Scotties Rent A Car New Zealand‎ information

Scotties Rent A Car New Zealand‎ all began in 1987 when Keith and Annie Scott were the first start a budget car rental company in Auckland. Prior to this the only real choices were Avis and Hertz.

Scotties was an instant hit with travellers to New Zealand wanting a reliable rental car at the lowest possible rate.

Many things have changed in the following 20 years but everybody still wants a great deal on their car rental in New Zealand.

We have a good range of vehicles from brand new to cars for backpackers driving around New Zealand. Since starting out Scotties has expanded the hire car service to agencies in Auckland, Gisborne, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstrown.

Car rental in Christchurch is the South Island hub and is a major service base for South Island car rental.

All staff have toured around New Zealand and can give accurate travel information to get anywhere from the Auckland Museum to the ski fields around Queenstown.

If there is a problem, Scotties staff have the knowledge and authority to deal with it quickly, unlike international corporations who have get permission from New York to change a tyre!

Scotties has the highest safety standard and the lowest mechanical callout rate in New Zealand and you can be very confident when you call us for your rental car in New Zealand you will get the best car rental deal in New Zealand.

We are very excited about our top ratings in the latest issues of the prestigious Moon Handbook of New Zealand, Footprint Guide to New Zealand, Lonely Planet and Frommers - "Best service of any rental car company" and "For reliability Scotties is the best".

Scotties Rent A Car New Zealand‎ Rental Terms

The base rental rate includes the following:
- Breakdown Assistance
- Airport fee $25.00
- Unlimited mileage
- GST

Hours of Operation:
Pick up 0600 - 2000hrs
Drop off - 24 hours

Drivers Age : 25 to 99 years
Young Drivers Age: 21 to 24 years

Drivers License
Drivers must hold a full license for minimum 1 year with no major endorsements.
Additional driver (no need to prebook)
Charge per additional driver: NZD20.00

Coverage / Insurance
All vehicles carry third party and full comphensive insurance cover with an excess of $3500.00. This is included in the daily rate. Full comprehensive insurance is included in your rate.

Please note that this standard insurance offers cover for multi-vehicle accidents ONLY. The excess can increase to up to $5000.00 in the case of a single vehicle accident.

Damage Excess Reduction: NZD12.00 per day (plus GST) - reduces excess to NZD500.00.
Complete Cover Package (excess reduction): NZD30.00 per day (plus GST) - reduces excess to $0.00 (NIL)
Note that this excess reduction cover ONLY reduces the excess for multi-vehicle accidents.
NB: Young drivers (21 to 24 years) must take excess reduction

Under NZ law you are covered up to $2,000,000 with an excess of $3500.00. This is standard rental car insurance and is included in your rate. Excess reduction cover can be purchased which lowers your liability. A few credit cards cover the insurance excess. As far as we know only Diners Card offers full cover in New Zealand.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that clients ensure they take out the highest level of travel insurance. In many cases this will cover any losses incurred if you are forced to cancel your booking.

Payment
An initial non-refundable deposit will be secured at the time of booking confirmation. Accepted credit cards are Visa and Mastercard (transaction fee of 1.75% applies).

The balance is due on collection of the vehicle - accepted forms of payment are Visa, Mastercard, Cash or bank deposit.
Driver must have one of the following when collecting vehicle: Mastercard credit card, Visa credit card.

Voucher
You must produce your voucher on arrival at rental counter.
Failure to give the Rental Agent your voucher means we can not be held responsible for any additional charges.
No refunds will be entertained unless agent has received voucher from renter.
Please note: We are not responsible for overcharges on rentals where the voucher was not presented to the local agent on collection of the vehicle

Fees
Airport Fee: Included in base rental rate

Fuel Policy (fuel is NOT included in the rental price)
Return same level as supplied.

Mileage Policy
UnlimitedTax Rate
12.5%

Cancellation Policy
The initial deposit is non-refundable, the following charges will also apply:
No penalty with 6+ days notice
5 days or less (incl. no show): incurs fee of equivalent of 2 days rental rate

Road Restriction
All beaches are prohibited

Pet and Smoking
Pets are allowed as long as the vehicle is returned clean or a cleaning fee applies. Smoking is prohibited or a cleaning fee applies.

Conditions of Optional Extras
Please note that the charges for additional extras are subject to change without notice.

FAQ
Can I pick my car up at one location and return it to another location?
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:
- Auckland to Christchurch $200
- Auckland to Wellington $140
- Christchurch to Auckland $50
- Wellington to Auckland $50

Can I rent a car with a debit card instead of a credit card?
No

What is a 'drop-off fee'?
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.

Do rental car companies provide or offer infant or child safety seats with my car rental?
Yes - Infant child seat, $25.00, child toddler seat: $25.00 - on request and not included in base rental rates shown.

What if my driving record is less than perfect? Will they check for DUI's etc?
Although most of the time they will not run a background check on your driving record you will need a valid drivers license.

Why do rental car rates change so often?
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.

Do rental car rates I'm given cover all of my costs?
Yes at Scotties the rates usually are all up, with no hidden extras. Insurance, GST (tax) and unlimited kms are included.

Are you required to have a credit card?
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 also NZ$3500.00.

Do credit cards offer car rental insurance or coverage?
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.

Do Scotties include unlimited mileage?
YesHow does Scotties run the petrol or gas levels?
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.

Do companies charge for 'additional drivers'?
Scotties charge $20.00 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.

If I'm from overseas, do I need an 'International Driver's Permit/License'?
No you do not, your local license will be valid in NZ.

How old are your cars?
We try and have an average age of about 3 years, but we keep older cars that are ideal for our cheaper backpackers range.

GST included?
In general yes all taxes are included in the quoted rate.

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

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 help you get discounted ferry fares.

Insurance?
Under NZ law you are covered up to $2,000,000 with an excess of $3500.00. The is standard rental car insurance and is included in your rate. Excess reduction cover can be purchased which lowers your liability. 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.

What happens if I breakdown?
We have a tollfree, 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.

Terms of booking on this website

Information disclaimer
The rates on this website are often heavily discounted. This is due to our negotiated rates and bulk buying power. On very rare occasions, a rate may be displayed incorrectly due to our, or a vehicle supplier's error. In such a case, if you book with us at a quoted rate that is incorrect, we will notify you of any price change and give you the option to proceed or cancel. We make every effort to keep information on our site up to date, but we cannot guarantee this website is free of errors or omissions and retain the right to update or change the information published at any time.

Liability
To the extent permitted by law we/the owners of this website will not be liable to you or to any third party (whether in contract, tort, or otherwise) for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage (including but not limited to any accident, injury, delay or loss of enjoyment) arising out of your reliance upon information contained on this website, including but not limited to your use (or inability to use) any products or services described or procured through this website.

When you pick up your vehicle, you will be required to sign a rental agreement with the supplier of the vehicle. Your rental and use of the vehicle will be governed by the terms of the rental agreement and any other documentation or information provided to you by the supplier at the time you pick up your vehicle. The rental agreement is between you and the supplier and we will not be liable to you or to any third party in relation to the terms of the supplier’s rental agreement or any other documentation provided to you by the supplier at the time of pick up.

While we will make reasonable efforts to ensure we are representing only reputable suppliers, we make no warranty about the fitness or suitability of any third party (supplier) product or service and will not accept responsibility for the quality or fitness of any vehicle. We welcome feedback from our customers on their experience with our suppliers. We may, at our discretion, provide you with reasonable assistance in resolving any dispute you may have with a supplier.

Our total liability to you in relation to your use of this website and the information contained on this website will not exceed the dollar amount of the deposit we have received from you in relation to your booking/rental. Refunds will not be made for bookings cancelled due to inclement weather. Again, we strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance. Your use of this website is governed by the laws of New Zealand and the jurisdiction of the New Zealand courts.

Booking information
To make a booking you must complete our booking form which is easy to follow and secured with the latest encryption technology. Once we receive your form, we will, subject to availability, confirm your booking by emailing you a confirmation voucher and invoice. The deposit required to secure your vehicle (as shown on the secure booking page) will only be processed on your credit card when your booking is confirmed. Please note that a 1.75% credit card charge will be added when your payment is processed.

A booking is confirmed when you have been emailed a confirmation voucher and at this stage the deposit is processed on your card and becomes non-refundable and any cancellation fees stated in the supplier's terms apply. Upon receipt of your confirmation, please check your details carefully and notify us immediately if there are any incorrect details, as it may not be possible to make changes at a later date.

If you are booking via phone, please make sure you have read the terms and conditions of the vehicle you wish to rent first. Our reservations consultant will ask you if you have read the terms and agree to them before proceeding. The onus is always on the renter to ensure they make themselves fully aware of the terms displayed on our website.

Information disclosure
In booking on this website you acknowledge that we disclose your information to your selected Supplier in order to provide the requested rental services.

Amendments
Please note that some suppliers treat an amendment as a new booking and apply the rate current at the time the amendment is made to recalculate the entire booking amount (not just the days changed). If the rental period is increased, an additional deposit may be required. If the rental period is shortened which results in a reduction of the rental charges, the deposit amount will remain unchanged, and the difference between the original and revised deposit is forfeited (it cannot be used towards remaining rental charges). To request a change to a confirmed booking, please use the alterations request link on your confirmation. Any alterations are subject to availability and the approval of the supplier. In addition to the alteration policy of the supplier stated in their terms, the following charges will apply:
Car rental alterations (all charges stated in local currency):
To change dates or times that result in a recalculation of rental rates, or to change vehicles or locations: 25.00
To add or remove extras to/from a confirmed booking: 10.00
Motorhome rental alterations (all charges stated in local currency):
To change dates or times that result in a recalculation of rental rates, or to change vehicles or locations: 75.00
To add or remove extras to/from confirmed booking: 20.00
The alteration fee will not be charged if your alteration request is not possible.

Vehicle Capacity and fitness to drive
Under no circumstances are you permitted to carry more passengers than the vehicle you rent is legally registered to carry, and if you do your insurance may be invalidated. The number of seatbelts (and passengers) is indicated next to each vehicle on this website. Luggage capacity where shown is an indication only and we will not be responsible should you be unable to fit your entire luggage into a vehicle. It is your responsibility to choose a journey that is within your capabilities. A vehicle supplier can refuse to rent a vehicle to any person who is in their opinion unfit to drive or does not meet eligibility requirements. In such circumstances we will have no further liability to you.

Amendments
Amendments after your booking has been confirmed will incur an administration charge of $25 for motorhome rentals and $15 car rentals. Please note that some suppliers treat an amendment as a new booking and apply the rate current at the time the amendment is made. If the hire is increased, an additional deposit may be required, while reduction in rental periods may reduce the total, but the deposit amount will remain unchanged.