Insurance & Excess

Protection that keeps your Namibia journey moving.

Q: What happens if there is an accident?

Is there an emergency? Make sure everyone is safe. If anyone is injured or in danger, seek emergency help immediately. For current emergency contact details, refer to our Emergency page. Report the accident immediately to both the police and Zumi Rentals + Tours. Failure to report it within 24 hours may void insurance coverage. NAMPOL is the official authority for traffic and accident reports. Report to the nearest NAMPOL police station where the accident occurred. In rural or park areas, contact the nearest outpost or ranger station and ask to be directed to the closest official NAMPOL officer.

Every Zumi self-drive rental includes insurance. Choose the excess level that suits your trip, understand what is covered before you leave, and travel with clear support behind you.

3 excess levels
Optional tyre & windscreen
Clear coverage terms

Choose your protection

Three straightforward excess options.

Display excess in

NAD is the rental agreement base currency.

Select each option below to learn more about what it covers.

Self-drive rentals only. On a guided Zumi journey, your driver-guide drives the vehicle, so you do not choose a self-drive insurance tier.

NAD 0 excess.

+N$500/day · Includes Tyre and Windscreen Insurance

Highest level of protection available.

Ideal for travellers wanting maximum peace of mind during their journey.
Tyre and Windscreen Insurance is included at no extra cost — useful on Namibia’s gravel roads and rough terrain.
For an accepted covered damage or theft claim, your excess is NAD 0.*
No excess-based credit-card pre-authorisation is required with Zero Excess.

Included with Zero Excess

Tyre & Windscreen Protection · N$250/day

With Zero Excess, Tyre & Windscreen Protection is included at no extra daily cost and covers windscreen repair or replacement and one flat tyre during your trip.*

Included automatically with Zero Excess — no separate add-on selection is required.

*Coverage is subject to the rental agreement and insurer assessment.

Practical examples

What this can look like in practice.

Here are a few simple real-world examples so you can see what the different cover levels mean before you drive.

How to read these examples

These examples assume an authorised driver is following the rental terms. Final cover depends on the signed rental agreement and insurer assessment.

Vehicle theft

The vehicle is stolen during your trip

Example: Your rental vehicle is stolen during the trip. If you followed the rental terms and the insurer accepts the claim, your excess is up to NAD 40,000 (Standard), NAD 20,000 (Reduced), or NAD 0 (Zero).

Tyre & windscreen

A stone cracks the windscreen

Example: A stone cracks your windscreen while driving. Repair or replacement is covered with Zero Excess or the Tyre & Windscreen add-on purchased with Standard or Reduced Excess; without this protection, windscreen damage is not covered. The protection also covers one flat tyre, but not wheel rims.

Zero Excess example

Another vehicle hits you at an intersection

Example: Another vehicle hits your rental at an intersection. If the insurer accepts this as a covered two-vehicle accident and you meet the rental and reporting requirements, your excess with Zero Excess is NAD 0 for the covered vehicle damage.

Responsible driving

A serious driving-rule breach causes damage

Example: A renter drives recklessly or under the influence and damages the vehicle. Because this breaches the rental terms, the selected excess protection may not apply and the renter may be liable for the full damage cost.

Insurance FAQ

The details travellers ask about most.

Open any question below for the current Zumi insurance guidance. Open a question for current insurance info.

Can I waive insurance if I have my own travel policy?

Generally, external insurance policies — such as cover offered through credit cards or third-party rental insurers — do not replace Zumi’s rental insurance requirements in Namibia. External policies may also operate on a reimbursement basis, meaning damage can need to be paid upfront before a separate claim is assessed.

What is not covered under insurance?

Insurance mainly covers accidents and theft under normal, responsible use, subject to the rental contract. It excludes neglect, misuse and prohibited driving. Tyre and Windscreen Insurance or Zero Excess is required for tyre and windscreen cover.

Personal belongings
Tyres unless optional cover is added
Rims
Undercarriage damage, except where caused by a traffic accident
Windscreen unless optional cover is added
Side and rear windows
Personal injury or death
Water damage; sandblasting damage except where specifically covered by purchased Tyre & Windscreen protection
Camping equipment and rooftop tents
Standing on the bonnet or roof
Improper use of 4×4 functions
Interior damage
Collisions with stationary objects
Single-vehicle accidents such as rollovers or reversing incidents
Recovery or towing costs where the need for recovery results from driver fault, misuse, negligence, prohibited-road driving or another non-covered event
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Use by an unauthorised driver
Failure to report an accident to police within 24 hours
Reckless or negligent driving
Driving on prohibited roads or areas
Driving at night outside towns
Towing another vehicle or trailer

Is there a security deposit or card pre-authorisation?

There is no separate damage deposit. Before vehicle handover, Zumi places a credit-card pre-authorisation equal to your selected excess: NAD 40,000 with Standard Excess, NAD 20,000 with Reduced Excess, and NAD 0 with Zero Excess. A pre-authorisation is a temporary hold, not a charge. It is released after satisfactory return once there are no pending claims or chargeable items; your bank or card issuer controls how quickly the available balance is restored. Damage, loss or costs excluded by the rental agreement are not limited by the selected excess.

What should I do if the vehicle has a mechanical breakdown?

Stop in a safe place if necessary and contact Zumi immediately. Do not continue driving if doing so could worsen the fault. We will advise the next step and help coordinate roadside or emergency support. If towing or recovery is required because of a mechanical fault or another issue not caused by the driver, Zumi covers the towing or recovery cost. If the need for towing or recovery results from driver fault, misuse, negligence or a breach of the rental terms, it may not be covered and the cost may be for the renter’s account.

Is roadside help the same thing as insurance recovery cover?

No. Roadside support and towing or recovery are related but not the same thing. If towing or recovery is needed because of a mechanical fault or another issue that is not the driver’s fault, Zumi covers it. If it is needed because of driver fault, misuse, negligence, getting stuck, prohibited-road driving or another breach of the rental terms, it may not be covered and the cost may be charged to the renter, subject to the rental agreement and the circumstances of the incident.

What about damage to another vehicle or property?

The rental rate includes third-party and/or comprehensive insurance with the agreed excess, subject to the rental agreement and insurer assessment. If another vehicle or property is involved, do not admit fault or settle the claim yourself; contact Zumi and report the incident to the police within 24 hours.

Is insurance valid if I drive into neighbouring countries during my trip?

Cross-border travel is permitted only with Zumi’s prior written approval. Approved 4x4 vehicles may travel to Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa. If your route requires additional insurance, permits or documentation, we will explain the requirements and any applicable cost at the time of booking.

What happens if there is an accident?

Is there an emergency?

Make sure everyone is safe. If anyone is injured or in danger, seek emergency help immediately.

For current emergency contact details, refer to our Emergency page.

Report the accident immediately to both the police and Zumi Rentals + Tours. Failure to report it within 24 hours may void insurance coverage.

NAMPOL is the official authority for traffic and accident reports. Report to the nearest NAMPOL police station where the accident occurred. In rural or park areas, contact the nearest outpost or ranger station and ask to be directed to the closest official NAMPOL officer.

Can I downgrade or upgrade my insurance coverage during my trip?

Insurance can be upgraded to a higher tier during your trip. The additional cost is applied to each remaining rental day, and the request must be made in writing to bookings@zumirentals.com.

Insurance coverage cannot be downgraded after the trip has started.

Full terms, before you travel

Review the rental agreement in advance.

Want the complete details? You can review the same standard Zumi rental agreement used for vehicle handover before your trip. Your final copy will include your booking-specific vehicle, dates and charges.

Read it at your own pace before arrival. Bring us any questions before you sign.

View rental contract Sample agreement • PDF • Booking-specific details are completed before signature.

Need help choosing?

We can explain the options before you book.

Tell us where you are travelling and the type of cover you want. We will help you understand the available option for your rental.

If something happens, our aim is to understand what happened, explain the next steps clearly, and work toward a fair, practical resolution within the rental and insurance terms.