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 three protection plans: Basic, Standard, and Premium. All plans cover the same types of incidents; the key differences are the financial limits and included benefits.
| Feature | Basic Plan | Standard Plan | Premium Plan |
| Daily Rate | Included (Free) | Paid add-on | Paid add-on |
| Driver Age | 18+ years old | 21+ years old | 25+ years old |
| Maximum Liability | €2,500 | €399 | €0 |
| Security Deposit | €2,000 | €800 | €500 |
| Third-Party Liability | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
24/7 Online Assistance | ✓ Included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| 24/7 Roadside Assistance | ✗ Not included | ✓ Included | ✓ Included (Priority) |
| Substitution Vehicle | ✗ Not included | ✓ Subject to availability | ✓ Subject to availability |
| Additional Drivers | ✗ Not included | ✓ Up to 1 driver | ✓ Up to 4 drivers |
| Theft / Vandalism | ✗ Not covered | ✗ 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 (Standard or 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 (€2,000)
- Middle Maximum Liability (Standard) = Middle Security Deposit (€800)
- Lower Maximum Liability (Premium) = Lower Security Deposit (€500)
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 all plans, only the financial limits differ.
3. Unlock Zero Liability
With the Premium Protection Plan, your liability is reduced to €0 based on the following:
Bookings from May 1, 2026: €0 liability applies in all locations.
Bookings before May 1, 2026: €0 liability applies only in select major cities.
Note: Please verify your specific coverage 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:
- 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.
- 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: No 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.
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. No 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.