseas appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

Ease of use score

Ease of use accounts for 30% of the overall score.

We go through all the steps required to book a vehicle via a web browser, on desktop and mobile devices. We do not assess each company’s app. Regular customers aside, it seems unlikely that potential customers would download and install an app to book a vehicle when the service is also available through web browsers.

When assessing ease of use, we look at:

• entering a pickup location and rental details (duration, age, country of residence etc.)
• selecting a vehicle type and model
• the supplied information and level of detail
• the degree to which prices change from the advertised cost to the final payment (e.g. hidden fees or extras)
• payment options
• other available features such as member bonuses, flight information and discount codes.

Contract score

The contract accounts for 70% of the overall score.

This score is based on the level of detail in the rental car contract, the amount of information provided, and whether it’s delivered in language that’s easy for the average consumer to understand. 

When assessing contracts, we look at:

• ease of locating a complete copy of the rental contract on the website (rather than an abbreviated version)
• ease of understanding the contract, including layout, length and terminology used
• whether the rental company explains that their coverage is not the same as typical car insurance
• whether the company details pre- and post-rental inspection processes in the contract
• whether the contract clearly explains the length of time after the rental that damage or other charges can be made to the renter’s credit card
• other admin and usage specifications.

Collision Damage Waiver

Car rental companies don’t provide a lot of information about their Collision Damage Waiver (CDW, sometimes called a Loss Damage Waiver or an excess), so we haven’t scored it, but we have provided information for you to compare the typical level of cover for the car rental company’s cheapest available rental. 

When assessing this, we look at:

• specific mention of parts likely to be damaged, such as tyres, lights and windscreen
• specific mention of damage scenarios, such as single or multiple vehicle accidents or contaminated fuel and whether towing is covered
• specific mention of damage caused by natural disasters
• specific mention of loss or theft
• specific mention of underbody and overhead damage cover
• any additional coverage options.

Why we don’t recommend any car hire services

You don’t need to look far to find car rental horror stories. Damaged vehicles, dodgy contracts, outrageous additional fees billed to the driver once the car has been returned – these sorts of stories pop up in the news and on social media all the time. All the companies we reviewed had several aspects that could be improved whether that be annoying booking processes on your mobile, right through to poor coverage for damage meaning renters are left with hefty bills.

But in the past five years, car rental companies have been investigated for (and some have admitted to) anti-consumer practices. During that time, the ACCC has clamped down on the industry and even gone as far as to prepare on how to operate a car rental business under Australian Consumer Law. Yet we continue to hear negative feedback, and it’s usually directed at individual outlets or staff members.

Ongoing negative feedback means we will not be recommending any car rental services. However, people continue to use them, so we assess their performance and usability on the grounds that many ÌÇÐÄVlog members will likely rent a vehicle at some point in the near future.

The post How we assess car hire services appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.

But how you hire that home-on-wheels has changed in recent years. The commercial companies holiday-makers would traditionally turn to are now competing with peer-to-peer services – where people hire campervans, motorhomes and caravans directly from the owners. It’s a trend, unsurprisingly, that’s been dubbed ‘Airbnb on wheels’.

And given that one in five van owners use their van for fewer than seven nights of the year, it’s no wonder peer-to-peer services are booming right now. 

Avoiding pitfalls (and potholes)

Hiring that dormant van directly from its owner gives the owner a bit of income – and hirers  the chance of a cheaper campervan holiday than they otherwise might get from a traditional hire company.

But there are potholes along the road to avoid. In this guide, we steer you through what to expect from peer-to-peer hiring websites, costs you’ll pay, how these sites stack up against traditional hire companies, and everything else you need to know.

How does peer-to-peer campervan, motorhome and caravan hire work?

All the websites work in a similar way. You enter your holiday dates, pick-up and drop-off locations, the number of berths you want, and search for a vehicle that meets your needs.

You can also narrow your search to find the vehicles that have specific facilities and features you need, such as a shower and toilet, or the scope for bringing a pet. From there, you can browse the listings, which usually have photos, a description, a full list of the amenities and any other restrictions on booking (such as a minimum hire period, how many kilometres a day the owner allows, or whether you can take the vehicle off-road).

Some websites let you contact the owner to ask questions before booking or request a reservation to open up a conversation. The owner can accept or decline your booking, and to secure it you’ll need to make a down payment (usually the balance is due several weeks before you arrive to pick up your vehicle).

Why hire from a peer-to-peer website?

A commercial hire company such as Apollo, Maui or Britz typically has a fleet of vehicles in different sizes and models. They upgrade them regularly and make sure the vans are always of a certain standard: in other words, you know what you’re going to get.

Although there’ll always be a market for those who prefer the commercial option, some people are turning away from large corporations. Instead, they want nostalgia, a budget experience, or a #vanlife holiday that’ll look good on social media, such as Instagram. 

That’s where peer-to-peer websites come in. Hiring a stranger’s vehicle is a bit more of an adventure. You might stumble across anything from a lovingly restored vintage caravan to a near-new motorhome. Better yet, your dream home-on-wheels may be parked just around the corner from you! 

There are other pros and cons too:

Pros

• Potentially wider choice of vehicles
• Greater choice of vintage or personalised campervans
• May work out cheaper than using a traditional hire company.

Cons

• You can’t be sure of the age, quality and condition of the van until you actually see it
• You usually need to return the van to the place where you picked it up (big companies are more flexible)
• Standard inclusions and fees may change between websites, so you may find yourself poring over fine print. 

What are the costs of hiring from a peer-to-peer website?

There may be fees beyond the rental costs. Here’s what you can expect, bearing in mind that fees can vary between websites. 

Booking fee 

Charged by the website and often non-refundable.

Rental costs

These can range between $40 and $300 a night, depending on the age, size and condition of the vehicle you’re hiring. Owners set their own prices.

Security deposit or bond

A bond or security deposit will usually be taken or ‘frozen’ on your credit card a couple of days before the hire period starts (as with a hotel or hire car company). This cost can be high – up to $10,000 in some cases – but you may be able to lower it by choosing a more expensive insurance policy or accident excess package. 

At the end of your booking, the full amount should be refunded if there are no issues or claims. But if there is damage that needs to be repaired and paid for out of your bond, ask for an itemised bill for the costs. If there’s anything you’re not sure about, don’t hesitate to challenge it. 

Insurance

Some websites let you buy insurance through them with a third party. Others ask you to buy your own to cover you for cancellation or any other eventuality. You usually pay a certain amount a day on top of the hire costs. The more you pay, the less excess you pay if you need to make a claim.

Other fees

Some websites bundle fees into the hire costs (such as fees for booking, cleaning or service), whereas others itemise them separately. You may also have to pay extra mileage fees, late fees (if you don’t bring the van back on time), cancellation fees, credit card fees and more.

Are peer-to-peer websites cheaper?

Not necessarily, which may surprise some. As with any hire service, it really depends on what type of vehicle you’re after, how long you want it for and whether it’s peak or low season. 

We recommend cross-checking prices with a range of other websites and hire companies, traditional or otherwise, taking into consideration any security deposits. 

What to do if something goes wrong

No one wants to approach a holiday with worst-case scenarios in mind, but as with any kind of vehicle hire, things can go wrong. What happens if your campervan conks out midway to your destination, or you need to get some damage repaired? 

Some hire companies bundle roadside assistance into the cost of the booking (or the owner may pay for it). It’s worth checking if your booking has it, what it includes, and whether there’ll be extra fees if they have to come to where you are and arrange a tow. 

It’s also worth checking what liability insurance is on offer, if any, and what it does and doesn’t include. Make sure you read the fine print thoroughly for any buried catches and exclusions.

If you need to get any damage to the campervan repaired during your holiday, check what the process is. If you’re told to arrange repairs yourself, make sure you get an itemised receipt and challenge any dubious items that seem unrelated to the damage.

In the event of a breakdown and your vehicle being off the road in the middle of your holiday, ask how the company would handle this. Who, if anyone, would cover your accommodation costs? It’s important to know all this before you book

4 top tips for hiring a campervan

Here’s some advice for a smoother hire process. 

1. Do your own checks

Read the terms and conditions closely and check out reviews about the website or company on dedicated feedback sites such as Trustpilot, just to find out how incidents and disputes were handled in the past. Make sure you read your contract thoroughly so you know what you’re liable for if things go wrong. Look up your rights under the when it comes to hiring vehicles.

2. Take your time at pick-up

Peer-to-peer websites require you and the vehicle owner to complete some kind of departure form, handover report or pre-hire checklist at pick-up. Take time-stamped photos of the entire van inside and out, and photograph every page of the report for your records. It’ll cover you in case there’s a claim, bogus or otherwise!

3. Get to know your hired van

A good van owner should take you through how everything works, let you know of any niggles or nuances in some of the functions, and give you tips or even a quick driving lesson, so you’re all set by the time you hit the road. 

4. Check your driver’s licence is current and valid

Check the company’s T&Cs but in most cases, you’ll need to hold a full valid drivers license that isn’t subject to any restrictions or conditions. Also consider other issues such as not being able to drive a manual vehicle if your licence is automatic only. 

And be aware you’ll be adjusting your driving style – a campervan is longer, heavier and higher to drive than a car. You’ll find it’s slower to accelerate and to stop and parking can also be a challenge. 

Peer-to-peer campervan, motorhome and caravan hire sites compared

We look at the different features and costs of some of the main services in Australia.

Note: This is a general guide only – make sure you read the full contract and terms and conditions before hiring.

Camplify

One of the best-known websites in the market, Camplify has thousands of listings. You can search for everything from budget hires to pet-friendly ones.

Where in Australia it operates

ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA

Listings

6161 registered vehicles across Australia, NZ, Spain and the UK. 

Price range for listings

$40-300 a night.

Vehicle types

Caravan, motorhome, camper trailer, campervan, expander, 4WD campers. 

CampToo

Operates in a similar way to Camplify, with a website that’s easy to navigate and lays out the information, fees and terms clearly.

Where in Australia it operates

NSW, SA, QLD, VIC, WA, TAS.

Listings

1600 across Australia.

Price range for listings

Owners decide their own prices.

Vehicle types

Campervan, caravan, motorhomes.

³§³ó²¹°ù±ð²¹³¦²¹³¾±è±ð°ùÌý

This website features vans in Australia and NZ, and offers clear information on liability reduction, COVID policies and hiring for a one-way trip (if that’s what you’re after).

Where in Australia it operates

NSW, NT, SA, QLD, VIC, WA, TAS,

Listings

150 across Australia.

Price range for listings

Owners decide their own prices.

Vehicle types

Caravan, motorhome, camper trailer, campervan, expander.

The post Should you hire a campervan from Camplify or other rental marketplaces? appeared first on ÌÇÐÄVlog.