Terms of Service

Welcome to Sawari Saathi. These Terms and Conditions govern your access to and use of the Sawari Saathi mobile application, website, and vehicle rental services. Please read these terms carefully before using our platform. By creating an account or using our services, you agree to be bound by these terms.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account, accessing, or using the Sawari Saathi platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree to these terms, you may not use our services.

2. User Accounts & Verification

You must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driver's license to rent a vehicle. Users must provide accurate identity verification documents (Citizenship and Driving License). We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that provide false information.

3. Vehicle Hosting (Owners)

Vehicle owners agree to list only vehicles that are legally registered, properly insured, and well-maintained. Owners are responsible for ensuring the vehicle is safe for use and matching the description provided on the platform.

4. Booking & Usage (Renters)

Renters agree to use vehicles responsibly, obey all local traffic laws, and return the vehicle on time and in the same condition it was received. Smoking, illegal activities, and unauthorized drivers are strictly prohibited during the rental period.

5. Payments, Fees, and Refunds

All payments must be processed securely through the Sawari Saathi app. Renters are responsible for the rental fee, fuel costs, and any tolls or parking tickets incurred during the trip. Cancellations made 24 hours prior to the trip start time are eligible for a full refund. Platinum-tier members may cancel up to 12 hours before departure.

6. Insurance and Liability

Sawari Saathi is a peer-to-peer vehicle rental marketplace and not an insurance provider. We do not hold liability for physical damage, loss, theft, injury, or any other incident occurring during the rental period. Owners are encouraged to maintain their own comprehensive vehicle insurance. Renters assume full responsibility for the vehicle from the moment the trip is marked Active until it is marked Completed.

7. Vehicle Theft Policy

If a rented vehicle is stolen during the rental period, Sawari Saathi will not be held financially liable for the loss of the vehicle or its contents. That said, we will fully cooperate to help resolve the situation. This includes sharing all relevant information with the vehicle owner and the concerned authorities such as Nepal Police and the Traffic Department. The information we provide covers renter identity details, booking records, trip history, and communication logs, whatever is needed to support the investigation. The renter must report the theft to local authorities right away and send the police report number to Sawari Saathi Support within 24 hours.

8. Accident & Damage Policy

In the event of a road accident or vehicle damage during a rental period, Sawari Saathi shall not be held liable for any personal injury, vehicle repair costs, third-party damage, or legal expenses arising from the incident. Regardless of fault, both the renter and owner must report the accident to Sawari Saathi Support immediately. Sawari Saathi will cooperate fully by sharing all booking and user information necessary with the vehicle owner, relevant authorities, and insurance providers to facilitate resolution. The renter bears primary responsibility for any damage to the vehicle beyond normal wear and tear. Any disputes between the renter and owner regarding damage costs should be settled directly between the parties; Sawari Saathi may mediate in good faith but is not obligated to arbitrate or compensate.

9. Prohibited Activities

You may not use the platform to facilitate illegal activities, transport hazardous or prohibited materials, use a rented vehicle outside the agreed operating area, allow an unauthorized third party to drive, or engage in any behavior that compromises the safety of others or damages the reputation of Sawari Saathi or its community members.

10. Platform Role & Limitation of Liability

Sawari Saathi acts solely as a technology platform connecting vehicle owners and renters. We do not own, operate, inspect, or insure any vehicle listed on the platform. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law in Nepal, Sawari Saathi's total liability for any claim shall not exceed the rental fee paid for the specific booking in question.

11. Account Termination

You may delete your account at any time via the profile settings. Sawari Saathi reserves the right to suspend or permanently ban users who violate these terms, accumulate severe negative ratings, fail to cooperate in incident investigations, or compromise the safety of the platform and its community.

12. Platform Service Fee

Sawari Saathi charges a platform service fee on each completed booking to maintain and operate the platform. This fee is transparently displayed at checkout before you confirm a booking. For vehicle owners, a commission is deducted from the rental earnings before payout. Service fees are non-refundable once a trip has been marked Active, except in cases where Sawari Saathi determines the cancellation was caused by a platform error.

13. Late Return Policy

Renters must return the vehicle at the agreed drop-off time. A grace period of 30 minutes is allowed. Returns beyond the grace period will incur a late fee calculated at the vehicle's pro-rated hourly rate. If the renter fails to return the vehicle or communicate within 2 hours of the agreed return time, the owner is entitled to report the vehicle as unreturned and Sawari Saathi will assist the owner in locating the renter and resolving the matter, including sharing relevant information with authorities if necessary.

14. Fuel & Vehicle Condition

Renters must return the vehicle with the same fuel level as at the time of pickup. Failure to do so allows the owner to charge for the fuel difference. The vehicle must be returned in a clean and undamaged condition, accounting for normal wear and tear. Any damage, scratches, or soiling beyond normal use must be disclosed to the owner and Sawari Saathi immediately at the time of return.

15. Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute between a renter and an owner, both parties are encouraged to resolve the matter amicably through the in-app chat. If a resolution cannot be reached, either party may contact Sawari Saathi Support, who will review the booking records, communication history, and any submitted evidence. Sawari Saathi's decision in mediated disputes is advisory and not legally binding. For unresolved disputes, parties may seek resolution through the appropriate courts of Nepal.

16. Force Majeure

Sawari Saathi shall not be held liable for any failure or delay in fulfilling obligations caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters (earthquakes, floods), nationwide strikes, bandhs, political unrest, government-imposed restrictions, or any other event of force majeure. In such events, affected bookings will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and refunds may be offered at Sawari Saathi's discretion.

17. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Nepal. Any legal disputes arising out of or in connection with the use of the Sawari Saathi platform that cannot be resolved through mediation shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Kathmandu, Nepal.

18. Privacy & Data

By using Sawari Saathi, you consent to the collection and use of your personal data as described in our Privacy Policy. This includes identity documents, location data, booking history, and communication records. Your data may be shared with law enforcement or regulatory authorities when required by Nepal law or when necessary to investigate incidents such as theft, fraud, or accidents.

19. Changes to Terms

Sawari Saathi reserves the right to update or modify these Terms and Conditions at any time. Users will be notified of significant changes through the app or via registered email. Continued use of the platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the revised terms. It is your responsibility to review these terms periodically.