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How to find the right insurance for your campervan road trip
We like to make your life as easy as possible. Our campervans are feature-packed - cooking & sleeping gear included - so you don't have to think about what to bring to New Zealand for your road trip.
Also, every Spaceships rental includes Basic Cover and you can upgrade depending on how much protection you prefer. If you’re the kind of traveller who wants zero worries, our Stress-Free Insurance is the way to go. It’s our highest level of protection, designed to take the pressure off any unexpected moments so you can focus on the adventure, not the what ifs.
Below, you'll find our insurance options as of 1 December 2025.
| Cover | Standard | Partial | Stress-Free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Fee (capped at 50 days) | $0 | $25 | $35 |
| Bond | $5,000 | $3,000 | $0 |
| Vehicle write off liability | Up to $18,000 | Up to $9,000 | $0 |
| Accident administration fee | $100 | $100 | $0 |
| Accident Coverage | |||
| Vehicle towing or salvage | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✓ Yes |
| Single vehicle accidents | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✓ Yes |
| Vehicle rollover, including single vehicle rollover | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✓ Yes |
| The roof | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✓ Yes |
| Glass and Exterior Coverage | |||
| Unlimited windscreen chips | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✓ Yes |
| One windscreen replacement | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✓ Yes |
| Side mirrors | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✓ Yes |
| Glass cover | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✓ Yes |
| Underbody | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✓ Yes |
| Exterior panels (dents & scratches) | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✓ Yes |
| Tyres | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✓ Yes |
| Cover for gravel roads | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✓ Yes |
Why the Right Insurance Matters
- Protect your wallet from unexpected costs
- Drive with total peace of mind
- Save time and hassle
- Focus on the experience, not the expenses
Choosing the right insurance isn’t just about ticking a box, it’s about protecting your trip, your budget, and your peace of mind. With Stress-Free Insurance, you’re not just hiring a campervan; you’re securing a worry-free New Zealand adventure.
Insurance Terms in Plain English (Glossary of All Terms)
In the glossary below, all words and items of the insurance levels are explained in simple words, in plain English. The insurance and its terms are about damages due to accidents, incidents, basically anything caused by you or an external party. It doesn't cover mechanical breakdowns (not caused by you the hirer) as these are covered by Our Promises.
Daily Fee (capped at 50 days)
- What it is: The fee you you pay each day for the coverage. Capped means that you only pay for a maximum of 50 days on long road trips, while still having full coverage after day 51.
- What it means: The Stress-Free plan includes all benefits for just a little more per day, so you don’t have to worry about extra costs. And because it is capped at 50 days you will never pay more than 50 days the daily fee on road trips that are longer than 50 days, while you're still covered every day of your road trip.
Bond
- What it is: A refundable deposit (like a security deposit) you pay when you rent the campervan. If the campervan is returned without damage, you get this money back. At Spaceships we don't take the bond from your card, we simply freeze (reserve) it on your card. When you return your Spaceships campervan in the same condition we'll release the bond so you can use it again. As it isn't a payment you won't see a refund on your card. The money is simply released.
- What it means: With Stress-Free, you pay $0 bond, so you don’t need to worry about large upfront costs.
Vehicle Write-Off Liability
- What it is: The write-off liability represents the maximum amount you may be responsible for if the vehicle is declared a total loss (damaged beyond economical repair). This typically applies only in severe cases such as major accidents, fire or significant water damage. For non–write-off incidents (e.g., flat tyres, windscreen chips, or minor collisions), costs are deducted from the bond.
- What it means: If you want maximum peace of mind, we recommend the Stress-Free Insurance option, which fully removes this liability.
Accident Administration Fee
- What it is: This fee covers the processing, handling and coordination of insurance assessments and third-party claims.
- What it means: With Stress-Free, this fee is $0, so you won’t pay extra if an accident happens.
Vehicle Towing or Salvage
- What it is: Coverage for towing or removing the vehicle if it breaks down or is damaged.
- What it means: Only Stress-Free includes this, so you’re never stranded.
Single Vehicle Accidents
- What it is: Accidents where only your vehicle is involved (e.g., hitting a pole or a wall).
- What it means: Stress-Free covers these accidents, so you’re protected no matter what.
Vehicle Rollover (incl. Single Vehicle Rollover)
- What it is: Damage caused if the vehicle flips over, either due to an accident or as a single vehicle rollover.
- What it means: Stress-Free covers rollovers, giving you peace of mind on all types of roads. However, a single-vehicle rollover could be deemed careless and driver fault. It is at our discretion as to whether the remaining hire days will be carried over to a replacement vehicle. A new Insurance option will apply if a new rental agreement is created.
The Roof
- What it is: Damage to the roof of the vehicle (e.g., from low branches or hail).
- What it means: Only Stress-Free covers roof damage, so you’re protected from unexpected events.
Unlimited Windscreen Chips
- What it is: Coverage for small cracks or chips in the windscreen (front glass).
- What it means: Stress-Free covers unlimited repairs, so you never pay for small damages.
One Windscreen Replacement
- What it is: Replacement of the windscreen if it’s badly damaged (e.g., a large crack).
- What it means: Stress-Free includes this, so you won’t pay for a new windscreen.
Side Mirrors
- What it is: Damage to the side mirrors of the vehicle.
- What it means: Stress-Free covers side mirrors, so you’re fully protected.
Glass Cover
- What it is: Coverage for damage to any glass on the vehicle (windows, windscreen, etc.).
- What it means: Stress-Free includes full glass coverage, so you don’t pay for repairs.
Underbody
- What it is: Damage to the bottom of the vehicle (e.g., from driving over rough roads or rocks).
- What it means: Only Stress-Free covers underbody damage, which is common on rough or gravel roads.
Exterior Panels (Dents & Scratches)
- What it is: Damage to the outside of the vehicle, like dents or scratches.
- What it means: Stress-Free covers these, so your vehicle stays looking good without extra costs.
Tyres
- What it is: Damage to the tyres (e.g., punctures or blowouts).
- What it means: Stress-Free covers tyre damage, so you’re never stuck with unexpected costs.
Cover for Gravel Roads
- What it is: Protection for damage caused by driving on gravel or rough roads.
- What it means: If you plan to drive on gravel roads, Stress-Free is the only option that covers you for damages that happen will driving on a gravel road. You can still drive on gravel roads with any of the other insurance options but damages that occur will be paid for via the bond of that particular insurance level. Therefore, it is recommended to select Stress-Free Insurance when you plan to do a lot of driving on gravel roads in New Zealand.
Be aware: Gravel road cover excludes the three restricted roads mentioned in clause 4 of the Terms & Conditions. These roads are called Skippers Canyon Road near Queenstown, Ball Hutt Road near Mt Cook and 90 Mile Beach in Northland.
Why Stress-Free is the Recommended Option
Should I select Stress-Free Insurance for my New Zealand road trip isn't the question. Why shouldn't you select Stress-Free is a more important question.
- No hidden costs: $0 bond, $0 accident fees, and full coverage for almost everything.
- Complete peace of mind: Drive anywhere, knowing you’re fully protected.
- The best option for travellers that don't like taking risks: Perfect if you’re exploring new places and want to avoid unexpected expenses.
For total protection and worry-free travel, Stress-Free is the best choice!
Still Have Questions? We’re Here to Help!
We know insurance can feel overwhelming, especially when planning a trip abroad. That’s why we’ve made our options as clear and straightforward as possible so you can focus on the excitement of your New Zealand adventure.
If there’s anything else you’d like to know, don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is just a click or call away, ready to make sure you feel confident and prepared for your journey. You’re in good hands with Spaceships!
All your campervan insurance questions answered
Insurance stuff can be difficult, especially when going to a foreign country. Therefore, we have listed the most frequent asked questions about campervan insurance and have added all the info you need to know. This will make your life so much easier.
Do you require the Vehicle Write-off Fee as bond at the start of our road trip?
No, we don’t take the $18,000 or $9,000 as bond when you pick up your campervan. However, if the vehicle is deemed a total write-off, you would be responsible for that amount under the Basic Insurance excess. The bond we do freeze the day before you pick up your campervan is $5,000 on Basic Insurance or $2,500 on Partial Insurance.
What if the write-off isn’t our fault—do we still have to pay the Vehicle Write-off Fee?
If a vehicle is written off, you may still be temporarily charged, even if the accident wasn’t your fault. This is because third-party insurance claims can take months, sometimes years to resolve and liability isn’t confirmed until the full assessment and recovery process is complete.
What if I made my booking before 1 December 2025?
When you made your booking before the 1st of December 2025, the insurance options that were active at that time apply to you. The names of the insurance levels are the same, we just have tweaked the inclusions & cover. This is explained in detail in our Support Station article about the insurance changes.
Please note: you can still upgrade or downgrade your classic insurance level via the Online Check-in Portal but when you do, the newly selected insurance level will apply and you won't be able to the classic insurance option.
Can I use an excess insurance policy from a third party?
You can stay on standard insurance and use your own excess insurance policy, but then we still need to freeze the bond ($5,000 on Standard Insurance) on your card (credit or debit). Also, we highly recommend reading the fine print of your policy as a lot of these excess insurance companies don't cover campervans. Even though our campervans are based on the Toyota Estima car model, they are classified as campervans/sleeper vans.
An excess insurance policy won't replace our Stress-Free Insurance. It will just cover (part of) the repair costs in case of damages or an accident. You will always need to pay for damages yourself and then claim it back from your insurance company. You will be travelling on standard then, which means $5,000 needs to be frozen on your card. This will be frozen for the duration of your hire, it will still be in your account, it just can't be used as it is frozen (reserved) just in case. On Stress-Free, there's no bond and almost everything is covered (no need to pay for it yourself first when damages have happened).
How much am I liable for in case of an accident or damages?
We hope nothing happens on your road trip, but if it does you will be liable for $0 if you are travelling on our Stress-Free insurance. Unless there's a breach of contract, which means that illegal things have happened. As a normal driver, you won't pay a dollar (Stress-Free only) in case of accidents or damages to your Spaceships campervan.
On Standard or Partial campervan insurance, the bond will be used to cover the repair costs in case of damages. The bond is $5,000 on Standard and $2,500 on Partial. We will always deduct the real repair costs from the bond amount, up until the maximum amount mentioned before (unless you have breached the rental contract, see the exclusions for more info).
When the campervan is damaged to such an extend that it is considered a total-loss aka a write-off, you will be liable for the Vehicle Write-off Fee which can be up to NZ$18,000.
Is your Stress-Free Insurance the same as travel insurance?
Please be aware, the Stress-Free Insurance option isn't a travel insurance policy. We suggest you get this added to cover any changes to your travel plans, personal property and/or injury.
Why is the Stress-Free option recommended?
Stress-Free offers you complete peace of mind for only $35 per day extra. You don’t want to risk anything spoiling your trip of a lifetime. It's the little things that can cost a lot.
- Windscreen replacement will cost $700
- Stone chips cost $150 each
- A tyre can cost up to $140 fitted
- Side-mirror: $150
- Towing: between $250 and $1500 depending on where in New Zealand you are stranded
Are single-vehicle rollovers covered?
Vehicle rollovers - including single vehicle rollovers - are only covered & included with Stress-Free Insurance. However, a single-vehicle rollover could be deemed careless and driver fault. It is at our discretion as to whether the remaining hire days will be carried over to a replacement vehicle. A new Insurance option will apply if a new rental agreement is created.
Why is driving in New Zealand different than overseas?
- Car insurance is not compulsory in New Zealand so even if an accident is not your fault you could still lose your bond if we are unsuccessful in recovering the costs from the other party involved. This claim process can take months to resolve.
- Roads in New Zealand are hilly, narrow and windy at times. There can also be loose gravel on the side of the roads, which can be flicked up and damage your vehicle or your windscreen. Although this is not your fault, unfortunately, you will be liable.
- During the summer month’s lots of Kiwis tow a boat or trailer behind their car, which slows traffic and encourages people to try and pass where they shouldn’t. They are also more likely to flick stones up into your vehicle and windscreen!
Are any roads excluded from the campervan insurance options?
There are three roads in New Zealand where you are not allowed to drive and where the campervan insurance options don't apply. Driving there is a breach of the rental agreement, you won't be covered there. These roads are called:
- Skippers Canyon Road near Queenstown
- Ball Hutt Road near Mt Cook
- 90 Mile Beach in Northland.
Is theft of personal items covered?
Unfortunately, personal items are not covered by our insurance. We strongly suggest taking out travel insurance.
If I'm in an accident, what will Stress-Free insurance cover?
Stress-Free insurance is campervan insurance, it will cover the damages to the campervan and to third-party's vehicle or property. Stress-Free insurance covers things like:
-
Vehicle write off liability
-
Accident administration fee
-
Vehicle towing or salvage
-
Single vehicle accidents
-
Vehicle rollover
-
The roof
-
Unlimited windscreen chips
-
One windscreen replacement
-
Side mirrors
-
Glass cover
-
Underbody
-
Exterior panels (dents & scratches)
-
Tyres
-
Cover for gravel roads
It doesn't cover personal items or medical stuff. Campervan insurance isn't travel insurance. We highly recommend getting travel insurance before you leave your home country so you are covered for unforeseen things that can happening when travelling overseas, for example medical emergencies, flight delays, theft of personal items.
We hope this answers your questions about what our Stress-Free Insurance will cover when you are in an accident. Should there be more questions about this topic, just contact our friendly crew.
Is there an add-on like snow insurance?
Spaceships offer the 3 insurance options mentioned above. There are no add-ons for specific situations like driving in bad weather or snowy conditions so there is no snow insurance add-on. Stress-Free covers almost everything while on Standard or Partial Insurance damages are paid via the bond. It doesn't matter how the damage has happened, under normal circumstances that is.
See for more details and/or exceptions our Terms & Conditions.
Is there a way to protect the vehicle against dents and scratches?
By selecting the Stress-Free Insurance option, you will have the most extensive cover available. This also includes damage to the exterior panels, which means you are protected against dents & scratches, even if someone accidentally scratches your Spaceship while being parked in the parking lot of a supermarket.