Terms & Conditions

GENERAL RENTAL CONDITIONS

The following are the General Conditions of the Vehicle Rental Agreement Without Driver (hereinafter referred to as the "Agreement"), entered into between Go Madeira, Aluguer de Viaturas, Lda (hereinafter referred to as "GO") and the Customer (hereinafter referred to as the "Customer"), with identifying details of both parties indicated on page 1 of the Agreement.

1 - Purpose of the Agreement

The Customer receives the rented vehicle, as described in the Rental Agreement, in perfect working condition, with all its documents, tires, tools, and accessories, and agrees to preserve them and operate the vehicle in compliance with the rules of the Road Code and all applicable supplementary legislation, as well as the provisions set forth in these General Conditions.

2 - Duration of the Agreement

The duration of the Agreement is as stated on page 1, which specifies the date and time of vehicle pickup and return.
Rental days are counted in 24-hour periods, starting from the exact time the Customer rented the vehicle until it is returned, along with its keys and documents, to GO.
There is a 59-minute grace period for returning the vehicle; beyond this, a penalty will be charged for late return, along with charges for additional rental days and respective extras.
The rental agreement may not exceed a maximum duration of 89 days.
If the Customer decides to terminate the Agreement early, the amount corresponding to unused days (including taxes) will be fully retained as compensation.
Likewise, GO may decide to end the rental before the date indicated in the Agreement due to vehicle misuse and/or breach of the contract terms and repossess the vehicle at any time without prior notice, at the Customer's expense.

3 - Extension of the Agreement

The Customer is required to return the vehicle at the date and time specified on page 1.
If the Customer wishes to extend the rental period, they must visit GO’s office and sign an extension. Contracts cannot be extended by phone or electronic communication, unless otherwise stated on page 1.
The deposit made as a security cannot be used to extend the Agreement. Therefore, in case of an extension, the Customer must make an additional payment for the extended period.
If the Agreement cannot be extended due to vehicle unavailability or other reasons, the Customer must return the vehicle at the originally agreed location, date, and time.
When requesting a contract extension, a new agreement may be required depending on the original conditions, rendering the previous one terminated.

4 - Cancellation, No-Show and Reservation Change Policy

A reservation may be cancelled at any time before vehicle pickup; however, the reservation guarantee deposit is non-refundable, including in no-show cases.
The reservation can be changed before and during the rental period, under the terms of this contract and subject to vehicle availability from GO.

5 - Vehicle Return Conditions

The Customer must return the vehicle in the same condition it was received, including all documents, tires, tools, and accessories, at the agreed location, date, and time.
The Customer may not alter any technical feature of the vehicle, keys, equipment, tools, and/or accessories, or modify its exterior or interior appearance. Otherwise, the Customer will bear the costs of restoring the vehicle to its original condition and compensate GO for any loss or damages due to the vehicle being out of service, as well as other related damages.
The vehicle must be returned with a full fuel tank, as it was delivered. If returned with less fuel, the Customer will be charged the amount proportional to the missing fuel, based on the General Rate attached to this agreement.

6 - Consequences of Non-Return of the Vehicle

Returning the vehicle at a different time or date than agreed allows GO to charge rental for the delayed days, plus a €40.00 penalty per day for economic losses caused by the vehicle being unavailable.
If GO delays delivery of the vehicle by more than 59 minutes from the agreement time, the Customer will be compensated in the same amount.
Returning or abandoning the vehicle at a location other than agreed allows GO to demand: i) rental charges for the days needed to recover and prepare the vehicle; ii) compensation of €40.00 per day for economic losses due to immobilization; iii) travel, towing, repatriation, toll, and custody costs – if applicable – until the vehicle is returned to the agreed location.
GO reserves the right to take legal action in cases of vehicle disappearance or non-return, with the Customer bearing all legal consequences, including court costs, fines, and penalties.
Unilateral extension of the Agreement by the Customer is considered unauthorized (abusive) use, making the Customer liable for any resulting damage.

7 - Payments and Payment Method

7.1 Payments
The Customer agrees to pay GO:
a) Rental charges, optional protections, and applicable taxes according to GO’s General Rate (previously disclosed to the Customer and attached to this Agreement). The initial rate is valid only if the vehicle is returned at the agreed location, date, and time. Rates may vary by season.
b) Other charges under the commercial terms specified in the contract.

7.2 Payments Due to Improper Use
After rental completion, the Customer agrees to pay GO, regardless of any coverage purchased, for: a) A "special cleaning" fee up to €150 due to excessively dirty condition.
b) €400 for lost documents/keys or key shipping when returned to the wrong location.
c) €850 for clutch damage or inefficiency caused by improper driving.
d) Towing costs when applicable.
e) Costs for lost/stolen/damaged items (e.g., seats, dashboard) or fuel errors.
f) Fines and penalties due to traffic or legal violations during the contract period.
g) An additional €40 administration fee per infraction reported to authorities.
h) Vehicle repair costs after an accident in certain cases (e.g., misuse, no accident report, unreported height clearance issue, no coverage purchased).
i) An admin fee up to €150 for accident processing.

GO may charge the Customer via the electronic payment system used for the booking.
GO will notify the Customer of any charge, providing supporting information.
Damage assessments will be made by an external expert or by qualified GO personnel using the valid pricing table at rental time.
GO may also claim compensation for immobilization based on repair days, counted as one day per eight hours of repair work, at the daily rental rate plus €40/day for vehicle downtime.
The maximum indemnity shall not exceed the market value of the rented vehicle according to the “Ganvam/Eurotax” Guide at the time of the accident.

7.3 Payment Method
Upon vehicle pickup, only electronic/card payments are accepted.
The card used for reservation must be presented by the holder at pickup, and the cardholder must be the same person signing the rental contract.
All payments must be made in Euros.

8 - Insurance and Coverage

Customer liability is limited under the following conditions, provided the Customer complies with the contract and the loss/damage was not caused intentionally or through gross negligence:

8.1 Liability for vehicle loss/damage is limited to the maximum excess amount under GO’s General Rate via the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW).
If the Customer opts for the Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW), signing and paying the specific daily rate, liability is limited to misuse-related damages (does not cover tire/rim damage).
8.2 Tire/rim damage can be insured with additional Tire and Rim Insurance.
8.3 Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) covers death/disability/treatment expenses due to accidents, up to the policy limits.
8.4 As stated in Article 4, the initial 50% deposit is non-refundable, but the Customer may purchase a Cancellation/Prepayment Insurance for reimbursement (less the insurance cost) in case of cancellation.

9 - Customer Obligations in Case of Accident or Other Situations

In case of accident, the Customer agrees to: a) Provide GO with a completed accident report (DAA or GO’s accident form) within 48 hours, including the other party’s info, witness details, accident sketch, insurance info, etc.
b) Immediately notify the police if the other party is at fault or if there are injuries.
c) Not abandon the vehicle and take protective measures.
In case of vandalism, fire, theft, or disappearance, immediately notify GO and the authorities, submitting a copy of the police report.
d) Contact the Roadside Assistance services listed in the General Rate.

10 - Unauthorized Use

The Customer must use the vehicle carefully and in compliance with all traffic laws and the Road Code.
Allowing unauthorized persons to drive the vehicle is prohibited and will make the Customer liable for all damages.
Unauthorized use includes, but is not limited to: a) Towing/pushing other vehicles.
b) Driving in unsuitable areas (beaches, race tracks, dirt roads).
c) Driving on poorly maintained or unpaved roads.
d) Entering restricted areas (e.g., airport runways).
e) Ignoring dashboard warnings.
f) Transporting dangerous goods or animals.
g) Transporting goods/people for payment.
h) Subletting the vehicle.
i) Using the vehicle for illegal activities.
j) Exceeding passenger/luggage capacity.
k) Tampering with the odometer.
l) Transporting items on the roof.
m) Leaving valuables visible inside.
n) Excessively dirtying the vehicle or using it as living quarters.
o) Driving under fatigue, illness, alcohol, or drugs.
p) Reckless driving.
q) Using the vehicle for driving lessons.
r) Violating traffic laws.
s) Allowing unauthorized drivers.
t) Driving outside Madeira Island.
u) Using the vehicle after the rental period.

Any unauthorized use allows GO to terminate the contract and claim compensation.

11 - Driving License

The Customer must possess a valid driver’s license recognized in the country of rental.
The Customer is solely responsible for the validity and recognition of their license and shall hold GO harmless in any case.

12 - Joint Responsibility

All Customers and/or authorized additional drivers are jointly liable for all Customer obligations under the Agreement and applicable laws.

13 - Theft or Loss of Personal Items

GO is not responsible for personal items lost, forgotten, or stolen inside the vehicle.

14 – Security Deposit
At the time of signing the Contract, the Customer may be required to pay a security deposit in the amount stipulated in the Tariff, to ensure compliance with the general and specific terms of the Contract. This deposit may also be used to cover missing fuel until the tank is full.
If the Contract is extended, the deposit amount must be increased proportionally to the number of additional days.
The deposit will be released once the rental ends and the condition of the vehicle and compliance with the contractual terms have been duly verified.
The actual release of the deposit amount depends solely on the Customer’s card issuer or bank, and may take several days.

---

15 – Approved Child Restraint Device
If the vehicle is to be used to transport children under three years old, or older children who do not exceed a height of 1.50 meters, the Customer must notify GO so that the appropriate approved child restraint device, according to the child's weight and height, can be provided upon prepayment of the corresponding rental fee.
The device will NOT be fixed to the vehicle by GO, and installation is the sole responsibility of the Customer.

16 – Electronic Processing of Personal Data
In accordance with the applicable legislation on personal data protection and services of the information society and electronic commerce, GO informs you that your personal data will be included in a computerized file managed by the company, headquartered at Vereda da Levada do Engenho nº5 - 9200-140 Machico.
The data will be processed to manage the contracted vehicle rental services, and also to keep you informed of all offers, products, and promotions, either from GO or third parties, which may be of interest, whether by email or other equivalent means.
For commercial communications by email or similar, the Customer gives express consent for receiving such advertising.
Consent may be withdrawn at any time by sending a written request to GO’s address at Vereda da Levada do Engenho nº5 - 9200-140 Machico, or via email to madeira@gorentacar.pt.
In the event of a breach of contract by the Customer, personal data may be disclosed to third parties to the extent necessary to recover damages resulting from the breach.

17 – Customer Support
To request information, make a suggestion, file a complaint or lodge a grievance, the Customer may contact GO at Vereda da Levada do Engenho nº5 - 9200-140 Machico, or via email to madeira@gorentacar.pt.

18 – Applicable Law and Jurisdiction
This Contract shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with Portuguese law.
GO expresses its intention to resolve any disputes amicably. If this is not possible, any disputes arising between GO and the Customer will be subject to the jurisdiction of the location where the rental began.

19 – Translation
Translations of these General Conditions are for informational purposes only and are not legally binding in their entirety. Only the Portuguese version shall be considered valid for legal purposes.