Sai Car Rentals Rental Terms and Conditions

Read our rental terms | Updated 26 October 2026

1 About your agreement

These terms apply to rentals from SAI CAR RENTALS PTY LTD, ABN 54 669 005 387 (we, us or our). Our office is at Unit 20/2 Gray Street, Kilkenny SA 5009. Contact us on 08 8445 0999 or admin@saicarrentals.com.au.

Your agreement consists of these terms, your booking confirmation, the rental schedule identifying the vehicle and approved drivers, the vehicle condition report and any optional protection terms you accept. We provide these documents before you commit. Any special conditions must be clearly disclosed and agreed in writing. Later website changes do not alter an existing booking without your agreement.

You means the renter named in the rental schedule. An authorised driver is a driver approved by us and recorded in that schedule. Vehicle includes the allocated car, keys and supplied accessories. The rental period is the agreed pickup-to-return period, including any approved extension.

2 Your consumer rights

Nothing in this agreement excludes, restricts or modifies rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded, including rights under the Australian Consumer Law. We will supply a roadworthy vehicle suitable for its agreed use and comply with our legal obligations. These terms do not remove our responsibility for our negligence, breach of contract or failure to meet consumer guarantees.

3 Driver eligibility

Every driver must be at least 21 years old and hold a current licence legally permitting them to drive the vehicle in South Australia and any approved travel area. Present your licence and requested identity documents before collection. A suspended, cancelled or expired licence is not acceptable.

Accepted licence classes, any minimum licence-holding period, overseas licence documentation and additional conditions for particular vehicle categories or drivers are shown during booking, before you commit. Any additional-driver or young-driver fee is disclosed before you accept it. Only authorised drivers may drive.

4 Booking and vehicle availability

Choose your dates and vehicle category online or contact our team. Unless expressly guaranteed in writing, a model described as “or similar” is an example of the booked category. If we cannot supply the booked vehicle or an alternative you accept, we will refund the affected prepaid rental and optional charges, without limiting your legal rights.

5 Prices and payment

All amounts are in Australian dollars. Consumer prices include GST where applicable and unavoidable charges. Your rental schedule must show the rental price, period, kilometre allowance, selected extras, bond, applicable excesses and contingent fee amounts or calculation methods. Optional extras require your agreement. Online payments are processed through Stripe. Any lawful card surcharge must be shown before payment.

Collection and vehicle use

6 Security deposit or bond

A $500 security bond is required before collection, in addition to rental charges. We will tell you before payment whether this is a card pre-authorisation or a collected deposit, and which payment methods are accepted.

The bond is security for amounts properly payable under this agreement. It is not an insurance premium, damage excess or maximum liability. We may apply only substantiated amounts due, after providing an itemised explanation and a reasonable opportunity to query a disputed charge. We will release or refund the undisputed balance promptly after return and inspection. The applicable processing timeframe is provided with your booking information. Your bank may take additional time to make funds available.

If an unresolved incident justifies retaining part of the bond, we will explain the amount and reason, release any undisputed balance and update you as the matter progresses. Release of the bond does not prevent a later substantiated toll, infringement or other legitimate charge being notified under this agreement.

7 Pickup and return

Collect and return the vehicle at our Kilkenny office unless another arrangement is agreed in writing. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Sunday is closed. For a booking outside these hours, call 08 8445 0999 to discuss availability and obtain confirmation.

We record the vehicle condition, odometer and fuel level at collection. Inspect the vehicle and tell us about any discrepancy before driving away or as soon as it is reasonably discovered. Photographs are encouraged. You are not responsible for pre-existing damage, fair wear and tear or faults not caused or worsened by your conduct.

Return the vehicle, keys and accessories at the agreed time, reasonably clean and in the condition supplied, allowing for fair wear and tear. Approved after-hours returns follow the written key and parking instructions. We will inspect promptly and provide evidence of any claimed new damage. You are not automatically responsible for damage occurring after a compliant return.

8 Fuel

We supply the vehicle with a full tank and you must return it with a full tank of the correct fuel. If the tank is not full on collection, notify us so the condition report can be corrected and an equivalent return level agreed.

If you return below the required fuel level, you pay for the litres reasonably needed to restore that level at the price per litre or calculation method disclosed before booking, plus the disclosed refuelling service fee. We provide an itemised record. A shortfall is not charged as a whole tank, and fuel is not charged twice.

9 Kilometres and travel areas

Distances are measured in kilometres. Included kilometres, whether the allowance applies per day or across the rental period, and any excess-kilometre rate depend on the vehicle and rental option selected. These details are shown before you complete your booking and recorded in your rental schedule. Unlimited kilometres apply only where expressly included in your accepted booking.

Permitted travel areas and any vehicle-specific restrictions are disclosed before booking and recorded in your rental schedule. Obtain written approval before interstate travel or ferry transport, including travel to Kangaroo Island. Do not drive overseas, on beaches, off-road, through floodwater or on closed roads. Unsealed-road and remote-area permissions must be expressly recorded in the rental schedule.

10 Caring for the vehicle

Drive lawfully and carefully, use seatbelts and appropriate child restraints, secure the vehicle and protect its keys. Do not drive impaired, race, overload, carry unlawful or dangerous goods, subhire the vehicle, or use it for rideshare, delivery work or towing without our written approval. Smoking and vaping are prohibited. Do not tamper with the odometer or safety equipment. Stop safely and contact us if a warning or fault indicates it is unsafe to continue. Do not undertake repairs without approval, except reasonable emergency action needed to protect people or prevent further damage.

Damage liability and protection

11 Insurance and compulsory third party cover

A vehicle must have registration and compulsory third party insurance required by law. In South Australia, CTP relates to personal injury liability; it does not insure damage to the rental vehicle or other property.

The insurance or contractual damage protection applicable to your selected vehicle, including any third-party property protection, limits and exclusions, is described in the booking and protection information provided before you commit. Fleet insurance does not automatically make you an insured person or remove your contractual responsibility.

Any loss damage waiver or excess-reduction option supplied by Sai is a contractual reduction of liability, unless expressly identified as an insurance product issued by a named insurer with the required policy documents. A separate travel or credit-card insurance policy does not change amounts owed to Sai unless we expressly agree; you may need to seek reimbursement from that insurer.

12 Damage protection and excess

The standard excess and any available protection options vary by vehicle category, driver eligibility and rental option. Before you complete your booking, we disclose the applicable excess, covered events, protection limits and exclusions. For an event covered by an agreed damage waiver, your responsibility is limited to the lesser of the substantiated loss and the applicable excess for that event, subject to its disclosed exclusions. Any additional age-related or single-vehicle excess, whether it is cumulative, and whether an excess applies separately to each incident are disclosed before booking and recorded in your rental schedule.

You may be responsible for a covered loss even where you say you were not at fault, while responsibility and recoveries are being resolved. We will consider the evidence fairly, apply any agreed not-at-fault exemption and adjust or refund charges to avoid double recovery.

If an optional excess reduction is available, its price, reduced excess, covered events and exclusions are shown before you select it and recorded in your rental schedule. An option described as zero excess applies only to the events covered by that option; any remaining exclusions are disclosed before booking.

The $500 bond does not replace the damage excess. Optional protection applies only where it is included in your rental agreement and its terms have been supplied and accepted.

13 Exclusions and limits

Your booking and protection information explains how glass, tyres, wheels, roof and underbody damage, interior damage, keys, accessories, hail, flood, animal strikes, theft and single-vehicle incidents are treated. It identifies exclusions and any additional excesses before you commit. A general protection label does not extend cover beyond the agreed protection terms. An exclusion or additional excess not disclosed before booking will not be introduced afterwards without your agreement.

The following conduct exclusions apply only to the extent the relevant conduct causes or contributes to the loss: intentional or reckless damage; impaired driving; knowingly allowing an unauthorised driver; prohibited use or travel; incorrect fuel; ignoring a safety warning; or failing to take reasonable steps to secure the vehicle.

Where a valid exclusion applies, you may owe the reasonable substantiated loss beyond the normal excess, subject to law and the final protection schedule. A minor or unrelated breach does not automatically cancel all protection. A reporting or cooperation failure affects protection only to the extent permitted by law and that it materially prejudices investigation or recovery.

We do not charge you for loss caused by us, pre-existing damage or fair wear and tear. Where our conduct contributes to a loss, your responsibility is reduced accordingly. Liability for loss or damage cannot be expanded beyond your legal responsibility merely by a payment authorisation.

Incidents charges and changes

14 Accidents theft and breakdowns

Stop safely, seek emergency assistance when needed and contact us as soon as reasonably practicable. Report incidents to police where legally required, and report theft or suspected criminal damage. Exchange legally required details and, where safe, collect photographs, witness details and the other party's registration and insurer information.

Provide an accurate incident report and reasonable assistance with the claim. Do not agree to a settlement on our behalf without approval; this does not prevent truthful statements or compliance with legal duties. Notify us promptly of any breakdown and do not continue driving if unsafe.

Roadside assistance contact details, service availability and any included assistance are provided with your rental information. Any optional assistance and applicable call-out charges are disclosed before booking. We will not charge you for an inherent mechanical fault or our maintenance failure. Disclosed, reasonable call-out costs may apply to problems you cause, such as lost keys, incorrect fuel or running out of fuel, subject to the agreed protection.

15 Assessment and payment of damage claims

Before collecting a damage charge, we will provide an itemised explanation, relevant condition reports and photographs, and supporting quotes, invoices or assessments. You will have a reasonable opportunity to dispute the claim before collection. Any provisional estimate must be identified as such and reconciled against the final assessed cost.

Recoverable costs are limited to reasonable, substantiated losses for which you are responsible, subject to the agreed excess and exclusions. These may include repairs, necessary towing and storage, and reasonable assessment costs. A total-loss claim uses the vehicle's reasonable pre-loss market value, allowing for salvage and recoveries, rather than a new replacement price.

Any loss-of-use claim must reflect actual loss reasonably incurred during a reasonable repair or replacement period, allowing for avoided costs and reasonable steps to reduce the loss. Any claims administration fee must be disclosed and proportionate to work performed. We will not duplicate charges, add a punitive fee or obtain double recovery from you, an insurer and a third party. Overpayments will be refunded promptly after reconciliation.

16 Other charges

You are responsible for tolls, parking and traffic infringements attributable to your use. We may give the issuing authority the information legally required to identify the responsible driver. A handling fee applies only if its amount or calculation was disclosed and agreed, and reasonably reflects the service performed.

Reasonable additional cleaning costs may apply for smoking residue, heavy soiling or similar conditions beyond ordinary rental use, supported by evidence and the agreed fee schedule. Lost keys or accessories may attract reasonable replacement costs. We do not charge for ordinary cleaning or normal wear.

Any card deduction must be authorised, limited to amounts properly due and supported by an itemised notice. A payment authorisation does not waive your right to dispute a charge.

17 Extensions late returns and cancellations

Contact us before your return time to request an extension. An extension takes effect only when we agree in writing to the revised charges and return time. Applicable late-return charges, their calculation and any grace period are shown before booking and recorded in your rental schedule. Do not assume the vehicle remains available beyond your booked period.

Cancellation, no-show and early-return conditions depend on the rate and rental option you select. The applicable deadlines, fees and refund conditions are shown before payment and form part of your booking. Any retained amount must be lawful and reasonable, with appropriate allowance for avoided costs and rebooking. These conditions do not restrict your remedies where we fail to supply the agreed service.

Privacy disputes and rental schedule

18 Ending the agreement and vehicle recovery

We may end the rental for a serious breach, an immediate safety risk or failure to return the vehicle, acting reasonably and lawfully. Where practicable, we will notify you and provide a reasonable opportunity to remedy a remediable breach. Recovery will not involve unlawful entry or a breach of the peace. Only reasonable recovery costs caused by your breach may be charged, subject to law. Unused prepaid charges will be reconciled fairly.

19 Personal information

We collect information needed to verify drivers, administer rentals, process payments and manage incidents. Our Privacy Policy explains handling, service providers, disclosures, access and complaints. If a vehicle uses tracking or telematics, we will disclose what is collected, why and how it is used before the rental. Marketing consent is separate from agreeing to rent.

20 Questions disputes and governing law

Contact admin@saicarrentals.com.au or 08 8445 0999 with your booking reference and details of any concern. We will investigate and respond within a reasonable time. You retain access to Consumer and Business Services South Australia and any court or tribunal available under law.

South Australian law applies, subject to mandatory laws and consumer rights in other applicable jurisdictions. If a provision is unenforceable, the remaining terms continue to the extent legally possible. No entire-agreement provision removes rights arising from misleading statements or other non-excludable protections.

21 Vehicle specific booking information

Before you complete your booking, we provide the price, rental dates, kilometre allowance, excess-kilometre rate, fuel charges, bond arrangements, applicable damage excess, protection inclusions and exclusions, and relevant cancellation and other fees for your selected vehicle and rate. Any contingent charge is stated as an amount or a clear calculation method. This information forms part of your rental agreement and is supplied in a form you can retain.

These terms do not authorise an undisclosed fee or allow us to introduce a new protection exclusion after you have booked. Please contact us before booking if any vehicle-specific condition or charge is unclear.