Hi all--we are traveling next week to st marteen and need to rent a car. Any suggestions? Preferably near simpson bay and not too expensive! thanks .

I always use Hertz at www.hertz.sxmrentacar.com Quote includes the liability ins. and all airport fees and taxes.

For the past four trips I have used Angela at www.Horizoncarrentals.com
They have been dependable and at a reasonable price.

Been using Unity Car Rental for 15 years. Michael has been Very reliable, they have reasonable rates, and have been very responsive both before arrival and while on the island.

8 yrs now we have been using Francine Rentals. She is great!
www.francinerentals.com
1-800-260-9856
Comes with a hug!

All of the rental agencies will pick you up at the airport, and everyone has their favorite. Ours is Alain at Triple A. Great prices and service.

Thanks everyone! I was just in sxm last month and rented on simpson bay. However, i couldn't figure out what i needed for insurance and if my home car insurance would cover rental so i feel like i spent extra money when i'm not sure i needed to. Just want to be prepared for next week.

Have always used Lesley from Kenny's Car Rental. Great person with great service. Will be picking ours up from him later today!

I'm like Bucky. I'm a long time happy customer of Kenny's Car Rental (Lesley).

Basically your home auto insurance will not cover you in SXM, chances are slim and zero with zero being the rule.

Doesn't your car insurance you already have cover liability but not collision so you just need to get collision?

Read the fine print when it comes to being out of the country.

No riddles please. I'm just inquiring what is needed and what is already covered.

The credit card that you use for the rental may provide collision for up to 30 days. Read the fine print. You will have to purchase liability from the rental company.

As Eric stated, it is extremely doubtful that your home auto insurance will cover your rental in SXM, but the credit card you use to pay for the rental may cover collision. Most do not cover liability.

We were there in late February, tried travel rent a car (sponsor on this oard). Good price and included a free phone but you had to buy the minutes. Like most they picked you up at the airport and took you to their office. The car had a few dents and scratches but performed well. They recommended not locking the car but emphasized not leaving anything in it, ever.

While they will all meet you at the airport, some will pick you up and take you to their off airport location and there are a few who WILL meet you at the airport and put you in your car and on your way right there. We use Kennys for this service since WE DO NOT like the extra step of going elsewhere to get our car. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

As already said time and again, MOST US auto insurance companies WILL NOT cover you on St. Maarten/St. Martin. Do check your credit card since most provide the collision coverage mentioned and at the same time, note there are exceptions to the type of vehicle they'll cover (usually high-end cars and jeeps are excluded from this free cc coverage), and the range of coverage can be anywhere from two weeks to thirty days. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

If someone took a rental car survey as to who they liked Leslie Kenney's and Unity would come out on top. Couldn't say who would be 1 2 or 3. I used Budget my first few times with poor cars and service. I think they are now Francine's. I have used Unity the last 3 trips and have no complaints. The first 2 times I got the same new KIA RIO. they even asked me when I arrive if My Credit Card covers collision. So they decline it when signing in. They pick you up at the airport and take you to there rental car lot 1 mile away. It doesn't look like much. Last time there Wells Fargo shut my CC off for no good reason--trust me I called them ahead of time to tell them I was on SXM. I had rented the car on the CC. When I get back to Unity Michael or Josephs said hey no problem your CC doesn't work bring us a check when you come back next year. I think he was serious. I had it covered and have made a reservation there next year. Good place to rent a car.

I think you have forgotten Alain at AAA. He is always well reviewed including on my own site. We just got back from SXM yesterday and had yet another terrific experience with AAA Car Rental.

Another vote for aaa. Have a car from them as we speak. Last week ended up with a dead battery at our timeshare, and within an hour we were pickedup, given a replacement car, and on our way.

We have used several car rental companies over the years, but have used Lesley (Kenny's Car Rental) the last 4 years and he is the best.

I have used Hertz for many years.
I'd strongly suggest that you call their airport area location directly for the best rate rather than using the Hertz booking engine.

Their SXM Hertz webpage is direct to their office in SXM.

alain and myra and the crew at AAA do a great job ---with them for over 10 years now --never a hitch

We have been renting cars from Value Car Rental for the last couple of years. Ever since they have rebranded and got under new management or ownership (??) they have been updating their fleet of vehicles.

The people working at Value Car Rental are always nice and very respectful, we never had any problems with our cars whatsoever. The cars are always very clean, fairly new and seem to be maintained good.

Next to that (and we have compared it many times with other car rental companies on the island), their prices are truly unbeatable.

During our last stay in May of this year, we rented a Nissan Versa (sedan) for a full week and only paid $ 110,- USD.

We always book before we arrive through their website that has a very good booking and reservation system.

When we arrive at the airport, there is always someone from Value awaiting us with a sign that has our name on it. They have their own booths at the airport as well, but when we book, they always pick us up and we get transported in one of their shuttle vans to their main office that is just across the street from the airport.

When we bring our car back after our vacation, they always take us back by shuttle to the airport. It is a free service and I think it is really great.

In the past we have also been renting cars from some of the other Value Car Rental locations on the island. I think they have about 6 or 7 of them spread across both sides of the island.

We would truly recommend Value Car Rental for anyone that needs or wants to rent a car during their stay on St. Martin / St. Maarten.

Their website can be found at:

http://www.valuecarrental.com

You've got it all in the replies

Get an all in price, tax, ,liability etc
Your cc probably covers collision [except as Pat noted]
Liability is an extra - prices will vary hence the all in quote
Over time loyalty generally pays off in your pricing

We prefer to cab to our final destination and get a car the next day - works for us as we generally clear luggage after 5 pm and would rather be on our way [ t oFr side]and worry about the car and driving until the next day – however Simpson Bay is close, so maybe we might consider driving in that case, but when we stayed at La Plage [Maho] we still got a cab and got the car the next morning

All have their faves – we like AAA, but to each their own

J&B