Insurance cover for hired 4WD
Submitted: Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 10:09
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danielg
Hi,
I am planning a 4WD trip to the
Simpson Desert and surrounding area next year in July. I am literally bogged at the moment because I am really concerned about the car insurance cover for the trip:
Since I am relying on renting a 4WD as an international tourist, I am also bound to the insurance conditions and restrictions the rental companies offer. Two of them with the broadest insurance cover (TCC and Boomerang) don't have a 4WD available anymore for the time I am planning to travel through
the desert. I.e. I am stuck to the usual ones like KEA, Britz etc. - unfortunately these are also the ones with the most restrictive insurance policies. In summary, they do not cover cost for recovery and towing or any damage occurred away from the sealed road, even if you are driving a 4WD. Although I have some 4WD experience in Australia I would never rule out a mishap (and I guess it has happened even to the most experienced drivers). Taken this into account, with the insurances the renters offer I risk a financial desaster.
I am planning to join VKS737 and rent a
HF radio - so I understand, in most cases I would get bogged I can count on help of the 4WD-community, especially it is in the middle of school holidays. Do you share this expectation? So this should not be too much of financial risk, but what happens when the car is severely damaged?
An insurance broker from TCIS already confirmed that specific contracts for members of 4WD clubs in Australia are only available to owners of vehicles not hirers. So this is obviously not an option for me.
I would really appreciate any comment you can give me on this subject. If I cannot find a satisfactory solution to that I am afraid I will have to cancel my trip to Australia. The mentioned insurance policies may be sufficient for the once in a lifetime tourist who goes to Uluru via
Mereenie Loop, but going to
the desert is something different and needs more care, doesn't it?
Thank you for your help
Daniel
Reply By: Peter McG (Member, Melbourne) - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 10:26
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 10:26
Daniel,
The simpole answer is that it is not posisble to insure for vehicle recovery from an offroad situation. It is possible to take out a TOTAL CARE package with one of the Australian motiring organisations - RACV in Victoria for example but this will only cover vehicle recovery while on a 2 wheel drive access road.
So if your vehicle is damaged or just plain stops running in the Simpson oyu have to resort to paying a private operator to recover the vehicle. There are
services in Brisdsville and Mt Dare - both ends of
the desert and they are
well setup with the trucks necessary to get cars out.
I have spoken to TCIS about providing a special package to include recovery form remote locations but they have yet to do anything.
If you have the HF rdaio and join VKS 737 you'll be abe to keep in touch and get asisstance if required. And don't worry there will be plenty of others doing the Simpson at the same time. We'll be there with 4 cars in July as
well.
Cheers
Peter
AnswerID:
277807
Reply By: Footloose - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 10:26
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 10:26
Hi Daniel. I feel for you and throughly understand your problem. Sadly I can't offer any solution at this time.
Yes, the Simpson does require more care, but should be
well within your capabilities if you take it easy. Be aware that some insurance companies might exclude you in the case of an accident if you have been travelling with reduced tyre pressures...which you will of course have to do!
Hiring a radio for the 737 network will often get you out of trouble, but you still have to pay for any commercial recovery...which is obviously expensive. Don't forget the shovel as this will be your best debogging tool in many cases. You might have to wait days for passing traffic if you're unlucky (although usually not). A
UHF radio might also be of good value in those circumstances.
I hope that someone can point you in the right direction with regard to insurance.
Good luck.
AnswerID:
277808
Reply By: Member - MrBitchi (QLD) - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 10:36
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 10:36
How long are you in Oz for? Might be better to buy a 4WD, do your trip, and then sell it again... That way you own the vehicle so you could at least get competitive insurance.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Duncan W (WA) - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 10:51
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 10:51
You beat me to it John. Daniel if you own the vehicle you can insure it for off road use. Also hire vehicles rarely if ever come with the correct tyres or any recovery gear. Cost of hiring a 4wd is horrendous so the buying option may be the way to go.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: danielg - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 18:00
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 18:00
I have already thought about it. I assume that 15 days of using a vehicle is not a time period for which it is worth considering buying a car? Finding an appropriate vehicle, setting it up with the necessary accessories and later on sell it again will take too much time compared with the overall time given.
I totally agree with you regarding the hire vehicles. The recovery gear is very basic, some safety components like flags for
the desert etc. are not available. On the other hand, the insurance cover is limited. Frankly speaking, it is irresponsible what they are doing. They are sending tourists to the outback letting them believe they are
well prepared for the trip. Even tyre pumps are only available upon request! Insurance policies have names like "All inclusive" - in short: I do not trust them but I may have no other choice than to accept it.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (SA) - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 13:09
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 13:09
Hi Daniel
For the Simpson, your cheapest insurance and safest way in is to tag along with someone else going across
the desert. We have on 2 occasions had one Dutch and one French couple tag along with my group.
You will make new friends and know that there is safety in numbers. Providing that you have a reliable vehicle, your most important
tools to have for such a trip should be
Long Handled Shovel
UHF Radio
Snatch Strap and rated shackles
in the event of going solo, buy some Maxtrax, they are unreal for getting out of a bog.
That time of the year is great in Simpson.
Cheers
Stephen
AnswerID:
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Reply By: CLC50 - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 17:58
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 17:58
Hi
Well be ready for the a big bill if you break down in the Simpson .Lew @
Birdsville $4600 to $5500 & to be towed out back to
Birdsville & the other way AliceSprings $7000 to $ 9000 was the Quotes Last Year,& there is no RACQ or NRMA Break down Cover is it is National
Park ,but once out of the
park you are covered ,
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: danielg - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 18:09
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 18:09
Thank you for this information.
Does this mean that everybody who is going to
the desert is taking that risk?
I have to admit, this is too heavy for me. Additionally to that contingent cost I will have renting cost of around $3500 or more and of course costs for getting to the Simpson from Europe.
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Follow Up By: CLC50 - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 18:44
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 18:44
Hi
You are.
I broke down with a fuel virus in the diesel which blocked the whole system 370 Km down the French Line .I was in a party of six 4x4 ,we tried every thing to get it cleared but it was to hot to work on ,the dunes all had up to a metre of soft sand due to the very hot dry windy summer as there where
young children in our party ,I left the old girl in
the desert,. One day travel 84 K ms only in a 9 hour day very tough but a lot of fun,(or Hard work LOL )
I since been back on the same route and had a great time. the RACQ brought by truck home at there expense from
Birdsville.
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Reply By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 18:17
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 18:17
Hook up with a tour operator who can take you in a
well prepared vehicle and carry the risk...
Depending on how many people you have in your group it may even be less expensive.
Drop me an email (andrew@vividadventures.com.au) and I can give you a list that I have from the SA Parks people.
Cheers
Andrew.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: CLC50 - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 19:15
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 19:15
Hi Andrew
Do a tag a long & it is still your Expense,but don't get me wrong ,you have to be prepared for all things that life throws at you, my dog cost me $8000 to bring he back from death door last March & what is money good for enjoy.
Have a Great Christmas all & a happy New Year
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 19:28
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 19:28
Not a tag-a-long - clearly with a tag-a-long you still have the expense.
There are quite few operators that do the Simpson and other remote travel for small groups.
Cheers
Andrew.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: equinox - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 21:03
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 21:03
Hi Daniel,
I can’t really answer your question but have a question for you if you don’t mind.
From an international tourists point of view what is it about the
Simpson Desert and surrounding areas that makes you choose that location instead of similarly beautiful areas elsewhere in the country?
Is the Simpson more heavily promoted overseas than other areas perhaps? Certainly Uluru (Ayers Rock) is known to most overseas tourists which is nearby, but that is central, so close to a few areas. Many Australians visit the Simpson as it is closer to the heavily populated areas, but as a tourist you could choose your entry point into Australia to some degree.
Just interested.
Cheers
Alan (From Western Australia)
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: danielg - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 23:14
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 23:14
Hi Alan,
the answer is quite easy: On our last trip through Finke Gorge to Uluru we met two families with their 4WD. They just came from
the desert, and they loved it. So we set the
Simpson desert on our to-do-list. Although we have a lot more areas on this list (e.g. Kimberleys etc.), we thought during school holidays it is best to use the heavier traffic for our advantage. I think popular areas will be packed at this time of the year. Correct me, if I am wrong. But if there are a few more cars in the Simpson, this is even good in a case of emergency.
No, I cannot confirm that Simpson is heavily promoted overseas, it is just my own choice.
Basically, coming to Australia means for us a way to flee the masses and enjoy peace and silence. I have been to Uluru and you know how many people there are. Do not get me wrong, I love to meet new people it is just the masses which I don't like, we have them here in Europe and anywhere else in the world. Australia is one of the few
places where you can travel safely to remote areas.
Cheers
Daniel
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: equinox - Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 23:31
Friday, Dec 21, 2007 at 23:31
Daniel,
Thanks mate for your reply.
I know exactly what you mean with a to-do-list. I certainly have them myself.
I have travelled the Simpson only once so I cannot really express an opinion on the frequency of vehicles, but it would not be too long at that time of year to have another vehicle pass I'm sure.
You surely wll flee the masses and enjoy peace and silence.
Alan
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