Damage & excess policy

At Clip-Point Hire Ltd, we aim to keep our vehicle hire conditions clear, fair, and completely transparent. High-performance track driving comes with inherent risks, and understanding your financial exposure before getting behind the wheel ensures a stress-free experience on circuit.

1. Financial Liability Overview

The Hirer assumes 100% full financial liability for any physical, cosmetic, structural, or mechanical damage caused to the vehicle during the hire period. This includes, but is not limited to, damage resulting from driver error, collisions, spins, wall contact, or off-track excursions.

Normal operational wear and tear—such as standard tyre usage, clutch wear (not due to driver misuse), and brake pad wear—is fully covered by Clip-Point Hire Ltd.

2. Security Deposit (£800.00)

Pre-Authorization: Prior to receiving the keys on the day of your event, a £800.00 pre-authorized hold will be placed on your credit or debit card.

No Damage: If the vehicle is returned at the end of your session in its original condition with no physical or structural damage, the £800.00 pre-authorization hold will be released in full.

Incident / Damage Occurs: In the event of a crash, impact, or structural damage, the £800.00 deposit will be retained immediately pending repair assessment.

3. Damage Assessment & Repair Calculations

If a vehicle sustains physical or structural damage during your session, repairs will be calculated as follows:

Repairs Under £800.00: If total repair costs (parts and labor) are calculated at less than £800.00, the exact repair fee will be deducted and any remaining balance from your £800.00 deposit will be refunded to you.

Repairs Exceeding £800.00: If repair costs or total vehicle loss exceed £800.00, the Hirer remains personally and legally liable to pay the remaining balance required to restore the vehicle to its pre-event condition, subject to the chosen liability option below.

4. Choose Your Damage Cover Option

Every Hirer must select one of the following liability structures prior to taking the vehicle onto the circuit:

OPTION A: Standard Self-Insurance (Included)

Waiver Fee: £0.00 (Default Option)

Maximum Out-of-Pocket Excess:£2,500.00

Summary: You accept standard financial liability for any structural or mechanical damage caused to the vehicle, capped at a maximum vehicle value limit of £2,500.00. Repair costs exceeding your £800 deposit will be invoiced up to this limit.

OPTION B: Damage Liability Reduction / DLR (Optional Upgrade)

Waiver Fee:£35.00 (Non-refundable upfront fee)

Maximum Out-of-Pocket Excess Cap:£300.00

Summary: By purchasing our optional £35.00 DLR waiver before your session, Clip Point Hire Ltd agrees to cap your maximum out-of-pocket financial liability for vehicle crash damage at just £300.00.

Important Note: This liability reduction waiver is instantly voided in cases of mechanical negligence (e.g., over-revving/miss-shifting), driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or breaching track safety rules.

5. Circuit & Track Infrastructure Damage

Please note that circuit operators charge separately for any physical damage caused to venue property.

The Hirer is 100% responsible for paying any invoices raised directly by the circuit operator for infrastructure damage caused by their driving. This includes, but is not limited to:

 Damaged Armco barriers or safety fencing

 Tyre wall displacement or damage

 Circuit oil/fluid cleanup fees and environmental charges

6. Driver Capability & Right of Termination

It is the sole responsibility of the hirer to ensure they possess the necessary driver competency, manual car control, and vehicle handling skills to operate a rear-wheel-drive drift vehicle safely on a circuit. The hirer remains fully liable for all vehicle damage incurred up to their applicable liability cap, regardless of experience level. Clip Point Hire reserves the right to immediately terminate any session without refund if, in the opinion of our track crew or venue marshals, the driver demonstrates insufficient control or poses an unacceptable safety risk to the vehicle, track staff, or other participants.

7. Vehicle Inspection Protocol

Pre-Track Inspection: Before taking the vehicle on track, a complete exterior and mechanical walkaround will be conducted with the hirer. All pre-existing damage will be logged and signed off by both the hirer and a Clip Point Hire mechanic.

Pit Stop & Mid-Day Checks: The vehicle will be inspected during pit stops and at the lunch break. Any new damage or required mechanical work will be logged on the inspection sheet and signed off by both parties.

Post-Event Final Inspection: A final inspection takes place at the end of your session.

8. Fair Wear & Tear vs. Billable Damage

Cosmetic & Bodywork

Fair Wear & Tear (Covered): Minor cosmetic scuffs, rubber marks, stone chips, and light surface scratches incurred from track driving. Small bodywork dents that fit within our standard inspection gauge box are permitted without penalty.

Billable Damage (Hirer Pays): Any dent exceeding the inspection gauge box size, or bodywork that is pierced, punctured, torn, or severely gouged. If vehicle livery/stickers are damaged to the point of needing replacement, the hirer pays replacement costs.

Wheels & Tyres

Fair Wear & Tear (Covered): Minor surface scuffs, scratches, and brake dust staining on alloy wheels.

Billable Damage (Hirer Pays): Buckled, cracked, or structurally compromised wheels that affect safety or require replacement.

Mechanical & Drivetrain

Fair Wear & Tear (Covered): Standard wear on service components, including spark plugs, coil packs, water pumps, alternators, and brake friction material.

Billable Damage / Driver Negligence (Hirer Pays): Damage caused by driver misuse or over-driving—including blown engines (e.g., money shifts/over-revving), broken engine mounts, burned/destroyed clutches, damaged gearboxes, snapped driveshafts, or differential failure due to mechanical abuse.

Collision Damage

Third-Party / On-Track Incidents (Hirer Pays): Regardless of who is at fault in an on-track incident, any collision damage incurred to the hire car is the sole responsibility of the hirer, up to their agreed damage liability cap (£2,500 standard or £300 if DLR cover was purchased).

9. Repair Costing & Deductions

If damage occurs outside of Fair Wear & Tear:

1. Replacement parts and materials are charged at trade/at-cost prices, plus necessary labour costs to fit.

2. Costs will be deducted directly from the customer’s security deposit or charged up to their applicable Damage Liability Cap.

This policy forms part of the master Vehicle Hire Agreement executed prior to vehicle release. For further questions regarding damage caps or insurance options, please reach out to our team via our Contact Page.