Damage & Loss Policy

Clear guidelines for equipment care and responsibility

Last Updated: June 4, 2025

Policy Overview

At Birch & Bandwidth, we strive to provide top-quality equipment for your adventures. Customers are financially responsible for damage, loss, or theft of rented equipment during the rental period.

"Normal wear and tear" (e.g., minor scratches, dirt) is excluded from charges. Damage caused by misuse, neglect, unauthorized repairs, or failure to follow instructions will incur fees based on the following fee structure.

Important: All damage must be reported immediately upon return. Failure to report damage may result in additional fees.

Fee Structure

Costs for damage or loss are determined by the following:

  • Repair expenses - Actual cost to repair the equipment.
  • Replacement value - For items damaged beyond repair.
  • Pro-rated depreciation - Based on equipment age and condition.

Replacement Cost Table

Equipment Replacement Cost Depreciation Rate (Annual)
Starlink Mini Kit $700 15%
Starlink Standard Kit $700 15%
Anker C300 $350 10%

Lost / Theft / Damaged beyond repair:
Fee = (Replacement Cost) × [1 - (Depreciation Rate × Age in Years)]

Example: A 2-year-old Starlink kit ($700) damaged beyond repair:
$700 × (1 - 0.30) = $490

Additional Charges

In addition to repair or replacement costs, the following fees may apply:

Fee Type Description Cost
Loss of Use Charged per day while equipment is unusable(for repairs) 10% of rental fee/day
Cleaning Fee For excessively dirty items requiring special cleaning $50
Admin Fee For cases involving police, advanced repairs, insurance companies. $40
Shipping Fees When repairs cannot be completed locally. 100%

Accessories

For damaged accessories, the following replacement costs apply:

Note: Accessories dealing with power, gas, or mounting will be billed for replacement so we can ensure client safety when renting our products.
Equipment Replacement Cost
Starlink Mini - Vehicle Mount $60
Starlink Mini - 15m DC Power Cable $70
Starlink Mini - 5m USB-C Power Cable $55
Starlink Mini - 3m Vehicle Power Cable $45
Starlink - Vehicle Mount $20
Starlink - 15m Satelite Cable $80
Starlink - Gen 3 Router $175

Claims Process

To report damage or loss, please follow these steps:

  1. Documentation - If damage occurs, document it with photos (when possible).
  2. Report Immediately - Notify staff upon equipment return of damage.
  3. Review - Our team will investagate and inspect the gear. You should hear back from us within 48 hours.
  4. Payment - Applicable fees will be billed to card on file. Payment plans are also available through Klarna.

Theft Policy

In the event of theft:

  • Customers are responsible for the full replacement cost, using the above tables.
  • Theft must be reported immediately to Birch & Bandwidth.
  • Depending on the value of stolen gear, we may require you to submit a police report.
Tip: We recommend checking your insurance to see if you have coverage for our rental products prior to your reservation.

Dispute Resolution

If you disagree with a damage assessment:

  1. Email detailed documentation within 7 days
  2. Our team will review and respond within 5 business days
  3. If unresolved, we'll use third-party mediation services

Contact Us

Phone Support

(587) 843-6089

Email

team@birchbandwidth.com