{"id":96,"date":"2019-12-07T04:22:00","date_gmt":"2019-12-06T15:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.backpackerboard.co.nz\/blog\/?p=96"},"modified":"2020-01-18T06:16:12","modified_gmt":"2020-01-17T17:16:12","slug":"how-to-rent-campervan-new-zealand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.backpackerboard.co.nz\/blog\/how-to-rent-campervan-new-zealand\/","title":{"rendered":"What You Need to Know When Renting a Campervan in New Zealand"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sometimes it would appear the gods of travel tailor-made New Zealand with the road-tripping adventurer and camping-passionate in mind. Here is a stunningly natural world, empty of people for vast stretches, just waiting to be explored, with all kinds of natural gems tucked well away in the country’s nooks and crannies; most of the best far from any public transport links<\/a>. This is where renting a campervan can come into it’s own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VIEW POPULAR rental companies >><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Campervans for sale in nz >><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Such bodies as the Department of Conservation embellished Mother Nature’s canvas by providing idyllic camp-sites in the middle of nowhere and 1001 companies rushed to bring all kinds of adventure and unique experiences to those with a nomadic spirit. Little wonder then that getting hold of a camper van<\/a> and hitting the road to freedom and exploration is so very, very popular here. Here are a few things you should know: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Driving licence requirements and age restrictions <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To drive legally in New Zealand you only have to hold a driving licence from your own country (unless you have been in the country for more than 12 months in which case you have to convert your licence to a New Zealand one). No rental company is going to hire a vehicle to you without seeing your licence and it is a legal requirement to have your original licence with you at all times when driving. If you do need to convert your driving licence then read our article<\/a> on how you can easily do that.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of the camper van rental companies<\/a> will accept drivers from 18 years old and up but there are some which have a minimum age of 21. You also need to be aware that where the insurance side of things is concerned you are likely to pay higher rates if you are aged between 18-21. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Insurance matters <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most rental companies will have a few options on the insurance front, all of which are linked to the amount of excess you agree to pay and will be liable for in the event of an accident. In most cases you can just go with the basic insurance included within your daily rental price \u2013 nothing extra to pay – but you need to be very aware this will typically attract a HUGE excess should you be involved in an accident. Under these conditions you could be liable for anything up to NZ$5000.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other insurance options will reduce this excess rate on a sliding scale down to zero; the lower your excess, the higher will be your additional daily rate to pay. In most cases, for an excess in the realms of NZ$0-NZ$250, you will have to pay around an extra $25-$35 per day. These amounts are often capped so you won’t pay beyond a certain amount no matter how long you hire the vehicle for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Driving is different in NZ<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

And just in case you’re thinking right here what a great driver you are and that this will never happen to you, you might like to know insurance in New Zealand works a little differently to that which you might be used to. Insurance isn’t compulsory here which means should an uninsured driver cause damage to your vehicle you are still liable for the excess<\/strong> (which may or may not be recoverable to you through a long legal process).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Factor in the highly challenging nature of the New Zealand roads \u2013 especially the gravel ones \u2013 and you might start to understand why so many hirers don’t just go down the cheapest initial route. Your choice of course.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Important Insurance Facts : <\/h2>\n\n\n\n