Protection Plans

What are Protection Plans?

Protection Plans are optional coverage packages designed to give you greater peace of mind during your trip by reducing your financial responsibility for eligible charges (in particular damages) that may occur during the rental period, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.

In addition to reducing your financial responsibility, Protection Plans also include additional operational support and flexibility, helping you enjoy your journey with greater confidence and convenience.

When can you select the Protection Plan?

Protection Plans can be selected:

• During the booking process
• Before vehicle pick-up
• At check-in, prior to the start of the rental period

Protection Plans cannot be changed after the rental has started or after a damage or an incident has occurred.

The Protection Plan selected at the start of the rental applies for the entire rental period and cannot be downgraded after vehicle pick-up (except in situations of vehicle exchange due to customer fault).

Why choose the Premium Protection Plan?

1. Lower you liability from 2.500€ to 0€
2. Reduce your security deposit from 2.000€ to 500€
3. Add up to 3 additional drivers at no extra cost
4. Benefit from a substitution vehicle if needed

What is the deductible / maximum Liability? How does it work?

The deductible or maximum liability, also referred to as “your liability”, is the maximum amount you may be required to pay for eligible covered damages occurring during a single rental period.

This amount:

• Applies to the total accumulated covered damages during your rental period
• Does not apply per individual incident, damage, or repair item
• Is only valid when all Protection Plan conditions are fulfilled

• A valid and complete Declaration of Accident (DA)
• Eligibility of the damage under the Protection Plan terms
• Full compliance with the Rental Agreement and applicable laws

Example:

If during your trip, you have several damages that are covered, you will only pay up to the maximum liability of the Protection Plan you selected. However, the deductible / maximum liability does not apply to:

• Excluded damages
• Damages without a valid Declaration of Accident
• Damages resulting from breaches of the Rental Agreement
• Situations where coverage conditions were not respected
• Any damage not covered under the selected Protection Plan

In such situations, you may be responsible for the full cost of the damages.

What is a substitution van?

Vehicle exchange or substitution is a service that may be provided in specific situations where the original vehicle can no longer be used safely or as intended. The availability of a replacement vehicle depends on the circumstances of the incident, your Protection Plan, and operational capacity.

Vehicle substitution is directly linked to your Protection Plan.

In all cases, the following applies:

• Vehicle exchange is subject to availability at the time of request
• A new deposit is required for the replacement vehicle
• Any outstanding balances or charges must be settled before a replacement vehicle is provided
• In complex cases where the final liability (including towing and external repair costs) is still pending, a substitute vehicle will only be provided once the total amount has been validated and settled.
• Each case is evaluated individually based on safety, eligibility, and operational feasibility

Towing, Recovery and Roadside Assistance

Your protection plan includes 24/7 online and remote roadside assistance in the event of an incident. Towing, recovery, or roadside intervention services may be arranged whenever your vehicle experiences a mechanical or technical issue.

If the incident results from misuse, negligence, breach of the Rental Agreement, or any situation where you are considered liable, you remain fully liable for all towing, recovery, transport, storage, and any associated operational or third-party costs, which will be charged to you in full and are not subject to any deductible, liability limitation, or Protection Plan coverage.

If the incident is caused by a mechanical or technical issue not attributable to you, such costs will be covered under the applicable Protection Plan. Examples may include:

• Mechanical breakdowns
• Engine or technical failures
• Safety-related vehicle issues not caused by the misuse

All towing, recovery, and roadside assistance services are subject to:

• The circumstances of the incident
• Vehicle accessibility and location
• Local supplier availability
• Safety considerations
• Operational feasibility

What is the Protection Plan coverage?

Are there any restrictions on damage coverage?

Damage coverage under any Protection Plan is always subject to:

• A valid Declaration of Accident (DA)
• Compliance with the Rental Agreement
• Damage eligibility assessment
• Applicable exclusions and limitations

The Declaration of Accident (DA) is a mandatory requirement to apply the Protection Plan coverage, including when:

• No third party is involved
• The damage appears minor
• The vehicle remains drivable

The Declaration of Accident may be submitted:

• Through the Client Area; or
• By email to our support team at reservations@indiecampers.com

The Declaration of Accident must be submitted within 24 hours of the damage occurring and must be complete, accurate, and submitted in accordance with the Rental Agreement.

If these conditions are not met, including if no valid DA is submitted within the required 24-hour period:

• The Protection Plan coverage will not apply;
• The applicable damages will be handled as if they are not covered by the Protection Plan; and
• You may be held responsible for 100% of the damages and associated operational costs, subject to the Rental Agreement.

What is the damage verification process after the checkout?

Damages are assessed based on the vehicle's condition at drop-off compared to its condition at the start of the rental period. The assessment includes the review and validation by internal or external assessment teams, for the purpose of completing and validating the damage assessment. It is supported by photographic and documentary evidence, including, but not limited to, photos taken at drop-off, which constitute the primary basis of examination and verification of the vehicle’s condition. As a result of this process, damages might be added or removed. Any change will be included in the final Damage Report to be sent to you.

In situations where the vehicle needs to be checked by third-party providers to determine costs and liability, we will immediately notify you of the investigation. You shall receive a Damage Report outlining:

• the identified damages,
• the photographic evidence supporting the assessment,
• the applicable categorisation, and
• the corresponding charges, taking into consideration the protection service chosen by you, where applicable.

How are damages priced?

Costs are estimated based on current market rates and recognised industry practices for parts, labour, logistics, and associated services required to repair or replace the damages. The valuation of any damage is determined by reference to a combination of technical, operational, and market factors, including, without limitation:

• mechanic hourly rates;
• estimated intervention time;
• spare part costs and availability;
• painting and consumables;
• vehicle unavailability and operational downtime;
• logistics, transport, and relocation costs;
• administrative and handling costs; and
• applicable taxes, duties, and regulatory fees.

In addition, damages calculation takes into account contextual and commercial factors, including:

• the nature, type, and severity of the damage;
• the vehicle model and configuration;
• the drop-off location; and
• prevailing market conditions and local operational cost structures.

Complex damages (i.e. damages for which we require further investigation to determine liability) are subject to further verification. Once the assessment is completed, the final liability will be clearly communicated to you. If you are deemed responsible for any of these issues, Indie Campers will share the corresponding amount to be paid, along with the relevant details supporting the charge.

Damage values are standardised, non-negotiable, and binding, irrespective of whether we elect to repair, replace, outsource, defer repair, or retain the damage unrepaired.

If you do not agree with the damage valuation, you may request an independent mechanic's quote. All costs associated with obtaining such a quote shall be borne by you, including, without limitation, vehicle relocation, logistics, inspection fees, and administrative costs. The quote received will be binding, whether it is above or below our value presented in the initial Damage Report.

Contact Us

In case of any questions or clarification regarding the methodology or the Damage Report, you can contact the company through support channels located in Client Area or by submitting the Request Form through our website.

Examples on Damage Coverage and Final Price to Charge

Example A

All damages are covered and the total damage price reaches 2700€. The final amount to pay depends on the selected protection plan and the validity of the DA, as follows:

• Basic + valid DA: you pay up to the maximum liability (2500€), even if total covered damages exceed this amount.
• Standard + valid DA: you pay up to the maximum liability (399€), even if total covered damages exceed this amount.
• Premium + valid DA: you pay 0€, because the maximum liability is 0€ and all damages are covered.
• No valid DA: you must pay the full 2700€.

Example B

There is a mix of covered (3000€) and excluded (1300€) damages across two incidents. The final amount to pay depends on the selected protection plan and the validity of the DA, as follows:

• Basic + valid DA: you pay both excluded damages and capped liability on covered damages, resulting in a total of 3800€.  
• Standard + valid DA: you pay both excluded damages and capped liability on covered damages, resulting in a total of 1699€.  
• Premium + valid DA: you pay 1300€, which only corresponds to the excluded damages.
• No valid DA: you are responsible for all damages, totaling 4300€.

Example C

There is a mix of covered (2000€) and excluded (300€) damages, and there is one functionality damage that is still under review and has not been charged yet. The final amount to pay depends on the selected protection plan and the validity of the DA, as follows:

• Basic + valid DA: you pay both excluded damages and capped liability on covered damages, resulting in a total of 2300€.
• Standard + valid DA: you pay both excluded damages and capped liability on covered damages, resulting in a total of 699€.
• Premium + valid DA: you pay 300€, which only corresponds to the excluded damages.
• No valid DA: you pay the full amount of 2300€.