FAQ’s or
What You Should Really Know About Renting an RV

The following is a brief description of our basic Rental Terms & Conditions, but not all.  You will be given a copy for your review of the complete rental Terms & Conditions at the time you pick-up your vehicle.  If you have any questions, please contact our Rental Center at 770/963-9889 or at bblakely@lightninrv.com.

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY!

CUSTOMER & DRIVER QUALIFICATIONS: Customers must be at least 25 years old; possess a valid driver’s license (international is fine); provide proof of insurance; and present a major credit card in their own name, for payment of the rental charges.  We cannot accept a credit card from a third party; over the phone; or from a photocopy.  The card must be in the customer’s name and physically present.

You can have up to 3 additional drivers, at no additional cost.  They must be present at the time of departure; be at least 25 years old; present their driver’s license; provide proof of insurance; and sign the rental agreement.  Fax signatures or photocopies are not acceptable.

PAYMENTS: There is a $500.00 down-payment required when you make your reservation.  This amount is applied towards the rental charges. The balance of the rental charges are due at the time of pick-up.  We accept ONLY credit cards at that time.  Master Card, Visa, American Express or Discover credit cards only; we DO NOT accept:  cash, checks of any type or debit/check cards at the time of vehicle pick-up. 

MAKING RESERVATIONS: There is no such thing as making a reservation too far in advance.  Often, customers will make reservations for special events, holidays, etc., many months in advance.  We have a very fair cancellation policy, and thus it makes sense to plan ahead.  You can complete & submit our on-line reservation application in just minutes.  Your confirmation will be sent to you by email the next business day.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Customers can cancel their reservation up to two (2) weeks prior to their departure date and receive a full refund, less a $25.00 cancellation fee, of their down payment.  There is no refund for cancellations within the two (2) week time period.  However, Customers can change the dates of the reservation, if the requested vehicle is available for the new dates.  There are no refunds when the reservation dates have been changed within the fourteen (14) day period.

Lightnin RV reserves the right to cancel the reservation at any time due to Acts of God; extreme unsafe weather conditions; if is determined that the vehicle will be used in unsafe conditions or for illegal purposes; or if the Customer arrives at the time of departure in a condition that is determined by Lightnin RV or it’s employees, that the Customer cannot safely operate the vehicle.

GASOLINE & PROPANE (L.P.): You depart with a full tank of gasoline, and return it full.  We charge $1.50 over the posted retail price of the closest service station to our location for vehicles we have to refill.  You depart with a full tank of propane, but return at whatever level remains.

MINIMUM RENTAL PERIOD: In most cases, there is just a 3-night minimum rental time period...a typical weekend.  However, there could be a longer minimum due to special events or a major holiday.  We are not open on Sunday or major holidays for vehicle departure or return. The following is a list of longer minimum rental periods:

How & when do I pick-up my vehicle? We operate just like a hotel.  You are charged for each rental night, not 24 hour time period. The only difference is that our rooms roll on wheels!  We are open the following times and dates:

OPTIONS:

BIKE RACKS: A 2-bike carrier is an option.  Do to liability, locks & chains are not provided.  The cost of the rack is $35.00 per trip.

LAWN CHAIRS:  If you forgot your own, or for the convenience of our Fly-Drive Customers, we rent lawn chairs for $10.00 each per trip.

CHILD SAFETY SEATS:  The State of Georgia  requires that all children 5 years old and under, or less than 50 lbs., be seated in a child safety seat, anchored by a seat belt.  All of our vehicles have at least 6 seat belts, most have more.  We will not allow any vehicle to departure, with any child that fits the above description, without the proper safety seat.  If you are flying into Atlanta, then bring your own, the airlines will love you for it!  We do rent child seats, but they are a very limited supply item.  Please reserve at least 30 days in advance.  The price of the safety seat is $25.00 per trip.

INFANT PORT-A-CRIBS:  Compact for storage and easy to set up.  Includes zippered storage bag, fitted sheet and vinyl covered bumper guards.  This is a very limited supply item.  Please reserve at least 30 days in advance.  The price of the Port-A-Crib is $25.00 per trip.

DUMPING:  Please dump your holding tanks prior to returning the vehicle.  Dump charge is $50.00.

CLEANING: Vehicles are to be returned in the same condition as at departure.  Abused vehicles are charged at posted Service Department Labor rates for cleaning abused vehicles.  As of 04/01/07, this rate is $95.00 per hour, but is subject to change.

PET POLICY:  Due to cleaning and liability issues, we do not allow pets in our vehicles.  See notes in the following.

SMOKING:  Every Lightnin RV vehicle is a non-smoking & non-pet vehicle.

Vehicles that have been smoked in (this includes campfire smoke too), or found to have pets traveling inside, are subject to additional cleaning charges to: remove odors, this includes having all fabric shampooed, flea bombs set off in vehicles having pets, and the overnight use of an odor control device. Prices start at $250.00 depending on vehicle size & condition.  Loss of Use may also be an added cost.

INSURANCE & COVERAGES:

COLLISION DAMAGE WAVIER (C.D.W.): CDW is not insurance.  It is a wavier of the Customer’s financial responsibility to damage to our vehicle in the event of a motor vehicle accident.  It provides a $0.00 deductible.  Damage to tires, wheels, glass and Loss of Use are not covered.  It does not apply to interior or abusive damage to the rental vehicle.  It does not apply if the Terms & Conditions of the Rental Agreement are violated.  See a member of our travel staff for complete details.

SUPPLEMENTAL LIABILITY INSURANCE (S.L.I.): S.L.I. increases your liability coverage from either your own policy’s limit, or ours’, up to $1,000,000 of total liability coverage in the event of a motor vehicle accident.  It covers all third party claims.  This policy is underwritten by Zurich Insurance, one of the largest insurance companies in the world. See a member of our travel staff for complete details. 

DAMAGE: The Customer is responsible for any/all damage to our vehicle while the RV is on rent; this includes interior and exterior damage.   The Customer is responsible to pay for the damage costs whether the Customer was at fault or not; even if the damage is due to Acts of Nature (Wind, Rain, Earthquake, Fire, Flood, etc.); or if the damage was the act of another member of the Customer’s Rental Party. Additionally, the Customer will be responsible for Loss of Use and Diminished Value of the vehicle caused by that damage.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Lightnin RV reserves the right to substitute a vehicle of equal or higher quality.  If a vehicle of lower size/style or quality is offered and accepted, our liability is the difference is the price difference between the vehicle requested and the vehicle offered.

PLACES CUSTOMERS CANNOT TAKE OUR VEHICLES: Our vehicles are not allowed in:  Death Valley, CA. between May 1 and October 1 of any year;  Mexico; and the five (5) boroughs that make up New York City, NY. (except to drive through on I-95).  Violations void CDW, CDW+, and PAC/PPC.  Please do not put yourself at risk for liability or civil actions.

But, almost more importantly, for a list of some great places and events that you can go to, take a look at our Special Events Calendar list on our Rental Department’s Home Page!  Also, take a look at our Travel Links site as well for some great travel ideas.

ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE: National Roadside Assistance is provided..  There is an 800-number to call for the following services:  to change a flat tire; will bring five gallons of gas if you run out; lock-out service (on Class C motorhomes only); and will tow any motorhome to the closest Ford Dealer offering RV chassis service.  Roadside Assistance does not apply to travel trailers.

Additionally, you will have an 800-number for Coachmen RV for “House” repairs and our company’s number for operational questions.  Remember, you will also have a manufacturer’s owner’s manual as well at the trouble-shooting guide that can answer most operational questions.

Customers are authorized to spend up to $100.00 for any minor repair as needed.  Simply have the repair preformed, pay and present all receipts & parts at return time for a full reimbursement.  No refunds are made without receipts and replaced parts.