Renter Policies

Last updated March 2023

When you rent a camper van from GoCamp, the most important rule is that you must have fun. See the Policies for Renters below for the less fun, but equally important rules. And please note that by booking a camper van through GoCamp, you agree to the Terms of Use of this website and all terms and conditions defined in the rental contract you enter into with the individual van owner.

Payment Schedule

You pay 50% of the total rental fee at the time of booking. You pay the remainder 14 days before the rental begins, or, if booking with less than 14 days to go, at the time of booking.

Taxes and Fees

Rentals are subject to county and rental car taxes which vary by location. All reservations include a prep fee, which typically consists of a cleaning fee, driver verification, and insurance coverage on the pick up day. Renters outside of the United States may be subject to an international credit card processing fee and driver verification fee. A 12.5% service fee that covers administrative costs is assessed on all reservations.

Security Deposit

Two days before your trip begins, we will place an authority to charge (usually $1000 – $1500 depending on the van) on the credit card on file. This is not actually a charge; no funds will leave your account. The security deposit is held in the unlikely event that damages are incurred while the vehicle is in your care. Upon your return, we deduct costs for minor damage, as relevant, and applicable fees (fuel, mileage charges, any post-trip charges) and then we remove the hold on your card. This typically takes place within seven days of your return.

Mileage Allowance

125 miles per night is included in every rental. Additional miles are charged at rates between 35 cents to $1.00 per mile depending on the van. For example, on a four-night rental, you will have 500 free miles. If you traveled 600 miles, at 35 cents a mile you would pay an additional $35 at the end of your trip. A 12.5% service fee is also applied to mileage charges.

Fuel

Your van should have a full tank of gas when you pick it up. Please make sure to fill it back up before you return it. Alternatively, we’ll refuel for you at $9/gallon.

Driving Fines, Tolls and Fees

You are responsible for any fines, tolls, or campground registration fees. These costs are typically deducted from your security deposit.

Cancellations

Standard cancellation policy: You can reschedule your trip one time in the same van with no penalty up to 48 hours prior to the rental. Requests to reschedule a trip a second time will incur a 5% rescheduling fee. You can cancel your reservation for a full refund, less a 5% service fee, up to 14 days prior to the rental. If you cancel less than 14 days prior to the rental, you will receive a refund for 50% of the rental fee. Cancellations must be made in writing. We are unable to offer refunds for shortened trips if for some reason (e.g. weather, change in schedule) you return the vehicle early. If we cancel the reservation you will receive a full refund.

Oops clause: Did you get excited and accidentally book a van before you were really ready? No worries. Reach out to us within 48 hours and we’ll cancel your reservation without penalty.

One-way trip cancellation policy: One-way trips cannot be rescheduled. You can cancel your reservation for a full refund, less a 5% service fee, up to 30 days prior to the rental. If you cancel 15 – 29 days prior to the rental, you will forfeit 100% of the one-way fee and receive a full refund on the remaining reservation line items, less a 5% service fee. If you cancel less than 14 days prior to the rental, you will forfeit 100% of the one-way fee and receive a refund for 50% of the remaining rental fees. Cancellations must be made in writing.

Owner Cancellations

Cancellations by van owners are exceedingly rare, and typically beyond a van owner’s control. In the unlikely event that a van owner cancels a reservation (e.g. there is a mechanical issue with the van), GoCamp will make every effort to put you in a comparable van so that your plans are not disrupted. If we are unable to find a replacement that meets your needs, or you are dissatisfied with the options available to you for any reason, we will issue a full refund.

Drivers

We do a DMV check on all drivers to ensure you meet minimum requirements. If you’ve had two or more major moving violations or any DUIs in the recent past, you will be denied access to renting. If you fail the DMV check you will receive a full refund. Your license must be valid throughout the duration of your rental.

If several people intend to drive the vehicle, all must go through, and pass, the DMV check. A valid drivers license must be presented by all drivers when you pick up the vehicle.

You must be at least 25 years of age to rent a GoCamp van. Occasionally van owners will make an exception to this rule for responsible young adults with clean driving records. We reserve the right to cancel any booking made by renters under the age of 25 who didn’t first receive explicit permission to book.

Conduct While Driving

You agree to never drive in a careless or negligent manner while driving a GoCamp camper van, nor to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, nor permit operation of the vehicle by any person except those signed to the agreement.

Travel Restrictions

We want you to go have the adventure of your life, but we don’t want you to take GoCamp vans off-road.

Most of our vehicles are not appropriate for unimproved roads, 4×4 tracks, thick mud, wet or heavy sand, or heavily washboarded or pot hole laden roads. GoCamp’s fleet is great for paved roads and established campgrounds. Unpaved state and federal forest roads are permitted as long as they are maintained and well-graded. Exercise caution and good judgement when traveling on such roads, and when in doubt, either drive very slowly or turn around. If you do venture off-road and end up stuck or damage the van in any way, you will be responsible for any damages to the vehicle and all costs associated with any necessary towing or other expenses that result from your going off-road.

Travel is restricted to the US and Canada. Travel to Mexico is strictly prohibited.

Travel to Burning Man is strictly prohibited. If you take a GoCamp van to Burning Man, the entire security deposit will be forfeited and additional fines will apply.

Insurance

Because peer-to-peer rentals have their own unique insurance requirements, purchase of GoCamp’s insurance is mandatory. Our insurance provides $1 million in liability coverage to you and the van owners. Comp and collision coverage of up to $200,000 is also included. Insurance coverage starts at $49.50 / night. Prices may vary by vehicle.

24-Hour Roadside Assistance

Most GoCamp van owners require that you have a roadside assistance policy in place that covers camper vans during your rental. If you don’t already have your own, we make 24-hour roadside assistance available for $15 a day. Coverage includes unlimited: towing, flat tire assistance, emergency fluids delivery, battery boost, and a mobile mechanic. Our roadside assistance is for coverage related to mechanical issues, not accidents.

Renter Responsibilities Regarding Maintenance of the Vehicle

You are responsible for checking all fluid levels, including oil and coolant levels at each refueling. You are also responsible for checking air tire pressure, lug nuts and wheels at each refueling. You are responsible for mechanical damages due to negligence in operation and/or maintenance.

Accidents

If you are in an accident please call the van’s owner and GoCamp as soon as it is safe to do so. If the accident involves other drivers, please be sure to get the license and insurance information of everyone involved. You should also plan on calling the local authorities to report the accident. If the accident results in disruption of your trip, you are responsible for any lodging, transportation, or food costs while the vehicle is out of service. Accidents typically result in an insurance claim. The insurance policy you purchased as part of your rental will likely kick in; recall that there is a $2,500 deductible for comp and collision on GoCamp’s policy.

Mechanical Failures

If you experience a mechanical failure, please call the van owner as soon as possible to report and discuss the issue. The owner will do their best to have the vehicle repaired in a timely manner by a repair facility close to the breakdown location, and should be able to get you back on the road relatively quickly, particularly when you have purchased the recommended 24-Hour Roadside Assistance package. For breakdowns that last 24 hours or longer, we agree to refund the daily rental rate for the amount of time the van is out of service. You are responsible for any lodging, transportation, or food costs while the vehicle is out of service. GoCamp AL LLC’s liability is limited to refunding your rental fees as detailed above.

If the mechanical failure is due to no fault of yours (e.g. the timing belt breaks) the individual van owner will be responsible for paying any costs associated with the repair and recovery of the vehicle. If, however, it is deemed that the mechanical failure is the result of negligence (e.g. you failed to check the oil levels) or inappropriate driving (e.g. you overheated the engine by trying to go 80 miles an hour over a mountain pass), you will be held responsible for covering the cost of the repair and recovery.

In the unlikely event that something happens, we’ll do everything we can to get you back on the road so you can keep enjoying your adventure.

Minor Scrapes, Dings and Damage

Things happen. If you are driving along and a rock dings the windshield, you are responsible for any costs associated with fixing the windshield. This is true of any small ding, scratch, or minor damage to the vehicle. You’ll do a walk around with the owner before checking out the vehicle, and another upon return of the vehicle. The cost to repair minor scrapes, dings and damages will be deducted from your security deposit.

Pets

See individual camper van listings for specifics on pets. Some vans allow them for an additional $125 fee, others don’t. If you fail to declare a pet in advance, you will still be charged a pet fee which will be deducted from your security deposit.

Smoking

Please do not smoke cigarettes, tobacco, marijuana, or anything else in the vans.

Pick Up and Drop Off

There is no set pick up and drop off time. You’ll make arrangements suited to your needs and schedule with individual van owners. At pick up, you’ll receive a detailed orientation to your van. Plan on about an hour to finalize paperwork and fully acquaint yourself with the van.

The rental period is generally considered to be 24 hours. If you pick up the van at 10 am, you’ll be expected to return it by 10 am on the return day. Most van owners can accommodate requests for extra time. For every hour beyond the 24 hour time period, we charge $20/hour. If not arranged in advance, the extra hours fee will be deducted from your security deposit. We also offer the option to add a half day, prices vary based on van, so that you can pick up in the morning and drop off in the evening without worrying about an hourly charge.

You’ll be given instructions for how to prepare the van for return by the van owner, but generally you are asked to wash dishes, tidy up, refill the fuel tank, empty any gray water, and put soiled laundry in a laundry bag.