Rental regulations

The tenant shall take over the item in a ready-to-use and safe condition. Any accessories shall be noted separately in the rental contract and handed over in a usable condition. Complaints about the rental object or its accessories must be reported by the lessee to the lessor immediately upon acceptance by means of a list of defects. If the Hirer is late in accepting the vehicle, the vehicle may be re-rented after 60 minutes. In this case, there is no entitlement to a replacement vehicle.

If the reserved vehicle is not available, the lessor may provide another vehicle of equal value or a vehicle of a higher category at the same price.

The rental company reserves the right to refuse to hand over the vehicle to anyone who is aggressive, abusive, or has behaved in a negative manner.

The rental period begins with the pick-up of the vehicle and ends with the return of the vehicle. The renter is responsible for the vehicle during the rental period. The rental price (see section 4) includes the use of the vehicle for a certain period of time and a certain number of kilometres. Additional kilometres will be charged in accordance with the rental agreement and the current price list when the vehicle is returned. If the rental period is exceeded, the provisions of para. 3b f. apply.

Minimum rental period:
Small and mid-size buses: 24 hours (1 day)
Campers: 72 hours (3 days)

The rental vehicle and all accessories listed in the rental agreement must be returned in proper condition at the return location and at the time specified in the rental agreement. If the rental vehicle is returned outside of regular business hours, parking the vehicle on the premises and placing the keys in the key box for the lessor’s attention shall constitute a return. The renter is liable for all damage discovered on the vehicle. If the renter does not return the vehicle with a full tank, the renter must reimburse the cost of the fuel at the daily rate charged at the company’s gas station. In the event of any other improper return of the vehicle and/or its accessories, the renter is liable in accordance with Section 7 of the General Terms and Conditions. Unless otherwise agreed, the vehicle must be returned swept clean.

3a. Early Return

The renter may return the vehicle earlier than agreed upon upon request. The rental company may grant a reduction in the rental price only if the vehicle can be rented out to another customer. In all other cases, the agreed-upon rental fees are due.

3b. Late Return

If it is not possible for the Hirer to return the vehicle at the agreed time or place, he/she is obliged to report this in good time. The Hirer undertakes to pay a penalty of CHF 100 for each hour lost. This will be charged directly against the deposit. If the tenant can prove that he is not at fault, BUSHANDEL.ch AG will not charge a penalty. In the event of early contact (1 working day before the end of the rental period), the rental period may be extended if there is sufficient availability in accordance with section 3c.

In any case, the tenant is liable for any damage incurred by the landlord upon return of the property.

3c. Extension of the Lease Term

An extension of the rental agreement is permitted only with the written consent of the lessor. An additional security deposit or the return of the vehicle to a drop-off location may be required. Furthermore, all existing obligations and provisions under the current contractual relationship remain in effect.

The rental price is calculated based on the lessor’s current price list and the agreed-upon mileage. Rental fees must be paid in advance, unless otherwise agreed.

4a. Services Included

The rental cost includes a vehicle orientation, required operational and registration equipment, and a parking space for your personal vehicle during the rental period.

4b. Included Insurance

The rental price includes standard liability and comprehensive insurance coverage with a deductible of CHF 1,000 (liability) and CHF 2,000 (comprehensive) per claim.

The deductible can be reduced to a total of CHF 350.– per claim for an additional fee: CHF 35.– per day plus sales tax.

Any loss of bonus must be compensated by the renter in the event of a claim. Passenger insurance is also included.

4c. Payment method

The estimated total rental fee and any additional charges are to be paid to the lessor in local currency upon pickup of the vehicle or as specified in a separate agreement.

For motorhomes, a deposit of 50% of the rental price must be paid no later than 2 months before departure, and the remaining balance must be paid no later than 20 days before departure. For last-minute bookings (3 weeks before the start of the rental period), the entire rental amount is due immediately. BUSHANDEL.ch AG reserves the right to decline credit card payments for amounts exceeding 1,000.–. In such cases, the attractive rental rates can no longer be offered due to high transaction fees. In this event, several ATMs are available in the immediate vicinity for the renter’s use. Payment by invoice is available upon request. We reserve the right to conduct a credit check on the renter.

5a. Prohibited use

The renter is prohibited from using the vehicle:

• to participate in motor sport events and vehicle tests;
• for the transport of goods or persons for remuneration without a corresponding licence; 
• to tow, haul or otherwise move another vehicle unless the hired vehicle is a vehicle designed for that purpose;
• in an overloaded condition, i.e. exceeding the total weight incl. tolerances stated in the vehicle registration document;
• for the carriage of flammable, explosive, toxic or dangerous substances;
• to commit customs offences and other criminal offences, even if these are only punishable under the law of the place where the offence was committed;
• to transport and take along (domestic) animals, unless a written declaration of consent has been provided by the landlady;
• Smoking is strictly prohibited in all of our vehicles. Failure to comply will result in a fee of CHF 250.–.

5b. Authorised drivers

The person listed on the rental agreement is considered the renter. The rental company will verify the renter’s identification and driver’s license. The renter is permitted to allow additional drivers to operate the rented vehicle. It is the renter’s responsibility to ensure that the additional drivers are fit to drive, comply with rest periods, and hold a valid driver’s license. The renter named in the rental agreement remains responsible for fulfilling the obligations agreed upon in the contract, regardless of who is driving the vehicle.

5c. Driver’s License Requirements

The driver’s license categories required for a specific vehicle are specified in the “Rental Vehicles” catalog at BUSHANDEL.ch AG .

The following requirements apply to renting motorhomes:
• The driver must be at least 21 years old, and;
• Must have held the driver’s license required for the vehicle for at least 2 years.

5d. Towing vehicle for rental caravan

The renter is responsible for ensuring that the total weight of the rented trailer and the towing vehicle’s maximum allowable trailer weight are not exceeded. The rented trailer is equipped with a 13-pin, 12-volt power supply. The rental company assumes no responsibility if, while the trailer is attached, the lights inside or outside the trailer fail to function.

5e. Model and Schedule Changes

We expressly reserve the right to change models and takeover times due to unforeseen circumstances such as accidents, damage, late return by the previous hirer, etc., without prior notice from the rental company.

In the event of an accident, theft (burglary/misappropriation, etc.), loss, fire, damage caused by wildlife, or any other damage, the renter must immediately notify the police and have a police report filed. This also applies to accidents caused by the renter alone, without the involvement of third parties. Claims by the other party must not be acknowledged. In the event of theft, loss, or misappropriation of the vehicle, the lessor must be contacted immediately in addition to the police. In all of the aforementioned events, even in the case of minor damage, the lessee must immediately prepare a detailed written report accompanied by a sketch. In the event of an accident, the report must include, in particular, the names and addresses of the persons involved and any witnesses, as well as the license plate numbers of the vehicles involved. In the event of theft, the vehicle keys, a report detailing the circumstances of the theft, and the police report must be submitted to the rental company within 24 hours.

7a. Damage due to careless action

The lessee is liable for all damages (in particular tire and glass damage) incurred by the lessor as a result of actions by the lessee or his agents that are unlawful, in breach of contract, or negligent.

7b. Defects arising during the rental period

Furthermore, the renter is liable, in particular, for all defects or damage to the rental vehicle for which he or she is responsible. This includes, but is not limited to, damage resulting from: filling the tank with the wrong fuel; failure to observe maximum height limits at garage entrances, underpasses, and the like; from improper use of snow chains or ski racks, careless loading of ski racks, or negligent handling of the vehicle’s interior (in particular, burn holes, tears, and stains on upholstery and carpets), off-road driving and generally careless handling (in particular, damage to the underbody, such as damage to the steering, transmission, suspension, and springs, as well as damage to axle components, the crossmember, oil pan, lines, exhaust system, shielding plates, and covers); improper handling of vehicles (mechanical damage to the clutch, transmission, suspension, etc., which are not covered under warranty by authorized service centers), improper use of convertible tops, awnings, and skylights on motorhomes (in particular, failure to close the top in rain, wind, etc.).

7c. Scope of Liability

The scope of liability includes repair costs or the vehicle’s value in the event of a total loss, as well as other damages, such as towing costs, expert appraisal costs, depreciation of the rental property, lost rental income, attorney’s fees, and administrative fees. The scope is limited to the amount agreed upon in Section 4b.

7d. Reduction of Liability

If coverage is agreed upon in accordance with the principles of comprehensive insurance, the lessee’s liability is limited to the deductible agreed upon in the rental agreement. This exemption from liability does not apply to the damages listed in Section 7a, provided that there is no coverage for the lessor’s damages in the specific case. Furthermore, the exemption from liability does not apply to damage caused by use by an unauthorized driver or for a prohibited purpose, in the event of a hit-and-run by the renter, or in cases where damage is caused intentionally or through gross negligence under the Swiss Road Traffic Act (SVG)—in particular due to fatigue, or driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs—as well as damage caused by the cargo.

7e. Exemption from Liability by the Lessor

Furthermore, any release of the tenant from liability by the landlord is valid only if it is provided in writing.

7f. Documentation of Damage

When the vehicle is picked up and returned—whenever possible, in the presence of the renter—all visible damage to the vehicle is documented in the rental agreement. Any existing damage must be documented at the time of pickup. At the end of the rental period—that is, upon return—any newly discovered damage must be listed in the rental agreement. At that time, new damage is immediately noted, confirmed, and billed to the renter in accordance with the proposed repair cost estimate. Costs of this nature are billed directly to the renter by the rental company and include both the costs of repairing the damage and processing fees, immobilization costs, replacement part costs, and labor costs. Payment of the aforementioned invoiced repair costs is subject to the same payment terms as those for the rental agreement.

The tenant is responsible for paying parking tickets and fines related to the rental property during the rental period. BUSHANDEL.ch AG reserves the right to refuse to rent to a tenant who has repeatedly drawn negative attention in this regard.

The renter must use the rental vehicle with due care and regularly check the oil and water levels as well as the tire pressure. The renter must observe all traffic laws and carefully familiarize himself with the traffic laws of the countries he travels through with the vehicle. The renter must immediately report any defects to the rental company and follow its instructions regarding the repair of such defects. For expenses related to defects (such as engine oil, replacement parts, or repair costs), prior authorization from the lessor is required. Expenses incurred under such authorization will be reimbursed to the renter upon return of the rental vehicle upon presentation of the corresponding receipts. The renter is prohibited from performing repairs on their own.

Maintenance of both motorhomes and other vehicles is the responsibility of the renter in accordance with the handover instructions:

• Fuel and additional kilometers
• Highway tolls, road tolls, parking fees, and entry fees
• Bedding
• Excessive wear and tear
• Cleaning of bathrooms, kitchens, cookware, tableware, and camping furniture
• Toilet maintenance

The lessor is liable for damages incurred by the lessee that result from a defect in the vehicle, in accordance with the provisions of Articles 259a and 259e of the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR), unless liability is otherwise governed by a separate agreement. Furthermore, any contractual or extra-contractual liability of the lessor toward the lessee and any other persons entitled under the contract is excluded, unless the lessor caused the damage intentionally or through gross negligence. The Lessor is not liable for damage caused by its agents. The Lessor cannot be held liable for any inconveniences arising, for example, from repairs to the rental vehicle (waiting times, lodging, meals, etc.). A basis for claims for a reduction in rent or compensation exists only if gross negligence can be proven.

Any right of retention the lessee may have with respect to the vehicle based on alleged claims against BUSHANDEL.ch AG is hereby waived.

Any additions or amendments to this contract must be in writing to be valid.

BUSHANDEL.ch AG may process and use personal data and disclose it to third parties on a limited basis.

13a. Reservation System

The landlord's reservation system records the tenant's address and the rental period.

13b. Exchange of Information with Government Agencies

The landlord may share data with government agencies, to the extent permitted by law, in order to verify, for example, the validity of a driver’s license.

13c. Third Parties

Third parties acting on behalf of the landlord to collect payments, perform repairs, etc., may receive the tenant’s personal data. Such an exchange is also possible for the purpose of improving quality and service.

13d. Lost and Found

Whenever possible, the landlord or a representative may contact you. Items containing personal information will be held for 28 days. All other items will be held for 2 months. After the 28 days or 2 months have elapsed, all items will be destroyed.

The following conditions apply in the event of cancellation of the rental agreement:

>60 days before the start of the rental period:
No fees

60–30 days before the start of the rental period:
Flat fee of CHF 220.–

29–8 days before the start of the rental period:
50% of the rental price

7–0 days before the start of the rental period:
80% of the rental price

If the tenant can prove that he or she is not at fault—in cases such as the death of a family member, disability, or illness—the corresponding fee will not be charged. The tenant is responsible for providing proof of non-fault, supported by appropriate evidence, within 30 days of the agreed-upon start date of the lease.

This contract is subject to Swiss law. The applicable provisions of the Swiss Code of Obligations on the transfer of use pursuant to Art. 253 et seq. shall apply to the contract and the GTC. The place of jurisdiction is Dagmersellen, Lucerne. For consumers, the place of jurisdiction is either their own place of residence or the company's registered office in Dagmersellen, Lucerne.