When we were there, we used Unity and had no problems. We checked the spare when we picked it up and there was no problem. As for the insurance, we NEVER take it because we're covered when we use our credit card. We never had a problem. This past winter break, we had to make a claim for damage to our rental car while we were in Hawaii (backed into a stone bridge while on the road to Hana. Called the credit card company, filled out paperwork and good to go. I'm 99% sure the credit card coverage is good in St. Maartin, but double check. I know there are like 3 countries that the credit card insurance is not good (Italy?). Just double check and you'll be OK.
No need to pay their outrageous fees when you're covered by your credit card.
So all you SXM experts - any favorite companies? (and ones to stay away from? Thrifty/Dollar came up often online as a stay-away from.)
Which leads me to another question as well: staying at Belair Beach Club. How safe is it to bring notebooks, netbooks, tablets, etc plus cameras that we don't always carry with us during the day?
We have to work some, but also be out on the streets some for Carnival, day and night! (so excited I'm beside myself - booked almost 2 years ago and can't believe how perfectly the dates worked out ).
Laurie: Seems like you have received responses with opposing views on insurance coverage in St. Maarten. One response is to take the insurance, another is not to take it. I have been renting cars in St. Maarten for years, most of the time from Unity, and for the last couple of years with my Capital One card. I always decline the CDW portion of the insurance because that is covered by my credit card. I always take the liability portion because it is not covered by any credit card that I have. Unity charges about $5 a day for this liability insurance.
Have a great vacation.
Tom
Our credit card nullifies any of their insurance if we take any of the car vendor's insurance (regardless of whether the credit card provide this insurance or not). I would also see as to how accidents / damages are resolved. .
For lots of passionate responses on this topic, search "rental cars" in the SXM forum at Travel Talk online. It's got lots of people who go to the island often and have experience with a variety of companies. (Don't ask the question again because it's been asked a million times; just search for earlier discussions.)
Here's the link
http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/postlist.php?Cat=0&Board=stmartinj
Laurie: Seems like you have received responses with opposing views on insurance coverage in St. Maarten. One response is to take the insurance, another is not to take it. I have been renting cars in St. Maarten for years, most of the time from Unity, and for the last couple of years with my Capital One card. I always decline the CDW portion of the insurance because that is covered by my credit card. I always take the liability portion because it is not covered by any credit card that I have. Unity charges about $5 a day for this liability insurance.
Have a great vacation.
Tom
TAKE THE INSURANCE!!! There are a number of car rental scams in SXM. You want an old, banged up car for a rental and make sure that the spare tire is in it when you get it and when you return it as spare tire theft is an ongoing thing there. NEVER leave anything in the car as breakin is common as well (many people leave their cars unlocked for that purpose though I would not recommend it). Our credit card does not cover car rentals in the Caribbean (wonder why - ) nor does our regular car insurance policy (we have a floater on it for car rentals but the Caribbean is not covered).
Try Alain at: tripaaa@caribserve.net. He is also a sponsor on TT and he gave me a good price and responded quickly. I never used him before so I don't have any experience with him but I did do a search and all responses were favorable. I'll know more in a week or so.
LisaRex: I have always found Unity’s customer service to be excellent. Just used them again last month without a single problem. Did you send the email to unitycarrental@yahoo.com ? Hope you have a great vacation in St. Maarten.
Thanks, I sent him and AAA an email. I requested a quote from Hertz from their website, which offers a 10% discount for booking online. They quoted me over $750 for a Ford Explorer.
Currently, my best rate is $550 for a midsize SUV. Others have recommended SUVs for St. Maarten. We're traveling with 4 other couples, so we need space for 5 people in each car.
AAA came back with $730, but cut it down to $580 when I told her that I'd already reserved a car with National. Gosh, those rates are high!