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Insurance & Recovery – Information Guide

MAXICAR

IMPORTANT — PLEASE READ FIRST
MAXICAR operates an online booking platform (marketplace) that connects customers with independent car rental companies in Montenegro. MAXICAR is not a car rental company, is not the owner or operator of the vehicles listed on this platform, and is not an insurer, insurance agent, or insurance intermediary.

Insurance coverage, excess (deductible) amounts, security deposits, damage liability, and vehicle recovery are determined exclusively by the rental company that supplies the vehicle. Each rental company applies its own insurance terms, its own tariffs, and its own rental agreement, and these differ from one supplier to another.

The only binding document is the rental agreement and the insurance terms that you sign directly with the rental company at the time of vehicle handover.

This guide is provided for general information only. It explains how vehicle insurance and recovery typically work in Montenegro so that you know what to ask, what to check, and what to look for in your supplier's documents before you sign. It does not create any coverage, does not describe the terms of any particular supplier, and does not form part of any contract between you and MAXICAR.

1. Platform Information
MAXICAR
27 Marta 43U, Zabjelo/Podgorica, Montenegro
Phone: +382 69 88 00 22
Email: info@maxicar.me
Website: www.maxicar.me

2. MAXICAR's Role and Limits
2.1 MAXICAR acts solely as an intermediary. The rental contract is concluded directly between the customer and the rental company. MAXICAR is not a party to that contract.
2.2 MAXICAR does not provide, arrange, underwrite, sell, or broker insurance of any kind. Any insurance, waiver, or coverage product is provided by the rental company or its own insurer, under their terms.
2.3 Coverage descriptions, excess amounts, deposit amounts, and inclusions shown on listings are supplied by the rental companies. MAXICAR displays this information in good faith but does not verify, guarantee, or warrant its accuracy, completeness, or currency. Suppliers may change their terms at any time.
2.4 Where information shown on the platform differs from the rental company's own agreement, the rental company's signed agreement prevails in all cases.
2.5 MAXICAR does not assess damage, does not decide whether a claim is covered, does not hold or release security deposits, and does not carry out or authorise vehicle recovery. These are handled entirely by the rental company.
2.6 Nothing in this guide shall be construed as advice, a representation, a warranty, or an assumption of liability by MAXICAR in respect of any insurance matter or any act or omission of a rental company.

3. Why This Guide Exists
Insurance terminology is used inconsistently across the rental industry. The same word can mean very different things at different companies — "full insurance" at one supplier may still carry an excess and a long exclusion list at another. The purpose of this guide is to help you read your supplier's documents with informed expectations. Please treat every section below as "this is what the term usually means — check what it means in your specific agreement."

4. Coverage Terms You Will Commonly Encounter
The descriptions below are general industry explanations, not statements about any supplier on this platform.

4.1 Third Party Liability (TPL)
Compulsory under Montenegrin law and normally included with every vehicle. It typically covers injury or damage caused to third parties, up to statutory limits. It generally does not cover damage to the rented vehicle itself.

4.2 Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
Usually included as a basic level. It typically limits the renter's liability for damage to the vehicle down to an excess amount, meaning the renter still pays up to that excess per incident. Exclusions normally apply.

4.3 Super CDW / SCDW
Usually an optional paid upgrade that reduces the excess to a lower amount, and sometimes reduces the required deposit. Exclusions normally still apply.

4.4 Full Coverage / Zero Excess
Usually an optional paid upgrade that reduces the excess to zero for covered incidents. Important: in most rental agreements "full coverage" does not mean unlimited coverage. Exclusion lists typically continue to apply even at this level. Always ask the supplier for their written exclusion list before assuming an item is covered.

4.5 Theft Protection (TP)
Usually limits liability if the whole vehicle is stolen. It is commonly voided if keys or registration documents were left in the vehicle, if the vehicle was left unlocked, or if no police report is obtained.

4.6 Optional Add-Ons
Some suppliers separately sell coverage for items usually excluded — tyres, wheels, glass, undercarriage, roadside assistance. These normally apply only when explicitly written into the rental agreement.

5. Items Commonly Excluded From Coverage
Across the rental industry, the following are frequently excluded from coverage at every level, including products marketed as "full". This list is illustrative and not exhaustive. Your supplier's own exclusion list is the one that applies:

  • Driving under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or impairing medication
  • Driving by a person not registered as an authorised driver in the rental agreement
  • Driving without a valid, recognised, and unexpired driving licence
  • Intentional damage, gross negligence, or reckless driving
  • Racing, testing, competitions, driving instruction, or towing
  • Off-road driving, or driving on unpaved, unmaintained, or closed roads
  • Interior, upholstery, and boot compartment damage
  • Tyres, wheels, rims, glass, mirrors, headlights, roof, and undercarriage
  • Clutch, gearbox, or engine damage caused by improper use
  • Wrong fuel type and all resulting damage
  • Lost or damaged keys, documents, licence plates, and accessories
  • Exceeding the vehicle's height, weight, or load limits
  • Unauthorised cross-border use
  • Illegal use, sub-rental, or paid passenger transport
  • Water damage, including flooded roads, sea water, and immersion
  • Incidents where the driver leaves the scene, fails to report, or provides no police report
  • Personal belongings left in or stolen from the vehicle

6. Questions to Ask Your Rental Company Before Signing
We strongly recommend confirming the following in writing with the supplier at the counter:

  • What is the exact excess amount for this coverage level, per incident?
  • What is the security deposit amount, how is it taken, and when is it released?
  • Is the deposit blocked on the card or physically charged?
  • Are tyres, glass, and undercarriage covered? If not, can they be added?
  • Is there a mileage limit, and what is the charge for exceeding it?
  • What is the fuel policy?
  • Is cross-border travel permitted, to which countries, and what document is required?
  • Who do I call in case of accident or breakdown, and is recovery charged?
  • What is the full written exclusion list?
  • Is a police report mandatory for a claim?

7. Police Report — A Critical Point in Montenegro
In Montenegro, an official police report is normally required for insurance coverage of a traffic accident. In most rental agreements, coverage is void without one, regardless of the coverage level purchased. If you are involved in any incident, calling the police and obtaining an official report is generally essential to preserving your coverage. Confirm this requirement with your supplier.

8. In Case of Accident, Damage, or Breakdown
Your supplier's agreement sets out the procedure you must follow, and failure to follow it may void coverage. Typically, renters are expected to:
1. Ensure the safety of all persons and secure the scene.
2. Call the police and obtain an official report.
3. Contact the rental company immediately using the emergency number in the rental agreement, before arranging any towing or repair.
4. Avoid admitting fault or signing any statement of liability without official documentation.
5. Record details of all parties, vehicles, plates, insurers, and witnesses, and photograph the scene and the damage.
6. Obtain the rental company's written approval before any repair or part replacement.
Please contact your rental company directly, not MAXICAR, for accident and breakdown handling. MAXICAR has no operational role in these situations and cannot authorise recovery, repairs, or claims.

9. Security Deposits
Rental companies normally require a security deposit before handover, blocked or charged on the renter's card. The amount typically depends on the vehicle category and the coverage level chosen. Suppliers commonly deduct from it for uncovered damage, the applicable excess, traffic fines and handling fees, missing fuel, excessive cleaning, and late return.
Deposits are taken, held, and released by the rental company. MAXICAR never holds a supplier's security deposit and has no ability to release, refund, or adjust it. Release timing also depends on the customer's own bank.

10. Vehicle Recovery
Recovery — towing, retrieval, or repossession of the vehicle — is carried out by the rental company or its authorised partners under their own terms. Recovery is commonly provided free of charge where the vehicle is immobilised by a mechanical fault not caused by the renter, and charged to the renter where it results from misuse, negligence, an excluded event, running out of fuel, wrong fuel, tyre damage, lost keys, or immobilisation off-road.
Recovery from outside the authorised territory, and recovery of a vehicle that is not returned or is left unattended, is normally charged to the renter in full and may be reported to the authorities by the supplier.
Many rental vehicles are fitted with GPS tracking devices for asset protection and recovery. Where this applies, it is disclosed in the supplier's rental agreement.
MAXICAR does not perform, arrange, authorise, or bear the cost of vehicle recovery.

11. Cross-Border Travel
Insurance is normally valid only within Montenegro unless the supplier authorises cross-border use in writing and issues the required international insurance document (commonly a Green Card). Unauthorised cross-border use typically voids coverage entirely and leaves the renter fully liable. Permitted countries vary significantly between suppliers. Always obtain written authorisation before crossing a border.

12. Traffic Fines
Fines, parking penalties, toll violations, and speed camera penalties are normally the renter's full responsibility, including those received after the vehicle is returned, and are not covered by any insurance level. Suppliers typically apply an administrative handling fee and are legally obliged to provide the renter's details to the authorities. MAXICAR does not process, contest, or pay traffic fines.

13. Personal and Travel Insurance
Vehicle insurance protects the vehicle and third parties. It does not normally include personal accident cover, medical expenses, travel disruption, or cover for personal belongings. Customers are advised to arrange their own travel insurance. MAXICAR does not provide travel insurance.

14. Complaints and Disputes
Any dispute regarding insurance coverage, damage assessment, excess charges, deposit deductions, or recovery costs arises under the rental agreement between the customer and the rental company, and must be raised directly with that company. MAXICAR is not a party to that contract and has no authority to determine, waive, or settle such claims.
As a service to our customers, MAXICAR may pass on a complaint to the supplier and assist with communication where possible. This assistance is offered in good faith, is entirely voluntary, and does not constitute acceptance of liability or any obligation to resolve the matter.

15. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, MAXICAR is not liable for the acts, omissions, terms, pricing, insurance products, coverage decisions, damage assessments, deposit handling, or recovery practices of any rental company listed on the platform, nor for any loss, cost, charge, or damage arising from them. MAXICAR's liability, if any, is limited to the booking service fee received by MAXICAR for the relevant booking.

16. No Advice
This guide is general information, not legal, financial, or insurance advice. Insurance products and market practice change over time and vary by supplier. MAXICAR makes no representation that the content of this guide reflects the current terms of any supplier. Always rely on the written agreement provided to you by the rental company.

17. Governing Law
This guide and MAXICAR's role as an intermediary platform are governed by the laws of Montenegro. Disputes concerning MAXICAR's platform services fall under the jurisdiction of the competent courts of Podgorica, Montenegro. Disputes concerning a rental are governed by the rental agreement signed with the supplier.

18. Updates
MAXICAR may update this guide at any time. The current version is always available at www.maxicar.me.

For questions about the platform: info@maxicar.me
For questions about insurance, coverage, deposits, damage, or recovery on a specific booking: please contact your rental company directly, using the details in your booking confirmation and rental agreement.