Company: Vans of Hope, LLC (“VOH,” “we,” “us,” “our”)
Renter: The person agreeing to these Terms (“Renter,” “you”).
Vehicle: Any wheelchair-accessible van or related equipment provided by VOH.
• Authorized Drivers must be at least 21 years old with 5+ years of licensed driving history. Only the Renter and listed Authorized Drivers may operate the Vehicle.
• License verification is required prior to release of the Vehicle. Renter authorizes VOH to verify license validity electronically and to run a light background/MVR check, subject to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) disclosure, written authorization, and adverse-action procedures where applicable (15 U.S.C. §1681 et seq.).
• VOH may decline, condition, or terminate a rental for objective risk reasons consistent with these Terms and applicable law.
A reservation is accepted when VOH confirms in writing. VOH may place a credit/debit card hold and/or request a security deposit to cover estimated rental charges and post-rental adjustments (e.g., damage, cleaning, tolls, citations).
Illinois damage-charge practices will follow 625 ILCS 5/6-305.2, including appropriate documentation and timing; VOH will not take advance damage deposits or charge for damage at return prior to determining responsibility and costs in accordance with law (625 ILCS 5/6-305.2).
• Check-out: Renter must complete a time-stamped photo/video walk-around (interior, exterior, ramp/lift, wheels, glass, dashboard) at pick-up.
• Check-in: Renter must repeat a time-stamped photo/video walk-around at return.
If either step is skipped, VOH’s condition records may be deemed controlling in a dispute.
Permitted: Personal, family, or household use; safe transport of a wheelchair user using provided restraints and seatbelts.
Prohibited (examples): operation by unlisted drivers; impaired, reckless, off-road, towing, racing, or overloaded use; unlawful use; tampering with safety or telematics; commercial for-hire carriage without prior written consent.
VOH will orient the Renter to ramp/lift operation and wheelchair securement. Renter is responsible for proper use of tie-downs and ensuring all occupants use seatbelts.
Service animals are welcome with no surcharge. When not obvious, staff may ask only two questions: (1) whether the dog is a service animal required because of a disability and (2) what work or task the dog has been trained to perform. No documentation may be required; Renter’s disability cannot be queried.
A service animal may be asked to leave only if it is out of control and the handler does not take effective action or if the animal is not housebroken (28 C.F.R. §36.302(c); U.S. DOJ ADA guidance). Renter is responsible for any actual damage caused by the animal.
VOH does not provide child seats or restraints. If needed, Renter must supply, install, and verify proper use of their own compliant child restraint systems.
Vehicle use is limited to the contiguous United States (lower 48 states). Travel to Canada or Mexico is not permitted.
Renter must promptly report warning lights, unusual noises, or issues and must not operate the Vehicle in an unsafe condition.
Unauthorized repairs require VOH’s consent except for emergencies necessary to protect life or property (notify VOH as soon as practicable).
In any crash, theft, vandalism, or injury: obtain emergency aid; do not admit fault; gather photos and third-party information; notify VOH immediately; and obtain a police report for significant incidents. Renter must cooperate with VOH and insurers during claims handling.
10.1 Minimum Coverage. Renter agrees to maintain primary automobile insurance applicable to operation of the rented Vehicle with at least $100,000 / $300,000 / $50,000 (BI per person / BI per accident / PD) and physical damage (comp & collision) with a deductible not exceeding $1,000 (business requirement). Illinois statutory minimums are lower (25/50/20) (625 ILCS 5/7-203); VOH’s business policy requires higher limits.
10.2 Proof & Endorsements. Before taking possession, Renter must provide proof of active coverage and, if requested, add VOH as additional insured (liability) and loss payee (physical damage) for the rental period.
10.3 Responsibility for Loss. Renter is responsible for all expenses connected to any renter-caused accident or loss to the extent not paid by insurance, including repair costs, diminished value, loss of use (to the extent permitted by law), reasonable administrative fees, towing/storage, and third-party claims (see 625 ILCS 5/6-305.2).
10.4 No Owner Vicarious Liability. To the fullest extent permitted, VOH, as vehicle owner, is not liable solely by reason of ownership for harm arising from the use or operation of the Vehicle (the Graves Amendment, 49 U.S.C. §30106).
Renter is responsible for all tolls, traffic/parking citations, and related administrative fees.
If VOH offers a transponder or electronic tolling device, VOH will notify Renter at or before the start of the rental of the option to use it. If a vehicle is equipped but VOH fails to notify Renter, Illinois law limits daily device charges: VOH may not charge more than $2/day for device use (actual tolls may still be recouped) and may not charge a daily device fee on days with no electronic tolls or when only systems with no alternative payment option are used (625 ILCS 5/6-305(f-5)).
Return the Vehicle with at least the fuel level recorded at check-out. If not, VOH will refuel and charge the local retail price per gallon on the return date plus $2.00 per gallon.
There is absolutely no smoking or vaping in the Vehicle or around the Vehicle when windows or doors are open. Cleaning/odor charges apply per the Fee Schedule. Deep interior detailing benchmarks reflect typical Chicago market rates of $265.
The Vehicle may include GPS/telematics that collect location, mileage, diagnostic, and fuel level data. VOH may use such data to provide services, locate a missing vehicle, respond to emergencies, manage claims, and enforce these Terms. See VOH’s Privacy Policy and Telematics Notice for details.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Renter agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless VOH, its owners, employees, and agents from and against all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to the use, operation, possession, loading/unloading, or parking of the Vehicle; Renter’s breach of these Terms; or Renter’s violation of law, except to the limited extent caused by VOH’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
VOH will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential damages (including lost profits or business interruption). VOH’s aggregate liability, if any, will not exceed the amounts paid by Renter under the Agreement for the rental giving rise to the claim, except where prohibited by law.
VOH may terminate the rental immediately for breach of these Terms, unsafe operation, suspected fraud, or insurance lapse. Upon notice, Renter must return the Vehicle or cooperate in retrieval.
Agreement to Arbitrate. Except for small claims court (individual actions) or equitable relief to protect Vehicle possession or confidential information, any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms will be resolved by binding arbitration administered by AAA or JAMS under their consumer rules. The Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) governs enforceability (9 U.S.C. §§1–16).
Venue & Rules. Unless otherwise agreed, arbitration will take place in Cook County, Illinois, before a single arbitrator who may award any relief a court could, subject to these Terms.
Costs. VOH will pay filing/administrative fees required by the provider’s consumer rules to the extent necessary to ensure enforceability.
Class/Jury Waiver. No class, collective, or representative actions in arbitration or court; jury trial waived to the extent permitted by law.
30-Day Opt-Out. Renter may opt out of arbitration by written notice to info@vansofhope.com within 30 days after first acceptance of these Terms.
Illinois recognizes written arbitration agreements under its Uniform Arbitration Act (710 ILCS 5/).
These Terms are governed by Illinois law (without regard to conflicts rules), except the FAA governs arbitration. Subject to Section 18, any court action shall be brought in the state or federal courts located in Cook County, Illinois.
• Severability. If any provision is unenforceable, the remainder remains in effect.
• No Waiver. Failure to enforce is not a waiver.
• Assignment. Renter may not assign; VOH may assign.
• Electronic Signatures & Notices. Electronic acceptance/signatures are valid; notices may be provided electronically to the email on file.
• Entire Agreement & Changes. These Terms (plus any rental summary and addenda) are the entire agreement; VOH may update prospectively with notice.
• Administrative time: $25/hour (e.g., coordinating repairs/claims, document retrieval).
• Late return: $25/hour, capped at 2× the daily rental rate per rental (no compounding).
• After-hours drop-off fee: $0 (garage access 24 hours).
• Refueling (if not returned at/above start level): Local retail price per gallon on return date + $2.00/gal; minimum $10 top-off.
• Tolls: actual tolls + VOH processing up to $5 per toll.
• Transponder Notice: If VOH fails to notify you that a VOH transponder is available in an equipped vehicle, Illinois caps device fees at $2/day and prohibits daily device fees on days without electronic tolls or where only systems with no alternative payment exist (625 ILCS 5/6-305(f-5)).
• Light cleaning (extra vacuum/wipe): $40.
• Moderate interior reconditioning (spills/sand/excess soil): $125.
• Deep interior detailing (shampoo/extraction/steam for heavy soil, pet hair, or interior smoke residue): $265.
• Odor treatment/ozone (if needed): $150.
• Biohazard (blood/vomit/feces/urine): $250 minimum (or actuals if outsourced).
• Lost/damaged key/fob: replacement cost + $25 handling.
• Lost accessories (e.g., tie-down straps): replacement cost + $25 handling.
Renter is responsible for all loss/damage not paid by insurance, including diminished value, loss of use, towing, and storage. Illinois law governs documentation and timing of damage billing (625 ILCS 5/6-305.2). Renter’s insurance deductible is the Renter’s responsibility; required deductible must be ≤ $1,000.
Vans of Hope, LLC
5433 N Campbell Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
info@vansofhope.com
773-299-1036