Terms & Conditions

Hasset Car Rental agrees to rent the vehicle, and the Hirer agrees to take on the rental, on the terms set out in this agreement. The Hirer and any Cardholder (if different) are jointly and severally liable for all obligations under this agreement.

The hire term starts and ends at the times set out in the booking. Where a vehicle is returned outside of office hours, the Hirer remains responsible — including any applicable after-hours fees and any damage — until a Hasset Car Rental representative has checked the vehicle back in.

Hasset Car Rental may amend the rental agreement at or before pick-up to update the vehicle's registration or, where reasonably necessary, substitute an equivalent or better vehicle.

The full amount specified in your booking must be paid at or prior to pick-up. Hire charges are calculated on a per-day (24-hour) basis. If the vehicle is returned less than 4 hours into the final day, you'll be charged 25% of the daily rate per hour; if 4 hours or more, the full daily rate applies.

The following additional charges may also apply:

• Additional driver: $20 per named additional driver.
• Insurance excess: Applicable amount per damage instance (see Section 8).
• Lost/damaged accessories, keys or key cards: Current retail replacement cost.
• Smoking or vaping in the vehicle: Approx. $400 grooming fee.
• Excessively dirty vehicle: Reasonable cleaning and deodorising costs.
• Sand or water damage: Repair costs from $2,000 minimum; full cost in the case of significant damage or write-off.
• Total Road Care: Covers AA roadside assistance, road tolls and admin fees, unlimited kilometres, and all government road taxes (registration and road user charges).
• Late return (up to 4 hrs): 25% of daily rate per hour (first hour free).
• Late return (over 4 hrs): Full daily rate per day, plus a one-off $250 late fee.
• Infringement notices: Full penalty amount plus a $60 administration fee.
• Wrong return location: Relocation costs typically $625–$2,500.
• Credit card processing: 2% (Visa, Mastercard, WeChat, Alipay); 4% (Amex, JCB). All fees subject to GST.
• Overdue payments: Interest accrues at 10% per annum on unpaid balances.

You authorise Hasset Car Rental to deduct any costs or charges payable under this agreement from your credit card during or after the hire term. We will endeavour to contact you before making any non-rental deductions.

If any amount remains unpaid after 14 days, Hasset Car Rental may recover the reasonable costs of collection, including debt collection agency fees, legal fees, and any chargeback-related costs such as payment gateway fees and currency exchange charges.

The vehicle may only be driven by persons named as an Authorised Driver on this agreement. Each Authorised Driver must:

• Be at least 21 years of age (25 years for EV hire).
• Hold a current, valid full driver licence appropriate for the vehicle.
• Be present at pick-up with their physical licence (or a verified digital licence at our discretion).
• If the licence is not in English, provide an approved NZ Transport Agency English translation.

You must:

• Take all reasonable care when handling and parking the vehicle.
• Keep the vehicle securely locked when not in use.
• For hires over 21 days, maintain recommended levels of water, coolant, oil and tyre pressure per the owner's manual.
• Ensure all authorised drivers are aware of and bound by these terms, and carry their licence while driving.
• Notify us as soon as practicable of any breakdown or damage.
• Keep a copy of this agreement in the vehicle throughout the hire term.
• Drive and care for the vehicle responsibly at all times.

You must not:

• Smoke or vape in or around the vehicle.
• Permit any animal in the vehicle.
• Tamper with any mechanical aspect of the vehicle.
• Sublet or hire the vehicle to any other person.
• Operate the vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Use the vehicle in any race, speed test, rally or contest.
• Operate the vehicle in breach of the Land Transport Act 1998 or related rules.
• Carry more passengers or exceed the gross vehicle mass specified in the certificate of loading.
• Tow or propel any vehicle beyond the recommended tow limit.
• Use the vehicle for a passenger service for hire or reward without prior written consent from Hasset Car Rental.

Hasset Car Rental will supply all vehicles in a safe and roadworthy condition, up to current Certificate of Fitness standards.

We may cancel this agreement and immediately repossess the vehicle if:

• You breach any material term of this agreement.
• You cannot provide a driver licence, credit card or bond in your name.
• The vehicle was obtained through fraud or misrepresentation.
• The vehicle appears to be abandoned or is not returned on the agreed date.
• The vehicle is damaged or at risk of damage.
• We have reasonable grounds to believe the driving poses a danger to any person.

No refund of rental charges will be provided following repossession. If repossession is due to dangerous driving, we may share your personal information with other rental operators to promote safe driving in New Zealand. If Hasset Car Rental is unable to fulfil its obligations due to a Force Majeure event, our obligations will be suspended for the duration of that event.

You are liable for, and must pay upon demand:

• Any loss of or damage to the vehicle, accessories, spare parts, or third-party property to the extent required by this agreement.
• Any consequential damage, loss or costs incurred by Hasset Car Rental, including salvage costs and loss of re-hire revenue.

Hasset Car Rental is not liable for any action, claim, demand, loss, damage, costs, harm or misadventure arising from the rental, possession, use or misuse of the vehicle.

Unless you arrange your own insurance (see Section 10), the vehicle will be insured under a policy from a company licensed in New Zealand under the Insurance Prudential Supervision Act 2010. Hasset Car Rental manages this insurance and reserves the right to determine whether to claim under the policy. Your liability is covered to a maximum of $10,000,000.

At booking or pick-up, choose from the following insurance excess options:

Each option carries a separate daily charge for the full hire term. The applicable excess is payable in the event of any accident or damage. Release of any pre-authorised bond may take up to 10 working days (or longer for some overseas banks).

If the cost of repair is less than the excess paid, we will credit the difference back to your card. If liability is disputed, you may be required to assist in resolving the matter, including attendance at a disputes tribunal.

The following are not covered by the offered insurance. You will be fully liable for all associated damage and costs:

• Loss or damage to hired accessories or personal belongings.
• Vehicle bogged or immovable due to off-roading or operating outside a formed road.
• Roof damage from entering low-clearance structures or standing on the roof.
• Failure to act on warning lights or comply with vehicle warnings.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Operation by a person who is not an Authorised Driver, or who is disqualified or in breach of licence restrictions.
• Wilful, reckless or dangerous behaviour by the Hirer or any Authorised Driver.
• Operation on restricted roads: Ball Hutt Road (Mt Cook), Skippers Road (Queenstown), Ninety Mile Beach, Te Paki Stream Bed, the road to Macetown, or any unformed road, beach, or track not officially designated a road (including gravel roads).
• Operation beyond the hire term.
• Overloading passengers or exceeding manufacturer weight specifications.
• Damage from submersion or exposure to salt water, including crossing creeks, rivers or flooded fords.
• Damage from incorrect fitting of snow chains, ski/snowboard or bicycle racks.
• Damage caused by items carried inside or outside the vehicle (e.g. surfboards, bicycles).
• Incorrect fuel, fluid or charging.
• Material breach of any other term of this agreement.
• Vehicle warranty voided or ceased by the manufacturer due to the hirer's actions.

Note: Section 2 of the Insurance Law Reform Act 1977 applies — claims cannot be denied on the basis of an exclusion if the excluded circumstances did not cause or contribute to the loss.

You may arrange your own insurance, provided you supply a copy to Hasset Car Rental and it is approved by us prior to pick-up. If we are not satisfied that your insurance is comparable to our policy, we may decline to hire the vehicle. Where your own insurance is used, you accept full liability for all losses, costs and damages set out in this agreement.

All vehicles are registered with the AA for 24-hour roadside assistance (or Tesla Roadside Assistance for EV hire). The Total Road Care fee covers all mechanical and non-mechanical call-outs.

• Mechanical breakdown (not your fault): The service provider will refund the call-out fee (e.g. engine, electrical or cooling faults).
• Non-mechanical breakdown (your fault): If you have purchased Total Road Care, towing is covered up to the first 100 km. Without Total Road Care, you are liable for all call-out and towing costs regardless of distance.

If a warning light appears, stop driving immediately, contact the service provider, and notify us as soon as practicable. If the vehicle becomes unfit to drive through no fault of yours, we will refund rental charges for the period the vehicle was unusable and arrange repair or replacement as soon as practicable.

Do not arrange repairs without our prior authority, except to prevent further damage. Authorised repair costs will be reimbursed on presentation of an invoice or receipt.

In the event of any accident or damage, you must:

• Notify Hasset Car Rental of the full circumstances as soon as practicable.
• Complete all required paperwork within 48 hours of hire termination.
• Notify the NZ Police and obtain a police report where practicable.
• Not make any admission of liability.
• Take photos of the accident site and damaged vehicles where possible.
• Record the full details of all parties, witnesses and vehicles involved.

If you were not at fault and the vehicle is rendered unfit to drive, we will arrange repair or a replacement vehicle as soon as practicable. If fault cannot be determined, we are not obliged to refund any unused hire term, and repair or replacement is at our sole discretion.

If the vehicle is stolen, report it to us immediately and attend a police station in person to provide a signed statement and obtain a police report. Surrender all keys to the nearest Hasset Car Rental location.

You are liable for all penalties, fees and fines incurred during the hire term, including speeding, traffic, toll, parking, and freedom camping offences. We will forward infringement notices to you within 10 working days of receipt.

• Unpaid toll reminders: We will pay outstanding tolls on your behalf and recover the amount plus a $130 administration fee per notice from your card.
• Offence transfer: We will transfer liability for any offence to you and may charge a $120 administration fee for doing so.

You have the right to challenge any alleged offence with the relevant authority within 56 days of the infringement notice, or 28 days of a reminder notice.

Extensions must be agreed with Hasset Car Rental at least 24 hours before the end of your hire term and paid in advance. All extensions are subject to vehicle availability, and the daily rate at the time of the extension request will apply.

• Up to 4 hours late: 25% of the daily rate per hour (first hour free).
• More than 4 hours late: Full daily rate per day, plus a penalty of up to $250 per day for any unauthorised extension.

• Returned less than 48 hours early: No refund.
• Returned more than 48 hours early: A partial refund applies after retaining 48 hours of the hire term plus 10% of the remaining term as a cancellation charge, and a refund administration fee of 10% of the balance. The remainder will be refunded to your card.

Any amendment to your booking must be approved by Hasset Car Rental. We reserve the right to recalculate the rental rate based on current rates at the time of amendment, and are not obliged to reduce rates to match cheaper rates found elsewhere after booking.

All refunds are subject to an administration fee of 10% of the refund amount or $20 (whichever is higher). Online cancellation refunds are subject to a 2% administration fee.

We collect your personal information to assess your rental request, complete this agreement, and for related purposes including customer service, safe driving promotion, and customer satisfaction assessment. With your consent, we may also use your information for direct marketing.

Your information may be disclosed to related companies, agents, credit reporting agencies, government agencies (e.g. NZ Transport Authority, Motor Vehicle Register, PPSR), the Ministry of Justice, debt collection agencies, your credit card provider, infringement authorities, and other rental operators where permitted.

All vehicles may be fitted with GPS tracking. You consent to Hasset Car Rental using GPS tracking data during the hire term, including disclosing that data to authorities if the vehicle is stolen.

For further information, see our Privacy Policy.

• All transactions are in New Zealand dollars. Hasset Car Rental accepts no liability for exchange rate or bank charge variances.
• Your rights under this agreement are in addition to those available under applicable consumer legislation, including the Consumer Guarantees Act and the Fair Trading Act.
• Refunds will be processed within 15 working days.
• If any part of this agreement is found to be illegal or invalid, the remaining provisions remain in full force.
• This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior representations and understandings, whether oral or written.