FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CAR RENTAL IN NEW ZEALAND

• Can I see the Rental Contract now please?
• Can I pick my car up at one location and return it at another location?
• Can I rent a car with a debit card instead of a credit card?
• What is a "drop off fee"?
• Do rental car companies provide or offer infant or child safety seats with my car rental?
• What if my driving record is less than perfect? Will they check for DUI's etc?
• Why do rental car rates change so often?
• Do rental car rates I'm given cover all of my costs?
• When renting a car should I accept the insurance offered by an agency?
• Do you need to be a certain age when renting a car?
• Are you required to have a credit card?
• Do credit cards offer car rental insurance or coverage?
• Do you allow for unlimited mileage?
• Does a weekly rate mean you need to keep the car for 7 days?
• On a weekly rental, if I need to keep my car more than 7 days, does my daily rate change?
• Does Scotties charge a lot for "additional drivers"?
• I'm from overseas, do I need an "International Driver's Permit/License"?
• Can I pick up the car at the airport?
• I am very rich and demanding and don't care how much I pay, I want a brand new car?
• How old are Scotties cars?
• What happens if the car breaks down?
• Is GST and other taxes included
• Can you provide Roof racks, ski chains, cellphone and child seats
• Can I take the car on the ferry between the North and South Island?
• Can I discount as I work for an airline or travel related organisation?
• What does the insurance cover
• Can I take the car from the airport?
• What happens if I breakdown?

Many rental car companies have downsized their fleets in the aftermath of 9/11. With the smaller supply of rental vehicles available, rates have naturally risen in the first half of 2002. Since many locations may be sold out for certain classes and vehicle types it's especially wise this year to reserve your rental well in advance of your trip.

Car rental rates can be more competitive than airline rates! They change frequently because of supply, demand and location availability. This may result in a great opportunity for savings on your trip. See our Snapshot Rate sections at many bnm.com airport pages for a sample of rates at a specific time and location.

Scotties offer child safety and infant seats for rent. Please be sure you reserve these ahead of time. They are usually NZ$25 per day.

If possible, reserve your car with a weekly rate to get the best deal. Weekly rates usually means keeping the car from 5-7 days. These rates can vary widely between agencies at the same location!

• Question: Can I pick my car up at one location and return it to another location?
  

  Answer: Yes, Scotties allows you to drop the car off in Christchurch and Wellington and Picton. Usually you will pay an additional charge. Be aware it usually works out much easier and cheaper to take the car on the ferry. One way costs are $150 Auckland to Christchurch and $75 Auckland to Wellington - check for specials.

• Question: Can I rent a car with a debit card instead of a credit card?

  Answer:No

• Question: What is a "drop-off fee"?

  Answer: A drop-off fee or charge is usually applied if you return the vehicle to a different location from where you picked up the vehicle. For example it can cost us $500 to get a vehicle transported from Christchurch to Auckland.

• Question: Do rental car companies provide or offer infant or child safety seats with my car rental?

  Answer: Yes - usually about $25 is charged just to cover the cleaning costs.

• Question: What if my driving record is less than perfect? Will they check for DUI's etc?

  Answer: Although most of the time they will not run a background check on your driving record you will need a valid drivers license.

• Question: Why do rental car rates change so often?

  Answer: Most rental car companies use a rate system called "yield management". This system is based on supply (availability) and demand. Rates can change by the day, hour and even minute based on these factors.

• Question: Do rental car rates I'm given cover all of my costs?

  Answer: Yes at Scotties the rates usually are all up, with no hidden extras. Insurance and unlimited km are included unless you have ben quoted a special rate.

• Question: When renting a car, should I accept the insurance offered by an agency?

  Answer: It depends. Find out before you leave what your personal or corporate auto insurance policy will cover since these insurance options are expensive. There's a good chance you're already covered for the collision risk. Some credit cards cover collision but it may only be a secondary coverage. In general many overseas credit cards will not cover the insurance in NZ but a few do. It is up to the hirer to ensure his card will provide coverage in New Zealand.

  Don't drive unprotected under any circumstance. If you are not already covered through an existing policy or charge card, buy the car rental company's collision and liability insurance. These allow the renter's financial responsibility for damage to the rented vehicle to be waived. There is generally a per day charge for this option. Most car rental companies do not provide primary liability with the rental.

• Question: Do you have to be a certain age to rent a car?

  Answer: Yes. Most agencies require that you at least be the golden age of 25. Exceptions: The good news is if you are under 25, but over 21 years of age, you may be allowed to rent at some locations. The bad news is that you will be charged an additional daily fee. Alamo, Dollar, Enterprise and Thrifty are some agencies that follow this policy at many of their locations. Other agencies may require that you are in the government, military or have a special corporate account to qualify under the age of 25. Many smaller local rental car companies allow drivers 21 years or older and some even allow drivers 18 years or older. Most require a young driver surcharge in these cases. Check first!

• Question: Are you required to have a credit card?

  Answer: For all practical purposes yes, although if you are a Corporate customer we can arrange an account. If you do not have a card the cash bond is NZ$1500.

• Question: Do credit cards offer car rental insurance or coverage?

  Answer: Some upper level cards (gold, platinum) will provide secondary collision coverage and in some cases primary collision coverage when renting a car if you do not have you own car insurance or when renting in another country. Secondary or excess coverage kicks in after your personal car insurance has been exhausted. These features can really be handy but may not apply to sport utility vehicles, luxury cars and some vans. Also their coverage may apply only to collision and not to other liabilities. Call you credit card company to find out for sure.

• Question: Do Scotties include unlimited mileage?

  Answer: Yes, unless you have asked for a mileage rate.

• Question: Does a weekly rate mean you need to keep the car for 7 days?

  Answer: The weekly rate for most rental car companies apply for rentals of 5-7 days. Some companies require 7 day rentals. If you think you'll need the car at least 5 days it's usually wise to book the weekly rate!

• Question: With a weekly rate, if I need to keep my car longer than 7 days does my daily rate change?

  Answer: Yes, extending your rental term almost always means a much higher rate for those "extra days". If you're not exactly sure how long you will need a car, it's better to reserve the car for a longer period and bring it back earlier.

• Question: How does Scotties run the petrol or gas levels?

  Answer: We run an empty to empty policy. In reality you usually get a tank with a quarter full, and when you return you are expected to return it with the same level.

• Question: Do companies charge for "additional drivers"?

  Answer: Scotties charge $20 each for the first 2 additional drivers and then it is free. This is a per hire charge. Many companies charge a daily rate but we only charge a per hire fee.

• Question: If I'm from overseas, do I need an "International Driver's Permit/License"?

  Answer: No you do not, your local license will be valid in NZ.

• Question:Can I pick up the car at the airport?
• Yes Scotties will have the car ready for you at the airport. You may drop the car at the airport with prior consent and you must pay $100 for the airport parking concession fee. We have free 24 hour parking close to the airport and transfers to the terminal.

• Question: I am incredibly rich and demanding and don't care how much I pay, I want a brand new car and I treat everybody like dirt?

  With all due respect I think you would be happier to rent from Avis or Hertz.

• Question:How old are your cars?
• We try and have an average age of about 3-6 years, but we keep our older cars that are ideal for our cheaper backpackers range, all vehicles have nationwide Automobile Association breakdown coverage. Special vehicles such as vans and trucks have a longer average age.

• Question:What happens if I break down?
• Our aim is to get you back on the road ASAP. Usually this will mean calling the local garage to assist you. We have a toll free 0800-RENTAL 24 hour helpline available for you. We also have nationwide AA (Automobile Association) breakdown cover.

• Question:Is GST included?
• In general no, we all have to pay our taxes, unless you have a special arrangement with the government. Our advertised rates are all wholesale cash rates aimed at NZ companies that are GST registered.

• Question:Does Scotties provide roofracks, chains and child seats?
• Yes we charge minimal amount for these items.

• Question:Can I take the car on the ferry?
• Yes, it actually works out cheaper and much more convenient than carrying all your luggage by hand on the ferry. We can also show you how to get the cheapest discounted ferry fares.

• Question:Discount?
• Yes, you probably can but you cannot combine discounts from several different sources.

• Question:INSURANCE?
• Under NZ law you are covered up to $2,000,000 with an excess of $3000. The is standard rental car insurance and is included in your rate. Extra insurance can be purchased which lowers your risk. A few credit cards cover the insurance excess. As far as we know only Diners Card offers full cover in New Zealand. Please check with your bank before you come to NZ

• Question: Can I take the car from the airport?
• Yes we will pick you up from the terminal. Please call us for after hours pickup information, we have several options you can choice from.

• Question: What happens if I breakdown?
• we have the tollfree 0800-RENTAL emergency 24 hour helpline. Our goal is to get you mobile again the quickest way possible. This usually means calling out the nearest service centre to assist you.