Damage Waiver

Our Refundable Damage Waiver is required for all equipment hires unless valid insurance documentation is provided prior to collection. The waiver is designed to reduce financial risk in the event of accidental damage, while ensuring all equipment is used responsibly. The waiver is priced at 10% of your total hire cost.

1. Refund Eligibility – Insurance Requirement

The Refundable Damage Waiver will only be refunded upon presentation of valid insurance documentation that meets the following requirements:‍

- A Certificate of Currency must be provided
- The certificate must list Sharegear as an Interested Party, or
- The policy must specifically cover hired equipment
- The insured value must be greater than or equal to the full replacement value of the hired equipment

Refunds will be processed immediately upon receipt and verification of valid insurance documentation.Please note that while refunds are processed immediately, payment settlement times may vary depending on the original payment method, and funds may take several business days to appear in your account.

2. Minimum Excess Liability

Where the Refundable Damage Waiver applies, the hirer remains responsible for a minimum excess amount in the event of damage.

The minimum excess is calculated as:

50% of the replacement value of the damaged item, capped at:

- $5,000 maximum excess for Professional Hirers
- $10,000 maximum excess for Student Hirers

Replacement value is determined by Sharegear based on the current market replacement cost at the time of loss or damage.

3. Insurance vs Damage Waiver

The Refundable Damage Waiver is not insurance.

The waiver:

- Does not provide full coverage
- Does not eliminate financial responsibility
- Does not replace proper insurance coverage

Customers are strongly encouraged to obtain their own insurance covering hired equipment.

Where valid insurance is provided that meets the requirements outlined in Section 1, the Refundable Damage Waiver will be refunded.

5. Excluded Damage Types

The Refundable Damage Waiver does not cover the following types of damage under any circumstances:

Cinema Lens Damage

Damage to cinema lenses is excluded, including but not limited to:

- Front or rear lens element damage
- Internal element damage
- Scratches, chips, or cracks to optical surfaces
- Focus or iris mechanism damage
- Mount damage
- Internal contamination (dust, moisture, fungus, sand)

Sensor Damage

Damage to camera sensors is excluded, including but not limited to:

- Scratches or impact damage to the sensor
- Sensor contamination
- Damage caused during cleaning
- Burn-in, laser exposure, or heat damage

Additional Exclusions

The waiver also excludes:
- Loss or theft of equipment
- Water or liquid damage
- Fire damage
- Sand or salt exposure
- Intentional damage
- Third-party damage
- Use outside intended purpose
- Missing accessories or components
- Damage resulting from negligence (see Section 4)In these cases, the hirer is responsible for the full cost of repair or replacement.

6. Inspection and Damage Assessment

All equipment is inspected prior to dispatch and upon return.

If damage is identified:

- The hirer will be notified
- A repair or replacement assessment will be conducted
- Applicable charges will be issued based on repair or replacement costs

All repair and replacement determinations are made at the discretion of Sharegear.

7. Refund Processing

Refundable Damage Waivers are refunded only when valid insurance documentation is provided that meets all stated requirements.

Refunds are processed immediately upon verification, however:

- Funds may take several business days to appear
- Processing time depends on the payment provider
- Sharegear is not responsible for delays caused by banks or payment processors

8. Acceptance of Terms

‍By paying the Refundable Damage Waiver, the hirer acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to these terms and conditions.

‍9. Australian Consumer Law (ACL) Statement

‍Nothing in these terms excludes, restricts, or modifies any rights or remedies that the hirer may have under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) or any other applicable legislation that cannot be excluded, restricted, or modified by agreement.

To the extent permitted by law, Sharegear's liability for any failure to comply with a consumer guarantee under the Australian Consumer Law is limited to:

- The repair of the equipment; or
- The replacement of the equipment; or
- The cost of repairing the equipment; or
- The cost of replacing the equipment

as determined by Sharegear, where such limitation is permitted by law.

The hirer acknowledges that hired equipment is supplied for temporary use and that responsibility for loss or damage to hired equipment remains with the hirer except where prohibited by law.

Please read our Rental Agreement for more information.