Terms & Conditions: Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Thrifty
Choose from the dropdown below for the Terms and Conditions of the Big Boy car rental companies (Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty). These are proper legal documents so be prepared for some wordy mumbo jumbo.
All are in PDF-format except for Hertz where you will be redirected to their website for online viewing of their Terms and Conditions.
Note: For easy and reliable price checks/bookings for these Big Boy companies, do have a look at the best sites for comparing car hire that we’ve carefully researched and handpicked.
| Extra Information on the Big Boys | |||||
| Avis | Budget | Europcar | Hertz | Thrifty | |
| Included km’s | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Standard Waiver | $2,915 | $2,750 | $3,850* | $3,300 | $3,300 |
| Additional Single Vehicle Accident Excess** | None | None | None | $2,200 | $2,200 (except in metro locations) |
| Excess Reduction | $26.40/day reduces to $330 |
$25/day reduces to $330 |
$26/day reduces to $385 (max. $313.50) |
$27/day reduces to $400 (excludes SVA) |
$27/day reduces to $385 (excludes SVA) |
| Additional Driver | Included | Included | $3.30/day (max. $23.10) |
$5.50/day (max. $27.50)*** |
Included |
| 21-24 Age Surcharge | $27.50/day | $16.50/day | $28.50/day | $27.50/day | $22/day |
| Baby Seats | $5.50/day (max. $55) |
$5.50/day (max. $33) |
$7.70/day (max. $77) |
$8.80/day (max. $61.60) |
$6/day (max. $55) |
| GPS | $10.95/day or $55/week | $10.95/day or $55/week | $10.95/day (max. $109.45) |
$11/day | $11/day (max. $110) |
| Updated April 2011. Best options are highlighted for your convenience. * Applicable regardless of who is at fault for the accident ** Single Vehicle Accidents (SVA) are where an accident doesn’t involve another vehicle, unless it is a parked vehicle *** Additional drivers with the same residential address as the primary driver are exempt This information is for standard cars and are indicative only. Terms for specialty cars, 4WDs, luxury cars, actual prices, as well as their availability could vary. Age and rental location may also cause costs to differ. Always double check them with your chosen company before committing. |
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Hi, some updates that may be useful:
Europcar – standard excess is now $3,850 and I think they have increased the excess reduction fees.
Many of the car hire companies also now levy a credit card surcharge:
Europcar – 1.65% for Mastercard, Visa & Amex (Higher for Diners)
Hertz – 0.8% for Mastercard, Visa & Amex (Not sure about Diners)
Thrifty – I think they also charge a fee, but I am unable to load their website at the moment
Additional Driver Fee – Hertz do not charge this fee to #1 Club Gold members (free to join in Australia)
Many of the companies also levy a Single Vehicle Accident excess in addition to the standard excess:
Hertz – $2,200
Thrifty – $2,200
This can be waived if you pay a higher excess reduction fee.
All excesses are 10-20% higher when car hired from an airport (amount is dependent on which airport).
Keep up the great work!
Hi, don’t pick up that ringing mobile phone; even at the lights.
Some rental agreements will regard holding a mobile phone while the engine is running as a breach of the agreement (full handsfree is a different matter).
Great work!
I have just found out after the 4th call to Europcar that the waived excess to zero really doesn’t mean zero in the event of an accident. If the accident involves roof damage or undercarriage damage I will be up for the whole amount of the damage despite paying an exobertant rate to reduce the excess to nil. Any suggestions to cover us in the event of a roll over or undercarriage damage?
Julie: Yup, such exclusions to the cover offered by car rental companies are typical. For this, you’ll want to get 3rd party insurance from the likes of iCarHireInsurance or Worldwide Insure. Their insurance policies will reimburse you for any amount you are liable for (up to the policy limit), including for damages to the undercarriage, windows and tyres. Not only that, their rates are very competitive – you might find you save some money rather than going with Europcar’s insurance! I suggest reading our article on car rental insurance to get a better understanding.