SmartCar
Terms of Service & Rental Conditions
Version 2.0 — Effective June 1, 2026
This document constitutes a binding contract. Read it in full before making a reservation. Completing a reservation constitutes express agreement to all terms stated herein.
1. Definitions
- "SmartCar" / "the Company" — SmartCar, operating car rental and leasing services in Israel.
- "Renter" — Any person who has reserved and/or signed a rental agreement with the Company.
- "Additional Driver" — Any person authorised to drive the rental vehicle in addition to the primary renter.
- "Rental Period" — From the pickup time stated in the agreement to the return time stated in the agreement.
- "Damage" — Any physical, mechanical, cosmetic or other impairment to the vehicle, including interior soiling and smoke odour.
- "Force Majeure" — An unforeseeable event outside the Company's control: war, strike, government order, natural disaster, pandemic.
2. Rental Eligibility — Mandatory Requirements
- Minimum age: 21 years. For LUXURY, SUV, VAN categories — 23 years.
- Licence experience: At least 24 continuous months from licence issue date.
- Valid licence: Must remain valid throughout the entire rental period.
- Non-Israeli residents: Must present an International Driving Permit alongside a valid national licence, or a licence from a country recognised by Israel.
- Security deposit: Valid credit card in the renter's name required. Debit cards are not accepted.
- A renter who fails to meet the above requirements at pickup will forfeit all amounts paid — no refund.
3. Deposit & Payment
- Deposit will be released within 14 business days of vehicle return, provided no damage is found.
- Rental fees are charged in full before vehicle handover.
- Indicative deposit amounts by category: Economy — ₪1,000 | Compact/Sedan/Electric — ₪1,500 | SUV/Van/Convertible — ₪2,000–₪2,500 | Luxury — ₪3,000. Final amounts are determined in the written rental agreement and confirmed by a SmartCar agent.
- The Company may deduct from the deposit: damage costs, cleaning fees, missing fuel, fines/penalties incurred during the rental period.
4. Cancellation, Modification & Refunds
| Cancellation Timing | Cancellation Fee |
|---|---|
| More than 72 hours before pickup | No charge — full refund |
| 72–48 hours before pickup | 25% of base rental fee |
| 48–24 hours before pickup | 50% of base rental fee |
| Less than 24 hours / No-show | 100% — no refund |
- "Base rental fee" = vehicle cost only, excluding any add-on extras purchased.
- Date changes are permitted up to 48 hours before pickup at no charge, subject to availability.
- Cancellations due to force majeure qualify for a future-use credit, not a cash refund.
5. Vehicle Availability — If the Vehicle Is Unavailable
- The Company will make every reasonable effort to supply a vehicle of the same category reserved.
- If the reserved category is unavailable, the renter will be offered a higher-category vehicle at no extra charge.
- If no vehicle is available — the renter is entitled to a full refund of all amounts paid. No further compensation is owed.
- The Company is not liable for indirect damages (lost income, alternative transport costs) arising from vehicle unavailability.
6. Vehicle Use — Renter Obligations
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or impairing medication is strictly prohibited.
- Driving outside Israel requires prior written authorisation. Violation voids all insurance coverage.
- Smoking inside the vehicle is prohibited. Smoke contamination incurs a minimum cleaning charge of ₪500.
- Vehicle is delivered with a full fuel tank and must be returned with a full tank. Missing fuel will be charged at market price.
- Mileage allowance: The included mileage is determined by rental duration — 1–7 days: 250 km/day; 8–30 days: 220 km/day; over 30 days: 4,000 km per 30-day period. Excess kilometres are charged at the rate stated in the rental agreement.
- Commercial use for ride-hailing (Uber, Bolt, taxi) is prohibited.
- Towing or hauling trailers without prior written authorisation is prohibited.
7. Damage, Accidents & Theft
- Vehicle inspection: The renter must inspect the vehicle at pickup and sign the initial condition report. Damage not recorded therein is deemed to have occurred during the rental period.
- Accident: Must be reported to the Company within one hour and a damage report completed. Failure to report voids insurance coverage.
- Theft: A police report must be filed within two hours and a copy provided to the Company. Renter liability in case of theft is limited to the deposit amount, provided valid insurance is in force.
- Excess: The excess amount is defined in the specific rental agreement and according to the insurance package purchased. Purchasing "Damage Waiver" reduces the excess to zero for Type-A damage (excludes wilful damage, DUI, driving outside Israel).
8. Fines & Penalties
- All fines, tickets and penalties incurred during the rental period are the renter's sole responsibility.
- Fines received after vehicle return will be forwarded to the renter by registered mail.
9. Limitation of Liability
- The Company's total liability to the renter under any cause of action is limited to the rental fees actually paid for the relevant booking.
- The Company is not liable for indirect, consequential, lost profit, lost business, emotional distress or reputational damages.
- Liability for personal injury is governed by the Israeli Torts Ordinance and is not capped.
- The Company is not liable for damages arising from force majeure.
10. Dispute Resolution & Jurisdiction
- The parties will first attempt to resolve any dispute through direct negotiation within 30 days.
- Unresolved disputes will be referred to arbitration under the Israeli Arbitration Law, 5728-1968.
- Governing law: Israeli law exclusively. In any conflict between Hebrew and English versions, the Hebrew version prevails.
11. General
- Severability: If any provision is found unenforceable, the remainder of these terms remain in force.
- Waiver: Failure to enforce any provision on any occasion is not a waiver of future enforcement.
- Amendments: The Company may update these terms. Material changes will be published 14 days in advance. Continued use after publication constitutes acceptance.
12. Contact
- 📧 office@smartcar.co.il
- 📞 09-9509757
- 📍 122 Ramat Yam St (Dan Accadia Hotel), Herzliya 46851, Israel