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Liability Insurance #193030
04/23/2019 10:02 AM
04/23/2019 10:02 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline OP
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I read here a while back that French licensed rental cars are required by law to carry liability coverage, making the purchase of the additional liability coverage unnecessary. Can someone here confirm that? I've emailed our rental company, but haven't yet heard back with a definitive answer.

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Re: Liability Insurance [Re: GaKaye] #193037
04/23/2019 10:58 AM
04/23/2019 10:58 AM
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Hello Kaye ... or should I say "Bonjour, Kaye". This was kind of my profession before I retired (that's why I'm on this forum so much these days). In France liability insurance will always be included with your rental vehicle, and the same extension of coverage would apply on St. Martin. So, you do not need to purchase additional liability coverage or higher limits of coverage. You do have the option to add collision damage insurance which would include the peril of theft. If the price appears reasonable, I would suggest adding this because the physical damage coverage you may have on your automobile insurance only extends to all U.S. states, Canada, Mexico, and all U.S. territories and possessions. Hope that helps!

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: SammyM] #193047
04/23/2019 12:22 PM
04/23/2019 12:22 PM
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And most all Credit Cards cover the Collision and not the Liability coverage.

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: SammyM] #193048
04/23/2019 12:29 PM
04/23/2019 12:29 PM
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GaKaye Offline OP
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Thank you Sammy (by the way, it's Georgia Kaye wink ). So just to clarify, if the vehicle is licensed on the French side, then the liability is included, even if the company is actually located on the Dutch side?

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: GaKaye] #193050
04/23/2019 12:45 PM
04/23/2019 12:45 PM
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Good luck on that one. Probably all depends on the rental companies following the law which seems some companies have it's gray areas.

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: GaKaye] #193051
04/23/2019 12:48 PM
04/23/2019 12:48 PM
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SammyM Offline
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I doubt if there's a difference here between the Dutch and the French. Typically, when you rent a car in Europe the liability insurance will be provided with no need to do anything else. And, Scubaman makes a good point above. Many (not all) credit cards will provide some level of CDW (Collision Damage Waiver protection) on a rental vehicle regardless of where you rent it. Cards such as the Chase Sapphire do for sure. Also, some rental car agencies include the CDW right in the rental price at no additional cost. They probably built this cost in to some degree, but when shopping online for a rental car it's smart to pay attention to this detail. Should you want or need to buy collision coverage, never pay more than 15 euros per day (or $18 USD) for this. Amounts higher than this and you're paying too much. But, for the basic liability insurance coverages -- bodily injury liability and property damage liability -- you don't need to do anything.

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: GaKaye] #193053
04/23/2019 12:52 PM
04/23/2019 12:52 PM
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islandgem Offline
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I would get the liability insurance Georgia as it is worth the money and not have to worry about any problems that may occur. When renting from Alain, hr uses French plates but is operating on the Dutch side so it may be a bit different than operating on the French side.




Re: Liability Insurance [Re: GaKaye] #193056
04/23/2019 01:08 PM
04/23/2019 01:08 PM
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SammyM Offline
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Honestly, Georgia and Islandgem, you're wasting your money if you add additional liability insurance coverage or get talked into higher limits of coverage. But, that's your call!

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: SammyM] #193058
04/23/2019 01:30 PM
04/23/2019 01:30 PM
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islandgem Offline
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If this were the case EVERYBODY would only rent from the French side rental agencies. They all sell this insurance so is it only for them to make money? I would want written confirmation of this so I would not be surprised in case of an accident. I am not saying your information is not correct Sammy, but just want confirmation from the rental agency for proof.




Re: Liability Insurance [Re: SXMScubaman] #193060
04/23/2019 01:47 PM
04/23/2019 01:47 PM
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Originally Posted by SXMScubaman
And most all Credit Cards cover the Collision and not the Liability coverage.

Doesn't Hertz include the liability? And from their Dutch side location?


J.D.
Re: Liability Insurance [Re: GaKaye] #193061
04/23/2019 02:07 PM
04/23/2019 02:07 PM
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SammyM Offline
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If the Dutch side of St. Maarten mirrors the Netherlands then I assure you that third-party liability insurance is included in your rental agreement. I've never asked this question in the past when renting a car on the Dutch side, and I personally turndown every 'extra' offer they try to throw at me. And, yes ... they sell most of these items just to make money. The same as when you buy a new car and they attempt to sell you every 'pack' item you don't need from lifetime wax finish to paintless dent repair. The money that is made on these useless extras is stunning. About 20 percent or so of people who visit Europe (not sure about the Caribbean) purchase extra liability insurance coverage that they simply don't need. That's a lot of wasted money, IMO.

Let's look at where you live. If you have automobile insurance with Allstate of Canada (a company that I am very familiar with), and you tell them that you are traveling to Europe for two weeks and plan to rent a car while your there. I assure you they will try to sell you a personal umbrella policy to cover all your driving needs when in Europe, when in fact the vast majority of this coverage would not be needed. It will be expensive, and these make a handsome profit for the insurance company. Remember that the primary principle in auto insurance is that the coverage follows the car, and rental car agencies must carry insurance limits to cover the liability for those who rent and use their cars. If there is something unconventional that car rental companies do on the Dutch side of St. Maarten I'm simply not aware of it. But, when renting a car there if someone is unsure let them know that it is your belief that liability insurance should already be included in the rental agreement.

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: GaKaye] #193068
04/23/2019 03:09 PM
04/23/2019 03:09 PM
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I asked the same question on a Facebook forum regarding Dutch side rentals and was told by the one person who actually answered the question I asked that general liability was most definitely NOT required to be provided by the rental company on the Dutch side. All other responses went into collision being covered by most credit cards, GL not covered by credit cards, etc. A company I am talking to on the Dutch side has informed me that they are NOT required by law to have the general liability insurance themselves.

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: GaKaye] #193069
04/23/2019 03:27 PM
04/23/2019 03:27 PM
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SammyM Offline
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Then, if that's the case it is unique to Dutch St. Maarten. I would suggest doing two things in this order: first, if renting a car on the Dutch side of SXM find an rental car agency that includes liability insurance with the cost of the rental. If you cannot find one, then get your rental car on French St. Martin. To me, this makes almost no sense whatsoever. How would you know what liability limits you would need? Would $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident be sufficient? Or, would you opt for a combined single limit of $500,000? Or $1,000,000? Maybe someone like Kennys could lend us a hand here?

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: GaKaye] #193074
04/23/2019 04:04 PM
04/23/2019 04:04 PM
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I suspect that liability coverage clarity resembles tipping practices opaqueness on the French side. I rent from ACE and they provide $30k liability with a $2,500 deductible included in their base rental. For $8 a day, I can bump the coverage to 1.1 meagabucks with an $800 deductible (these figures are from around 18 months ago). I always decline extra liability coverage. I don't know why ACE provides this minimal coverage, yet other places allegedly claim to provide none. Just a couple of data points--merely to further muddle the issue.

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: SXMScubaman] #193075
04/23/2019 04:06 PM
04/23/2019 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by SXMScubaman
Good luck on that one. Probably all depends on the rental companies following the law which seems some companies have it's gray areas.

You have stated more than once about Hertz including Liability with rentals, including this post from March 25. Do they actually put this in the written/printed contract and how about the license plates, does that matter?

Quote
Been using Hertz for the last 20 years and always been satisfied both in price and service. They are one of the few that include the Liability insurance, GPS and a front window screen free with rental. Book on line and they give you a 10% discount.


J.D.
Re: Liability Insurance [Re: SammyM] #193077
04/23/2019 04:30 PM
04/23/2019 04:30 PM
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Car Rental Companies on the Dutch side offer liability insurance @ $ 6.00 per day and some $ 8.00 per day. $ 50,000.00 coverage and some deductibles vary from company to company . Most credit cards will cover the collision but not the liability.

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: GaKaye] #193079
04/23/2019 04:38 PM
04/23/2019 04:38 PM
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SammyM Offline
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Thanks, Kennys. So this is unique to Dutch St. Martin, and not the Netherlands. Last year my son and his girlfriend rented a car in the Netherlands and he had full liability coverage with the rental car company. I have rented from Hertz on Airport Road in the past and have never been asked to purchase liability insurance on a rental car. They do ask if you would like supplemental insurance and/or a Collision Damage Waiver, but primary third-party Liability coverage was always included within their rental car agreements. To make sure I was remembering this correctly, I just went online and reserved a car for mid-October and this was still the case. Of course, they may build this into the rating structure of their rental fleet. Appreciate your input.

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: SammyM] #193083
04/23/2019 04:48 PM
04/23/2019 04:48 PM
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ruralcarrier Offline
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Thank you. I am sure it is built into the rate structure.


J.D.
Re: Liability Insurance [Re: ruralcarrier] #193087
04/23/2019 05:23 PM
04/23/2019 05:23 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
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Auburn, WA
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Originally Posted by ruralcarrier
Originally Posted by SXMScubaman
And most all Credit Cards cover the Collision and not the Liability coverage.

Doesn't Hertz include the liability? And from their Dutch side location?

Yes they do. We have been using them for many years on St Maarten with both Dutch and French plates.

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: cruzer] #193088
04/23/2019 05:24 PM
04/23/2019 05:24 PM
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GaKaye Offline OP
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Cruzer, I think you're right. I don't mind paying for the liability insurance if I need it, but....

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: Kennys] #193089
04/23/2019 05:25 PM
04/23/2019 05:25 PM
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Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline OP
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Lesley, I do understand that the additional liability insurance is needed on the Dutch side. I know you operate on the Dutch side, but are you familiar with the situation on the French side?

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: ruralcarrier] #193091
04/23/2019 05:32 PM
04/23/2019 05:32 PM
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Auburn, WA
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Originally Posted by ruralcarrier
Originally Posted by SXMScubaman
Good luck on that one. Probably all depends on the rental companies following the law which seems some companies have it's gray areas.

You have stated more than once about Hertz including Liability with rentals, including this post from March 25. Do they actually put this in the written/printed contract and how about the license plates, does that matter?

Quote
Been using Hertz for the last 20 years and always been satisfied both in price and service. They are one of the few that include the Liability insurance, GPS and a front window screen free with rental. Book on line and they give you a 10% discount.

It's stated on their web page also.[

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: SammyM] #193092
04/23/2019 05:34 PM
04/23/2019 05:34 PM
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I think Hertz is the only one that includes liability insurance with your rental. A few others used to include it but not anymore. I actually don't think it is mandidory for any rental agencies on either side of the island to offer this coverage free of charge. Lots of things on the islands are different from other countries. Lesley Bruce knows the rules for car rentals. If it was covered by the agency, the rental prices would be much higher. This way you can add it to your contract if you so desire. Some do for safety sake and some don't. It is an individual choice.




Re: Liability Insurance [Re: GaKaye] #193093
04/23/2019 05:38 PM
04/23/2019 05:38 PM
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The company we rent from has French plates, but does charge extra for liability.
We never took it years ago, but have been paying the extra for quite a few years, thinking it was the safest
way to go.

We were told it is not covered by the company, when we heard that it was suppose to be included.
Easier to be safe than sorry.......

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: The_Lurker] #193097
04/23/2019 06:47 PM
04/23/2019 06:47 PM
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GaKaye Offline OP
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I don't disagree, Terry, but I sort of feel like this is similar to the "tip not included" ploy on the French side. It's not the money; it's the principal.

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: GaKaye] #193098
04/23/2019 06:48 PM
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Agreed

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: GaKaye] #193112
04/23/2019 08:34 PM
04/23/2019 08:34 PM
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Not really about the full details GaKaye for the French side.
Thanks for asking.

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: GaKaye] #193119
04/23/2019 09:26 PM
04/23/2019 09:26 PM
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Kenny’s is the BEST! Talking to him now! Talk about excellent service!

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: SXMFOX] #193135
04/24/2019 08:30 AM
04/24/2019 08:30 AM
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Thanks .

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: GaKaye] #193204
04/25/2019 10:46 AM
04/25/2019 10:46 AM
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Originally Posted by GaKaye
I don't disagree, Terry, but I sort of feel like this is similar to the "tip not included" ploy on the French side. It's not the money; it's the principal.


You are absolutely right, but in this case I rather be covered.

I have some friends saying that a certain rental agency is so inexpensive, but when you add "their tax and liability"
it becomes much more. It seems that different companies charge different amounts for tax and liability. ???

I'm just sticking with our company (French plates), paying the extra and one less thing to worry about.

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: The_Lurker] #193255
04/25/2019 10:06 PM
04/25/2019 10:06 PM
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When looking at the entire picture of what a visitor spends on a trip to SXM between airfare, lodging and food, it is something how much energy is put in over a $30 a week difference in car rental. I admit I have shopped it, but usually it was for a car that I wanted to try and not because of the price.


I prefer the Isle seat
Re: Liability Insurance [Re: Todd] #193282
04/26/2019 08:39 AM
04/26/2019 08:39 AM
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Stands to reason. Baffles me too.

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: Kennys] #193286
04/26/2019 08:52 AM
04/26/2019 08:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Kennys
Stands to reason. Baffles me too.

It is like driving from one side of town or the island to the other to save a couple of $$ on gas and using more gas to do so!


J.D.
Re: Liability Insurance [Re: ruralcarrier] #193291
04/26/2019 09:50 AM
04/26/2019 09:50 AM
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Correct but that I do sometimes because the gas is cheaper on the French side than the Dutch side now. Before it was the same but that has changed a long time ago. Now the French side have their own gas supplies directly and it's cheaper than the Dutch side.

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: Kennys] #193295
04/26/2019 10:51 AM
04/26/2019 10:51 AM
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I can see buying it on the French side to save money if I'm already over there but not to make a special drive over and fight traffic to do so.

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: Todd] #193320
04/26/2019 02:35 PM
04/26/2019 02:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Todd
When looking at the entire picture of what a visitor spends on a trip to SXM between airfare, lodging and food, it is something how much energy is put in over a $30 a week difference in car rental. I admit I have shopped it, but usually it was for a car that I wanted to try and not because of the price.


That's why I'm just sticking to the person we have had for years, paying the liability and
sleeping better.

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: ruralcarrier] #193404
04/27/2019 05:47 PM
04/27/2019 05:47 PM
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So when I declined additional coverage at Hertz in December, they put through a $900.00 deposit. I dont know if it was liability or something else. Whatever it was, it wasn’t included.

Re: Liability Insurance [Re: PelicanPirate] #193412
04/27/2019 10:05 PM
04/27/2019 10:05 PM
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That is just a hold on the credit card. They do this and no problems after you return car.


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