Loss & Damage Cover

What we refer to as 'Loss and Damage cover' is commonly referred to as 'insurance' by the public, and is perhaps the most confusing and least understood facet of the rental industry as far as clients are concerned. We trust the information and explanations given here go some way towards alleviating that confusion.

Loss and Damage Cover covers the vehicle itself for damage, including damage caused to other vehicles or property where the driver of the covered vehicle is at fault. This cover usually also cover against fire and theft, but not your personal belongings or goods being carried by the vehicle.

It is very prevalent in the vehicle rental industry to advertise that 'free insurance' is included in the daily rental rate. What you more than likely won't be told is that significant excesses apply! The size of the excess generally varies according to the age of the driver, the type of vehicle being driven and where it will be driven (on sealed roads or off road).

It is Meteor's policy to list our principal excesses on the face of our rental agreement so that our clients are fully informed before signing the contract.

Generally throughout the rental industry and certainly with Meteor Car & Truck Rentals, the size of the excess can be reduced via our 'Risk Reduction' pack, the details of which can be found further down.

Via our 'Risk Reduction' Pack our clients can cover against stone damage to the front windscreen and headlights (all vehicles) and puncture repairs to tyres (for the sealed road use of cars and mini buses only). Where this cover is taken advantage of a NIL EXCESS applies to these items.

While windscreen cover is generally available throughout the rental industry we believe we are one of the very few to include the headlights in this cover.

'CTP' is an abbreviation for Compulsory Third Party insurance.

This class of insurance is mandatory when registering any vehicle in the State of Queensland and provides cover for personal injury received as a direct result of a motor vehicle accident.

Our excesses before and after our 'Excess Reduction' option is applied is as follows:

DAILY RATES FOR OUR RISK REDUCTION PACK

(This option pack is mandatory for those clients wishing to settle by cash or debit card.)

VEHICLE TYPE	REDUCED EXCESS (as shown above)	WINDSCREEN & HEADLIGHT COVER (Nil excess)	DAILY FEE (Mt ISA)	DAILY FEE (TSV/CNS)
OFFROAD TRAILERS		N/A	$10.00	$10.00
ONROAD TRAILERS		N/A	$10.00	$10.00
CARS			$32.00	$22.00
MINIBUSES (7-14 Seat) & DELIVERY VANS			$32.00	$22.00
BUSES (22-25 Seat)			$37.00	$27.00
UTILITIES (4x2)			$32.00	$22.00
4WD's			$37.00	$27.00
TRUCKS			$37.00	$27.00

You need to be aware that most rental companies differentiate between single vehicle accidents and those involving another vehicle. The reason behind this is that in most cases it can be reasonably argued that single vehicle accidents are the result of driver negligence or lack of thought.

Some examples of causes of single vehicle accidents include:

• driving too fast in unfamiliar territory in an unfamiliar vehicle
• driving too far for too long without proper rest breaks leading to a lack of concentration or the driver falling asleep
• driving through the night when the chances of hitting an animal is greatest
• inexperience in driving a larger vehicle than usual, resulting in damage to the vehicle by cutting corners or driving under a low structure
• excessive speed on wet or gravelled roads
• the mistaken belief that a 4WD can traverse any terrain at any speed (they can't and they won't)
• the mistaken belief that vehicles (including 4WD's) can swim (the client is responsible for all damage arising as a result of water immersion).

While most reputable rental companies such as ourselves do set an upper limit on excesses applicable to single vehicle accidents (other than damage by water immersion), be warned that some companies expect you to pay for ALL damage arising from such an accident.

It is Meteor's policy to list our single vehicle accident excesses on the face of our rental agreement so that our clients are fully informed before signing the contract.