Vehicle Rental Policy

1. About This Policy

This Vehicle Rental Policy ("Policy") is an agreement between Hightech Ventures LLC, doing business as Zara Exotics ("Zara Exotics," "we," "us"), and the renter named in the reservation confirmation ("Renter," "you"). It applies to every vehicle rented from Zara Exotics.

Your reservation confirmation email sets out the trip-specific terms: vehicle, dates and times, rental price, security deposit, mileage allowance, pickup or delivery details, and any fees quoted for your trip. The confirmation and this Policy together form the rental agreement. If they conflict, the confirmation controls for those trip-specific terms.

Acceptance. You accept this Policy by replying to your reservation confirmation with your agreement, by signing or initialing this Policy, or by taking possession of the vehicle, whichever happens first.

2. Renter and Driver Eligibility

• The Renter and every driver must be at least 25 years old and hold a valid, unrestricted driver's license.
• Only drivers named in the reservation confirmation may drive the vehicle. Additional drivers must be approved in writing before the rental, meet the same age, license and insurance requirements, and may be subject to a fee quoted at booking.
• We will verify each driver's license and insurance at or before handoff. We may decline or cancel any rental, with a full refund, if requirements are not met.
• The Renter remains responsible for the vehicle, and for anyone they allow to drive it, from handoff until it is returned to us.

3. Insurance Requirements

Zara Exotics does not provide insurance to renters. You must carry your own active personal auto policy with full coverage (liability, collision and comprehensive) that extends to the rented vehicle.

• Before your rental, provide the declarations page of your policy (not only an insurance card). The policy must have been active for at least 30 days, and the named insured must match a named driver.
• Your insurance is primary for any loss, damage or liability arising during the rental.
• You are responsible for your deductible and for any amount your insurer does not pay, including where a claim is denied or coverage limits are not enough to cover the loss.
• Our insurance check is for our own screening only. It is not a guarantee or representation that your policy will cover a particular loss; confirming that is your responsibility.
• For renters from outside the United States and Canada, we may be able to arrange third-party coverage at your cost.

4. Reservations, Payment and Security Deposit

• Your reservation is confirmed only once the full rental payment is received. Accepted payment methods are listed in your confirmation.
• A refundable security deposit, starting at $500, is due no later than 24 hours before the rental begins. The amount may be higher depending on the vehicle, the drivers and their insurance, and is stated in your confirmation. The vehicle will not be released until the deposit is received.
• The deposit may be applied to any amount you owe under this Policy, including mileage overages, fuel, tolls, tickets, cleaning, late returns and damage.
• We will return the deposit within 7 days after the rental ends, minus any deductions. Any deductions will be itemized and supported by photos, receipts or invoices.
• The deposit is not a cap on your responsibility. Any amount owed beyond the deposit is due within 14 days of our invoice.

5. Cancellations and Refunds

• Cancel at least 48 hours before the rental start (or at least 12 hours before for reservations made within 48 hours of the start) for a full refund of the rental payment.
• Cancellations after those deadlines, and no-shows, are non-refundable. We may, at our discretion, offer a credit toward a future rental for genuine extenuating circumstances.
• Your security deposit is always refunded in full if the rental does not take place.
• If we must cancel (for example, the vehicle becomes unavailable), you will receive a full refund.
• Cancellations may be made by email, phone or text at any time. Approved refunds are typically sent within 3 to 5 business days, depending on the payment method.

6. Delivery, Pickup and Return

• Vehicles can be picked up at our designated Austin location (address shared by text before your rental) or delivered to and collected from your home, hotel, office, the Austin airport (AUS) or another safe location in the Austin area.
• Delivery and return fees depend on distance, timing and location and are quoted in your confirmation. Delivery to San Antonio, Dallas or Houston may be arranged for an additional fee.
• The Renter must be present at handoff with a valid license. Vehicles must be returned to the agreed location at the agreed time, with the keys handed to us directly unless we agree otherwise in writing.

7. Vehicle Condition and Inspection Photos

We take pre-trip and post-trip photos of every vehicle and share them with you through a shared Google Drive folder. These photos are the record of the vehicle's condition for any damage claim.

• You are welcome to take your own photos at handoff. Please point out any damage not shown in our photos before driving away.
• Damage that is not recorded at handoff and is found at return will be treated as having occurred during your rental.

8. Mileage

• Your mileage allowance is stated in your confirmation. We record the odometer at handoff and at return.
• Miles beyond the allowance are charged per mile at the vehicle's standard daily rate divided by its standard daily mileage allowance. This rate applies even when the rental was booked at a discounted or promotional price.

9. Fuel

• Return the vehicle with the same fuel level as at handoff. Missing fuel is charged at the refueling rate in the Fee Schedule below.
• Use premium fuel (91 octane or higher) only, unless we tell you otherwise. You are responsible for all repair costs caused by the wrong fuel grade.

10. Late Returns and Extensions

• There is a 30-minute grace period. After that, late time is charged per hour at a prorated share of the vehicle's standard daily rate. A return more than 3 hours late is charged as a full additional day.
• If a late return causes us to cancel or rebook a following rental, you are responsible for the resulting losses.
• A vehicle that is more than 24 hours late without contact from you may be reported stolen and recovered at your expense.
• To extend, contact us before your rental ends. Extensions are not guaranteed and apply only once we confirm them in writing.

11. Permitted and Prohibited Use

The vehicle may be driven only on paved public roads, within Texas, by named drivers. The following are prohibited:

• Track days, racing, speed contests, street takeovers, burnouts, drifting or any timed or competitive driving.
• Driving off-road, or towing or pushing anything.
• Rideshare, delivery or any commercial or paid use, or subletting the vehicle.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any impairing substance.
• Allowing anyone other than a named driver to drive.
• Leaving Texas without our written approval.
• Smoking or vaping of any kind in the vehicle, or carrying pets without our approval.
• Any illegal purpose.

If any of these occur, we may end the rental immediately and recover the vehicle without refund, and you will be responsible for all resulting costs regardless of insurance coverage.

12. Tolls, Tickets and Violations

• Tolls in the Austin area are included, up to $25 per day. Tolls above that amount, or outside the Austin area, are billed to you, including toll bills that arrive after your rental ends.
• You are responsible for all parking tickets, speeding and red-light camera citations, traffic violations, towing and impound fees incurred during your rental, plus an administrative fee for each one (see Fee Schedule). Where allowed, we may transfer responsibility for a citation to you directly.

13. Cleaning and Care

• Return the vehicle as clean as you received it. Hand wash only: automatic or brush car washes damage the paint and are not allowed.
• Excessive dirt, sand, stains, pet hair or smoke odor will be charged as listed in the Fee Schedule, plus the cost of any repairs.

14. Tires and Wheels

We inspect tire tread, tires and wheels before and after every rental. Tire wear from burnouts or aggressive driving, and any tire or wheel damage shown by our inspection and photos, will be charged as listed in the Fee Schedule.

15. Mechanical Issues and Breakdowns

• If a warning light comes on or the vehicle is not driving normally, stop driving as soon as it is safe and contact us. Continuing to drive may make you responsible for the resulting damage.
• Do not authorize any repairs or towing without our approval, except in an emergency.
• If the vehicle breaks down through no fault of yours, we will provide a replacement if one is available or refund the unused rental days. We are not responsible for other costs such as lodging, travel or missed events.

16. Accidents, Damage and Theft

If you are in an accident, your safety comes first. Then:

• Call 911 if anyone is hurt, and get a police report for any accident involving another vehicle, property damage or injury.
• Take photos of the scene, the vehicles and the damage, and collect the other driver's name, license, insurance and plate, plus any witness details. Do not admit fault.
• Notify us within 1 hour and your insurance company within 24 hours, and cooperate with us and the insurers on any claim.
• If the vehicle or its keys are stolen, report it to the police immediately and then contact us.

We are based in Austin and may not be able to provide in-person support outside the Austin area.

17. Your Financial Responsibility

From handoff until the vehicle is returned to us, you are responsible for any loss of, or damage to, the vehicle, whatever the cause, including:

• repair or replacement costs, as determined by a repair facility we choose;
• loss of use, charged at the vehicle's standard daily rate for each day the vehicle is out of service, up to 30 days;
• diminished value of the vehicle;
• towing, storage, impound, appraisal and administrative costs; and
• damage or injury to third parties and their property.

You agree to indemnify Hightech Ventures LLC against claims, losses and costs arising from your use of the vehicle, except where caused by our gross negligence or willful misconduct.

18. Vehicle Tracking

Our vehicles are equipped with location trackers (such as Apple AirTags). We use location data only to locate a stolen, overdue or missing vehicle, to investigate suspected prohibited use, or in an emergency. We do not otherwise monitor your location.

19. Personal Property

We are not responsible for personal items left in the vehicle. Items left behind will be held for 14 days and returned at your expense if requested.

20. General Terms

• This Policy and your reservation confirmation are the complete agreement for your rental and replace any earlier discussions.
• This Policy is governed by the laws of the State of Texas. Any dispute will be handled in the courts of Travis County, Texas.
• If any part of this Policy is found unenforceable, the rest remains in effect.
• We may update this Policy from time to time. The version in effect when your reservation is confirmed applies to your rental.
• Zara Exotics will not be liable for any indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising from a rental, to the extent permitted by law.

21. Fee Schedule

Incidental charges are deducted from your security deposit or invoiced to you: