"No bond" is one of the most-searched phrases in car rental — and also one of the most misunderstood. Here's what a rental bond actually is, why it exists, and how our Premium Cover option gets as close to "no bond" as a rental car realistically can.
What Is a Rental Car Bond, and Why Do Companies Charge One?
A bond (sometimes called a security deposit) is an amount held against your card at pickup, released after the car is returned undamaged. It exists because if you're at fault in an accident or the car is damaged, the rental company needs a way to cover the "excess" — the portion of repair costs insurance doesn't cover. The size of the bond is directly tied to the size of that excess: a high excess means a high bond.
Our Three Cover Levels, Compared
Live pricing for August — updates automatically as rates change, so this is always current.
| Cover Type | Excess | Bond | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Cover | NZD 0 | NZD 0 | +NZD 25.00/day |
| Standard Cover | NZD 1,500 | NZD 1,500 | +NZD 20.00/day |
| Basic Cover | NZD 5,500 | NZD 5,500 | Included |
All three cover levels are available on every booking, and you can switch between them any time before pickup. The bond scales down as you move up in cover — because the amount we'd need to recover in a worst-case scenario scales down too.
How Premium Cover Gets You Close to "No Bond"
With Premium Cover, your excess drops to NZD 0 and the bond drops to just NZD 0 — a fraction of the NZD 5,500 held under Basic Cover. It's not literally zero, because a small hold is still standard practice industry-wide to cover things like unpaid tolls or a full tank of missing fuel, but at NZD 0 it's close enough that most Premium Cover renters barely notice it on their statement.
Real Scenario: What Happens If You Have an Accident
Say you're at fault in a minor collision that costs $2,000 to repair:
- On Basic Cover, you'd be liable for the repair cost up to your NZD 5,500 excess
- On Standard Cover, you'd be liable for the repair cost up to your NZD 1,500 excess
- On Premium Cover, you'd pay NZD 0 — the NZD 0 bond is simply released back to you
What Insurance Doesn't Cover
No cover level — including Premium — protects against every scenario. Common exclusions across the industry, and ours, include:
- Damage caused while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Damage from driving on unsealed, restricted, or off-road tracks unless specifically permitted
- Damage caused by an unauthorised or unlisted driver behind the wheel
- Tyre, windscreen, or underbody damage caused by driver negligence, depending on your cover level
- Personal belongings left in the vehicle — these aren't covered by rental insurance at any level
If you're unsure whether a specific trip or road falls inside these terms, ask our team before you head off — it's easier to check first than to find out at drop-off.
Choosing the Right Cover for Your Trip
If you're a confident, experienced driver sticking to familiar main roads for a short local trip, Basic Cover might be all you need. If you're driving unfamiliar routes, travelling further afield, or just want to travel without thinking about it, Premium Cover's NZD 0 excess and NZD 0 bond is the closest to worry-free. You can select or change your cover level any time before pickup — nothing is locked in when you first book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bubble Rentals really offer a no-bond option?
Not a literal $0 bond — Premium Cover brings it down to NZD 0, which is standard industry practice to cover things like unpaid tolls. It's the closest to "no bond" a rental car can realistically offer.
Can I change my insurance cover level after I've booked?
Yes. You can upgrade or change your cover level any time before pickup — nothing is locked in when you first book.
Is the bond charged to my card, or just held?
It's a pre-authorisation hold on your card, not an actual charge — it's released once the vehicle is returned undamaged and any applicable fuel or toll charges are settled.
What card can I use for the bond?
A Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card in the main driver's name — see our full pickup requirements in our first-timer's guide.
