Insurance in Namibia

 

Background

 

It is important to be aware and understand that there are significant differences compared to Western countries regarding car insurances and responsibility in case of damages. For example, in most of the Southern African countries such as Namibia and Botswana, it is not obliged to have any car insurance. In practice this means, that the majority of the cars do not have any insurance at all and that the owners and/or car users are personally responsible for any damages and compensation in case of an accident or damages.

​

Standard Excess

 

All rental cars have a standard third party insurance (without excess) and are insured in case of traffic accidents for approximately 90% of the replacement value of the vehicle. The client/renter is responsible for the excess level of the remaining 10% during the agreed rental period. The exact excess level is different per vehicle class.

 

The chosen excess level will be Debited on the credit card (VISA or MasterCard) of the contract holder, which is required before hand over of the vehicle. This deposit will be Credited  when the car is returned and there are no damages reported. in case of damages the renter will be carched and the difference will be credited to the renter. 

 

Besides the general exclusions, terms & conditions, with this type of insurance, glass and tyre damages are not covered and will be the responsibility of the client.

Please note that the client is always liable for the damages of the rented vehicle up to the chosen level of excess, independent of who caused the accident or who is guilty, meaning this is also applicable in case the damages or accident is caused by a third party.

​

 

General Terms and Conditions 

 

1. Rental Rates are calculated per day (24 hours) from time of rental start till rental end. The minimum rental period is for four (4) days.
 
2. Drivers must produce a valid driver’s license at the time of rental start. The minimum age for drivers is 23. Depending on circumstances exceptions can be made for younger drivers. Multiple drivers per one vehicle can register at the time of booking or at vehicle pick up.
 
3. Valid driver’s licenses or any driver’s license in English and EU driver’s licenses that state “Driver’s License” in the English language. National driver’s licenses in any other language than English must be accompanied by an international driver’s license or an officially certified translation in English.
 
4. Extensions of the rental period must be arranged with Osino Car Hire at least 48 hours before the agreed date of rental termination as stated on the Rental Agreement.
 
5. No vehicle of Osino Car Hire may be driven outside the borders of Namibia without prior written approval.
 
6. In case of an insurance claim the renter will be held liable for the excess amount as chosen by the renter and as indicated on the Rental Agreement.
 
7. Insurances:

 

- Standard 3 insurance: N$ 575.00

            - Tyre & Windscreen insurance per day: N$ 290.00
 
8. Excess amount Follows as:

 

- Standard 3: N$ 15 000.00  

- Tyre and Windscreen Cover: N$ 25 000.00

- No Cover: N$ 45 000.00 
 

9. No vehicle are allowed to deviate from any government provided roads, except when turning off to lodges and campsites, vehicles must stay on the road provided by the lodges or campsite owners. However, clients are allowed to leave government roads when guided by a tour guide qualified for guided tours. (In this case a company letter should be provided from the applicable guide / tour operator)
 
10. Osino Car Hire limits their mileage at 300km per day, for unlimited mileage an additional fee per day of N$ 175 per day can be paid (super cover package already included). 
 
11. No vehicle shall be released without full payment.
 
12. All our vehicles are equipped with trackers and if any of these terms are breached a penalty fee of N$ 10 000 will be Charged.
 
13. Renter's Risks and Liabilities

 

a. The vehicle is at the sole risk of the renter and/or driver (fair wear and tear accepted) from the moment the key and/or the vehicle is handed to the renter until such time as the vehicle and key is returned.

 

b. The renter shall be liable for any damage and/or total loss sustained to the vehicle, however if the damage and/or total loss is caused and whether or not it is attributable to their fault or negligence (including but not limited to hail damage). The above liability may be reduced by the renter opting to purchase one or more of the company’s non compulsory Collision Damage or Theft Loss Waiver products which are subject to the terms stated below. The acceptance or decline of the options referred to are contracted for and indicated on the rental agreement. The liability amount applicable for each option is also reflected on the rental agreement.

 

c. If contracted for, the renter will only be liable for the amount indicated as the applicable excess as stated in the rental agreement (provided there was no breach of any conditions).

 

d. The company, in its sole and absolute discretion, reserves the right to, in the event of loss or damage which has occurred in a situation where no physical contact is made with another vehicle or animal or object or person (in or on the road surface), charge the renter either the actual amount of the loss or damage suffered or double the liability amount reflected on the agreement (notwithstanding the fact that waivers were opted for).

 

e. Should the vehicle be damaged, stolen or lost in a situation where there was a breach of any of the terms and conditions as contained herein, the renter will be liable for the total loss and/or damage suffered by the company (notwithstanding the fact that waivers were opted for).

 

f. Standard and/or Super, (Collision) Damage and / or Theft (Loss) Waiver do not cover:

i. any damage to rims;

ii. damage to undercarriage due to negligence;

iii. damage caused by water due to negligence;

iv. damage and/or total loss sustained as result of renter and/or driver negligence.

v. damage and/or total loss sustained whilst the renter and/or driver is in breach of any applicable traffic laws or ordinances;

vi. damage and/or total loss sustained where incidents are not reported as contemplated;

vii. damage and/or total loss sustained where the incident takes place outside the country in which the vehicle was rented unless prior written authority for the vehicle to be taken outside such country has been obtained;

viii. damage and/or total loss sustained if at any time the vehicle is driven by an unauthorized driver;

ix. damage and/or total loss sustained when in the opinion of the company the vehicle has been driven or used in a manner which      prejudices the company's interests or rights therein and/or as prohibited;

x. damage and/or total loss sustained where the driver was not holding a valid unendorsed drivers license at the time the damage or loss    was sustained;

xi. damage and/or total loss sustained where an extension of the rental agreement is not authorised by the company and where the rental    period has expired;

xii. damage and/or total loss caused as a result of the vehicle being driven on a road that was not suitable for that vehicle as determined in the sole discretion of the company.

xiii. the vehicle (at the time of damage or total loss) was being driven by any person whose blood alcohol concentration exceeded the limit permitted by any applicable law or regulation or whilst under the influence of intoxicating liquor , narcotic drug or similar substance

xiv. The renter and/or driver is liable for all fines and/or penalties incurred during the rental period and hereby authorises the company to disclose any information required by a relevant authority to process it.

 

g. Notwithstanding anything in this agreement, the company shall not be obliged to make, institute or proceed with any claim which the company may otherwise have had against a third party for the recovery of any loss or damage to or in connection with the vehicle and, accordingly, the company shall be entitled, in its fair and reasonable discretion, to abandon such claim or to settle such claim on any terms.

 
14. Consequential Damages (Waivers Declined)

 

In the event the renter and/or driver does not opt for any of the waivers offered by the company, the renter will be liable, in addition to any other amount provided for in the rental agreement, for damages suffered by the company in consequence of it being unable to rent the vehicle, which damages will be calculated on the basis of the contracted daily rate on the rental agreement or on the official rates brochure plus 300 kilometres per day for the period that the vehicle was inoperative, limited to a maximum of 30 days.
 
15. Procedure in the Event of an Incident Involving the Vehicle

 

a. If at any time the vehicle is damaged, stolen or lost, the renter and/or driver shall take every reasonable precaution to safeguard the interest of the company including but without being limited to, the following where appropriate:

i. he shall notify the company immediately or within 3 hours of becoming aware of the occurrence and shall within twenty-four hours of the occurrence in question complete and furnish to the company, the company’s standard claim form together with a copy of his drivers license;

ii. he shall obtain the name(s) and addresses of everyone involved and of possible witnesses;

iii. he shall not admit any responsibility or liability nor release any party from any liability or potential liability nor settle any claim or potential claim against or by any party nor accept any disclaimer of liability;

iv. he shall notify the police within twenty-four hours of the occurrence in question and furnish the company with an accident case number;

v. he shall make adequate provision for the safety and security of the vehicle and will not abandon the vehicle under any circumstances;

vi. he shall co-operate with the company and its insurer in the investigation, the making or instituting of any claim or action and the defence of any prosecution, claim or action relating to the incident (including the making of an affidavit if he is requested to do so).

 

b. If the renter is not the driver, then, without in any way derogating from the renter's obligations in terms of the contract, the renter shall procure that the driver complies with the provisions of and the renter warrants that the driver will do so.

 

c. The renter shall within 24 hours of receipt thereof furnish to the company (and if the renter is not the driver, the renter shall also procure that the driver does) any notice of claim, demand, summons or the like which the renter or the driver may receive in connection with the vehicle.

 
d. The renter and/or driver warrants that the information completed in the company’s claim form will be complete, true and correct in every respect.
 

16. Indemnity of the Company by Renter

 

a. Neither the company nor any of its directors, officers, employees, servants or agents shall be liable for any loss or damage (including any loss or damage to property left or transported in the vehicle, any loss of life or any loss or damage arising from the installation or condition of a child seat or any other accessory in and/or on the vehicle), whether direct, indirect, consequential or otherwise arising from the rental by the renter of the vehicle, including, without limitation, any defect in and/ or mechanical failure of the vehicle (howsoever arising and of whatever nature) or the failure of the company to detect defects in or mechanical problems with the vehicle and whether such loss or damage results from breach of contract or delict (including negligence or gross negligence) or otherwise, which may be suffered by the renter and/or any third party and/or passenger.

 

b. The company, its directors, officers, employees, servants or agents (“it”) are accordingly indemnified by the renter or his estate against any claim of any nature whatsoever and howsoever arising for any damages or loss which might be instituted against it arising from or connected with or pursuant to the renting of the vehicle contemplated in these terms and conditions.
 

17. Joint and Several Liability of Signatories, Renter and/or Driver

 

The renter and every person whose signature appears on the car rental contract shall be liable jointly and severally for payment of all amounts due to the company in terms of or pursuant to the rental agreement.