The routes in some areas are in ever changing, sometimes difficult condition and require advanced off-road driving skills; in addition, recoveries and repairs are significantly more challenging to carry out there. The following regions carry an increased risk of vehicle damage, and the renter assumes this risk and has no insurance cover when driving in these areas  or is not allowed to drive in certain areas at all. Here are a few examples of restricted areas (see rental agreement for further details):

In case of an accident or theft the renter is obliged to report this to the local police and obtain a copy of the case number and full police report. If possible take photos of the accident and/or damage. Failure to provide a full police report will void your insurance cover. 

Fully comprehensive insurance options are currently not offered by Kalahari Car Hire. Please note that in the case of negligence and/or failure to comply with traffic regulations or our terms and conditions, the Renter will be responsible for the ENTIRE amount to repair and/or replace the vehicle as well as any related costs e.g. recovery costs, irrelevant of any reduced excess option selected or the total excess amount stipulated per vehicle type.

Negligence is when the driver and/or the passengers are not abiding by the law and traffic regulations or the terms & conditions of the rental agreement. Examples of negligence where the renter will be held liable for all costs incurred are amongst others when driving…

– over the speed limit
– over a stop sign or red traffic light
– under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
– through water deeper than 30cm
– through low tide areas or in riverbeds
– through/between/over thorn bushes
– cross country/off road
– in evening/dawn, at night on national roads
– overturning of the car where no other vehicle, pedestrian or animal was involved
– not following terms and conditions of Kalahari Car Hire
– not abiding by any other road regulations
– etc.

A stolen vehicle is covered if the renter has acted responsibly e.g. car was locked and the renter is still in posession of the car keys (exception: carjacking).

Should a vehicle be stolen or highjacked in the
neighbouring countries, the client will be liable for an additional excess of N$ 3 000.

Recovery costs within Namibia are covered, provided the area is accessible by a normal towing service.
Recovery costs due to negligent driving e.g. in riverbeds, on dunes, on beach, after overturning without any third party involvement etc. are to be paid by the renter.

Single vehicle accidents are damages incurred where there was no other party such as vehicle, pedestrian or animal involved. For example such as overturning of car, reversing into a stationary object. The renter will be held liable for the entire damage amount as well as all recovery costs.

To provide our renters with even greater safety and the best possible driving comfort, we no longer use repaired tires. After all, you should be able to rely fully on your rental vehicle and avoid breakdowns as much as possible.

If during your rental you experience a tire puncture that is repairable (e.g. drove into a nail) and you prefer to patch the tire temporarily – for example, to have one or two usable spare tires for the immediate road ahead – you are of course allowed to do so for your own covenience and at your own expense.

However, this tire damage, like any other damage, and the temporary repair, must be reported to us. In consultation with you, we will then replace the tire as soon as possible (e.g. by sending a replacement via courier).

The temporarily repaired tire will be replaced at the latest upon returning the vehicle. Depending on the insurance you selected and the number of tires damaged, you will be charged for the tire replacement – the costs are calculated proportionally, based on the tread depth noted on the rental contract at the time of vehicle handover. Any tire repair costs which you might have incurred and paid for out of your own initiative during the rental will not be reimbursed, as we are sure you will understand, since we cannot use the repaired tire. If you have any questions regarding this, please feel free to contact us.

Please note that we do not enable drivers under the age of 25 years old to reduce the insurance excess. As soon as one or more drivers is under 25 years old, the only available option is the standard excess of N$ 40 000.