Garmin inReach Rental Agreement, Assumption of Risk, Release of Liability & Indemnity
Twin Cities Rock and Ice LLC (“TCRI”)
Version: 2026.02.09
CRITICAL WARNING – READ CAREFULLY
THIS AGREEMENT CONTAINS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, INDEMNITY, AND PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS. GARMIN inREACH DEVICES DO NOT GUARANTEE COMMUNICATION, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, OR RESCUE. ACTIVATING SOS OR SEEKING EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE MAY RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT SEARCH‑AND‑RESCUE, EVACUATION (INCLUDING HELICOPTER), AND MEDICAL COSTS THAT YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE TO PAY. BY RENTING OR USING A GARMIN inREACH FROM TCRI, YOU ARE GIVING UP CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE FOR ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE.
1) Who This Agreement Covers
The person who completes checkout and provides payment (“Renter”) is the sole contracting party and is 100% financially and legally responsible for the rental, regardless of who picks up, returns, possesses, or uses the device.
This Agreement applies to the Renter and to any person who uses, handles, transports, or benefits from the rented device (“Users”). The Renter accepts responsibility for all Users.
2) Device Condition; “AS IS” Rental; No Warranties
The Garmin inReach device and accessories are provided AS IS and WITH ALL FAULTS. TCRI makes no warranties, express or implied, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, compatibility, coverage, or suitability for any region, route, or objective.
Satellite communication is inherently limited and may be interrupted, delayed, blocked, barred, or unavailable due to terrain, vegetation, structures, weather, atmospheric conditions, system maintenance, outages, device settings, user error, or misuse.
3) Shipping to Out‑of‑State Customers; Risk of Loss
Garmin inReach devices may be shipped to customers outside Minnesota as a convenience. When equipment is shipped, risk of loss, theft, or damage transfers to the Renter at the time the equipment is tendered to the carrier, regardless of delivery method or destination.
TCRI is not responsible for delays, loss, theft, misdelivery, or damage occurring during shipment or after delivery, including porch theft or access by third parties. The Renter is responsible for providing an accurate and secure delivery address and for monitoring delivery.
The Renter agrees to inspect shipped equipment promptly upon receipt and to notify TCRI of any shipping‑related damage or missing items within 24 hours of delivery. Failure to provide timely notice will be deemed acceptance of the equipment in good condition.
Because shipped equipment is not provided in person, the Renter and Users acknowledge that no in‑person orientation, instruction, or demonstration is provided. The Renter and Users are solely responsible for understanding device operation, confirming settings, testing functionality, and verifying suitability before use.
4) Renter Competence, Operability Checks, and Responsibility for Use
The Renter and Users are solely responsible for understanding how to use the Garmin inReach, verifying operability, and confirming settings before departure. This includes confirming battery level, contacts, check‑in messages, and SOS understanding.
TCRI does not provide dispatch services, rescue services, medical advice, or monitoring. Any basic orientation, if provided, is a convenience only and does not create a duty to supervise, ensure functionality, or ensure successful communication.
The Renter and Users agree they are not relying on any verbal statements, demonstrations, opinions, or assurances by TCRI regarding coverage, rescue availability, response time, device performance, or suitability for a particular itinerary.
5) Coverage, Legality, and International Use (Your Duty to Research)
The Renter and Users are solely responsible for researching: (a) device legality and restrictions; (b) registration, licensing, or permit requirements; (c) coverage limitations; and (d) emergency response practices in any region or country of use. Some jurisdictions may restrict or prohibit satellite communicators.
You acknowledge that local emergency response systems vary widely. In some areas there may be no organized rescue response, delayed response, or limited capability.
6) SOS, Rescue, Evacuation, and Medical Costs (Your Responsibility)
The Renter and Users acknowledge that activating SOS or seeking emergency assistance may result in significant costs including search‑and‑rescue, evacuation (including helicopter), ambulance, ranger or sheriff response, private rescue, medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation. You are solely responsible for all such costs, regardless of the outcome, and regardless of whether the Garmin inReach successfully transmits messages or maintains communication.
You acknowledge that many foreign providers may not accept U.S. insurance and may require payment up front. TCRI strongly recommends that you obtain travel insurance with rescue/evacuation coverage and adequate medical coverage for your itinerary and activities, and that you confirm policy exclusions and limits.
7) Residential Property Access; Lock Boxes; Handling Risks
TCRI operates from a private residence. By entering the property for pickup, return, or device orientation, the Renter and Users acknowledge they are entering a private residential environment, not a retail store or commercial facility.
TCRI may offer self‑service lock boxes as a convenience for pickup or return. Lock box use is voluntary and at the Renter’s risk. The Renter and Users are responsible for assessing conditions including lighting, weather, footing, and accessibility, and for safely handling the device and accessories during pickup or return.
8) Pickup Timing; Return Timing; No Refunds for Early Return
- Pickup Timing: Pickups are by scheduled appointment. Arrivals more than 15 minutes late may be treated as a missed pickup and handled under the cancellation policy.
- Return Timing: The device must be returned by the agreed return time. Returns more than 15 minutes late may be charged the applicable daily rental rate for each day (or portion of a day) late.
- No Early‑Return Refunds: No refunds or credits are provided for devices returned early or for unused rental time.
9) Cancellations and Rescheduling
- Cancellations more than 24 hours before scheduled pickup receive a full refund.
- Cancellations within 24 hours of scheduled pickup are non‑refundable.
- As a courtesy, rentals canceled within 24 hours may be rescheduled within the same climbing season (subject to availability) for a $20 rescheduling fee.
- Failure to pick up at the scheduled time without notice may be treated as a late cancellation and is non‑refundable.
10) Usage Charges and Fees
The Renter is responsible for all usage charges for communications made from or received on the device while in the possession or control of the Renter or any User. The Renter is responsible for knowing the usage costs for any services used and agrees to pay all such charges regardless of coverage or performance in the area of attempted use.
11) Damage, Loss, Theft, Modification, Default, and Full Replacement Value
The Renter assumes the entire risk of damage, loss, or theft of the device and accessories from any cause during the rental term, whether caused by the Renter, a User, or any third party.
Damage: Unless pre‑existing damage is reported to TCRI promptly upon pickup (and in any event within 24 hours), damage is presumed to have occurred during the rental term. TCRI may determine the repair method and venue. If TCRI repairs in‑house, the Renter is responsible for reasonable parts and labor.
No Modifications: The Renter and Users shall not materially modify, alter, or tamper with the device. The Renter is responsible for all reasonable costs to restore the device to normal condition in the event of modification.
Full Replacement Value means the actual retail cost of a new, equivalent device and accessories at the time of replacement, plus applicable taxes and reasonable shipping/handling.
The Renter authorizes TCRI to charge the payment method on file for all rental charges, usage charges, late fees, repair costs, replacement costs, rescheduling fees, and any other amounts owed.
Lost or Stolen: The device not returned within fourteen (14) days after the agreed return date will be considered lost or stolen, and the Renter authorizes TCRI to charge Full Replacement Value and any amounts owed.
Default: If the payment method cannot be successfully charged for amounts owed, the Renter is in Default and all amounts owed are immediately due. The Renter agrees to pay reasonable collection costs and attorney’s fees incurred by TCRI in attempting to recover amounts owed.
12) Limitation of Liability for Service Interruptions
TCRI makes no representation that uninterrupted satellite service can be arranged. TCRI is not liable for interrupted, delayed, barred, or limited service, and is not liable for acts or omissions of third‑party carriers, equipment or software failures, outages, maintenance downtime, acts of nature, government actions, strikes, war, civil disorder, or other causes beyond TCRI’s reasonable control.
13) Release of Liability and Waiver of Claims
To the maximum extent permitted by Minnesota law, the Renter and Users release and waive all claims against TCRI and its owners, employees, agents, officers, directors, affiliates, and suppliers arising out of or related to the rental, pickup, return, handling, orientation, possession, or use of the Garmin inReach, including claims based on ordinary negligence.
This release does not apply to gross negligence or willful/wanton misconduct, or to rights that cannot be waived by law.
14) Indemnification (Third‑Party Claims)
The Renter agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless TCRI from any and all claims, demands, lawsuits, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and attorney’s fees arising from or related to: (a) rental or use of the device; (b) acts or omissions of the Renter or any User; (c) any SOS activation, rescue attempt, evacuation, or medical response; or (d) claims brought by third parties (including family members, co‑participants, landowners, bystanders, or governmental entities).
15) Minors
Minnesota law may limit the enforceability of liability waivers for minors. A parent/guardian renting or allowing a minor to use the device agrees to be responsible for the minor’s conduct and agrees to indemnify TCRI to the maximum extent permitted by law.
16) Governing Law; Venue; Severability; Survival
This Agreement is governed by Minnesota law. If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect. The release, indemnity, and payment obligations survive the end of the rental.
This governing law and venue provision applies regardless of the Renter’s location, the shipment destination, or where the device is ultimately used.
17) Acknowledgement
By renting, picking up, returning, handling, possessing, or using a Garmin inReach from TCRI, the Renter and Users acknowledge they have read and understood this Agreement, understand that they are giving up legal rights, and agree to be legally bound.