Auto Car Rental - Terms and Conditions

GENERAL CONDITIONS

By renting a vehicle from Auto Car Rental, the renter agrees to comply with all terms and conditions outlined in this agreement. Auto Car Rental reserves the right to refuse service to any individual who does not meet the rental requirements.

RENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• The renter must be at least 20-23 years old (depending on the car).
• The renter must present a valid driver’s license issued at least 12 months prior to the rental date.
• A valid credit card in the renter’s name is required.
• The renter must not have a criminal record related to commercial operations.
• The renter must not be bankrupt or legally deprived of managing their estate.

VEHICLE USE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The renter agrees to use the vehicle in accordance with Icelandic traffic laws.
• The vehicle may not be used for racing, off-road driving, or illegal activities.
• Only authorized drivers listed in the rental agreement may operate the vehicle.
• The renter is responsible for any damage caused to the vehicle due to negligence or misuse.
• Late return fees: an extra day's rental plus a 10,000kr ISK fine for returns one hour or more late

INSURANCE AND LIABILITY

All rentals include mandatory third-party liability insurance.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and other optional insurance packages may be purchased.

The renter is responsible for any excess fees related to damages unless covered by additional insurance.

Insurance does not cover damages caused by reckless driving, driving under the influence, or water damage.

Insurance does not cover Towing and costs and other expenses, Charges for incorrect fuel, Loss of extra equipment (e.g., car keys GPS), Service charges for fines, towing and misuse.

RENTAL PERIOD AND RETURN POLICY

The rental period begins and ends as stated in the rental agreement.

Late returns may incur additional charges.

The vehicle must be returned in the same condition as received, with a full tank of fuel unless otherwise agreed.

BREAKDOWN AND ACCIDENTS

In case of breakdown, the renter must contact Auto Car Rental immediately.

Any accident must be reported to both the police and Auto Car Rental.

The renter is responsible for towing costs if the vehicle is driven off-road or misused.

The renter is responsible for assistance costs due to breakdown or damage.

PAYMENT AND FEES

The rental fee must be paid in full at the start of the rental period.

Additional fees may apply for extra mileage, additional drivers, fuel, or damages.

TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT

Auto Car Rental reserves the right to terminate the rental agreement and reclaim the vehicle if the renter violates any terms and conditions.

GOVERNING LAW

This agreement is governed by Icelandic law. Any disputes arising from this agreement shall be settled in the appropriate Icelandic courts.

By signing the rental agreement, the renter acknowledges and agrees to these terms and conditions.

CREDIT CARD IMPRINT

All rentals are subject to the full rental agreement terms and conditions at the time of rental. A credit card imprint will be taken at the start of all rentals for security reasons, even when a voucher covers the cost of the rental. This credit card imprint may be used to pay all extra charges such as extra insurance, parking fines, damages or any cost due to the rented vehicle as a result of the renter’s use of the vehicle.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Bookings canceled more than 48 hours prior to the pick-up time are fully refundable (100%).

Bookings canceled less than 48 hours prior to pick-up time are not refundable and the full rental price will be charged.

In case of a no-show, the full rental price will be charged.

PAYMENT CURRENCY

You have the possibility to see the price in different currencies but note that you will be charged and refunded in Icelandic Krona (ISK), the local currency.

VEHICLE TYPES

We reserve the right to substitute vehicles when the reserved vehicle type is not available, either with a similar vehicle or a higher class.

TRAVELLING ABROAD

Taking a vehicle outside of the country is strictly forbidden.

LATE OR EARLY RETURNS

Late returns of more than an hour after the scheduled drop-off time will result in charge of one additional day.

The renter can return the vehicle earlier than the scheduled drop-off time.

RENTER'S RESPONSIBILITY

Maintaining antifreeze, AdBlue, and oil levels is the renter(s) responsibility. Any cost incurred will be reimbursed upon the production of a receipt. Should any malfunction of the vehicle occur, or any sign of overheating, the renter(s) must stop the vehicle immediately, or the renter will be held liable, and loss of bond may occur.

SUBJECT TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS

In the event of a collision or accident, the renter shall immediately notify the appropriate police authorities as well as Auto Car Rental of the incident. The renter may not leave the scene before the police have arrived.

Should the renter fail to comply with any conditions of this contract, all losses and damages suffered by the owner arising out of such failure might be borne by the renter. The renter agrees to rent the above vehicle and elects to pay all amounts payable under this agreement by the method of payment of which details are given in this document.

The renter accepts responsibility for all traffic violations. An ISK 5.000 handling fee will apply for any unpaid fines or a delayed process of infringement.

SERVICE FEE

There is a handling fee of ISK 5.000 for all fines or charges that result from the renter’s use of the vehicle and the renter does not pay himself. Auto Car Rental will charge the renter for fines and charges plus the previously mentioned handling fee.

If the vehicle is returned extra dirty there is a cleaning fee of ISK 15.000. This is in the case of an extremely dirty vehicle, especially on the inside. Not from regular use of the vehicle.

Smoking is strictly forbidden in the vehicle. If someone smokes inside the vehicle, the renter will be liable for a cleaning fee and a fine of ISK 50.000.

The retrieval fee for picking up the rental vehicle because of damage or other reasons that can be related to the renter’s responsibility is ISK 500 per km or a minimum of ISK 60.000. The ISK 500 per km charge is calculated from Auto Car Rental’s Office.

OBLIGATIONS OF THE RENTER

The renter agrees to the provisions of this contract and has received a copy of the rental agreement and the terms and conditions.

The renter has received the mentioned vehicle and its accessories in a proper and safe condition.

The renter/driver shall be at least 20 years old and shall have held a valid driver’s licence for at least one year before renting the vehicle and must present the licence at the start of the rental. The renter/driver shall abide by Icelandic law and regulations when driving.

The renter shall be responsible for the rented vehicle from the time it leaves the Auto Car Rental office until Auto Car Rental signs for the vehicle as returned.

The renter shall return the vehicle as stated below:

With all accessories (including tyres, tools, documents and other items) in the same conditions they were in when received, except for normal wear and tear due to normal use. The renter agrees that missing or damaged accessories will be charged at the cost price to the credit card that the renter provided at the beginning of the rental.

At the predetermined time and date as stated on the rental agreement or sooner if Auto Car Rental demands it.

To a Auto Car Rental premises, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Failing to return the vehicle directly to Auto Car Rental‘s office is subject to a drop-off charge as per Auto Car Rental’s current price list. The renter agrees that the drop-off charge will be charged from the credit card that the renter provided at the beginning of the rental.

With the fuel tank at the same level as stated on the rental agreement. The renter agrees that missing fuel will be charged to the credit card that the renter provided at the beginning of the rental should the renter fail to return the vehicle with the fuel tank on the same level. The service charge for refuelling is determined by Auto Car Rental’s current price list.

Sufficiently clean, not excessively dirty. The interior should not be excessively dirty. The exterior should not be excessively dirty, i.e. not covered in mud, tar or dirt. A vehicle returned excessively dirty is subject to a cleaning fee according to Auto Car Rental’s current price list. The renter agrees that the cleaning fee will be charged from the credit card that the renter provided at the beginning of the rental.

All vehicles are non-smoking.

An extension of the rental agreement is dependent on the approval of Auto Car Rental. If the renter returns the vehicle one hour or more after the expiry of the rental agreement, Auto Car Rental is permitted to charge an extra day (24 hours) according to this agreement in addition to a 10.000 ISK fine for a late return. For each day thereafter, Auto Car Rental may collect fees according to its price list. The renter agrees that any such charge may be charged from the credit card that the renter provided at the beginning of the rental. Failing to return the vehicle at the agreed return time according to this rental agreement or informing Auto Car Rental of the renter’s intention to extend the rental, Auto Car Rental or the police are also permitted to repossess the vehicle without further notice and at the expense of the renter.

The vehicle shall be handled and driven with due care. Only those registered as drivers in this agreement, who also fulfil the requirements in section 3, are permitted to drive the vehicle. If the vehicle is driven by a person who is not registered in this rental agreement, all insurance becomes null and void, in which instance the renter is fully liable for the vehicle, for the damage it may sustain, the damage it may cause others, items or vehicles, and obligated to pay such damage in full. The cost of damages occurring under the aforementioned circumstances may be charged from the credit card that the renter provided at the beginning of the rental.

The renter has objective liability for damages resulting from the use of the vehicle for which no compensation will be paid by the vehicle insurance. This includes damage to the vehicle and/or injury to passengers on account of:

Driving where prohibited by law, that is off beaten tracks or marked roads, in unmarked paths or tracks, on beaches or other sandy areas, in shoals of water or any other trackless areas.

Driving in or across rivers or any kind of water course.

Intentional acts, gross negligence or total carelessness of the driver.

Operating the vehicle under the influence of controlled or illegal substances.

Use of the vehicle that is in breach of Icelandic law and/or the provisions of this rental agreement.

Driving vehicles that are not four-wheel drive (4×4) on roads that are marked “F“ on a map or a road sign, including Kjölur (Road 35), Kaldidalur (Road 550), Jökulhálsleið (Road 570) and Sprengisandur (Road 26). Violation of this article is subject to a fine of ISK 300.000 by Auto Car Rental. The above-mentioned provision does not affect the obligations of the renter to pay Auto Car Rental compensation for the loss or damage of the vehicle. Only 4×4 vehicles that are approved by Auto Car Rental may be driven on the above roads.

Driving on closed roads as published by the Icelandic Road Administration 

(www.road.is).

OBLIGATIONS OF AUTO CAR RENTAL

Auto Car Rental is responsible for doing its utmost to guarantee the delivery of the vehicle at the predetermined time and in compliance with all requirements and to supply a clean vehicle with a full tank of fuel. If Auto Car Rental cannot for some reason supply the vehicle ordered at the correct time, a vehicle of a similar or higher class will be offered as a replacement. If the vehicle is not presented to the renter within 3 hours of the agreed time, the rental charges for the day will be dropped. If Auto Car Rental fails to supply a full tank of fuel, then the renter may return the vehicle with the same fuel level as supplied and stated on the rental inspection form.

Auto Car Rental guarantees that the vehicle meets the set demands and that all official registration standards are met.

If the vehicle malfunctions owing to normal wear and tear, or for other reasons for which the renter cannot be held responsible, Auto Car Rental shall deliver the renter with a comparable vehicle as quickly as possible at a location decided by Auto Car Rental or arrange to have repairs done without delay by a Auto Car Rental service partner. In the case of such malfunction, Auto Car Rental does not pay any kind of compensation, neither for accommodation nor for other reasons.

Auto Car Rental must inform the renter of the contents of this rental agreement, particularly of the obligations that the renter undertakes by signing it.

Auto Car Rental shall, to the extent possible, inform a foreign renter of Icelandic traffic regulations, traffic signs, and regulations on the prohibition of off-road driving. 

Furthermore, Auto Car Rental shall especially point out the risks posed by animals on the roads, gravel roads and icy roads.

If Auto Car Rental wants to limit the use of the vehicle with regard to its equipment and/or road conditions, this shall be done in writing upon signing this rental agreement.

Auto Car Rental guarantees to maintain valid liability insurance for its operations.

Auto Car Rental cannot be held responsible for damage or disappearance of items stored or transported in or on the vehicle by the renter or any other party.

Auto Car Rental cannot be held responsible for items left in the rented vehicle after drop-off. Upon request and if the item is found, Auto Car Rental can ship the item back to its owner. A handling fee of ISK 5.000 minimum is charged by Auto Car Rental. Prices vary and depend on the size of the object and the distance of the shipment. The renter agrees that this fee may be charged from the credit card provided by the renter at the beginning of the rental.

INSURANCE AND OWN RISK

The rental fee includes mandatory vehicle insurance, including liability insurance and accident insurance for the driver and the owner.

Third-party liability insurance will consist of the amount stipulated by Icelandic law at any given time. If for some reason, the renter causes damage to a third-party vehicle without causing damage to the rented vehicle, the third-party liability is a total of ISK 35.000.

In case of damage to the vehicle, the renter is fully responsible. The renter can purchase separate accident insurance against damage to the vehicle, a collision damage waiver (CDW), which sets the amount which the renter is responsible for, in each case of damage, to the amount stipulated on the front of this agreement. Any renter, who has purchased CDW, can also purchase a super collision damage waiver (SCDW), which further reduces the amount the renter is responsible for, in each case of damage, to the amount stipulated on the front of this agreement. The renter agrees that the amount of liability excess stipulated on the front of this agreement may be charged from the credit card provided at the beginning of the rental.

This accident insurance does not cover:

Intentional damage or damage due to gross negligence on the part of the driver.

Damage resulting from the driver being under the influence of controlled or illegal substances, or in any other way incapable of driving the vehicle in a safe manner.

Damage caused by a non-registered driver.

Damage caused by a race or test driving.

Damage caused by war, revolution, civil unrest, or riots.

Damage done by animals.

Holes burned into seats, carpets, or mats.

Damages affecting only wheels, tyres, suspension, batteries, glass (other than windows), radios, or loss by theft of parts of the vehicle and damage resulting from this.

Damage caused by driving on rough roads, e.g., to the transmission, the drive or driveshaft, and other parts in or attached to the chassis. Damage to the chassis, or any part of the vehicle, resulting from the vehicle scraping bottom on rough roads. The same applies to damage occurring when stones are thrown up, striking the underside of the vehicle when being driven. The underside of the vehicle is not insured.

Damage resulting from driving in places where driving is banned, such as paths, tracks, banks of snow, ice, unbridged rivers or streams, beaches, places only accessible at low tide, or other trackless areas. The vehicle is not insured when crossing rivers or driving in water of any kind. River crossing must be done with extreme care.

Damage to the vehicle caused by driving on mountain roads and roads marked F on a map or a road sign, including the Kjölur (road 35), Kaldidalur (road 550) and Sprengisandur (road 26) routes. (This does not extend to 4wd and all-wheel drive vehicles accepted by Auto Car Rental for use on mountain roads – approved vehicles are insured on all marked roads and tracks).

Water damage to the vehicle, its electrical system, accessories or engine.

Damage caused by sand, gravel, ash, pumice, or another kind of earth material being blown onto the vehicle, unless the renter purchases SAAP insurance.

Damage caused by wind blowing up the doors.

Damage caused to the top of the vehicle from standing, sitting, mounting or climbing on the vehicle or from any other action that does not fall under regular use of the vehicle.

No compensation will be paid for damage caused by sea spray/seawater if the vehicle is transported by sea.

Reference is made to the general conditions for accident insurance (Icelandic: kaskótrygging) as set by TM insurance company at www.tm.is

The retrieval fee for picking up the rental vehicle because of damage or other reasons that can be related to the renter’s responsibility is ISK 500 per km or a minimum of ISK 60.000 The ISK 500 per km charge is calculated from Auto Car Rental’s office.

The renter agrees that any damage not covered by the insurance of the vehicle may be charged from the credit card provided at the beginning of the rental.

The renter may purchase special insurance for damages caused by gravel (GP) and to the tires (TIP), from Auto Car Rental. These insurances lower the liability excess of the renter in each case of damage caused by gravel, to ISK 60.000 and a flat tire to ISK Zero.

In addition, the renter can purchase Sand and Ash Protection (SAAP), which covers damage to the vehicle's paint, windows, lights, plastic, chrome and wheels, which is caused by sand, gravel, ash, pumice or other earth material being blown onto the vehicle. The liability excess in each case of damage is ISK 399.000.

No insurance covers damage to the underside of the vehicle or damage caused by water when driving over rivers, pools of water or lakes. The same applies if the renter puts fuel, water, oil or other solvents in the wrong tank on the vehicle. The liability excess amount for CDW or SCDW does not extend to any of the above damages. The renter bears all risk and all costs of such damage.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

The renter confirms with his or her signature on this rental agreement, the terms and conditions and the inspection form that he or she has received the vehicle and its accessories in good condition.

This rental agreement with its terms and conditions shall remain in the vehicle during the rental period.

Any changes to the rental are subject to availability and must be done in writing.

Auto Car Rental is authorised to repossess the vehicle at their discretion and without notice if the vehicle has been illegally parked or used in a manner that does not conform with the conditions of this rental agreement or law and regulations, or if the vehicle appears to be abandoned. The renter will pay for costs arising from such measures.

Smoking is prohibited in all Auto Car Rental vehicles. Evidence of smoking in the vehicle will result in a cleaning fee of ISK 50.000.

Additions and amendments to the conditions and provisions of this rental agreement shall be made in writing and confirmed in writing by a Auto Car Rental representative.

By providing his/her credit card details to Auto Car Rental, the renter agrees with his/her signature on this rental agreement that Auto Car Rental is authorised to charge the card for the rental fee and any other fees, charges or fines that may arise from this rental agreement, as according to price list within terms & conditions or amounts stipulated on the front and back of this rental agreement. This includes:

Item 5.a) Missing or damaged accessories.

Item 5.c) Drop-off charges.

Item 5.d) Fuel charges.

Item 5.e) Clean-up charges.

Item 6. Late return and related costs.

Item 7. Damages to the vehicle by others than the renter/driver.

Item 8. Damages to the vehicle by the renter/driver.

Item 11 and 25. Fines and handling fees.

Item 12.a). Fines for driving where prohibited by law.

Item 12.b) Fines for driving 2WD vehicles on mountain roads.

Item 12 c) Fines for driving under influence of alcohol or illegal substances.

Item 12.f) Fines for smoking in the vehicle.

Item 12 h) Fines for allowing an unregistered driver to drive the vehicle.

Item 27. Liability excess for CDW or SCDW.

Item 28. Damages not covered by the vehicle’s insurance.

Item 29. Broken windshield

Auto Car Rental retains this right for a period of up to six months after the rental ends.

This rental agreement, and any agreements, made based on this agreement and its provisions, fall under the auspices of Icelandic law. This includes any claims for compensation that might be made. This applies both to the basis for and the calculation of compensation. The same applies to claims for damage based on liability outside this agreement. If legal disputes arise concerning this lease agreement, they will be heard before Auto Car Rental’s legal venue, the district court of Reykjanes, Iceland.

Any disputes between the parties to this rental agreement can be submitted to the active Arbitration committee of the Icelandic Consumers Association and the Icelandic Travel Industry Association.

Privacy Policy for Auto Car Rental

At Auto Car Rental, we are committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This privacy policy describes how we collect, use, and disclose your personal information when you use our website or services.

How We Use Your Information

We collect two types of information from you on our websites, via email, and through our service providers and distribution partners: Personal Information is information that identifies you personally, such as your name and email address. We also collect Other Information that does not identify you personally, such as gender, country of residence, and other demographic information.

We use your personal information to provide you with our car rental services and to improve our services. We may also use your information to communicate about your reservation or send you promotional materials about our services. We may share your personal information with third-party service providers who assist us in providing our services, such as payment processors and IT service providers. We may also share your information with law enforcement or other authorities if required by law or if we believe in good faith that such disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.

In some instances, we may also ask for Other Information such as demographic data, including your country of residence, gender, age, travel habits, etc. We also use cookies (as discussed below) to collect information about the performance and usability of our websites.

Extra prices

Please find below the price lists for missing extras, tire replacements, cracked windshields, and missing fuel charges. These charges apply in cases of lost or damaged accessories, tire damage or windshield cracks.

Note: A service fee of ISK 5,000 is added if the vehicle is returned with missing fuel.

Price List for Missing Extras

Tire prices

Cracked windshield