Damage

What products reduce the amount I have to pay if the vehicle is damaged during the rental?
If you have Damage Waiver (CDW) and the vehicle, keys, any accessories or any vehicle documents are damaged, the amount you have to pay for the damage will be reduced to no more than the excess stated on your rental agreement meaning you will pay for the cost of repair or replacement plus a damage processing fee of CHF 32.40 or the excess, whichever is less. If you can show the damage was not in any way your fault or due to your negligence, we will refund these costs to you. If you can show the damage was less than we said, we will refund you the difference.
How much is the excess?
This is stated on your rental agreement, and also in your booking confirmation email. You can reduce the excess even further by buying an excess reduction product.
How do I get Damage Waiver?
In most cases, Damage Waiver is provided with the vehicle as standard. If it is included, it will be stated on your rental agreement and in your booking confirmation email. If it is not included, the price depends on the vehicle you are renting and the place you are renting it from.
Is there an excess reduction product available to reduce my excess further?
Yes, Super Damage Waiver (SCDW) is an excess reduction product which reduces your excess to zero. The price depends on the vehicle and location, but you can expect it to cost between CHF 32.00 and CHF 59.00 a day.
Will I need to pay if the windscreen is damaged?
Yes, it will be treated the same as any other damage to the vehicle.
What happens if I damage any optional extras I rent from you?
If any optional extras are damaged, you have to pay for the cost of replacement, or their estimated repair costs in addition to the rental fee.
Are there any times when the excess would not apply?
Yes, the amount you pay will not be reduced if damage was caused by wilful act or gross negligence. Or as a result of:

• Water or fire damage, that was not your fault.
•  Driving the vehicle without due care and attention
• Driving or using the vehicle in breach of your contract

What do I have to pay if I do not have Damage Waiver?
If the vehicle, keys, any accessories or any vehicle documents are damaged during your rental, unless you can prove the damage was not in any way your fault or due to your negligence, you will have to pay:

• Either the cost of replacement, or the estimated repair costs, whichever is cheaper
• Plus our loss of use
• Plus an administration fee

Where can I find information of damage charges I have paid?
If we find damage, we will charge the amount you have to pay to your card. Unless you have asked us to send you a receipt by post or email, you will be able to find details of this payment here http://www.avis.ch/invoice.

Theft

What products reduce the amount I have to pay if the vehicle is lost or stolen during the rental?
If you have Theft Protection waiver (TP) and the vehicle is stolen, the amount you have to pay will be reduced to no more than the excess stated on your rental agreement meaning you will pay for the cost of repair or replacement or the excess, whichever is less. If you can show the damage was not in any way your fault or due to your negligence, we will refund these costs to you. If you can show the damage was less than we said, we will refund you the difference. If you can show the loss or theft was not in any way your fault or due to your negligence, we will refund these costs to you.
How much is the excess?
This is stated on your rental agreement, and also in your booking confirmation email. You can reduce the excess even further by buying an excess reduction product.
How do I get Theft Protection waiver?
In most cases, Theft Protection waiver is provided with the vehicle as standard. If it is included, it will be stated on your rental agreement and in your booking confirmation email.
What happens if I lose any optional extras I rent from you or if they are stolen?
If any optional extras are lost or stolen, you have to pay for the cost of replacement in addition to the rental fee, unless you are not responsible for the loss.
Are there any times when the excess would not apply?
Yes, the amount you pay will not be reduced if the loss or theft was caused by wilful act or gross negligence, for example as a result of:

• Keys being left in the vehicle
• Keys being lost or stolen
• Using the vehicle in breach of the contract

What do I have to pay if I do not have Theft Protection?
If the vehicle, keys, any accessories or any vehicle documents are lost or stolen during your rental, you will have to pay:

• The cost of replacement
• Plus our loss of use

If you can show theft was not in any way your fault or due to your negligence, we will refund these costs to you.
Where can I find information of theft charges I have paid?
If a loss or theft has occurred, unless you can prove the theft was not in any way your fault or due to your negligence, we will charge the amount you have to pay to your card. Unless you have asked us to send you a receipt by post or email, you will be able to find details of this payment here www.avis.ch/invoice.

Damage to people and their property

What do I have to pay if I injure someone whilst driving?
Third Party Liability (TPL) cover is provided with the vehicle as standard. This means that if you have an accident in our vehicle and you injure someone, including any of your passengers, or you damage anything which belongs to them, you will not have to pay any of their costs. Third Party Liability cover does not cover any death or injury suffered by the driver of our vehicle or any damage to personal items in our vehicle.
Are there any times when third party liability cover would not apply?
If the law requires us to provide you with third party liability cover, the minimum cover required by law will still apply but we, or our insurer, may seek to recover our costs from you if the accident was caused by:

• By you breaking the contract (for example allowing someone we had not approved drive the vehicle of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any other unlawful substance),
• By you breaking the law
• As a result of your negligence or recklessness.

What products cover the driver of the vehicle?
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) covers the driver of the vehicle in the event of an accident. Personal Accident Insurance provides the following benefits:

• A maximum of CHF 99,720.00 in the event of deat

Which payment cards do you accept?
We accept:

• American Express (excluding American Express Travellers Cheque cards)
• Diners Club
• Visa credit cards
• MasterCard credit cards
• Avis-issued charge cards

Prepaid cards can only be used for making payments at the end of your rental. To rent a car from us, you will have to present the payment cards listed above.

We do not accept Visa Electron cards, Maestro cards, V-Pay cards, Cirrus cards, JCB cards or any other cards not listed above.

We do not accept Digital Payment Cards.

Can I pay by cash?
No, regrettably, we are not able to accept cash.

What happens if I am late in making payment?
If you are late in paying us, interest will be calculated at the statutory rate.

Debit cards are not accepted.

Do I need to bring my driving licence with me?
Yes.  All drivers must bring all parts of their valid driving licence with them.  They must bring both their driving licence and either an international driving licence or an official German, French, Italian or English translation, by a notary, of their driving licence for any of the following situations:

• A driving licence was issued in a non-European country
• A driving licence was issued in a non-Roman alphabet like Arabic, Greek, Russian, Hebrew or Japanese.

We do not accept digital driving licenses.

Is there a minimum length I must have held my licence for?
Yes.  All drivers must have held their licences for at least 6 months.  For vehicles in categories F, H, J and P, drivers must have held their licenses for at least 3 years.  If a licence does not show the driver has held it for the minimum period, then they must provide evidence, such as one of the following:

• Previous driving licences
• Letter from their driving licence authority stating that they have held it for this minimum period.

Public liability insurance is in accordance with the insurance laws of the country.  Customer may inquire at the time of rental for additional information of the benefits, conditions and acceptance.

Note: Some credit cards provide insurance coverage, with certain limitations, as a benefit of using the card to rent vehicles.  The customer is advised to contact the card issuer before the rental.  Any waiver must be discussed directly with the location upon arrival.

How old do I need to be to drive a rental vehicle?

To drive our vehicles, all drivers need to be at least 21 years old and have held a full, valid driving licence for at least ½ year at the start of your rental. Higher as well as lower minimum age limits as well as a minimum holding period of 3 years may apply to certain vehicles.

How do I know if there are minimum age restrictions on my rental?

When you book, you will be told if there are any minimum age restrictions for the vehicle you request. If you are not sure, please check your booking confirmation email or call the Reservations team.

I am under 25, do I need to pay a young driver surcharge?

If you or any of your drivers are under 25 when you pick up the vehicle, you will each have to pay a young driver surcharge. The cost for this will depend on where you are picking the vehicle up from but you can expect it to be between CHF 20.00 and CHF 24.00 per day.
If you rent the vehicle for more than 10 days, you will only be charged for a maximum of 10 days and get cover for the duration of your rental, up to 28 days.

Are there any maximum age restrictions?

No, as long as you hold a full, valid driving licence for at least ½ year or 3 years with regard to certain vehicles.

Approximate total includes base rate, taxes, and surcharges. Items such as coupon discounts, child safety seats, winterization fee from (15 Nov - 15 Apr) and gas are NOT included in the estimated total. Optional coverages and one-way fees are subject to tax in certain locations. This tax is not reflected in the Estimated Total.

Estimated total is subject to change based upon exchange rates at the time of rental.

Should I bring the vehicle back with a full tank of fuel?
Yes. The vehicle will normally be supplied with a full tank of fuel. You must return it to us with the same amount of fuel it had in it when you picked it up, usually a full tank, as shown on the factory-installed fuel gauge. We recommend you fill up as close to the return location as you can on the return date, and keep the receipt to show us. If you do not return the vehicle with a full tank and you ca not show us a receipt for fuel we will charge you.

Fuel Options

I plan to travel more than 120 kilometres, and want peace of mind, do you have a fuel option for me?
Yes, with Fuel Up Front you pay for a full tank of fuel, based on the manufacturers stated fuel tank capacity for your vehicle plus our costs of refuelling the vehicle for you. Then you just return the vehicle with whatever is left in the tank (even if it is virtually empty) so long as the engine still runs.
How do I calculate the cost of Fuel Up Front?
Depending on where you are renting, we charge the average fuel price at the start of your rental period. For further details on the price for Fuel up Front, please ask the rental station. However, you do not get a refund for any fuel you do not use.
Can I get Fuel up Front at any time?
No, if you want to take advantage of Fuel Up Front, you must ask for it during the booking process or when you pick up the vehicle.
I plan to travel less than 120 kilometres, do I still need to fill up?
Yes, often the fuel gauges stills look full so we ask you to fill up the tank near to the return location and show us a copy of the receipt. If you do not have time to fill up the tank, or ca not show us a receipt, we will apply EZ Fuel to cover our costs of refuelling the vehicle for you.
How much is EZ Fuel?
EZ Fuel is a fixed fee of CHF 25.80.
What are my options if I do not return the vehicle full and have not bought Fuel up Front?
Pay on Return will apply if you have driven more than 120 kilometres and:

• Do not buy Fuel Up Front
• Do not return the vehicle with a full tank

How do I calculate the cost of Pay on Return?
You pay for fuel based on the factory-installed fuel gauge rounded down to the nearest eighth (1/8) of a tank. This is based on the manufacturers stated fuel tank capacity.
We charge between 1.5 and three times the average fuel price at the end of the rental period for Switzerland. The price per litre will be stated on your rental agreement. This charge covers our cost of driving to the nearest petrol station at short notice, and potentially delaying the next customer’s rental.

Electric Vehicles

How much battery charge should I return an electric vehicle with?

You must return the vehicle with at least a 70% battery charge, or the same % battery charge as it had at the time of pick-up.

What am i charged if I fail to return an electric vehicle with the required 70% battery charge, or the same % battery charge as it had at the time of pick-up?

We charge a fixed amount dependent on the battery life showing on the factory-installed battery gauge. This is the Pay on Return rate. the amounts charged are set out below:

Can I let anyone else drive?
Yes, but only if we have approved them. You must not let anyone else drive the vehicle.
We charge a fee for every Additional Driver we allow to drive the vehicle. The price depends on the location you are renting from, but you can expect it to be between CH 14.50 and CHF 17.40 per day.
If you rent the vehicle for more than 10 days, you will only be charged for a maximum of 10 days and get cover for the duration of your rental, up to 28 days.
All additional drivers must meet our age, driving licence and ID requirements. 
If any additional driver is outside of our age restrictions, we will also charge a driver surcharge.
Do you offer a Meet and Greet service?
No, unfortunately we are unable to offer a meet and greet service at this time.
Can I pick up the vehicle outside your normal opening hours?
Yes, some rental locations offer an out of hours pick-up service where you can collect the vehicle and any optional extras outside the rental locations normal opening hours. Please contact your rental station for further information.
My rental has a mileage allowance. I have driven more than the allowance, how much will I pay for excess mileage
Many of our vehicles are provided with unlimited mileage. If a mileage allowance applies, it will be stated on your rental agreement and in your booking confirmation email. If you go over the mileage allowance, the price depends on the vehicle and location. Your excess mileage charge will be stated on your rental agreement.
Can I smoke in the vehicle?
No, you are not allowed to smoke in it. If we believe anyone has smoked in the vehicle during the rental period, a specialist cleaning charge will apply.
Are there any roads or zones where I need to pay a fee before I can enter?
Yes, there are toll roads and toll bridges which require you to pay a fee if you wish to use them.  If you do not pay these charges before you use such roads or bridges, you will incur a fine. 
We recommend you check the Internet to find out about any restricted areas before you travel. Websites such as www.urbanaccessregulations.eu provide useful information. If the rental location is in or near a restricted area, we will tell you about it when you pick up the vehicle. We are unable to tell you about any other restricted areas.
I have been caught speeding, and did not pay a parking charge, what will I have to pay?
You are responsible for all fines and charges issued as a result of you or your additional drivers using the vehicle. Fines and charges could include:

• All parking fines or charges
• Toll charges
• Towing charges
• Clamping costs
• Traffic fines or charges
• Speeding fines
• And any other charges or fines

If a fine or charge is sent to us because you have not paid a charge or complied with the law, we will take payment for:

• Our administration fee of CHF 50.00 for each fine or charge issued, which will be charged in the currency of the country where the fine occurred.
• Plus the fine or charge if we have to pay it

I have left the interior of the vehicle very dirty and made it smell. Will I be charged to clean it?
Yes, if the interior of the vehicle is especially muddy, dirty, stained or smelly, and our standard cleaning procedure will not fix it, you will be charged a Specialist Cleaning Charge between CHF 75.60 and CFH 260.00 plus our Administration Fee of CHF 60.00.

Roadside Assistance

What happens if I break down because of a mechanical failure?
All our vehicles are maintained to the manufacturers standards, and they are roadworthy when you pick them up so mechanical failure in our vehicles is rare. So long as you are using the vehicle in a country we have agreed to, we provide roadside assistance or recovery free of charge. You can only use our roadside assistance provider to help you. You will find their contact details inside the vehicle.
What happens if I break down because of a non-mechanical failure or in another country?
You must tell us if you break down or have an accident. If you need roadside assistance, we will arrange this for you but you will have to pay for it. You will also be charged for any costs we incur getting the vehicle back on the road in the country of rental. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Towing call out fee and recovery costs up to a maximum of 300 Euro (unless there is need of a special towing rescue, repatriation, or breach of contract in which the maximum charge could be up to 600 Euro) 
• Repair costs
• Loss of use
• Repatriation costs
• An administration fee
• Any costs to take you, and/or any of your passengers, to another location.
• Electrical Charge for EV Vehicles (Where the cable is in working order)

What products do you have to protect me if I break down because of a non-mechanical problem?
Roadside Assistance Plus provides roadside assistance if you break down as a result of…

• e.g. Flat batteries
• Flat tyres
• Keys locked in the vehicle
• Running out of fuel

Provided you are using the vehicle is a country we have agreed to.
You will only need to pay for the costs of any additional items needed to get the vehicle back on the road, like fuel or tyres.
How much does Roadside Assistance Plus cost?
The price will depend on where you are renting, but you can expect it to be between CHF 8.00 and CHF 9.60 a day. If you rent the vehicle for more than 10 days, you will only be charged for a maximum of 10 days and get cover for the duration of your rental, up to 28 days.
What happens if I do not return the incident report form or European accident form?
If you are involved in an accident, or the vehicle, keys, any accessories, any vehicle documents or any optional extras are damaged, lost or stolen; you must complete and return an incident report form and if available, the European accident report form.

Can I pick up the vehicle from one rental location and return it to another?
Yes, some rental locations let you collect the vehicle and any optional extras from one rental location and return them to another.
How much is the One-Way fee?
The price depends on the rental location. If you want to pick up the vehicle and return it to a different location please ask the rental station.
How do I get a One-Way rental?
You can request a one-way rental when you book or you can ask for it when you get to the rental location.
If you asked for a one-way rental when you booked, the fee will be included in your rental price.
How much will it cost if I did not request a One-Way rental but return the vehicle to a different location?
You will be charged a one-way fee at the pay at location prices available on the day you return the vehicle.

International journeys are permitted for certain countries outside Austria, but always require the prior consent of Avis.

In the event of approval by Avis, a Cross Border Fee (CBD) must be paid. This amounts to a minimum of EUR 10.81 per day and a maximum of EUR 76.67 per rental. If Budget has given its consent, the following provisions apply:

What countries am I allowed to take the vehicle to?

You may drive the vehicle in the following countries with exceptions:

• Austria (A)
• Andorra (AND)
• Belgium (B)
• Switzerland (CH)
• Croatia (HR)
• Czech Republic (CZ)
• Germany (D)
• Denmark (DK)
• Spain (E)
• France (F)
• Finland (FIN)
• Hungary (H)
• Liechtenstein (FL)
• Italy (I)
• Ireland (IRL)
• Luxembourg (L)
• Monaco (MC)
• Norway (N)
• Netherlands (NL)
• Poland (PL)
• Portugal (P)
• San Marino (RSM)
• Sweden (S)
• Slovakia (SK)
• Slovenia (SLO)

Porsche vehicles may only be driven in Switzerland, Germany, France, Monaco and Austia.

Entries to Croatia (HR) and Slovenia (SLO), Slovakia (SK), Czech Republic (CZ), Poland (PL) and Hungary (H) are not allowed for vehicles from car group I and Select groups N ans Select E.
You are not allowed to use the vehicle in the Albania (AL), Armenia(AM), Azerbaijan (AZ), Bulgaria (BG), Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH), Belarus (BY), Cyprus (CY), Estonia (EST), Georgia (GE), Greece (GR), Hungary (H), Iceland (IS), Kazakhstan (KZ), Kosovo (RKS) Latvia (LV), Lithuania (LT), Malta (M), Macedonia (MK); Moldavia (MD), Montenegro (MNE), Romania (RO), Russia (RUS), Slovakia (SK), Serbia (SRB), Turkey (TR), Ukraine (UA) and any country outside continental Europe.
Not allowed are also: Balearic Islands, Canaries, Corsica, Crete, Sardinia

Please note, that there are certain travel restrictions for EU residents:

If you are EU resident and drive a vehicle with Swiss registration and number plate, you are only allowed to drive the vehicle in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. You must not take the vehicle into the EU, except for the purpose of directly returning to your place of residence in the EU, which must be stated on your rental agreement. You must pay for all damages and costs we incur as a result of you or any Additional Driver not complying with this obligation including payable customs, tax charges and loss of use, if you or an additional driver gets detained at Customs. Please note, that a breach of customs regulations may result in criminal charges against you or your Additional Driver. If you plan to travel cross-border into the EU, please let us know at the time of booking, so that we can choose the right vehicle for you.

Violations of or non-compliance with any of the aforementioned provisions shall entitle Avis to terminate the rental agreement without notice or to withdraw from the rental agreement. Claims for compensation by the Hirer are excluded in such a case. The claim for compensation for damages incurred by Avis due to the breach of one of the above provisions shall remain unaffected.

Can I buy a product to allow me to drive in other countries?

No, unfortunately we do not offer any other products that allow you to travel to other countries.