Star Terms and Conditions

This document contains a summary of some of the Rental Conditions. For full detailed Conditions refer to the Rental Agreement on pick-up.

Branches

Vehicles can be collected and returned to the following branches:

• Auckland & Christchurch

Branch Opening Hours

(allow 1 hour for collection)

Location	Dates	Hours
Auckland Christchurch	Year Round	Mon-Sun 8:00am - 4:00pm

Branches Closed:

Christmas Day

Public Holiday Fee
$100 Public Holiday applies to the following Dates;

2024:
Easter Monday - Monday, 1st April 2024
Anzac Day - Thursday, 25th April 2024
King's Birthday - Monday, 3rd June 2024
Matariki - Friday, 28th June 2024
Labour Day - Monday, 28th October 2024
Boxing Day - Thursday, 26th December 2024

2025:
New Year’s Day - Monday, 1st Jan 2025
Day after New Year’s Day - Tuesday, 2nd Jan 2025
Waitangi Day - Tuesday, 6th Feb 2025
Good Friday - Friday, 18th April 2025
Easter Monday - Monday, 21st April 2025
Anzac Day - Thursday, 25th April 2025
King's Birthday - Monday, 2nd June 2025
Matariki - Friday, 20th June 2025
Labour Day - Monday, 27th October 2025
Boxing Day - Thursday, 26th December 2025

Vehicle Introduction and Show Through

On pick-up, our staff provide guests with a thorough vehicle show through with all the necessary information guests need to know about the interior and exterior features of their vehicle. This ensures guests are comfortable and confident with their vehicle before they start their road trip

To ensure guests have a thorough vehicle show through before starting their road trip, they will need to pick up their vehicle from the branch by 4pm.

Included in Standard Daily Rate

• Unlimited Kilometres
• Vehicle Insurance
• 10% GST (Goods & Services Tax)*
• Kitchen Kit*
• Personal linen kit with linen exchange service
• General Equipment*
• 24 Hour Roadside Assistance
• Maps & Campground Guides

*Goods & Services Tax (GST)

GST is a New Zealand Federal Government imposed tax. GST is included in all Star rates and is currently 15%. Star reserves the right to amend GST upon Government intervention.

*Kitchen Kit

Kitchen kit: plates, bowls, knives, forks, spoons, bottle opener, can opener, mixing bowls, colander, saucepans, frying pans, cooking utensils, chopping board, kettle, teapot, toaster and tea towel. Electrical appliances are supplied in vehicles that have 240V.

*Linen Kit

Complimentary bedding (including sheets, blankets, pillows, pillow cases and towels).

*General Equipment

Pegs and clothes line, dustpan & brush, fire extinguisher, bucket, hose and broom.

Stress Free Plus

A bundled extra which provides the highest liability cover option and basic items necessary for a great road trip; includes LRO ($0 liability and only a $300 bond), unlimited windscreen and tyres, undercarriage/overhead damage (covered for accidental damage), pre-purchased gas bottle, camp chairs and table and baby or booster seats (with prior request).

Protection Package

Personal Injury

The Motorhome has third party insurance cover and it is likely that any other vehicle involved in an accident also has third-party insurance. Depending on the circumstances of an accident, the guest may be entitled to claim for their personal injury against the third-party insurance of the party responsible for the accident. The extent of such third-party insurance varies in different States and Territories and Star strongly recommends that all passengers take out their own Personal Injury Travel Insurance.

Property Damage

The Motorhome is insured for damage to it and damage to the property of a third party. However, the guest is responsible up to the amount of the applicable liability for damage to third party property, or to the vehicle. The guest is also responsible for the cost of the daily rate for the period the vehicle is being repaired. There is no refund for unused portion of the rental period. The Liability applies to each claim, not vehicle.

The liability is applicable regardless of who is at fault and must be paid at the time the accident is reported to Star  by telephone on a credit card, not on return of the Motorhome. Star reserves the right to charge the guest for any Motorhome damage including Third Party property damage not reported but identified on return of the motorhome.

Liability Options

Standard Liability

The hirer is responsible for the first NZ$7,500 of ANY ACCIDENT COST of damage to Third Party property or to the rented vehicle, including single vehicle accident (does not include single vehicle roll over), windscreen and tyre damage, overhead and underbody damage, towing and recovery costs, theft, fire, break in or vandalism. This is applicable regardless if the hirer has purchased private travel insurance.

The liability is applicable regardless of who is at fault and must be paid at the time the accident report is completed, not at the completion of the rental. The liability will be refunded if Star is successful in recovering the cost of the damages from the Third Party. Please note that Third Party claims can take months to resolve.

The Standard Liability can be reduced by purchasing one of the following Reduction Options:

-	Cost per Day	Liability Fee	Bond Payable
Standard	Included in Rental	$7,500	$7,500
LRO - Stress Free	$49 (max $2,450)	$0	$300
Stress Free Plus	$65 (max $3,250)	$0	$300

Bond

The Bond payment will depend on the Liability Option chosen. If the guest chooses to take The Standard option the total Bond of $7,500 will be debited to the credit or debit card immediately.

If the guest chooses to take Stress Free Plus the Bond is payable to Star by an open signed credit card imprint with an authorisation for $300. The credit card holder must be present to sign for the Bond when they pick-up the motorhome and is liable for any damage to the vehicle.

The Bond is fully refundable provided terms are met. The Motorhome simply needs to be returned on time and full of fuel to the Star  branch location booked. Credit card refunds including bond refunds can take up to 14 working days depending on the guest financial institution.

If there is damage to the Motorhome on its return or any other terms of the rental contract have not been met, the Bond will be used to cover the cost up to the amount of the relevant Liability. If the terms of the Rental Contract are not met and the Bond is not sufficient enough to cover the damage, extra costs will be charged.

If a guest is continuing on with another Star booking, the Bond can be transferred to the next booking within New Zealand.

Insurance Exclusions

All Liability Reduction is void if the terms of the Rental Agreement are breached. The hirer will be responsible for the total cost of any damage.

• The driver of the vehicle is under the influence of alcohol or any drug that affects their ability to drive the vehicle
• The vehicle is in an unsafe or un-roadworthy condition that arose during the course of the hire and that caused or contributed to the damage or loss, and the customer or driver was aware or ought to have been aware of the unsafe or un-roadworthy condition of the vehicle
• The vehicle is driven by any person not named on the Rental Agreement.
• The vehicle including its accessories and spare parts is damaged as a result of submersion in water, including crossing creeks, rivers, flooded fords, salt water or on beaches.
• Continuing to drive if a warning light appears or where the coolant temperature gauge enters a red zone (High) results in the hirer being responsible for all costs incurred.
• Insurance options do not cover any damage caused by the use of snow chains and roof racks that have not been hired through Jucy..
• No insurance option covers the cost to replace keys which have been lost or the cost of retrieval of keys which have been locked inside a vehicle and for changing tyres.
• Standard and LRO do not cover any: breakages or defacement or the vehicles interior, theft or attempted theft resulting in damage.
• Personal belongings are not covered. We recommend the hirer does not leave valuables in the vehicle and should take out personal insurance.
• The hirer will be responsible for all resulting damage caused by wilful conduct. For example and not limited to, sitting or standing on the bonnet, boot or roof of the vehicle, propelling an object(s) from the vehicle.
• The vehicle is willfully or recklessly damaged by the hirer or any other person named in the Schedule to this agreement or driving the vehicle under the authorisation of the hirer, or is lost as the result of wilful or reckless behavior of the hirer or any such person. (Note: Punctures, damage to tyres, rims, burning out a clutch and any damage arising from using the vehicle to propel any other vehicle are regarded as wilful or reckless damage.)
• The insurance options do not cover the incorrect filling of fluid tanks. Place the correct type of fuel in the vehicles tank (petrol or diesel only). The hirer will be responsible for any associated costs.
• The hirer will be responsible for the cost to retrieve or recover a vehicle which has become bogged or immobile regardless of the insurance option taken. Towing must be authorised by Jucy in the first instance.
• If the vehicle is operated in any race, speed test, rally or contest or the vehicle is used for the purpose of reward i.e. as a taxi or courier; insurance is void.
• The hirer is not a body corporate or department of State and the vehicle is driven by any person not named in the Schedule to this agreement.
• The vehicle is driven by any person who at the time when he/she drives the vehicle is disqualified from holding or has never held a drivers licence appropriate for that vehicle, insurance will be void
• The vehicle is operated on any of the following roads: Ninety Mile Beach (Northland), roads north of Colville Township, Ball Hutt Road (Mt Cook), Skippers Road (Queenstown).
• The vehicle is operated outside of the hire or any agreed extension of that term.
• It is agreed between the owner and the hirer that section 11 of the Insurance Law Reform Act 1977 shall apply with respect to the above exclusions as if this clause constitutes a contract of insurance.
• The customer acknowledges that he/she shall be liable for any damages, charges and relocation fees if: Convicted of any driving offence under NZ law where the vehicle, property or any other vehicle is damaged in circumstances which are illegal in New Zealand.
• At any time when the vehicle is loaded or is being loaded in excess of the manufacturer’s specifications
• The hirer acknowledges that he/she shall be liable in respect of the first of the damage or loss referred to in the insurance cover specified in this clause to the amount of the liability fee shown in the Schedule. This applies to damage or loss resulting from the theft or conversion or attempted theft or conversion of the vehicle.

Important Information

We strongly recommend any international visitors arriving off long-haul flights stay overnight prior to picking up their motorhomes.  Please also take the time to visit www.drivesafe.org.nz which provides educational information in regards to safe driving practices on New Zealand Roads.

Exchange Rate / Currency Variations

All transactions are conducted in New Zealand dollars. Due to exchange rate fluctuations, there could be some variance in the amount refunded compared to the amount initially charged. Refunds by credit card can take up to 14 working days depending on the guest’s financial institution.

Road User Charge Recovery Fee

The cost of using New Zealand’s roads is recovered from road users via levies in the price of some fuels or through road user charges (RUC). The Road User Charge Recovery Fee will be calculated and collected on return of the Motorhome based on the kilometres traveled during the hire. The fee per 100km is as follows: $8.02

We reserve the right to amend the Road User Charge Recovery Fee upon Government intervention..

Drivers Licence and  Minimum Age

Star accepts drivers who hold:

• A Full Driver’s Licence in English
• A Restricted NZ Licence or Australian Green P (P2) Licence.
• We do NOT accept Learners' licenses or any probationary licenses, including the Australian Red P Plate or a P1 License.
• If you have a temporary Driver’s Licence, note that we only accept NZ temporary Driver’s Licence in NZ and Australia temporary Driver’s Licence in Australia, and this needs to be accompanied by another form of photo ID. • If the Original/National Driver’s Licence is not in English, then an International Driver’s Permit or a Certified English Translation (NAATI certified translation of the Driver’s Licence issued in the country of hire). This must accompany the original home country Driver’s Licence.
• Please click on each state for the rules and regulations
Drivers must be at least 21 years of age

Online Check-In

Customers are required to complete the online check-in before arrival so that we can speed up the pickup process and focus on enhancing customer experience. 

Change of Drop Off Destination

If the customer wishes to change the drop off destination, they must first obtain authorisation from the Reservations or Scheduling departments.

Subject to the change being approved, an additional charge or a relocation fee may apply.

Vehicle Category

We understand guests’ needs are different and therefore our vehicles can be requested by category, however not by make or model. We always do our best to accommodate requests, however should the vehicle booked be unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances, we will substitute the booked vehicle with an alternative available at time of pick-up, at no extra cost. Any changes made to the booked vehicle and agreed to by the guest do not entitle the guest to a refund.

In the event of no alternative vehicle being available to the guest, Stars liability is limited to a refund of the hire charge or in the case of mechanical failure (unless caused by the guest) the remainder of the hire period.

Transfers /Getting To and From the Airport

Branches are conveniently located near major airports, making pick-up and drop-off easy for our guests.

Rental Duration

A Motorhome holiday allows guests to travel at their own pace. To ensure our guests get the most of their road trip a minimum five-day booking period applies when pick-up and drop-off is from the same branch location. Higher minimum rental days apply for Easter, Christmas and Lunar New year.

One-way Bookings

Road trips don’t always finish where they start, and some of the best adventures take you far and wide. We have a minimum 5 days for back to base rentals. If a guest drops off at a different branch location from which they picked up, a minimum booking period of 7 days and a $250.00 one-way fee applies.

Travel Restrictions

Star: Star Motorhomes can only be driven on sealed roads. The only exception is the loose road surface
on any major ski field access roads or any recognised campground access road less than 12 kilometres
in length.
In New Zealand, Star Motorhomes cannot be driven on Skippers Road (Queenstown), The Crown Range
Road/Cardrona Valley Road (between Arrow Junction to Cardrona), Ninety Mile Beach (Northland),
Wanaka – Mt Aspiring Road beyond the exit to Treble Cone, The Forgotten Highway (State Highway 43
from Taumarunui to Stratford), and North of Colville and Waikawau Township (Coromandel Peninsula).

Kilometres

For the safety of guests please don’t underestimate the time it will take to get from one point to another. While our motorhomes include unlimited kilometres we recommend travelling a maximum of 250 kilometres per day or the equivalent of 4-5 hours driving. We encourage our guests to take a break from driving at least every 2 hours.

Returning the Motorhome

The motorhome is a home away from home and for comfort, we recommend it’s kept tidy throughout the road trip. The vehicles need to be returned to the branch as they were taken, with the interior cleaned and holding tanks emptied. The vehicle exterior does not require cleaning unless it’s covered with excessive dirt or mud, making it difficult for our team to see its return condition.

Repairs

We understand that while on holiday the vehicle may require small repairs. So not to disrupt the road trip any further, if the damage was not caused by the guest, repairs up to $100 can be completed without authorisation and will be reimbursed. If repairs over $100 are needed, 

All vehicles are enrolled in the New Zealand Automobile Association and 24hr mechanical emergency roadside assistance is available if needed

Infringements, Tolls & Fines

Customers are responsible for paying all parking citations, fines and other fees/penalties associated
with their hire. There will be a $60 claims administration fee for all infringements processed by Star.
If the customer travels on a toll road and incurs any tolls, Star will charge any tolls and fees to the
customer’s nominated credit card along with a service fee of $3.45 each time the vehicle
incurs a toll during the hire.

Animals

Service animals are allowed to travel in our vehicles with written permission from Star at time of booking. 

A pet dog is allowed in campers at an additional charge of $299. A cleaning fee of up to $299 for general cleaning may apply.

Smoking

Our vehicles are a smoke free zone, smoking is not allowed in any of our motorhomes. If smoke or drug residue is detected Star reserves the right to charge a cleaning fee of up to $500

Payment at Branches

For security reasons, Star accepts Credit card and Debit card for charges paid on pick-up and drop-off. We do not accept cash at Star branches. The Bond is payable at pick-up by Credit card or Debit Card and cannot be paid with a pre-paid Credit card.

Credit and Debit cards

Star accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and Union Pay. The following fees apply for the rental and any additional products (irrespective of chosen account e.g. savings, credit, etc.):

Visa/MasterCard Debit/Credit card         3.1%
Amex/Diners                                           5.4%
Union Pay                                                2.8%

Fees are subject to change without notice

Credit Card Surcharge - Discovery Rentals

Credit card fees are payable when using Visa or Mastercard as these are subject to change Find out the current rates for your card here Credit card fees are not refundable

Travel Insurance

For peace of mind, we strongly recommend that all guests take out the highest level of private travel insurance.

Additional Products & Services

To be requested at time of reservation or upon vehicle collection and paid by customer on day of vehicle collection:

• Extra Driver* - $2 day per driver
• Outdoor Table* - $25 per rental
• Outdoor Chair* - $18 each per rental
• Heater/Fan - $20 per rental
• Pre Paid Gas Bottle $35 per rental
• Baby/Booster Seat* - $40 per rental 
• Snow Chains - $50 per rental
• Pet Fee (dog) - $299 per rental

* Items are included in the Stress Free Plus Package

Cancellation and Amendments

• If cancelled up to 22 days prior to pick =20% or deposit paid (whichever is greater)
• If cancelled 1 to 21 days prior to pick up – 50% of the Rental
• If cancelled within 24hrs of day of pick up or no show – 100% of the Rental
• If vehicle is returned early there is no refund available for the unused days and a No Show is considered as 100% Cancellation.

Amendments are charged at a rate of $60 per change. This applies but is not limited to changing the client name, vehicle type, reducing the number of rental days, changing the pickup dates or locations. No refund will be given on the initial deposit paid.

If an amendment is made to the rental whereby the length of hire is shortened, no refund will be given on the initial deposit amount. In addition, if an amendment is made inside 14 days of pick up, the rental will be charged at the number of days originally booked.

Where the hire is being extended, the amendment fee will not apply.

Please note that amendments may result in the daily rental rate to be recalculated at the rate applicable on the date of the amendment for the entire rental period.

If a bookings travel dates are amended within the cancellation fee period to be outside of the cancellation fee period and is subsequently cancelled, the cancellation fee for the original booking will apply.

Disclaimer

Illustrations and text in any of our documentation, brochures or website are subject to change. Images are a representation only of the vehicle depicted. Variances in the vehicles offered for rental may occur due to substitutions made by Star or modifications and/or upgrades to the vehicle design made by the manufacturer.