Jimny Rentals NZ
Rental Car Insurance and Excess Options
When you rent a Suzuki Jimny in New Zealand, you’re covered by insurance from the moment you drive away. This page explains how that cover works, what your excess means, and how you can reduce it so you can book with confidence. No jargon — just clear, simple information to help you understand your options before you hit the road.
Standard insurance
Every Jimny rental includes standard insurance as part of your hire. Here’s what that means in practice.
- What’s covered: Basic third-party and collision cover so you’re protected if you’re in an accident or cause damage to another vehicle or property.
- Standard excess: If a claim is made, you pay an excess (a set amount per incident). With standard insurance this is a higher excess — typically around $2,500 per incident — so it’s worth understanding your options if you want lower out-of-pocket costs.
- Who is covered: Cover applies to drivers named on the rental agreement who meet our licence and age requirements. Always ensure only authorised drivers use the vehicle.
Windscreens, tyres, wheels, lost keys, and minor damage are generally not covered under standard insurance unless you add an excess reduction package. For more on driver rules and eligibility, see our FAQ and vehicles page.
Excess reduction options
Excess reduction lowers the amount you’d pay per incident if something goes wrong. You pay a daily fee (added to your rental) and in return your excess is reduced — so if you do have a claim, your share is smaller.
- How it works: You choose a package when you book (or before your rental starts). The daily rate is applied for each day of your hire. You can’t add it after an incident has occurred.
- Why travellers choose it: Peace of mind on long trips, rural roads, or when you want to avoid a large excess for things like windscreen chips, tyre damage, or lost keys. Popular with anyone exploring gravel roads or doing a longer South Island trip.
- Approximate cost ranges: Options typically sit in the range of about $15–$30 per day (incl. GST), depending on the level of cover. One tier might reduce your excess to around $1,000 per incident; a premium tier can reduce it further (e.g. around $500) and often includes windscreen, tyre, and wheel damage. Exact prices and terms are shown at booking.
If you’re unsure which option suits your trip, contact us and we’ll talk you through the choices.
What is covered
Under your rental agreement and any excess reduction you’ve chosen, cover typically includes things like:
- Damage to the rental vehicle (subject to excess and any package limits)
- Collisions with another vehicle or object
- Theft of the vehicle (subject to terms and excess)
- Third-party damage — damage you cause to someone else’s property or vehicle
Higher-tier excess reduction packages may also cover windscreen repairs or replacement, tyre damage (e.g. punctures, cuts, blowouts), cosmetic wheel damage, and lost key replacement. Check the product details at booking for the exact inclusions.
What is not covered
Insurance does not cover damage or loss that results from misuse or breaking the rental rules. Examples of what is not covered include:
- Off-road driving — tracks, paddocks, beaches, dunes, or any driving that isn’t on a formed public road
- Reckless or careless driving — driving in a way that puts the vehicle or others at risk
- Driving under the influence — alcohol or drugs
- River crossings — driving through rivers, creeks, or floodwater
- Ignoring road restrictions — closed roads, weight limits, or conditions that prohibit use of the vehicle
If damage occurs in these situations, you will be responsible for the cost. For the full list of exclusions, see our rental terms and conditions. More on what’s allowed and what’s not is on our rules and FAQ pages.
Post-hire charges (such as tolls, fines, or damage costs) may be invoiced after your rental ends. Unpaid balances may be referred to third-party recovery partners, including international recovery where applicable — see our terms.
Gravel road driving
Gravel roads are allowed.
Driving on formed gravel and unsealed public roads is permitted. Many of the best South Island drives and scenic routes use these roads, and the Jimny is well suited to them when driven sensibly.
Off-road driving is not allowed.
Off-road means anything that isn’t a formed public road — e.g. farm tracks, riverbeds, beaches, mud, private land, or 4WD-only tracks. That’s outside the scope of your rental and is not covered by insurance. Stick to public roads and you’re good to go.
Common questions
What happens if the car is damaged?
Report any damage or incident to us as soon as it happens. We’ll guide you through the next steps. Depending on the situation, you may need to pay the applicable excess. If you’ve taken an excess reduction package, your excess will be lower. Never leave the scene of an accident without reporting it and exchanging details if another party is involved.
Do I pay the excess immediately?
The excess is usually payable when a claim is made or when the rental ends and damage is assessed. In some cases we may deduct it from your bond or charge it to your payment method. Your booking confirmation and rental agreement will outline how and when the excess applies.
Can I reduce the excess?
Yes. We offer excess reduction packages that you can add when you book (or before your rental starts). They lower the amount you’d pay per incident and often add cover for windscreen, tyres, and similar. Choose the level that suits your trip when you check availability or ask us when you contact us.
Does travel insurance cover rental car excess?
Some travel insurance policies include rental vehicle excess cover. It’s worth checking your policy wording — if it does, you may be able to claim back the excess from your insurer after paying us. We can provide documentation to support your claim. We still require you to pay the excess to us as per the rental agreement; any reimbursement is between you and your travel insurer.
More answers on booking, pickup, and driving: see our FAQ.
Booking confidence
We want you to understand your cover before you book. Every Jimny rental includes standard insurance, and you can add an excess reduction package if you want extra peace of mind. Gravel roads are fine; off-road is not. Report any damage as soon as it happens, and if you have questions, we’re here to help — just get in touch.
Ready to find your dates? Check availability below and choose your Jimny, pickup location, and any extras. We’ll show you the exact insurance and excess options for your hire.