Terms of Use

Introduction

Welcome to Traversents Car Rental ("Company", "we", "our", or "us"). These Terms of Use ("Terms") govern your access to and use of our website, mobile applications, and car rental services (collectively, the "Services").

By accessing or using our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use our Services.

IMPORTANT: These Terms contain a binding arbitration clause and class action waiver in Section 15, which affect your legal rights. Please read them carefully.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account, making a reservation, or using any of our Services, you represent that:

• You are at least 18 years of age (or the age of majority in your jurisdiction)
• You have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract
• You hold a valid driver's license issued by your country or state of residence
• You will comply with all applicable laws and regulations
• All information you provide is accurate, current, and complete

2. Account Registration and Security

2.1 Account Creation

To access certain features of our Services, you may need to create an account. You agree to provide accurate, complete information during registration and to update it as necessary to maintain its accuracy.

2.2 Account Security

You are responsible for:

• Maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
• All activities that occur under your account
• Notifying us immediately of any unauthorized access or security breach
• Ensuring you log out after each session, especially on shared devices

2.3 Account Suspension

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account if we suspect fraudulent activity, violation of these Terms, or misuse of our Services.

3. Rental Reservations and Requirements

3.1 Reservation Process

Reservations can be made through our website, mobile app, or by contacting our customer service. A reservation is confirmed only when you receive a confirmation email or booking reference.

3.2 Driver Requirements

To rent a vehicle, you must:

• Be at least 21 years old (25 for certain vehicle categories)
• Hold a valid driver's license for at least 1 year (2 years for premium vehicles)
• Present a valid government-issued ID
• Provide a valid credit or debit card in your name
• Have adequate insurance coverage (or purchase our coverage)
• Not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs

3.3 Additional Drivers

Additional drivers must meet the same requirements and must be present at the time of rental to be added to the rental agreement. Additional fees may apply.

3.4 Reservation Modifications and Cancellations

You may modify or cancel your reservation according to our cancellation policy:

• Free Cancellation: Up to 48 hours before pickup
• 50% Fee: 24-48 hours before pickup
• 100% Fee: Less than 24 hours or no-show
• Gold Plus Members: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before pickup

4. Pricing and Payments

4.1 Rental Rates

Rental rates are displayed on our website and are subject to availability. Rates may vary based on vehicle type, rental duration, location, and season. All prices are in Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) unless otherwise stated.

4.2 Additional Charges

Additional charges may include:

• Additional driver fees
• Young driver surcharge (under 25 years)
• Optional insurance and protection products
• GPS, child seats, and other equipment
• Fuel charges (if not returned full)
• Late return fees
• Cleaning fees (if vehicle returned excessively dirty)
• Toll road charges and traffic fines
• Damage or loss (beyond normal wear and tear)

4.3 Payment Methods

We accept major credit cards, debit cards, and mobile money payments. A security deposit may be required and will be held on your card until the vehicle is returned in satisfactory condition.

4.4 Taxes and Fees

All rental charges are subject to applicable taxes, fees, and surcharges as required by law.

5. Vehicle Use and Restrictions

5.1 Permitted Use

You agree to:

• Use the vehicle only for lawful purposes
• Operate the vehicle in accordance with all traffic laws and regulations
• Maintain the vehicle in good condition during the rental period
• Return the vehicle on time and in the same condition as received
• Use only the specified fuel type
• Keep the vehicle locked when unattended

5.2 Prohibited Use

You must NOT:

• Allow unauthorized persons to drive the vehicle
• Use the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication
• Use the vehicle for illegal activities, racing, or competitions
• Use the vehicle to transport passengers for hire (e.g., Uber, Bolt) without prior authorization
• Use the vehicle to tow or push other vehicles
• Drive on unpaved roads or off-road without authorization
• Transport hazardous materials or illegal substances
• Overload the vehicle beyond its capacity
• Smoke in the vehicle (non-smoking policy)
• Transport pets without prior approval
• Cross international borders without authorization
• Sublease or lend the vehicle to others

5.3 Geographic Restrictions

Use of the vehicle may be restricted to certain geographic areas. Unauthorized travel outside permitted areas may void insurance coverage and result in additional charges.

6. Insurance and Liability

6.1 Insurance Coverage

Basic insurance is included in all rentals. Optional coverage upgrades are available, including Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), Theft Protection (TP), and Personal Accident Insurance (PAI).

6.2 Your Liability

You are responsible for:

• Any damage to the vehicle during the rental period
• Theft or loss of the vehicle, unless caused by our negligence
• Damage to third-party property or persons
• Traffic violations, parking tickets, and toll charges
• Loss of keys, documents, or accessories

6.3 Accident Reporting

In case of an accident, theft, or damage, you must:

• Contact the police immediately and obtain a police report
• Notify us within 24 hours
• Not admit fault or liability
• Obtain contact and insurance information from other parties involved
• Complete our accident report form

7. Fuel Policy

Full-to-Full Policy: The vehicle is provided with a full tank of fuel and must be returned with a full tank. If returned with less fuel, you will be charged for the missing fuel plus a refueling service fee.

Use only the correct fuel type specified in the vehicle documentation. Using incorrect fuel may result in significant charges.

8. Vehicle Return

8.1 Return Conditions

The vehicle must be returned:

• At the agreed time and location
• In the same condition as received (normal wear and tear excepted)
• With a full tank of fuel
• Clean and free of excessive dirt or odors
• With all accessories, keys, and documents

8.2 Late Returns

A grace period of 29 minutes is provided. After that, late fees apply. If you return the vehicle more than 2 hours late without prior authorization, we may report it as stolen.

8.3 Extensions

To extend your rental, contact us before the scheduled return time. Extensions are subject to vehicle availability and may incur additional charges.

9. Intellectual Property Rights

All content on our website and applications, including text, graphics, logos, images, and software, is the property of Traversents Car Rental or its licensors and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from any content without our express written permission.

10. User Conduct

You agree not to:

• Use our Services for any unlawful purpose
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Interfere with the proper functioning of our Services
• Upload viruses, malware, or harmful code
• Impersonate any person or entity
• Harvest or collect information about other users
• Post false, misleading, or defamatory content

11. Privacy and Data Protection

Your use of our Services is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. By using our Services, you consent to our data practices as described in the Privacy Policy.

12. Third-Party Services and Links

Our Services may contain links to third-party websites or services (e.g., payment processors, Google OAuth). We are not responsible for the content, privacy policies, or practices of these third parties.

Use of third-party services is at your own risk and subject to their terms and conditions.

13. Disclaimers and Warranties

13.1 Service Availability

Our Services are provided "as is" and "as available." We do not guarantee that our Services will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free. We reserve the right to modify or discontinue any aspect of our Services at any time.

13.2 Vehicle Condition

While we maintain our vehicles to high standards, we do not warrant that any vehicle will be free from defects or suitable for any particular purpose beyond basic transportation.

13.3 Limitation of Warranties

To the maximum extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

14. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Traversents Car Rental and its officers, directors, employees, and agents shall not be liable for:

• Indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages
• Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities
• Personal injury or property damage arising from vehicle use
• Delays, cancellations, or service interruptions
• Third-party actions or omissions

Our total liability to you for any claims arising from these Terms or use of our Services shall not exceed the total amount you paid for the rental.

15. Dispute Resolution and Arbitration

15.1 Informal Resolution

In the event of any dispute, you agree to first contact us to attempt to resolve the matter informally. We commit to working with you in good faith to reach a resolution.

15.2 Binding Arbitration

If informal resolution is unsuccessful, any dispute shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the laws of Zambia. The arbitration shall take place in Lusaka, Zambia.

15.3 Class Action Waiver

You agree that disputes will be resolved on an individual basis only, and you waive any right to participate in class action lawsuits or class-wide arbitration.

16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Zambia. You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Lusaka, Zambia for the resolution of any disputes.

17. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Traversents Car Rental, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

• Your use of our Services or rental vehicles
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any laws or third-party rights
• Any damage or injury caused by your use of the vehicle

18. Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated Terms on our website with a new "Last Updated" date.

Your continued use of our Services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to the changes, you must stop using our Services.

19. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The invalid provision shall be replaced with a valid provision that most closely reflects the original intent.

20. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any rental agreement you sign, constitute the entire agreement between you and Traversents Car Rental regarding your use of our Services and supersede all prior agreements.

21. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or complaints about these Terms, please contact us: