Liability Waiver

Last updated: April 2026

1. Platform Role & Legal Status

CrownHop is a digital cost-sharing facilitator that enables users to arrange private, voluntary, cost-sharing travel. By using CrownHop, you acknowledge that CrownHop:

  • does not provide transport services or operate vehicles
  • does not employ or contract drivers
  • does not supervise, monitor, or control rides
  • is not responsible for the conduct, actions, or omissions of users

Although CrownHop is not a transport operator, the platform is designed to align with New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) expectations for lawful private cost-sharing—including standards relevant to Small Passenger Service Licence (SPSL) holders—by capping contributions and prohibiting commercial or on-demand use.

All travel arranged through CrownHop is a private agreement between the driver and passenger. Passenger contributions processed through the platform are intended as cost-sharing reimbursements, not fares or hire or reward, where the trip qualifies as private cost-sharing under New Zealand law. Operational rules (driver and passenger requirements, contribution limits, and prohibited conduct) are in our Terms & Conditions.

2. Assumption of Risk

You acknowledge that travelling with another person — whether known or unknown — involves inherent risks, including but not limited to:

  • motor vehicle accidents
  • negligent or unsafe driving
  • mechanical failure or breakdown
  • criminal behaviour by other users
  • unsafe road or weather conditions
  • delays, cancellations, or route changes

By using CrownHop, you voluntarily accept all risks associated with rides arranged through the platform.

3. Release of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by New Zealand law, you agree that CrownHop, its owners, directors, employees, contractors, and partners are not liable for:

  • injury, death, or harm
  • property loss or damage
  • emotional distress
  • delays, cancellations, or missed connections
  • disputes between users
  • criminal acts committed by other users
  • insurance issues or coverage gaps

You release CrownHop from all claims, demands, actions, losses, or legal proceedings arising from your use of the platform.

Nothing in this waiver excludes or limits rights or remedies that cannot be excluded under New Zealand law, including the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 where it applies.

4. No Guarantee of Safety & Cost-Sharing Compliance

CrownHop does not:

  • vet, verify, or guarantee the identity, safety, competence, or behaviour of any user
  • inspect or guarantee the safety, legality, or roadworthiness of any vehicle
  • guarantee that any user will complete a ride, arrive on time, or behave appropriately

Users are solely responsible for assessing the suitability of any ride or travel companion.

CrownHop is intended for private cost-sharing only, consistent with facilitated cost-sharing arrangements under the Land Transport Act 1998. Detailed cost-sharing limits, driver and passenger obligations, and prohibited conduct are set out in the Terms & Conditions. If you charge more than the permitted facilitated rate, operate a commercial passenger service, provide on-demand transport, misrepresent the purpose of your trip, or breach NZTA or insurance requirements, you do so entirely at your own risk. CrownHop does not supervise individual trips and cannot guarantee compliance by users.

5. Payments & Indemnity

Where CrownHop uses a third party (such as Stripe) to collect passenger contributions or route reimbursements to drivers:

  • those payments are cost-sharing contributions, not fares
  • they do not make CrownHop a transport operator, employer, contractor, agency, or insurer
  • your assumption of risk and release of CrownHop above still apply to the ride itself

Platform fees, Stripe Connect routing, refunds, and cost-sharing calculation rules are described in the Terms & Conditions and Refunds & Cancellations policy.

Payment disputes, reversals, delays, and processing errors are handled by Stripe and relevant financial institutions under their own terms. To the extent permitted by law, CrownHop is not liable for processor outages, payment delays, bank processing errors, or dispute decisions made by Stripe or card networks.

You agree to indemnify and hold CrownHop harmless from any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, legal fees, or costs arising from your use of the platform, your conduct during a ride, your breach of CrownHop's Terms & Conditions, your breach of NZTA or insurance requirements, or any harm you cause to another user.

This waiver supplements the Terms & Conditions. If there is a conflict, the Terms prevail.

Last updated: April 2026. Material changes will require you to accept the updated waiver and Terms & Conditions before continuing to use CrownHop.