When should I book my vehicle?
For the high season months, it is advisable to book a couple of months ahead and in the low season at least a couple of weeks. If you are not that organized, try us anyway as we often have things change at the last minute.
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Do you guarantee vehicle type?
When you make your reservation, please let us know any additional requests you have. We do not guarantee a specific model within a vehicle category. If you have a preference please let us know. We cannot guarantee we will be able to meet your request, but we will do our best.
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What time do you open and close your offices?
Open 7 Days. Monday to Friday 8.00am – 5.00pm Saturday & Sunday 10am-3pm Pickups outside these times can be arranged for an extra fee. (Open on Christmas Day)
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What is the minimum number of days that I need to hire a vehicle?
For one way rentals there is a minimum of 20 days hire, though we are able to offer shorter one-way hires but a relocation fee will apply.
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What happens if I cancel my booking, or return the rental car early?
Cars
10% if a reservation is cancelled up to 30 days in advance. If cancelled 8-19 days prior then forfeit 25% of gross rental If cancelled 1- 7 days prior then forfeit 50% of gross rental If cancelled on day of pick up or no show then forfeit 100% of gross rental If the vehicle (car or sleeper van) is returned early for any reason whatsoever after travel has commenced then no refund is available.
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Are my credit card details safe?
Yes. A secure server is used when you are entering your credit card details.
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Is the vehicle insured?
All vehicles come with a standard insurance policy that covers you for any damage to the vehicle and third party and liability cover. There is an excess that applies and in most cases this is NZ$1,500 (depending on your age). We simply require a credit card imprint or a deposit.
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Can I reduce the insurance excess?
Yes, there are vehicle reduction options available (CDW- Collision Damage Waiver) which will reduce the excess you are liable for in the case of an accident or other vehicle damage.
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Are there any roads I am not insured to drive on?
Yes - roads north or Colville Township, roads to Ball Hut Mt Cook, Skippers Canyon in Queenstown and on 90 mile beach.
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Do I need snow chains in winter?
Generally you only need snow chains if you are going to be skiing in New Zealand. However, if you are travelling in the middle of winter and bad weather is forecast for an alpine pass that you may be traveling, then it may be handy to have chains. Chains are required by law to travel on the Milford Rd between July and October.
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Do you hire extra items?
Yes, we do have additional items for hire, such as GPS navigation systems, roof rack, bicycle rack and child seats.
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What side of the road do you drive on in New Zealand?
In New Zealand we drive on the left hand side of the road. The Land Transport New Zealand website has a page dedicated to informing overseas drivers about New Zealand driving laws. For more information, click on the following link. http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/overseasdrivers/driving-in-nz.html or have a look at our Driving in NZ page.
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What do your rates include?
Our rates include GST, Standard Insurance, 24 Hour AA Roadside Assistance and Unlimited Kilometres.
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How do I pay for my hire? And can I have a receipt?
We will gladly accept Cash, Visa, Mastercard and Traveller’s Cheques. A yellow copy of the contract is given to you upon completion of the paperwork and will show what method you used and also can be used as an invoice for tax purposes.
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Can I return my car early? Will I receive a refund?
You can return your car earlier than the stated end date on your contract, however we will not process a refund for the un-used days, a credit for the amount of un-used days will be kept on file for you to use against a car hire in the future. Available also to transfer to immediate family members. Please note the hire must be of greater value than the credit.
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Can I extend my hire?
There is a minimum of 72 hours required for extensions to your contract. Due to availability in high season we cannot guarantee any extension, but we will do our best to accommodate your request.
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If I cancel my hire after booking what are the procedures?
Any reservations made via the internet require a 10% deposit at the time of booking, this is a non refundable deposit.
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Do I have to pay a deposit when making a booking?
As mentioned above, we will take a deposit from you when you arrange the booking via the internet. Bookings that are made via the telephone will be secured with a credit card number only and full payment will be taken one day or one month (during the peak season) prior to your collection of your car.
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Can I use someone else’s credit card?
If you do not have your own credit card to hire the car you can use a family member’s or a friends card, a presign form must be signed as an authorization for us to use that particular card, we will require a copy of both sides of the credit card to verify the card holder’s signature scan through prior to your arrival or vehicle pick up.
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What do I need when I collect my car?
When you come to collect your car or the airport you will need a valid driver’s licence and a credit card for security.
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Can I hire a car if I do not have a credit card?
If you do not have a credit card, we will require a cash bond.
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Can I pick up or drop off a vehicle outside business hours? What is the procedure?
You can collect and return a car outside business hours, from airports in the major centres we will email you instructions on confirmation of a booking, please note this will incur parking charges for after or before opening hours pick ups. We can also arrange to presign paperwork with you to have your car waiting at your accommodation for your arrival. Vehicles can be left at the airports, hotels and motels 24 hours a day and we will explain drop off procedures with you on collection of your car. If you are returning to our depots we prefer you return during business hours where possible, however parking and key drops are available in Auckland and Christchurch.
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Do you offer free collection or delivery to accommodation and the airports?
Yes, we will gladly deliver your car to any accommodation within the city limits or to any accommodation out near the airports in Auckland. This does not apply to Suburbs in Auckland that are outside of the city centre, if you are outside these area’s please do your best to get to the central city and we can collect you from there.
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What if I am running late and can’t return the car at the stated time on the contract?
Please keep us informed if you are running late in returning the vehicle. After a second hour late you will be charged half a days rental, and after a third hour late you will be charged a full days rental.
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Do you offer one way hires?
Yes, we can arrange one way hires to and from our two locations, there are minimum hire periods in place, these are dependent on the time of year and your direction of travel. If no prior arrangement was made a relocation fee may apply.
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Can you guarantee an automatic or manual vehicle?
The majority of our fleet is automatic, however we do have some manual vehicles across a few car groups, if you would prefer a manual transmission please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
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What do I do if I have an accident?
If you are in the unfortunate event of an accident with your rental vehicle, we will ask that you do not admit liability to the other party in any circumstance, if you are unsure always obtain a police report that will help our insurance company to gauge who was at fault, we also have a complete form on the reverse of your rental agreement that will prompt you to ask the correct questions we need answered to make a claim on your behalf. All accidents must be reported to a ABC Car Rental the day it happens, you will also have to describe in writing on how the accident happened. We do not guarantee to replace the vehicle if you had an accident.
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What happens if I breakdown?
ABC Car Rental Limited provides a money back guarantee if you do breakdown we will repair or replace the car within 24 hours or you will receive your money back in full. This guarantee is to protect you against any mechanical problems that may incur during your hire. Our team of mechanics consistently do everything they can to make sure you have no problems. In the event of a breakdown we guarantee to have the problem resolved or totally replace your vehicle inside 24 hours. If we fail to keep this promise we will give you all of your money back. But if the breakdown was due to misused or reckless driving of the vehicle there will be no replacement or refund and your bond maybe forfeited to pay for repairs. The money back guarantee does not apply to vehicles under the HOT DEALS list.
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Can I take the vehicle across Cook Strait?
Yes, you can take our vehicles across the Cook Strait using the two major ferry companies. Bluebridge and Interislander. Ferry bookings can be arranged by representatives via email or telephone on your behalf.
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What is the minimum driver age?
The minimum driver age to hire a vehicle is 18 years.
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Can I drive on my overseas drivers licence?
We accept full valid driver’s licences from most countries. International driving licences are also accepted.
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Can I drive off road or on the beach?
Do not drive our vehicles off road or onto any New Zealand beaches. A minimum penalty of $2000 could apply.
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Are maps and tourist information available?
A road map of the North & Sourth Island will be provided.
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Can I smoke or bring my pet in the car?
For the comfort of all our customers we encourage NO SMOKING & NO PETS in all of our vehicles. A valet charge will apply, minimum NZ$150.00
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