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Camper Van RENTAL FAQs

Why hire with Campervantastic?

Campervantastic is an award winning specialist hire company that has been independently inspected and approved by the British Vehicle and Rental Association. This accreditation means that Campervantastic has achieved industry standards for it's modern fleet of campervans and codes of practice and quality that are periodically reviewed and inspected by the BVRLA to ensure we maintain our customer charter. The association regulates the industry through its mandatory code of conduct. The BVRLA logo is your guarantee that you will receive the highest levels of service.

In the unlikely event that you are dissatisfied with the quality or service you receive we have set procedures to resolve any difficulty, which must be made in the first instance and addressed to CamperVantastic, see our FAQ section, how to complain, for details. If you are unsatisfied with the outcome then your have the reassurance that you can appeal to the BVRLA who will investigate and mediate on your behalf.  Click here for more details from the BVRLA website http://www.bvrla.co.uk/
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Booking deposits and payment terms

A booking deposit of £250 or 20%, which ever is greater, is required to reserve your campervan. This can be paid by most major credit and debit cards. Unfortunately deposits are non refundable. Please note that bookings made within a month of travel must be paid in full.

You will be sent a payment link five weeks before your hire to pay your balance. Please contact us ASAP if you have any difficulty paying. If you fail to pay your balance by the due date then you may lose your booking and any deposits/payments made.

Our standard damages deposit is £1,000, or £1,500 for the Grand California (non UK Licence holders or drivers with endorsements may be subject to a higher excess and pre approval by our insurers). We will make a pre authorisation on your credit/debit card for the value of the damages deposit to cover any potential damage to the vehicle and/or equipment as outlined in our terms and conditions. Excess charges apply for each incident of damage.

A minimum handling fee of £25 (Plus VAT) may be charged for events such as having to administer repairs, refuelling and forwarding traffic and parking penalties.

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What are your cancellation terms?


If you wish to cancel your booking our standard cancellation terms apply

  • More than 4 weeks before departure: Booking Deposit.
  • 4 weeks or less before departure – Cancellation/No Show: 100% of total hire charge.
  • Curtailment - no refund for early return
  • Non payment of balance within four weeks of departure may result in cancellation, please contact us ASAP if you have difficulty completing payment.

It is strongly recommended that you take out the highest level of private insurance in case of any medical, unkown or unforseen event that might impact on your holiday or booking.
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What is the registration number of the vehicle I am hiring?

Due to the nature of the business and the need to constantly update our booking diaries it is impossible for us to know which vehicle you are assigned to until about a week before the hire, even then there could be unforeseen circumstances where vehicles need to be swapped over. 

Ferry companies usually have the registration number field in their booking systems as optional so please leave these blank when booking or let the ferry company know that you are using a rental vehicle.

Campsites will usually require a registration number for their insurance, please advise them that you have a rental vehicle. Please contact us if you require assistance.
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Can I travel to Europe?

Yes, you can travel to all EU countries as well as Gibraltar, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Serbia and Switzerland.

There is an extra cost of £15 per day for our European Upgrade Pack which must be taken if you are planning to leave the UK (not required for Ireland). This pack includes - European driving insurance certificate, European Roadside assistance cover, all items legally required to drive on the continent such as warning triangle, reflective vests etc. There are some limitations as to where you can travel so please tell us your travel plans before you book. 

INSURANCE & LEGAL REQUIRMENTS
On payment of the EU upgrade we can provide European insurance cover and authority to take the vehicle to mainland Europe by suppling you with a V103 Vehicle on Hire certificate (which authorises you to drive the campervan without the UK V5 vehicle registration document). Full details here BVRLA Taking a Vehicle Abroad 

We will also ensure your campervan number plate includes the UK identifier with the Union flag (also known as the Union Jack), or a UK sticker, as well as providing High Visability warning vests for all occupents and other equipment.

For our heavier Grand California Mortohomes, over 3.5 tonnes, new French law requires a blind spot warning sticker "Angles Mortes" which we will also apply in advance of your trip. However rest assured all our vehicles have their own factory built blind spot sensors and warnings for when you are driving. 

If you are arriving from abroad please check Country requirements for applying for an International Driving Permit (IDP). There is a link here to the UK checker for UK licence holders IDP Country Checker

OTHER RESOURCES
The AA Guide to Driving Abroad: https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/driving-abroad/general-advice
General Advice from the UK Government about Driving Abroad and rules about whether you need an international driving permit.
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What licence do I need?

All drivers must have held a full licence for a minimum of two years and be aged between 23 and 75. It may be possible to seek insurance authority for less than 2 years experience however a higher excess charge may apply. 

Drivers of the 3.8t Grand California (The Grand California 680 is 3.8t) will need the C1 category on their driving licence for at least 2 years, enabling them to drive vehicles over 3.5t. UK drivers who passed their test before 1st January 1997 may automatically have this. We will endeavour to make sure that the correct vehicle is available to classified drivers.

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Can I choose what colour van I will hire?

We have a large fleet of VW Californias and we try to make sure we have as wide a range of colours as we can, some VW dealers have even been known to recommend paying us a visit to see all the colour options on the range becuase they don't have as many VW Californias in the same place as we do.

We will try our best to fullfil any requests, however we can't gaurentee this.
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What is the difference between a Beach and an Ocean?

We have 2 variants of the T6.1 VW California on our fleet, the Beach and the Ocean. Simply put, the Beach doesn't have a fitted kitchen inside, instead it has a 3 seat bench in the rear, enabling 5 (and up to 7 if the optional seats are fitted) people to travel in the campervan, including the driver.

You can find more details of the Ocean here

You can find more details of the Beach here

Despite having no kitchen, we have installed a slide out to the rear of our Beaches, with all the camping equipment on it ready to use.


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What is the difference between a Grand California 600 and 680?

We have 2 variants of the Grand California on our fleet, the 600 and the 680. The 680 has a longer wheelbase, and is 80cms longer. It also only has 1 king size bed and a sun canopy. There is no Sun Canopy on the 600. The 680 requires drivers with the C1 category on their licence. Some UK licence holders may already have this if they did their test before 1st Jan 1997.

You can find more details of the Grand California here


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Can we collect from an Airport?

Available on request, please make a note in the comment section of your online booking or email us with your request once you have booked your campervan. Prices are for one way and are subject to change.

London Airports:

City (LCY) - £75

Gatwick (LGW) - £75
Heathrow (LHR) - £150
Luton (LLA) - £180
Stansted (STN) - £180
Southend (SEN) - £180

We can also meet you at other destinations, please contact the office for a quote - hire@campervantastic.com
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What time can we pick-up and drop-off our Campervan?

Pick-up times:
Monday:                     12:00 - 16:00 
Tuesday - Friday:       09:00 - 16:00

Drop-off times:

Monday - Thursday:    09:00 - 16:30
Friday:                         09:00 - 13:00
 

Weekend hires usually Friday - Monday

We try to be as flexible as possible for pick-ups and drop-offs outside of these hours, particularly outside of peak season. Please give us a call during office hours and we will see what we can do.
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Do you offer hire excess reduction/CDW?

No we do not offer collision damage waiver to reduce your excess liability, however there are independent insurance companies online that may cover you for hiring a Campervan or Motorhome. We recommend making sure that the policy covers campervans and vehicles in excess of £70,000. 

We will still need to take the £1000 (£1500 for Grand Californias) pre-authorised transaction when the vehicle is collected and in the event of any damage use this to cover any costs of damage caused to the vehicle, per incident.  We are always happy to provide receipts for damage caused to vehicles that have been on hire to aid your claim. 

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What if it gets too cold or hot?

We've camped in sub zero temperatures and sweltering 46C plus and want you to be comfortable which is why all our campervans have parking heaters and air conditioning when driving. We have the following Optional Extras:

Hot Climate Pack
This includes a mains powered fan, mosquito mesh netting for the lower sliding window and rear door, a fly swat and an "airsafe" security lock to enable airflow through the rear door hatch  The campervans have windows in the upper roof area with built in mosquito nets and an air-conditioning system but this can only be used when the campervan is being driven.

Cold Weather Options
If frost or snow is forecast or if you're heading for the mountains where temperatures may fall below zero then we recommend the Vanorak roof cover. The Vanorak is easy to fit and will protect the roof area from the elements and snow build up. We advise you to take the Vanorak for sub zero adventures especially if you plan to sleep in the roof bed.

4 Season tyre upgrade for Grand California, to be used for winter driving in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Snow Socks available for our T6.1 Californias.

Click here to check out optional extras

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What is the minimum and maximum rental period for a Campervan Hire?

Campervans can be rented for a minimum of 3 days up to a maximum of 90 days,

The minimum rental period may increase during peak periods.

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Do I need to book a pitch with electric hook up?

The campervan's leisure battery will provide enough electricity for 2-3 days witihout needing to top up. If you are expecting to stay in your campervan without driving for more than 36 hours then we recommend you book a pitch with electric hook up to charge and maintain the leisure batteries.  Connecting the hook up lead is very simple and a full explaination of the electrical systems is provided in our handover.
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How to book a campsite with the Camping and Caravan Club?

 

Discount on site fees
Through the Motorhome Hire scheme you can get up to 30% off Club Camping Sites. In each hire campervan you will find a copy of the Camping and Caravanning Club Motorhome Hire Guide which lists all participating campsites helping you to choose the perfect location throughout your entire journey. To find campsites in advance that suit your needs try using this link to the Regional Campsite locator.
 
How to book
Book your campsite by calling the service centre on 024 7647 5426 and let our advisor know that you are booking under the Camping and Caravanning Club Motorhome Hire scheme and have a discount card with Campervantastic and they'll take it from there!
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How many people can sleep in the Campervans?

We have a few different configurations to our campervans:

The VW California Ocean can sleep 4 with 2 double beds. The lower bed is made by lowering the back seat and is slightly narrower than the upper roof bed.

The VW California Beach can also sleep 4, but it has a full width lower bed that is much larger than a standard double bed meaning 3 can fit there at a squeeze.

The VW Grand California 600 can sleep 4. 2 in a fixed bed at the rear of the vehicle and a bunk bed for children.

The VW Grand California 680 sleeps 2 in a large double bed.

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What identification is required to hire a vehicle?

The primary driver will need to provide one piece of photo ID such as your driving licence and two pieces of ID with your current address such as a utility bill or bank statement dated within 3 months of the hire date. It is vital that we perform a DVLA check for any endorsements for UK licence holders. If you are adding an additional driver we also need to see their full licence and perform a DVLA check. You must provide the requested ID before a vehicle can be released to you. If you are unsure what to bring please check with us.

YOU MUST bring the above documentation on the day of hire or email a PDF in advance as failure to do so may invalidate your hire. We recommend doing this in advance to avoid delays.

If you have not used the DVLA check system before you can access through the DVLA website: https://www.gov.uk/check-driving-information

You must provide a total of 2 proofs of address dated within 3 months of the hire date. The address and name on your licence must match both documents. Accepted proof of address documents:

Electricity (bill/statement)
Water (bill/statement)
Gas (bill/statement)
Broadband/Landline
Council Tax
TV Licence
Bank statement
Credit Card (bill/statement)
Mortgage statement 
Polling card
HMRC self-assessment / tax credit
Student loan
Shotgun licence
Payslip
Mobile Phone bill
Pension letters
Car Finance Statement
Loan Statement 
Property deed

An annual council tax bill will be accepted.

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How will I know how to use the campervan?

When you come to collect your campervan or have it delivered we will give you a full induction and let you have a go at various operations before you drive away. Each campervan has an information manual written by us with all the basics and a full manufacturer’s handbook with more details. If you are stuck on something you can call us on our out of hours support line.

Please allow at least 45 minutes when you collect your campervan so that we can give you a full guided tour of your campervan and complete all the paperwork necessary.

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How secure is the campervan?

Crime is relatively low in most campsites however reasonable precautions must be taken to ensure you have a safe and trouble free trip. Lock the vehicle at all times and keep valuables out of sight. You can lock the vehicle from the inside with a useful button on the drivers door which also de-activates the alarm.

 

It is advisable to keep personal items of value with you at all times or store them in approved campsite safes. There are also safes in our campervans.

 

Please note: Your personal possessions are not covered by the hire insurance.

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Can I carry equipment on the roof, tailgate or use a towbar?

Yes, you can carry plenty of equipment such as bikes, surf boards and skis on our vehicles. To do this we can provide towbars, tailgate mounted bike racks and roof bars. You can see these on our optional extra's page here.

Towing weights of our vehicles:

VW California Ocean:  Braked: 2500kg Unbraked: 750kg
VW Grand California:   Braked: 2000kg Unbraked: 750kg

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Can I bring a pet?

Pets are allowed in our Campervans by prior arrangement as we use dedicated pet campervans to prevent the risk of discomfort for those customers who have allergies. Whilst we expect these campervans to be returned in a clean condition we have to charge a £75 valeting fee for a deep interior clean which includes all protective covers, upholstery and carpets.
 

Should we discover that a campervan has been used to carry pets without prior authorisation then a £100 charge for cleaning and administration will be applied to your hire. 

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Can I leave my vehicle with you?

At present we do not have the capacity to store vehicles, however we are based in a residential area and there is free parking in nearby streets. We cannot take any responsibility for your vehicle.

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Where is the nearest train/tube station?

We are situated close to Forest Hill Rail and London Overground and Catford/Catford Bridge Rail stations - all are approximately a 15 minute journey from Central London. Forest HIll is only 45 minutes from Gatwick.

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Can child seats be fitted to the vehicle?

The Campervans have 2 rear (3 in the Beach) and 2 front, three point seatbelts, additional seating is available and these also have three point seatbelts, all our seating is TUV crash tested and approved. All our campervans have 2 rear seats with Isofix for child seats. We include free child seats suitable for babies, toddlers and children up to the age of 11 as required by law, please enquire at time of booking. 

All our child seats are subject to availability.

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What happens if I breakdown?

All campervans have full breakdown cover both in the UK and Europe. Full instructions of what to do in the event of a breakdown and terms and conditions are provided in the vehicle handbook.

We advise customers to take out the highest level of travel insurance in the event of any unforeseen circumstances that could affect your holiday.
 
Fees may apply for call outs for human error, eg. lockout or lights left on, use outside of contracted area of use, or damage caused by negligence. Fees for excess towing and recovery may also apply at our discretion. We will endevour to get you back on the road with the minimum of inconvenience, however delays from appointed service providers may occur during peak periods.

We will not be liable for consequential losses or expenditure as a result of failure to provide a vehicle due to unforeseen events, such as delays, repairs, accidents, roadside assistance, third party damage or effects of weather. Our agents VW and the AA are designated to provide assistance and support in such circumstances as per the terms and conditions of the vehicle handbook. It is therefore essential that you also take your own private insurance to cover any additional expenses such as hotels and/or vehicle hire should this go beyond the terms of the AA and VW customer services.

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How do I complain?

Campervantastic aims to resolve complaints within 21 days of receipt. Complaints must be made by either emailing info@campervantastic.com or writing to us. Complaints will only be handled if received within 28 days of the hire period ending. In the event of a unsatisfactory response to your complaint you may contact the BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association) of which Campervantastic is a member. The BVRLA will only investigate a complaint once the above procedure has been followed, they will then provide you with an independent free conciliation service, see below.

  

Using the BVRLA conciliation service

If you are unable to resolve your dispute with our team you can raise your concerns to our free conciliation service. The BVRLA offer a Trading Standards Institute-approved alternative dispute resolution (ADR) service which is available in those rare circumstances where you have exhausted our complaints procedure and still remain dissatisfied.

Details of your complaint should be submitted in writing to the BVRLA using the online eligibility checker and then completing the form, please follow the link below:
 

Complaint Form

January 2024

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