Terms and Conditions

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Insurances
We at Lotus Car Rental aim to provide you with peace of mind during your trip. We offer what is arguably the best car rental insurance available in Iceland: The Platinum Insurance Plan with a liability/deductible of 0 ISK, covering river crossings, damage to the chassis, engine, transmission, towing costs, and more. Third-party liability insurance is included with all rentals.                                                   
For more information about our insurance options, please click here.

Debit Card Imprint and Deposit
All rentals are subject to the full terms and conditions of the rental agreement at the time of rental. A debit card imprint and deposit equivalent to the selected insurance liability will be collected at the start of all rentals for security purposes, even when a voucher covers the rental cost. This deposit will be released after a thorough inspection by Lotus Car Rental at the end of the rental period. The debit card imprint or deposit may be utilized to cover additional charges, such as extra insurance, parking fines, damages, or any expenses resulting from the renter's use of the vehicle.                                                 
Note: that renters who purchase the Platinum Insurance Plan are exempt from paying any deposit. For the Gold Insurance Plan, the deposit is 65.000 ISK, for the Silver Insurance Plan, it is 150.000 ISK, and for the Bronze Insurance Plan, it is 360.000 ISK. 

Credit Card Imprint
All rentals are subject to the full terms and conditions of the rental agreement at the time of rental. A credit card imprint will be taken at the start of all rentals for security reasons, even when a voucher covers the rental cost. This credit card imprint may be used to settle any additional charges, including extra insurance, parking fines, damages, or any expenses related to the rented vehicle resulting from the renter's use.

Age Requirement and Driver's License
Drivers must possess a valid driver's license for a minimum of 12 months, which must be presented at the beginning of the rental. To rent a smaller vehicle, the renter must be at least 20 years old. For 7-seater SUVs, luxury vehicles, and 9-seater vans, the minimum age requirement is 23 years. 

Cancellation Policy
Bookings canceled more than 48 hours before the pick-up time are fully refundable (100%).
Bookings canceled less than 48 hours before the pick-up time are non-refundable.
In the event of a no-show or early return, no refund will be issued.
This policy applies to all cars booked from 1/1/2021.

Pick-up and Drop-off Service
No additional fees are charged for pick-up and drop-off at Lotus Car Rental's office in Keflavik. An extra fee will be applied for pick-up and drop-off at a chosen location in Reykjavík or Keflavík. We offer a complimentary shuttle service from Keflavik International Airport to our office. For further details regarding the pick-up and drop-off service, please click here.

Late or Early Returns
Late returns exceeding one hour past the scheduled drop-off time will result in an additional day's charge. The renter(s) can return the vehicle earlier than the scheduled drop-off time, and any price difference will be refunded if Lotus Car Rental is notified at least 48 hours before the scheduled pick-up time; otherwise, no refund will be provided.

Fuel
The vehicle is typically provided with a full tank of fuel, and renters are required to return it in the same condition. If the vehicle is an electric vehicle (EV), it must be returned with a battery charge of at least 50%. A 3.500 ISK administration fee will be imposed if the vehicle is not returned with a full tank of fuel or above 50% battery charge. The renter(s) are fully responsible for repair costs if the wrong type of fuel is pumped into the vehicle.

Vehicle Types
Lotus Car Rental reserves the right to substitute vehicles if the reserved vehicle type is unavailable. In such cases, a similar vehicle class or a higher-class vehicle will be provided.

Subject to Terms and Conditions
In the event of a collision or accident, the renter must immediately notify the appropriate police authorities and Lotus Car Rental. The renter(s) may not leave the scene until the police have arrived or Lotus Car Rental has provided permission.
Failure to comply with any conditions of this contract may result in the renter(s) bearing all losses and damages incurred by the owner. The renter(s) agrees to rent the above vehicle and elects to pay all amounts due under this agreement using the payment method details provided in this document.
The renter(s) also accepts responsibility for all traffic violations. An administration fee of 2.000 – 5.000 ISK will apply for any unpaid fines or delayed processing of infringements.

Renters’ Responsibility
The renter(s) are responsible for maintaining antifreeze, AdBlue, and oil levels in the vehicle. Any costs incurred will be reimbursed upon presentation of a receipt. In the event of a vehicle malfunction or signs of overheating, the renter(s) must immediately stop the vehicle; otherwise, the renter(s) may be held liable, and a loss of the deposit may occur.

TAX
A local value-added tax (VAT) of 24% is included in all prices.

Road Tax (km fee)
Starting January 1, 2024, Iceland will require a kilometer fee for electric and hybrid cars. Lotus Car Rental will collect this fee on behalf of the Icelandic government: 6 ISK per kilometer for electric cars and 2 ISK per kilometer for hybrid cars. For convenience, Lotus Car Rental will charge this fee in advance, based on average kilometers driven. This aims to streamline processes and save time during vehicle returns. If the road tax is not prepaid, the fee will be charged after the rental. If the government adjusts the fee or extends it to other vehicle types, renters will be responsible for any additional payments to Lotus Car Rental.

Payment
For specific payment requests or inquiries regarding your car rental, please email us at: lotus@lotuscarrental.is.

Service Fee
The vehicle pick-up fee after damage is 400 ISK per km, with a minimum charge of 35,000 ISK.
The spare key delivery fee, in the event of lost vehicle keys, is 300 ISK per km.

Other Fees
Losing/damaging a Type 2 charging cable incurs a fee of 50.000 ISK
Losing/damaging a 220V charging cable incurs a fee of 70.000 ISK
Losing/damaging a GPS device incurs a fee of 45.000 ISK
Losing/damaging a Wi-Fi dongle incurs a fee of 15.000 ISK
Losing/damaging a booster seat incurs a fee of 15.000 ISK
Losing/damaging a child seat incurs a fee of 60.000 ISK

RENTAL AGREEMENT

Obligations of the Renter

  1. The renter(s) agrees to the provisions of this lease and has received a copy of it.
  2. The renter(s) will return the vehicle:
    1. And all accessories (including tires, charging cables, and tools) in the same condition they were when received, apart from normal wear due to use.
    2. On the date specified in this lease, unless otherwise agreed upon later.
    3. To Lotus Car Rental’s premises unless otherwise specified.
    4. With a full tank of the appropriate fuel. The lessor is permitted to charge the lessee for the missing fuel as well as a service fee according to the terms of the lessor.
    5. If the vehicle is an EV, the renter(s) will recharge the vehicle above 50% battery charge. Renter(s) will be charged a service fee according to the terms of the lessor.
  3. If the renter(s) do not return the vehicle at the time agreed upon in this lease or do not declare their intention to extend the lease, Lotus Car Rental or the police is authorized to repossess the vehicle without further notice and at the renter’s expense. Extending the lease is dependent upon the consent of Lotus Car Rental. If the renter(s) returns the vehicle 1 hour or later after the lease has expired, Lotus Car Rental is authorized to demand up to 24 hours of rental under the terms of this lease.
  4. The vehicle shall be handled and driven carefully. Only those named as drivers on the first page of the agreement are authorized to drive the vehicle. The renter is liable for damages resulting from the use of the vehicle for which no compensation will be paid by the vehicle’s insurance company. This includes damage to the vehicle and/or injury to passengers due to the following and towing cost of retrieving the vehicle:
    1. Off-road driving and driving where driving is prohibited.
    2. Driving across rivers or any kind of watercourse (Only covered by Platinum Insurance Plan).
    3. Intentional acts or gross negligence.
    4. Use of intoxicants by the driver.
    5. Vehicle use that contravenes Icelandic law and/or the provisions of this lease.
  5. In the event of a collision or accident, the renter(s) shall immediately notify the appropriate police authorities as well as Lotus Car Rental of the incident, and the renter(s) may not leave the scene before the police have arrived or received permission from Lotus Car Rental to do so.
  6. The number of kilometers (km) that the vehicle will be driven while this lease is in force is determined by reading the odometer supplied with the vehicle by the manufacturer. The renter(s) shall notify Lotus Car Rental as soon as possible if the odometer is out of order or stops functioning during the term of the lease.
  7. Lotus Car Rental is not responsible for the disappearance of or damage to property that the renter(s) or any other party leaves in or transports with the vehicle.
  8. The renter(s) agrees to pay Lotus Car Rental, upon request:
    1. A deposit amounting to the estimated cost of hiring the vehicle.
    2. Any and all expenses incurred by Lotus Car Rental if they have to bring the vehicle back to their premises, if the vehicle has been left somewhere without supervision, regardless of the condition of the vehicle, the roads, or the weather.
  9. The renter(s) are not authorized to have repairs done or make changes to the vehicle or its accessories or to put the vehicle up as any kind of security without the prior consent of Lotus Car Rental.
  10. The renter(s) are not allowed to drive a vehicle on F-roads that are not allowed on F-roads by Lotus Car Rental. All 2-wheel drive vehicles, 9-seater vans, and electric vehicles are not allowed on any F-roads.
  11. The renter(s) are liable for all parking meter charges and fines for breaking traffic laws.
  12. The renter(s) are not authorized to use the vehicle for transporting passengers for payment, loan it to others, or sublease it.
  13. The renter(s) are responsible for letting Lotus Car Rental know of any malfunctions or something not working properly with the vehicle during and/or at the end of the rental.
  14. The renter(s) are strictly forbidden from driving any vehicle across the river Krossá on F249.

Obligations of Lotus Car Rental
15. Lotus Car Rental will supply the vehicle at the agreed time and make sure it meets all the demands.
16. If the vehicle malfunctions, Lotus Car Rental shall supply the renter(s) with a comparable vehicle as soon as possible. If the damage is minor, Lotus Car Rental is authorized to have repairs done on the vehicle after obtaining the renter’s consent.
17. Lotus Car Rental shall inform the renter(s) of the content of the agreement, particularly the obligations that the renter(s) undertakes by signing it.
18. Lotus Car Rental shall inform a foreign renter(s) about Icelandic traffic regulations, traffic signs, and regulations banning off-road driving. Lotus Car Rental shall particularly point out the danger stemming from animals on the roads.
19. If Lotus Car Rental wants to limit the use of the vehicle regarding its equipment and/or road conditions, this shall be done in writing before this lease is signed.
20. Lotus Car Rental will maintain valid liability insurance for its business operations.

Insurance
21. The lease sum/rental fee includes mandatory vehicle insurance that includes liability insurance and accident insurance for the driver and the owner.
22. Third-party liability insurance consists of the amount stipulated by Icelandic law at any given time.
23. Insurances

  1. The renter(s) can be liable for the full amount of the vehicle's value depending on the type of damage and the protection coverage the renter(s) have. An estimate of the repair costs can be seen on the back of the condition report. The renter(s) can purchase separate accident insurance. For more information, visit: lotuscarrental.is/insurance.
  2. Bronze Insurance package includes (third-party liability insurance (TPL) + collision damage waiver (CDW) + Theft Protection (TP)), Silver Insurance package ((TPL) + Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW) + (TP)), Gold Insurance package (Silver insurance + Gravel Protection (GP) + Sand And Ash Protection (SAP)) or the Platinum Insurance package (Gold Insurance + Tire Insurance (TI) + F-road Insurance (FI) + Towing Protection Insurance (TPI) + River Crossing Protection (RCP)).
  3. Silver and Bronze insurance packages do not cover any damage to the vehicle caused by gravel, sand, and ash, tire damage, damages caused by water, damages that occurred while driving on F-roads, damages caused by animals, nor if the renter(s) require towing assistance, as well as exclusions seen in paragraph 24. The renter(s) can be liable for the full value of the vehicle depending on the type of damage.
  4. The Gold insurance package does not cover any damage to the vehicle caused to the tires or wheels, damages caused by water, damages that occurred while driving on F-roads, damages caused by animals, nor if the renter(s) require towing assistance, as well as exclusions seen in paragraph 24. The renter(s) can be liable for the full value of the vehicle depending on the type of damage.
  5. The Platinum Insurance package gives you full protection with a 0 ISK deductible for all insurable instances and lowers the maximum cost due to towing down to 35,000 ISK, except for exclusions seen in paragraph 24.

24. This accident/all-risks insurance does not cover:

  1. Intentional damages or damages due to gross negligence on the part of the driver.
  2. Damages resulting from the driver being under the influence of alcohol, stimulants, or sedatives, or in any other way incapable of driving the vehicle safely.
  3. Damages due to racing or test driving.
  4. Damages due to war, revolution, civil unrest, and riots.
  5. Damages done by animals, only covered by the Platinum Insurance Plan.
  6. Holes burned into seats, carpets, or mats.
  7. Damages affecting only wheels, tires, suspension, 12V batteries, glass (other than windows), radios, or loss by theft of parts of the vehicle and damages resulting from this.
  8. Damages caused by driving on rough roads to the vehicle’s transmission, drive, and other parts that are in or attached to the chassis; damages to the chassis resulting from the vehicle scraping the bottom on rough roads as a result of ridges being left by road graders; stones lodged in the road surface or on the shoulder of the road. The same applies to damages occurring when stones are thrown up, striking the underside of the vehicle during driving, only covered by the Platinum Insurance Plan.
  9. Damages or towing costs, resulting from driving in places where vehicle traffic is prohibited, such as paths, tracks, banks of snow, ice, unbridged rivers or streams beaches, places only accessible at low tide, or other trackless areas. However, compensation will be paid for damages if the driver is forced to leave the road, for example, due to road repairs.
  10. Damages or towing costs when driving on a closed road, off-road, or in areas where driving is prohibited are not covered by any insurance. No insurance will cover damages that may happen when driving cars on F-roads that are not allowed on F-roads by Lotus Car Rental. All 2-wheel drive vehicles, 9-seater vans, and electric vehicles are not allowed on any F-roads.
  11. Damages caused by sand, gravel, ash, pumice, or other kinds of earth material being blown onto the vehicle, are only covered by Gold and Platinum Insurance Plans.
  12. Damages to the bodywork or the door frame of the vehicle resulting from the wind, only covered by the Platinum Insurance Plan.
  13. If the vehicle is transported by sea, no compensation will be paid for damages caused by sea spray/seawater.
  14. In other instances, reference is made to the general conditions for accident /All-risks insurance.
  15. Losing or breaking the vehicle keys is not covered by any insurance.
  16. Pumping the wrong fuel into the car is not covered by any insurance.
  17. The 12V vehicle batteries are not covered by any insurance.
  18. If the vehicle is an EV and the renter(s) fully deplete the EV's battery pack, the renter(s) are fully responsible for any fee associated with the transportation of the vehicle as well as recharging the EV.
  19. Losing the charging cable for the EV.
  20. Reference is made to the general terms and conditions for accident insurance (Isl. Kaskótrygging) as set out by Sjóva insurance company sjova.is/
  21. Damages due to crossing the river Krossá on F249.

25. The renter(s) can decline all insurance if requested by the renter(s) in the form of a written statement or by email.

General Provisions
26. This lease agreement should always be kept in the vehicle either in printed or in electronic form.
27. Additions and amendments to the conditions and provisions of this lease agreement shall be made in writing.
28. Icelandic law applies to agreements made based on the terms cited above. This includes any claims for compensation that might be made. It also applies to the basis for and the calculation of compensation. The same applies to claims for damages based on liability outside this agreement. If legal disputes arise concerning this lease agreement, they will be heard before Lotus Car Rental’s legal venue.
29. Disputes between the parties to this lease agreement can be submitted to the active Arbitration committee of the Icelandic Consumers Association and the Icelandic Travel Industry Association.
30. It’s the driver’s responsibility to know road conditions and whether the road is open or closed.