Terms of Service

Vumvum is a peer-to-peer marketplace where vehicle owners (“Hosts”) list vehicles and travelers (“Renters”) book those vehicles for short-term use. Vumvum itself does not own, operate, or lease vehicles. We provide the technology, payments, identity verification, and customer support that make the marketplace function.

The contractual relationship for any specific rental is between the Host and the Renter. Vumvum is not a party to that rental contract. We facilitate it, hold funds in escrow until the host payout is released (24 hours after the Renter picks up the vehicle, subject to the holds in Section 6), and step in only when our policies require it (for example, fraud, abuse, or a cancellation under Section 5).

The Vumvum service is operated by two affiliated companies. Vumvum LLC (Arizona, USA) operates the platform for users located in the United States and processes payments via Stripe. Vumvum Ltd (Rwanda) operates the platform for users located in Rwanda and other African markets and processes mobile money and card payments through licensed third-party providers. The entity you contract with is the one operating in your country of residence.

You must be at least 18 years old to create a Vumvum account. You must hold a valid driver's license to rent a vehicle. You may only have one personal account.

When you create an account you agree to provide accurate, current information and to keep it accurate as it changes. Vumvum may suspend or close accounts that contain inaccurate information, are operated on behalf of someone else without disclosure, or violate these Terms.

You are responsible for keeping your account password confidential and for any activity on your account. If you think your account has been accessed without your permission, contact us at [email protected] immediately.

Before you can complete a booking as a Renter, you must pass our identity verification process. This requires uploading photographs of your driver's license (front and back) and a selfie that we can match against the license. Hosts may also be required to complete identity verification depending on payout method and jurisdiction.

We use this information to confirm your identity, comply with applicable anti-fraud and anti-money-laundering laws, and protect Hosts from impersonation. Verification documents are stored encrypted and access is limited to the trust and safety team. See our Privacy Policy for details on retention.

Approval is not automatic. Vumvum may decline verification for any lawful reason, including a license that is expired, suspended, or cannot be matched to the selfie. A declined verification can be retried after correcting the identified issue.

A booking request becomes a confirmed booking when the Host accepts it (or automatically, if the Host has Instant Book enabled) and payment has been authorized. Until both steps occur, no rental contract exists between Host and Renter.

The pickup time, return time, and pickup location shown in the booking are part of the rental contract. Late returns may incur extra-day charges set by the Host. Returning the vehicle to a different location requires the Host's explicit consent.

Both Host and Renter are required to complete a vehicle inspection at pickup and at return. Photos taken during inspection are the primary evidence used to resolve any damage dispute. Skipping the inspection limits your protections under Section 7.

Cancellation policy depends on how close to the trip start time you cancel:

• More than 24 hours before pickup: Free cancellation. Renters receive a full refund minus payment-processor fees that the processor does not refund.
• Within 24 hours but more than 1 hour before pickup: Cancellations are blocked through the app. Contact [email protected] for case-by-case review.
• Within 1 hour before pickup or after pickup: Cancellation by the Renter forfeits 50% of the trip total to the Host as a cancellation fee. The remainder is refunded.

A Host who cancels a confirmed booking after acceptance may be charged a Host cancellation fee and may have their listing temporarily restricted. Repeated Host cancellations are grounds for removal from the platform.

Refunds are returned to the original payment method. Mobile money refunds typically arrive within 24 hours; card refunds may take 5 to 10 business days depending on the issuer.

Renters pay through the platform at booking. Funds are held by Vumvum's payment processors (Stripe for card payments, licensed mobile-money processors for MTN and Airtel Money). The Host payout is released to the Host's payout method 24 hours after the Renter picks up the vehicle (recorded as the trip start time in our systems), less applicable fees. Vumvum may hold the payout beyond that window if the booking is the subject of an escalated inspection, a disputed damage report, a chargeback, or a suspected-fraud review; the hold is released as soon as the underlying issue is resolved. Cancelled bookings do not produce a payout.

Vumvum charges a service fee on each completed transaction. Fees are shown to both Host and Renter before the booking is confirmed. Service fees are non-refundable except where required by law or stated otherwise in these Terms.

Hosts are solely responsible for any taxes owed on rental income, including value-added tax and income tax. Vumvum may issue tax forms (such as IRS Form 1099 in the United States) where required by law.

Renters are responsible for the vehicle from pickup until return. This includes damage caused by the Renter, by authorized additional drivers, or while the vehicle is under the Renter's control. Pre-existing damage noted in the pickup inspection is not the Renter's responsibility.

If damage occurs, the Host must report it within 48 hours of the trip end and provide photographs and a repair estimate. The Renter has 7 days to respond. Vumvum reviews the evidence and decides whether to release a hold from the Renter's payment method to cover the damage. Either party may dispute the decision under Section 13.

The Host represents that the vehicle is properly insured and registered. Vumvum does not provide a primary insurance policy; the Host's personal auto policy or any commercial rental coverage applies first. Renters should confirm their own insurance covers peer-to-peer rentals before booking.

Hosts agree to:

• List only vehicles they own or are legally authorized to rent.
• Keep the vehicle in safe, working condition with current registration and inspection (where required).
• Maintain valid auto insurance that covers, or does not exclude, peer-to-peer rental use.
• Provide accurate listings: make, model, year, photos, features, mileage, and any defects must reflect the actual vehicle.
• Be available at the agreed pickup time or provide a trusted alternate to hand off the vehicle.
• Respond to messages from Renters and Vumvum support in a reasonable time.
• Not discriminate against Renters based on race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

Renters agree to:

• Drive the vehicle only with a valid driver's license.
• Return the vehicle on time, at the agreed location, with the agreed fuel level (or an equivalent refuel), and in the condition received.
• Comply with all traffic laws and pay any tickets, tolls, or fines incurred during the trip. Vumvum may pass through any such charges that arrive after the trip.
• Not allow anyone other than authorized additional drivers (named in the booking) to operate the vehicle.
• Report accidents, theft, or mechanical issues to the Host and to Vumvum support immediately.

Vehicles booked on Vumvum may not be used for any of the following without written permission from the Host:

• Commercial transportation of passengers (rideshare, taxi service) or goods (delivery service).
• Driving instruction or test driving.
• Off-road driving where prohibited by the listing.
• Towing, racing, motor sports, or any speed contest.
• Driving outside the geographic area listed by the Host (e.g. taking a vehicle across a national border without permission).
• Carrying more passengers than the vehicle's legal seating capacity.
• Driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance that impairs driving ability.
• Subletting or re-renting the vehicle.

Violation of this section may void any insurance protection, transfer full liability for damage and loss to the Renter, and result in immediate account termination.

The Vumvum platform is provided on an “as-is” and “as-available” basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Vumvum disclaims all warranties, express or implied, regarding the platform, the conduct of users, or the condition or fitness of any vehicle listed.

Vumvum's aggregate liability to any user for any claim arising out of these Terms or use of the service shall not exceed the greater of (a) the total fees that user paid to Vumvum during the 12 months preceding the claim, or (b) US$100. This limit does not apply to liability that cannot be limited under applicable law, including liability for gross negligence, willful misconduct, or fraud.

Vumvum is not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including loss of profits, even if Vumvum was advised of the possibility of such damages.

Vumvum may suspend or close any account, with or without notice, when we reasonably believe a user has violated these Terms, applicable law, or otherwise poses a risk to the marketplace. Examples include: fraudulent identity, payment fraud, repeated cancellations, discriminatory behavior, threats of violence, attempts to circumvent the platform's payment system, or creation of multiple accounts to evade a prior suspension.

You may close your account at any time by contacting [email protected]. Active or upcoming bookings must be completed or cancelled (per Section 5) before closure.

If a dispute arises between you and Vumvum, contact us first at [email protected]. Most issues can be resolved this way. If we cannot resolve the dispute informally within 30 days, the following rules apply.

For users contracting with Vumvum LLC (Arizona): these Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Arizona, without regard to conflict-of- law principles. Any dispute shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in Maricopa County, Arizona, except that small-claims actions may be brought in the appropriate small-claims court. You and Vumvum each waive any right to a jury trial and to participate in a class action.

For users contracting with Vumvum Ltd (Rwanda): these Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of Rwanda. Any dispute shall be submitted to the competent courts of Rwanda. Nothing in these Terms restricts your right to bring a claim before the Rwanda Inspectorate General of Courts or any consumer-protection body that has jurisdiction.

Disputes between a Host and a Renter (e.g. damage claims) are first reviewed by Vumvum support under Section 7. If either party disagrees with our review they may pursue the matter through the dispute mechanism that applies to their contracting entity, as stated above.

We may update these Terms from time to time. The effective date at the top of this page reflects the most recent change. For material changes, we will notify active users by email or in-app notice at least 14 days before the change takes effect. Continued use of the service after the effective date means you accept the updated Terms.

Questions, complaints, and notices under these Terms should be sent to [email protected].

Vumvum LLC, Arizona, USA
Vumvum Ltd, Rwanda