Car Rental - What you need to know

If you are not familiar with renting cars, or have not done so recently, we strongly advise that you take the time to familiarize yourself with the topic. On this page we try to highlight the most important aspects of renting a car in South Africa. The international car rental companies operating in South Africa that we deal with do not differ substantially from their offices else where in the world, so you can expect mostly the same operating and contractual standards as those you experienced else ware in the world. Like everything else in life, unfortunately to understand car rental and our quotation, it will take a little of your time to read the rest of the page. The information we present you with here is by no means exhaustive, so please contact us with your remarks or queries.

Compulsory requirements to rent a car
The driver(s) of the cars MUST BE in possession of a valid drivers license. For ALL drivers traveling into South Africa a valid international drivers license is required.
The person responsible for doing the rental (the renter), and the driver(s) need not be the same person. The renter MUST BE in possession of a credit card In some cases for some group cars, the renter must be in possession of two different credit cards. Debit cards or cash or cheques, are NOT accepted. If you are not in possession of a credit card, let someone in your party that do have a credit card, become the renter. Without a valid license and credit card we will not be able to rent a car out to you.

The cars available for rental
All the cars are late models and less than one year old. Makes and models of the cars are of the popular and most reliable available from the local car manufacturers. The different cars are placed into car groups. This is typical group A, B, C and so on. In a group you may get different makes of cars but all with the same basic features. The paint color of the car that you might hire is unpredictable as all the current popular colors will occur in the fleet.

The daily rental rate
Rates are per 24 hours applicable to the rental period. For example, if your rental start today at 4pm (16h00), and you return the car by 4pm (16h00) or earlier, tomorrow you will pay for 1 days rental. Should you return the car by 10pm (22h00) tomorrow, you will pay for 2 days rental. There will also be some once off payments to be done applicable to the rental.

The length of the rental period
The period of the rental will determine the daily rate. There are 3 periods: 1 to 13 days, 14 to 30  days and longer than 30 days. The period rates may also have seasonal differences, like high, mid and low season.

Extras: What is included and excluded to our rate. * Detail listing *
Our Rates Exclude: Fuel deposit, non waiver able excess against damage and theft, additional driver charge, young driver surcharge, optional equipment, one way drop off charges, pickup and delivery fees, water and under carriage damage, and a contract fee, tyre and glass damage. If these charges occur they will be billed to you directly at the time of rental. This is important to note: No car rental company in South Africa ever include the following damages in any of the included covers or insurances: Water, Undercarriage, glass and any damage to tyres including punctures!! It is therefor in your own interest to personally make sure all things are in order when you take reception of the vehicle. It is sometimes possible to purchase additional insurance for these damages. By far the most rentals are done without the need for extra insurance, but if you are concerned about this aspect please let us know and we will quote you on this additional insurance.

Delivery and collection: This is charged for delivering or collecting the car from your place of stay. Please note, this must be arranged at least 48 hours before the delivery must take place. If you do not pickup or drop of the car at one of the national offices (like a airport) you will be billed as follows:

Young driver surcharge's: A surcharge of R100-00 per day for drivers 18 to 23 years of age, please note that young drivers must also be in posession of their license for a minimum period of 2 years.

Other Drivers: Our rate includes one driver 23 and older, for any additional of such drivers there is a R140-00 surcharge per driver per rental.
One way rentals: Where the pickup and drop off points for the car is further than 150 km apart there will be an one way drop of charge. On some routes this charge can be up to R800-00 per rental. If, for example you pickup the car at Cape Town International Airport and return it at Johannesburg (O R Tambo) airport, there will be a charge. This charge will be specified in your quotation.
Fuel deposit A refundable fuel deposit of R2000-00 is needed at the start of the rental. This is important to understand: A authorization of ZAR2000-00 will be taken on your credit card by the kiosk staff. This DOES NOT mean you have paid the amount, it is just held by the car rental company for the duration of the rental contract. When the rental terminate only the real expenses will be debited from your credit card.
Contract Fee A contract fee of R40-00 per rental is payable.
Optional equipment Equipment like infant seats, roof rack and extra spare wheels is available please inquire about the rates for such. Luggage trailers and vehicles with towages may also be available. Luggage trailers cost is R195-00 per day.
Certain events may lead to handling and other fees been levied.
Windscreen damage, Tyre Damage, water and undercarriage, no shows, and towing charges, may be charged for. For example, if you commit a traffic offense, there will be a R300-00 admin fee AND the traffic fine for your account.

Our Rates include: Damage waiver, theft waiver, personal accident insurance, unlimited kilo meters , airport surcharge, tourism levy, value added tax at 14%, and a traveler's companion. This is all that is included in the rate you pay ZilwerWind.com.

The Insurance
Super Cover is the only insurance we provide, and there is no excess to be paid, for international (other that South African Passport holders) passport holders. Please also be aware of the fact that you can not decline any insurances. It is not possible no matter how you pay. Insurance items or claim related related events will attract a admin fee of R450-00 Certain driver behavior and or actions may negate ALL cover.

General
Cars can be picked up or dropped off anywhere in South Africa, and may not cross any international border without that being arranged well in advance. You receive the car fueled up and if you do not return if full, it will be filled up again at your cost. Upon return ALL vehicles are physically checked for the amount of fuel in it, even if just 1 litre of fuel is pumped, it will be for your account.
We present you with real situations and most of the facts, because we believe that not only the enticing bits should be put up front.
* Typical terms *

Reservations Click Here Else,
You can make your reservations with us, we will get all the necessary information from you at that time. Seasons and other national and international events have a dramatic impact on the availability of visitor facilities in South Africa, and we therefor recommend you let us do your reservation as soon as possible. Once ready, we will issue you with the voucher so you can get the car as per the arrangement.

Methods of Payment
For our services, we require a deposit to confirm the reservation and the balance payment 14 days prior to you leaving your home and country. When the booking is done shorter than 1 month before the rental start the full rental is payable upon booking. ONLY the RENTAL is paid to us, ALL other cost will be paid directly to the car kiosk staff. We DO NOT accept payment, by credit cards. From most countries in the world you can use AfriPay It is fow ever far beter and quicker if you do you booking online your self. This way you do the entire transaction with the kiosl staff during the start of the rental. Book NOW! - click here> All quotations and services we provide is subject to our standard terms and conditions for Quotation and Services as available at Terms Page

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ZilwerWind.com  Car Rental Rates and booking:
If you want to view rates and/or book online NOW Click Here OR
if you want even better rates for (non casual) regular renting please contact us. Email now: car.rental@zilwerwind.com