Are insurance and protections included in the price?
Yes. All our rentals include third-party liability insurance, which covers third parties, and the Standard Protection, under which Avis bears damage to the vehicle and its theft.
However, an excess remains the renter's responsibility in case of an incident:
{{FRANCHISES|The amount depends on the vehicle category (see our Rates page).}}Two optional protections complete the Standard Protection:
- Enhanced Protection SCDW (excess waiver) — removes the excess in case of an accident or vehicle theft
- Ultimate Protection — SCDW add-on covering tires & wheels, glass breakage and loss or theft of keys
In which cases do the protections not apply?
The protections only apply if the rental terms and conditions are respected. They are notably void in the following cases:
- Driving on mountain roads, unpaved tracks, trails or beaches — our vehicles are strictly reserved for the ring road and paved roads of the island. The road up to the antenna (Mount Popoti) is expressly excluded, even though it is paved: its gradient is too steep for our vehicles
- Vehicle immersion in water (lagoon, ford, submerged beach, salt water) — regardless of water level
- Driver not declared in the contract
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving licence expired, suspended or not valid for the rented vehicle
- Theft of the vehicle when the keys cannot be returned
- Commercial use (paid passenger transport, taxi)
These exclusions apply to all protections (Standard, Enhanced SCDW and Ultimate). If these conditions are violated, the renter loses the benefit of the excess: they owe the cost of repairs or, if the vehicle is stolen or beyond repair, its replacement value, plus towing, expert assessment, administrative and immobilisation fees (15 days maximum). The full list is in Article 9.5 of the terms and conditions.
📋 Full terms and conditions are available on the booking page and at contract signature.
What happens in case of an accident?
In case of an accident:
- Contact our office immediately
- Fill in an accident report if another vehicle is involved
- Take photos of the damage
- Our team will guide you through all administrative steps
The excess remains your responsibility unless you have subscribed to the Enhanced Protection SCDW. Our damage handling is fair and transparent, based on verifiable evidence.
What is the difference between the Enhanced Protection SCDW and the Ultimate Protection?
The Standard Protection is included in every rental, with third-party liability insurance. Two optional protections extend it:
- The Enhanced Protection SCDW (excess waiver) removes the excess in case of accident, damage or vehicle theft (an accident report is required for any accident with a third party).
- The Ultimate Protection adds, on top of SCDW, coverage for wheels & tyres, glass breakage and key loss or theft.
Coverage summary:
| Type of incident | Standard | + SCDW | + Ultimate |
|---|
| Third-party liability | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Vehicle damage (collision) | excess | ✅ 0 XPF | ✅ 0 XPF |
| Vehicle theft | excess | ✅ 0 XPF | ✅ 0 XPF |
| Accidental puncture (paved road) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Other wheel & tyre damage | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Glass breakage | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Key loss or theft | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Customer's personal belongings | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
The Ultimate Protection can only be subscribed in addition to the Enhanced Protection SCDW. An administrative fee of 4,000 XPF remains due in case of damage or theft, whatever the protection. Vehicle theft is only covered if the keys are returned to Avis.
