A Protection Plan is a service provided by Indie Campers that limits your financial responsibility in the event of incidents or damages during your rental. This article explains how our plans work, what they cover, and how to choose the right one for your trip.
Important Note: A Protection Plan is not an insurance policy. It is a commercial product integrated into your rental agreement that determines your Maximum Liability (Deductible) and the required Security Deposit.
1. Our Protection Plans at a Glance
We offer two protection plans: Basic and Premium. While both plans cover the same types of incidents, their financial limits differ significantly.
Feature | Basic Plan | Premium Plan |
| Daily Rate | Included (Free) | From €19.90/night (EU & UK) |
| Driver Age | 18+ years old | 25+ years old |
| Maximum Liability | €2,500 | €199 (€0 in select cities) |
| Security Deposit | €2,000 (up to €2,500) | €500 |
| Third-Party Liability | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| 24/7 Roadside Assistance | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Substitution Vehicle | ✗ Not included | ✓ Subject to availability |
| Additional Drivers | ✗ Not included | ✓ Up to 3 drivers |
| Theft / Vandalism | ✗ Not covered | ✗ Not covered |
Regional pricing notes:
- Prices outside the Eurozone are charged in the local currency.
- In the US and Canada, authorized drivers (spouse, children, siblings, parents, business associates) may be added to the Basic Plan at no extra cost.
2. Understanding Key Terms
Maximum Liability (Deductible / Excess)
This is the maximum amount you will be responsible for paying if a covered incident occurs. It is not the total repair cost, only your portion up to this cap. Choosing a higher-tier plan (Premium) significantly lowers this amount.
Security Deposit
The Security Deposit is a pre-authorization on your credit card, not an actual charge. It is proportional to your Maximum Liability:
- Higher Maximum Liability (Basic) = Higher Security Deposit
- Lower Maximum Liability (Premium) = Lower Security Deposit
The deposit is released at the end of your rental, minus any applicable charges.
Coverage vs. Maximum Liability
Coverage refers to the types of incidents included (collisions, third-party liability, roadside assistance). The scope of coverage is identical across both plans, only the financial limits differ.
3. Unlock Zero Liability at Select Locations
As of December 17, 2025, in select major cities, adding the Premium Protection Plan reduces your liability to €0 for any damages covered under the plan.
Check your specific pick-up location during the booking process to confirm eligibility.
4. What Is Not Covered (Critical Exclusions)
Regardless of the Protection Plan you have chosen, you remain fully liable for costs resulting from the following:
Exclusions that always apply, regardless of plan:
- Negligence & Misconduct: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reckless driving, or breaching the Rental Agreement.
- Specific Structural Damages: Damages below the side door lines or above the windscreen line.
- Incorrect Fuel: All costs associated with using the wrong fuel type.
- Keys: Lost, stolen, or damaged keys, or keys locked inside the vehicle.
- Animal / Wind Damage: Damage from hitting an animal or wind blowing a door open.
- Personal Belongings: Any loss or theft of personal items. We recommend checking with your travel insurer or credit card provider.
- Unauthorized Drivers: Damage occurring while someone not listed in the Rental Agreement is driving.
- Vehicle Recovery: Cost to retrieve the vehicle from restricted areas, submerged, bogged, or abandoned situations (unless caused by circumstances beyond your control).
- Theft & Vandalism: Neither the Basic nor the Premium plan covers theft of the vehicle or vandalism.
5. The Accident Report (Mandatory Requirement)
To benefit from your protection plan after an incident, you must provide a valid and timely Accident Report Form (DAA).
Without a valid Accident Report: The Protection Plan may be voided and you may be held liable for the full cost of all repairs and damages.
Police Reports: In many regions, a police report is also a mandatory requirement for claims processing. Always check local requirements at the time of an incident.
6. Choosing & Modifying Your Plan
When can I select or upgrade?
- During initial booking process
- Via your Client Area at any time before pick-up
- During Online Check-in (available closer to your pick-up date)
- At the depot on pick-up day
Important: You can upgrade your plan at any time before your trip begins, but downgrading is not permitted once your booking is confirmed. Choose carefully.
7. Personal Belongings & Travel Insurance
Indie Campers is not legally permitted to offer a protection plan that covers your personal belongings. Neither the Basic nor the Premium plan covers theft or loss of personal items.
We recommend:
- Contacting your personal travel insurance provider to verify coverage during your trip
- Checking with your credit card company, many providers (Visa, Amex, etc.) offer travel protection as a cardholder benefit
8. Marketplace Bookings
If you book a vehicle through the Indie Campers Marketplace (host-owned vans), protection plans may differ from the standard options described above. During the booking process you will be presented with either the host's own protection plan or a plan partnered with Indie Campers.