Insurance is the part of a campervan hire most first-timers skim, then get a shock over. It’s not complicated once you know the three things that matter: what’s included, what the excess is (and how to reduce it), and what isn’t covered at all. Here’s the plain-English version for hiring in WA, and how it works with us.
What’s included with our hire
Every Offgrid Campers WA hire comes with comprehensive insurance and NRMA-style roadside assistance built into the daily rate, handled through Camplify, who we book through. You’re not driving uninsured, and you’re not paying extra for the basic cover. That’s the starting point.
What insurance is not is a personal travel policy, it covers the vehicle, not your belongings, your flights or your medical costs. Keep your own travel insurance for those.
The number that actually matters: the excess
The daily rate isn’t the figure to focus on, the excess is. That’s the amount you’re liable for if there’s a claim. Comprehensive cover is included, and the excess can be reduced through Camplify’s MyWay cover if you want to lower what you’d pay in an incident.
We’ve set out exactly how the excess works, what it costs, and how to bring it down on the camper excess page, read that before you book so there are no surprises. Worth knowing: if you arrange any separate excess-reduction cover, it has to be in place before the hire starts.
The bond
This is where the big national brands sting people. Many physically charge a multi-thousand-dollar bond to your card, sometimes $3,500 up to $7,500-plus, and add a card surcharge on top, so you need the credit limit to match.
We don’t work that way: no big upfront bond, and we’re reasonable about minor wear and tear. Things happen on the road, replace what you can, tell us what’s broken, and we’ll sort it fairly. The full process is on how it works.
What isn’t covered, read this bit
This is the part that catches people out, and it’s the same for every hire vehicle: cover does not extend to driving somewhere you’re not permitted. With our campers that means no sand, beaches, river crossings, heavily corrugated unsealed roads, or remote 4WD tracks, and damage from driving on any of them is on you, not the insurer. (Beach driving is permitted only on the hard sand at Lucky Bay and Wharton Beach near Esperance, nowhere else.)
So the rule is simple: drive where the hire terms allow, sealed roads and short, formed gravel access, and you’re covered. Stray onto a prohibited surface and you’ve voided it, plus you may cop an undercarriage-inspection or red-dust cleaning fee. If you’re unsure whether a road’s allowed, ask Dorian before you go. Misuse, breaking the rental rules, and driving under the influence aren’t covered either.
Breakdowns and roadside
Roadside assistance (NRMA-style) is included, which covers the common stuff, flat tyres, jump-starts, lockouts, and towing to the nearest town if needed. One honest note about remote WA: help can be hours away whether you’re in a rental or your own car, simply because the distances are huge. That’s part of why the hire terms keep you on roads where you can actually be reached. If something does go wrong, our guide on what to do if your camper breaks down walks you through it.
A note on peer-to-peer (Camplify) hire
Because the booking and insurance run through Camplify, do the one thing that protects everyone: photograph the vehicle inside and out at pickup and at drop-off. It settles any question about pre-existing marks instantly. The Camplify MyWay explainer covers how the cover and excess reduction work in detail.
If you need to make a claim
Don’t go hunting through Camplify, contact us (the owner) first. Take photos at the time, let Dorian know what happened, and we’ll guide you through it. Being upfront and quick about it is always the smoothest path.
Plan a covered, no-surprises trip
The short version: with us, comprehensive insurance and roadside are included, the excess is reducible via MyWay, there’s no big bond, and you’re covered as long as you drive where you’re allowed. Compare the campervan and 4WD camper options, check live availability on the fleet listings, and read the excess page before you book.
FAQs
Do I need to buy extra insurance for a campervan hire?
Comprehensive insurance is already included with our hire, so you don’t need a separate vehicle policy. You can reduce the excess through Camplify’s MyWay cover if you want lower liability. Keep your own travel insurance for personal belongings, flights and medical.
What is the excess, and how do I reduce it?
The excess is what you’re liable for in a claim. Comprehensive cover is included, and you can lower the excess through Camplify MyWay, see the excess page for the figures and how it works.
Is off-road or beach driving covered?
No. Cover applies on sealed roads and short formed gravel access only. Sand, beaches (except the hard sand at Lucky Bay and Wharton), river crossings and corrugated remote tracks aren’t permitted and aren’t covered.
Do you charge a big bond?
No. Unlike the big national brands, we don’t charge a large upfront bond, and we don’t nickel-and-dime minor wear and tear.
What’s a collision damage waiver / excess reduction?
It’s cover that lowers the amount you’d pay out of pocket in an incident, for us, that’s Camplify’s MyWay. It still won’t cover damage from prohibited roads or driving under the influence.
How do I make a claim?
Contact us first, take photos at the time, and we’ll walk you through it, there’s no separate claim for you to lodge.