Protection Policy

Comprehensive Protection and Security Measures for Your Transactions

Last updated: August 2025

Table of contents

Welcome to our Protection Policy

At CarStrel, we understand that purchasing or renting a vehicle is a significant investment. Our Protection Policy outlines the comprehensive measures we have in place to safeguard your transactions, ensure vehicle quality, and provide you with peace of mind throughout your journey with us.

This policy covers vehicle verification, financial protection, data security, transaction safeguards, and dispute resolution procedures. We are committed to providing a safe and secure platform for all vehicle-related transactions.

By using our Service, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Protection Policy. If you do not agree with any part of this policy, please do not use our Service.

Vehicle Protection

Pre-Purchase Inspection

Every vehicle listed on our platform undergoes a comprehensive multi-point inspection covering mechanical, electrical, and cosmetic aspects. Our certified inspectors verify:

  • Engine and transmission condition
  • Brake system functionality
  • Suspension and steering components
  • Electrical systems and electronics
  • Body condition and paint quality
  • Interior condition and features
  • Vehicle history and documentation

Vehicle History Verification

We verify each vehicle's history including accident history, service records, ownership history, mileage verification, and recall status. This ensures transparency and helps you make informed decisions.

Quality Guarantee

All vehicles are guaranteed to match their listed specifications. If a vehicle does not meet the described condition or specifications, we provide full refund or vehicle replacement options, compensation for discrepancies, and support in resolving quality issues.

Financial Protection

Secure Payment Processing

All financial transactions are processed through encrypted, PCI-DSS compliant payment gateways. We never store your full payment card information on our servers. Payment processing is handled by certified providers who specialize in financial security.

Escrow Services

For high-value transactions, we offer escrow services to protect both buyers and sellers. Funds are held securely until transaction completion, released only upon delivery and acceptance, with dispute resolution support available.

Refund Protection

In case of transaction issues, we provide full refund for undelivered vehicles, partial refunds for significant discrepancies, and chargeback protection for eligible transactions. All refunds are processed to the original payment method within 5-10 business days.

Data Protection

Information Security

We employ industry-standard security measures to protect your personal and financial information, including end-to-end encryption for sensitive data, regular security audits and updates, secure data storage and backup systems, and access controls and authentication protocols.

Privacy Compliance

We comply with applicable data protection regulations including GDPR, CCPA, and the Kenya Data Protection Act. Your data is collected only for necessary purposes, stored securely and retained only as required, shared only with authorized parties, and accessible and deletable upon your request.

Data Breach Response

In the event of a data breach that affects your information, we will notify you within 72 hours via email and platform notification, in accordance with applicable data protection laws. We will provide details about what happened, what data was involved, and what steps we are taking to address the issue.

Transaction Protection

Purchase Protection

When you purchase a vehicle through CarStrel, you are protected by vehicle condition guarantee, title and ownership verification, delivery tracking and confirmation, and post-purchase support and assistance.

Rental Protection

For vehicle rentals, we provide comprehensive insurance coverage options, damage protection plans, 24/7 roadside assistance, and fair wear and tear policies. All rental vehicles are covered by appropriate insurance policies.

Auction Protection

For auction transactions, we ensure transparent bidding processes, vehicle condition disclosure, secure payment handling, and dispute resolution mechanisms. All auction listings are verified before going live.

Dispute Resolution

Resolution Process

If you encounter any issues with your transaction, we follow a structured resolution process:

  1. Report: Contact our support team within 7 days of delivery or issue discovery
  2. Investigation: We review your case and gather relevant information
  3. Resolution: We work with all parties to reach a fair resolution
  4. Follow-up: We ensure the resolution is implemented and satisfactory

Mediation and Arbitration

For complex disputes, we may engage in third-party mediation services, arbitration proceedings if required, and legal compliance and regulatory reporting. All dispute resolution is conducted in accordance with Kenyan law.

Evidence Requirements

To support dispute resolution, users must provide screenshots of platform communications, photographs or video evidence of vehicle condition, receipts and payment documentation, and professional inspection reports if applicable.

Insurance Requirements

For Rental Providers

Rental providers must maintain comprehensive vehicle insurance with commercial coverage, minimum KES 2,000,000 third-party liability coverage, valid insurance certificates uploaded to the platform, and coverage that includes rental/commercial use.

For Renters

Renters must have valid personal auto insurance or rental coverage, additional rental insurance recommended for high-value vehicles, and international visitors must have valid travel insurance.

Damage and Loss Procedures

In case of damage or loss, users must report incidents within 2 hours, document damage with photographs, file police reports for theft or major accidents, notify insurance providers immediately, and update the CarStrel support team.

Policy Updates

We may update this Protection Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Protection Policy on this page and updating the "Last updated" date.

Your continued use of the Service after any such changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Protection Policy. If you do not agree to the updated policy, you should discontinue use of the Service.

We encourage you to review this Protection Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your transactions and information.

Contact Information

If you have questions about our Protection Policy or need to report an issue, please contact us:

Email: protection@carstrel.com

Support: Available 24/7 through our support center

Emergency: For urgent issues, contact our emergency support line

Address: CarStrel Protection Department, Nairobi, Kenya