Car rental for Kangaroo Island
 

I need to book our ferry from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island for next week. I have a Hertz reservation from the ADL airport but there is nothing on their website saying that the car cannot go on the ferry to KI. I have called repeatedly on their 800 number and have been conveniently "disconnected" while on hold with them.
I am thoroughly disgusted with Hertz so am wondering what car rental has everyone else used in going from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island? Thanks=

I would call the ADL Hertz office directly. I'd be surprised if anyone answering their 800 number will know the answer. Anytime I had a question about rental restrictions in Australia, I always called the local office.

Here's the info from the Hertz website that says you can take their vehicles on the ferry to KI.

<i>South Australia

Kangaroo Island

Vehicles may be taken on the ferry to Kangaroo Island

Vehicles rented from Kangaroo Island cannot be driven off the Island.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) is included on all rentals. Subject to an Accident Damages Excess (ADE).

No vehicles are to be driven onto beaches, bush tracks or paddocks/fields.
An Additional Single Vehicle Accident (SVA) excess applies when rented from Kangaroo Island.</i>

Thanks Patty!Did you take all of the insurance coverage to go over to KI?

We flew to Kingscote and rented on the island and if I recall correctly we did take their additional coverage.

We found that Budget would let the cars rented from Adelaide go to Kangaroo Island so rented from them. Great SUV and customer service. I would highly recommend making a reservation for your car on the ferry ahead of time so you have a spot for your car-its a small ferry with lots of truck,camper and car traffic.

Great, where did you end up staying? Will you post a report?

For future reference:

Hertz didn't prohibit cars on KI - we asked when we rented with them at ADL last week.

The only caveats were driving at night on KI = your damage waiver (if you opted for it) would not apply and any dings from driving on unsealed roads would be on your nickel.

There are night tours offered on KI that eliminate the need to use your own rental car.

I actually spoke to Hertz in Adelaide and the one point he made was that while you can take the car on the ferry there is no coverage while on the ferry. It's a bit remote, but should the ferry sink, or some other car on the ferry damage your car, there is no coverage. In the sinking case you will owe the entire value of the vehicle.

I had written Thrifty for their policy and got this answer.

Thrifty will allow our vehicles to travel to Kangaroo Island provided you pick up from Adelaide Airport or Adelaide City only and that you advise the Thrifty Staff member on collection of your intention to travel to Kangaroo Island. Please be aware however that any damange occurring to the vehicle in transit to Kangaroo Island (eg. on the ferry) is not covered by any damage cover and therefore the customer will be liable for all damage.

So I need to call Hertz back since the person I spoke to was in Adelaide and make sure that Hertz does not have the same restriction as we are renting in Melbourne and not returning to Adelaide until after we visit KI.

Sorry for late reply. Checked Hertz guidelines for Oz. They do allow rentals, anywhere, to go on KI. Same no coverage though.

I wrote Sealink and got this back:

<<<Yes Sealink does have insurance for that kind of unlikely event. You can book yourself online to receive the online discount. In the make and model box, just put rental. It does not matter if you don’t know the type of car you will be hiring as sometimes this can change anyway.

You are right though, Sealink has never had or even been close to this kind of thing happening.>>>

The wording is odd but what she was saying is I should have my own travel insurance policy for my trip as I cannot buy the insurance they sell unless I am an Oz citizen. But, they also have there own coverage, which is included in the ticket price, to cover sinking or maybe other events.

In any event, my thinking is that we can't be the only people ever to rent, take the ferry, and not have to face this issue.

So we've stopped worrying about it.

Hi, It's a bit late for you but just to let you know that we are a new business on Kangaroo Island, www.kicampers.com we have 3 berth campervans for hire soley on KI. Hope this helps in the future. Cheers KI Campers