It’s nearly the summer holidays, the competition season is in full swing, and we know lots of our followers and customers will be planning a summer of fun. If you don’t have horse transport of your own, or you’ve never hit the road in a motorhome in search of adventures then believe us, hiring some wheels can open up a huge range of possibilities! Here at Thorpe Farm Rehab & Fitness, we have both two two-horse horseboxes and a six-berth motorhome available for hire so that the only limit is your imagination! But we also want to make sure you feel fully prepared and confident before you get behind the wheel. That’s why we’ve put together a handy guide covering what you need to know when hiring a vehicle, including how self-drive hire insurance works, what documents you need to bring and a few extra tips to help your hire go smoothly. Let’s dive in!
Self-drive hire insurance: how it works
When you hire a vehicle from Thorpe Farm, our hire price includes fully comprehensive self-drive hire insurance. This is important because standard personal car insurance policies don’t cover hired vehicles, so you need to make sure you have that extra cover. It is also a legal requirement that all vehicles hired, even to a friend, have self-drive hire insurance.
Even with insurance in place, it’s important to be aware of the policy excess: that’s the amount you would need to pay if the vehicle was damaged or involved in an accident. We always make sure the excess amount is clearly explained as part of your hire agreement, and we can offer optional excess protection for added peace of mind.
To hire one of our vehicles, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:
- Be aged between 24 and 75 years old.
- Hold a full UK or EU driving licence that you’ve had for at least two years.
- Have no more than six penalty points on your licence.
When collecting your hire vehicle, please bring:
- Your photocard driving licence.
- Two documents from the past three months that confirm your name and address (for example: a utility bill, bank statement or council tax letter).
Importantly, you will also need to fill in the Self Drive Hire Insurance Hirer’s questionnaire which forms completed for EACH hirer / driver. Please do be aware that only the people who have filled in this form and had the DVLA check are insured to drive the hired vehicle.
Vehicle condition and handover
At the start of your hire, we’ll complete a full handover with you. That means that together, we’ll check:
- The overall condition of the vehicle, noting any existing marks or damage.
- Fuel levels and tire pressures.
- How everything works, from electrics to safety features.
For horsebox hires, we’ll also walk you through the internal fittings, loading ramp, partition system and safety checks. When you hire our motorhome, we’ll show you how to use the facilities (yes, the loo!), the kitchen and other features. We recommend taking your own photos at the handover for your records, just as an extra precaution.
For peace of mind, both our horsebox and motorhome hire include full UK breakdown cover. In the unlikely event you need help on the road, you’ll have all the contact information you need to access assistance quickly.
Special considerations for horsebox hire
Here are some of the things that we advise you to think about if you’re hiring our horsebox. They’ll help you stay safe on the road, on the right side of the law and ensure you have a relaxing and enjoyable time with your horse. First and most importantly, know your vehicle payload: always check how much weight you can legally carry, including horses, passengers, tack, feed and fuel.
If you’re not used to driving larger vehicles, take your time getting familiar and confident with the horsebox’s size and handling. That way narrow lanes and parking at events or clinics will be a breeze.
Special considerations for motorhome hire
Before setting off on your motorhome adventure we suggest that you familiarise yourself with how the vehicle’s systems work, including the electrics, water and waste tanks and any fuel/gas supply. We’re here to help when you pick it up so make sure you have a good look around and ask lots of questions! We also recommend you check campsite bookings if applicable to find out what hookups it includes and ensure your route is suitable for motorhome access.
Security deposits and returns
We take a fully refundable security deposit at the start of each hire which is a prerequisite from our insurance provider. The deposit has to be paid via the hirers bank account. This covers the vehicle against damage, missing items and any additional cleaning that may be required. Full details are included in your hire agreement, and we refund deposits promptly once the vehicle is returned in the agreed condition.
Our aim at Thorpe Farm is to make hiring one of our vehicles as simple and straightforward as possible. Paperwork can be a pain, but it is a necessity to protect both parties when hiring any vehicle, ot just takes a little bit of prior planning to get it right! You’ll receive full hire terms when booking, and we’re always happy to answer any questions before or during your hire period.
So, whether you’re off to a competition with your horse or planning your next family motorhome trip, our team is here to help. If you’d like to check availability or ask any questions about hiring one of our vehicles, just get in touch here. We look forward to getting you safely on the road!