Car rental

Would like to know if anyone has dealt with Fox rental or Ace? We are look to rent for 3 weeks in Jan.

Will only suggest what has been recommended here many times. Shop the rental car sponsors of this board and you won't have problems.

Hertz isn't a sponsor but many here have used them with god results. I have personally used them for 15 years with out a complaint. Not a national company but locally owned.

To answer your question, I've never heard of Fox. We rented from Ace when it was associated with Mohammed of Panoramic, and were unhappy and therefore changed to another company. I understand Ace is no longer affiliated with Panoramic or Mohammed, so things may be different now. That was several years ago.

Patrice,

To expound a bit on Toms and GaKayes posts, it won't hurt to scroll through the sponsors list and decide who offers the type/size of car you're looking for and then email a few of them including your exact arrival and departure dates and ask for their best quote INCLUDING all taxes and liability insurance if you choose to take it. (The chances are pretty good your credit card overs the general collision coverage but it's worth checking that out first.) That way you can compare apples to apples and bottom lines for all.

Things to keep in mind: some email hosts will block emails from the island so if you don't hear back in a reasonable time be sure to check your spam folder; some of the TTOL sponsors closely follow this forum so you can also PM them here; most U.S. automobile insurance companies do NOT cover you on SXM at all, including umbrella coverages. Once you decide on a company and their quote, copy it and bring it with you so there is no room for misunderstandings on the island.

The local guys are very good to deal with - some will meet you at the airport with your car while some will meet you there with their vans and take you to their rental lot and others will actually meet you at your hotel at a time of your choosing but it's up to you to decide what service you actually want. <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 far as insurance I have a Costco Amex. Amex offers a primary, zero deductible collision insurance for around $24 per rental period up to 42 days.

I can't say yet how everything will go when we turn in the car but we are driving a nicely beat up Corolla with French plates from Unity for a much lower price than I could find elsewhere. They met us at the airport with a van, drove a short distance to their place to pick up the car, which took all of maybe 10 minutes total.

We generally use the same Amex - figure for the $24.00 for however long, it's more than worth it, and like you said and unlike some of our other credit cards, I really like the deductible (or lack thereof) with Amex.

We usually request the older and generally more 'lovingly used' models, too. Prices are often a little lower and as long as the car is mechanically safe and 'loved' within reason, I really don't care what I'm driving as long as it gets me to and from the places I want to see.

Hope your trip is going well. You do know we'll be expecting some trip and/or island news once you're back, if not sooner...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

We've rented from Ace quite a bit. I'm a price driven guy and they seem to be among the lowest priced rentals for small cars, allow spouses as second drivers without charge, and provide basic liability in the price. No problems with them at all.

And, I'm referring to the post-Mohammed era.

When you say basic liability insurance, what do you mean? I have found that the liability coverage varies significantly from agency to agency. Some of the rental agencies only provide a maximum liability coverage of $50,000 per incident vs. others that have coverage of $2,000,000 per incident. What is the maximum coverage limits in that basic liability coverage?

It wasn't very high, but seemed an acceptable risk to me. From memory of last year, I think the freebie basic policy covered around 30-50k, with a 3k deductible. The enhanced, for sale, policy covered up to 1 mil, with a 1k deductible.

I'm willing to live with these limits, but many people may not.

Truthfully I have no idea about the liability as I thought they all were pretty standardized.

I would suggest e-mailing the different companies directly with any questions, the type of vehicle you are interested in, etc. I had e-mailed a couple of companies and told them I needed to fit 5 people in the car at times. They all then replied back with recommendations based on their own fleets. One company did not provide even liability. I would have had to purchase it privately, from where I don't know. One required I get all insurance through them but I knew I'd be getting the Amex collision. One only had the more expensive SUV's that would fit 5 people. Unity replied back with the Corolla recommendation and an all inclusive price lower than listed on-line, (car, taxes, fees, liability, extra driver). So far I am very happy with the car, the communication, and the service.

Re: Collision insurance,-Maybe the offer was different or perhaps it varies by location but I, too have AMEX with Costco and use Unity. Had minor incident about 4-5 years ago. Michael submitted and was compensated by AMEX (no $24?). I never paid anything and all was settled between Unity and AMEX. Moot point now that Costco and AMEX have parted ways.
I have found that rental agencies range from $5/day to $12/day for liability insurance.

The $24 raises the insurance amounts, is primary, has no deductible, covers medical bills and damage or theft of personal property...
Maybe I didn't need that extra layer but it is giving me peace of mind. The regular is secondary to one's own insurance and since I don't even know if my regular car insurance covers us in this situation, that may be a moot point.
The way insurance companies drop people anymore for any little thing I also didn't want to take the chance.
Speaking of Costco I am bummed that they are severing ties with Amex as all the other major Amex seem to have fees...

We were in a pretty good fender bender earlier this year, the jeep in back of us hit us with such an impact to push us into a third car coming from the opposite direction and spinned our car around. What people need to know is that with no injury, police don't come at all, you need to self-report. Of all our three car rental companies between the parties, Hertz was the only rep that showed up, and even though he was representing the jeep that caused the accident, he helped all of us with the forms, he was the only one with the forms, and was very conversant in French and English. I will always ask for accident self-reporting forms when I book a car on the island any more. Also, the self-reporting forms are only duplicates, so it was a little difficult getting all three parties statements on those forms. We totaled our car, luckily no one was injured, and our insurance took care of it. Our wheels were turned in, one of the people in the accident helped us push it back into place as best we could so we could drive it back. We always have that Am Ex insurance, and take out liability from the car rental company.

I'm sure this put a crimp in your trip but the good news is things can always be worse, and thank heavens no one was seriously injured. Cars are but things, ergo - replaceable but people - not so much. And nice to know the Amex worked, too. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Scubaman: We are using Hertz for the first time next month. What are the terms of the liability coverage provided in the base price of their rental rates, i.e. deductible and coverage limit? Do they allow a second driver at no additional charge?

Don't know the liability terms. Yes the second driver is included and covered if it is your spouse.

LINK

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From Hertz Sint Maarten Website

Basic insurance includes limited coverage up to USD 100,000 for medical expenses per person and up to USD 300,000 medical expenses per accident on bodily injury to persons other than the driver and up to USD 50,000 per accident on property damage to anything other than the Hertz vehicle.



You are responsible for a deductible of USD 400.00 if you are responsible for the accident.

I'm not sure why OP would want to pay $24 for collision insurance coverage when it is free on most credit cards.

Because there's zero deductible perhap? Or at least there use to be......

OP wasn't the one who necessarily wanted the additional insurance but this is an excerpt from USA Today:

"American Express also offers a premium car rental insurance program for a fee. Coverage through the premium insurance is primary, so you won’t have to file with your other insurance company before making a claim. The coverage amount is increased to $100,000 for loss or damage, and additional coverage is provided for medical expenses or accidental death. The length of coverage also is extended to 42 consecutive days."

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/american-express-card-car-rental-insurance-policy-1649.html