AA Rental Care terms and conditions

Definitions 

In these Terms and Conditions:

"AA" means The New Zealand Automobile Association Incorporated.

"AA Rental Care Passenger Programme" means the Services provided under this programme to any Nominated Vehicle up to 2500 kg gross laden weight (GLW) at the time of breakdown, with a physical dimension not exceeding 2.44 metres in width, 7.0 metres in length and 3 metres high, and a wheel base not exceeding 1.8 metres wide.

"AA Rental Care Light Commercial Programme" means the Services provided under this programme to any Nominated Vehicle between 2500 kg gross laden weight (GLW) and up to 5000 kg gross laden weight (GLW) at the time of breakdown, with a physical dimension not exceeding 2.44 metres in width, 7.0 metres in length and 3 metres high.

"AA Service Provider" means any person or company providing the Services at the request or direction of AA and any servant or agent of that person or company having that company's or person's authority to provide the Services.

"Administration Fee" is the fee that will be added to the total amount owing that is payable by the Customer if any additional fee in excess of the AA's maximum contribution is not paid at the time of the incident.

"Callout Fee" means the fee to be collected by the AA for all non-mechanical related breakdowns. The fee is payable by the Driver prior to service being rendered and will be collected via credit card.

"Customer" means the Rental Operator entity listed as a financial customer in whose name the AA account is maintained.

"Driver Information" means the confidential and proprietary listing of any name and address details, or any other details of Driver and the Customer provided by the Driver or the Customer to AA.

"Gross Laden Weight" or "GLW" means the weight of a vehicle together with any load it is carrying, including any equipment and accessories.

"Hazardous Materials" means any substance considered explosive, flammable, poisonous, corrosive, irritating or otherwise harmful. This is at the discretion of the attending AA Service Provider.

"Mechanical breakdown" means a breakdown that relates directly to the vehicle, or a breakdown that is outside of the driver's control (e.g. starter motor or radiator problems).

"Nominated Vehicle" means a motorised vehicle nominated by the Customer to have access to the Services specified and which at the time of breakdown has a valid warrant of fitness and can be legally used on New Zealand roads.

“Non-mechanical breakdown” means a breakdown that indirectly relates to the vehicle, and can often be attributed to action taken by the Driver of the vehicle (e.g. lost keys, lights left on, etc.).

"Programme" means the Rental Care Programme for the duration of the paid AA subscription.

"Refund" only applies to the callout fee collected for a “non-mechanical” breakdown, which on resolution is categorised as a “mechanical” breakdown; therefore the cost should be covered under the Subscription. The Refund will be made to the credit card the original payment was taken from. The granting of a Refund is at the discretion of the AA.

"Roadservice" means the service provided by the AA as outlined in the Terms and Conditions.

"Services" means the services applicable to each of the Nominated Vehicles under the relevant Programme.

"Subscription period" means the cover provided to the Nominated Vehicle for either 6 months or 12 months as requested by the Customer at the time of Nomination of a vehicle, which is not refundable.

"Subscription" means the fee specified for each Nominated Vehicle; the AA reserves the right to review and change subscription rates at the time of renewal in relation to the Roadservice usage.

“Subsequent Tow” means any tow after the initial recovery of the immobilised vehicle provided by the AA to the place of repair or location specified by the Driver or Customer. 

In these terms and conditions, singular includes plurals and vice versa and references to a gender shall include all other genders. 

References to natural persons include bodies corporate and vice versa.

AA Rental Care Programme entitlements

Your AA Rental Care Programme is non-refundable and applicable to the Nominated Vehicle(s).

Programme entitlements do not cover incidents or pre-existing problems resulting in a breakdown prior to joining any AA Rental Care package.

The AA Rental Care Programme has different categories determined by the gross vehicle weight (GLW) of your vehicle. This is to ensure that the AA is able to offer the correct specialised service at the time of breakdown. Please choose the correct Programme category at the time of nominating your vehicle.

Your AA Rental Care categories are defined in the following table:

Services offered under AA Rental Care Programme

Note: For AA Rental Care benefits to apply, you must contact the AA at the time of breakdown, and prior to any arrangements being made, or costs incurred.

The following services apply for the programmes outlined below unless otherwise specified elsewhere as additional benefits or exclusions:

• AA Rental Care - Passenger (Vehicles up to 2,500kg GLW)
• AA Rental Care - Light Commercial (Vehicles over 2,500kg and up to 5,000kg GLW)

Callouts

Roadservice callouts are unlimited per Subscription period on all AA Rental Care Programmes.

Vehicle towing

If the Nominated Vehicle breaks down, or has a mechanical problem that cannot be mobilised at scene, the AA will tow the vehicle to the nearest place of safety or repair, where arrangements for its repair can be made or where it can be safely stored. The maximum contribution by the AA towards the vehicle recovery is $200 (GST inclusive) per incident. Any cost incurred above this amount will be the Customer’s or the Driver’s responsibility, and payable at the time of the incident.
If, however, payment for the additional cost is not received at the time of the incident, and there is a requirement for the AA to facilitate, an Administration Fee of 10% will be added to the additional cost. Once a tow has been provided for a breakdown, any subsequent tows for the same breakdown will be at the Customer’s or the Driver’s cost at the time of service.

On-tow vehicles, e.g. trailers

If an on-towed vehicle experiences a breakdown while towed by a Nominated Vehicle, and requires transportation to a repairer, the AA will organise a repair or recovery at the Customer’s or the Driver’s cost.

Additional transportation

Carriage of passengers or anything on-tow at the time of the breakdown, can only be to the legal limit of the attending vehicle. Any expense as a result of additional transportation, or a return journey to pick up extra passengers or vehicles, will be the Customer’s or the Driver’s responsibility.
Please Note: Recovery of vehicles exceeding 5.5metres overall length may be subject to delays from some locations due to the unavailability of a suitable recovery vehicle.

Faulty battery

Where the Nominated Vehicle cannot be mobilised at roadside due to a faulty battery, therefore requiring a new battery, the AA Service Provider will offer the Driver a battery referral to AA Battery Services*. The new battery will be offered at the same rate as offered to a personal AA Member, will be at the Driver’s expense and payable at the time of the incident.
Where the Nominated Vehicle cannot be mobilised at roadside due to a faulty battery, and is outside AA Battery Service coverage area, a recovery to the nearest service station will be provided.
* Available in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch.

Non-Mechanical (Driver Error) breakdown

Where the breakdown is non-mechanical a callout fee will be charged to the Driver at the time of the breakdown, and is payable by credit card. The fee charged will depend on the location of the breakdown and the time of day.
In areas of Service Officer** Coverage between the hours of 7am and 11pm the Callout Fee is $90 (GST inclusive). In areas of Contracted Service Provider coverage and for all callouts between 11pm and 7am, the Callout Fee is $165 (GST inclusive).
**AA Service Officer Coverage areas: Whangarei, Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Feilding, Palmerston North, Levin, Napier, Hastings, Wellington, Blenheim, Nelson, Christchurch, Timaru, and Dunedin.

Incorrectly fuelled

Where Roadservice is required as a result of a vehicle being incorrectly fuelled, a tow will be organised to the nearest place of repair or safety. Tow limits and callout fee apply.

Fuel delivery

The AA Service Provider will deliver up to $20 dollars worth of petrol, or up to $10 worth of diesel. The cost of the fuel is the responsibility of the Driver and is additional to the callout fee. Where it is not suitable for an AA Service Provider to deliver fuel, a tow to the nearest service station will be provided by the AA or its representative. Tow limits apply.

Flat tyre

The AA Service Provider will change a damaged tyre/wheel with the Nominated Vehicle’s serviceable spare, where it is roadworthy and compatible with the other tyres/wheels of the vehicle. Where the spare is not serviceable, roadworthy or compatible, recovery to the nearest AA authorised facility to supply/repair will be provided. All costs associated with the repair of the tyre including the callout fee will be at the Driver’s expense.

Flat battery

AA Service Providers will provide a battery boost and any other practical assistance at the roadside to start the Nominated Vehicle. A callout fee applies.

Lockout

Where the Nominated Vehicle is unable to be accessed due to lockout, the AA Service Provider will attempt to open the vehicle. This action will be subject to satisfactory proof of ownership or owner authority to drive the Nominated Vehicle. The owner or the owner’s representative (the Driver) may also be required to sign an indemnity releasing the AA Service Provider and the AA from any liability should damage be caused by such forced entry. A callout fee applies.

Lost keys

Where a Driver has lost the Nominated Vehicle’s keys and requires the services of a locksmith or recovery of the Nominated Vehicle, the cost of the replacement key will be the responsibility of the Driver and is in addition to the callout fee.

Exclusions for AA Rental Care Programme

Exclusions are:

• Any mechanical fault or breakdown that occurred before, or within, 24 hours of purchasing AA Rental Care Programme.
• When the vehicle is disabled or damaged due to a motor vehicle accident, or stolen, or damaged due to theft or vandalism
• When the Nominated Vehicle is unattended at the time the AA Service Provider arrives at the breakdown location
• Vehicle parts/fuel/repairs on garage/repairer premises
• Nominated Vehicles not on public or formed roads, or trapped/bogged
• Nominated Vehicles of un-roadworthy/unsafe condition
• When would be dangerous or illegal for AA personnel or contractors to repair, load or transport, the Vehicle and/or its occupants
• When the Nominated Vehicle is immobilised due to the Customer’s failure to carry a serviceable spare wheel and wheel changing equipment suitable to the vehicle
• When the Nominated Vehicle was being used for racing, pace-making, speed testing, reliability trials, competitions, or off-road activities at the time of the breakdown
• Nominated Vehicles carrying a load beyond the legal limit
• Nominated Vehicles carrying hazardous or perishable goods
• Nominated Vehicles or on-tow vehicles, trailers, caravans, floats carrying livestock unless secured by the Customer or Driver before attendance by the AA Service Provider.

Vehicle restrictions for AA Rental Care Programme

These restrictions apply to all vehicles including: private motorcars, motorcycles, light goods vehicles, motorised caravans or campervans. In order to be eligible to receive the benefits of the AA Rental Care Programme, Nominated Vehicles must be:

• Roadworthy, with a current Warrant of Fitness and registration
• Less than 20 Years old
• Less than 2.5 tonnes gross laden weight overall for AA Rental Care Passenger Programme
• Less than 2.44-metres wide overall for AA Rental Care Passenger Programme and AA Rental Care Light Commercial Programme
• Less than 3-metres high overall for AA Rental Care Passenger Programme and AA Rental Care Light Commercial Programme
• Less than 7-metres long overall for AA Rental Care Passenger Programme and AA Rental Care Light Commercial Programme
• Wheelbase less than 1.8-metres wide for AA Rental Care Passenger Programme
• Above 2.5 tonnes and up to 5.0 tonnes gross laden weight overall for AA Rental Care Light Commercial Programme

The use of the AA Brand

The AA Badge and Branding must not be used on any information or documentation without gaining prior written permission from the AA for every instance where use of the AA name or Badge is requested. Participation in the AA Rental Care Programme does not give any organisation right to the use of the AA Badge or name. Any unauthorised use of the AA Brand must be removed from all communications or vehicles unless prior written approval has been obtained.

Right of termination

The AA reserves the right to terminate your Programme by giving the seven days written notice if the AA deems that the Programme has been abused or the Terms and Conditions of this Programme have been breached.

Quality control

The AA endeavours to ensure all sub-contracted providers are registered with their appropriate trade or professional body and have the necessary qualifications to provide products or services to a standard acceptable to the AA and AA Customers. Please contact the AA immediately if you are unhappy in any way with a referral made by the AA to an independent contractor and the AA will endeavour to correct your dissatisfaction and/or offer you the choice of an alternative provider.

The AA endeavours to provide the full range of benefits and services outlined in this brochure in good faith. However, it cannot be held responsible for consequential loss or damage resulting from acts, events and circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the AA, including industrial disputes, strikes, flood conditions, adverse weather conditions, geographic inaccessibility and the absence or unavailability of subcontractors which may delay, interfere with or prevent the provision of some or all of the services outlined in this brochure.

Your privacy rights

Personal information relating to AA Rental Care Programme Customers is held securely and will not be disclosed to any other person or organisation unless authorised by you. Customers also have the right to access and correct the information at any time.

Disclaimer

The Customer understands that the information provided may be used by the AA for administrative purposes and for the purpose of providing the Customer with information relating to products and services from time to time. For this purpose the New Zealand Automobile Association (AA) includes itself and any division, subsidiary, third party under contract, or joint venture companies including AA Financial Services and AA Insurance.