island car rental

im gonna rent a car for my trip next week (get there monday!)
i looked at avis - best price - insurance details unclear
budget jamaica - website didnt really give me a solid price
and island car rental - seemingly best deal with nil insurance and tire repair included..

avis was cheapest - but absolutely no details at to what the loss/damage waiver covers - amount of deductible and whatnot..
island is only about $120 more the avis - and this one inlcludes a 0$ deductible nil liability with tire repair protection included for good measure..

your experience with island rental?
any better suggestion for me? i like the idea of nil liability - dont want a suprise bill when worse comes to worse..
after paying some 3 grand cab fares at 3 in the morning, taking people home to broughton or little london, it sure adds up - and since i dont drink much - this seems the logical choice - i am not afraid to drive there..also with the kids this will let me take them to blue hole, mayfield falls, or maybe somewhere else, even a few times without having to hire a driver $$$. thanks for any of your comments..

Island has a office in the airpor, which makes it more convenient than not. I guess I am lucky my credit card covers all insurance!

my car insurance covers rentals in US and Mexico - but not jamaica.. i dont have a card with coverage unfortunately.. yes - the insurance is very nearly as much as the rental.. however - when i figure what spent on transportation alone last month on my solo trip - this is barely gonna be more - and i will have my kids this time - so i expected a little more.. i can rent from island for 8 nights with nil liability for right at $500... if we go to mayfield, maybe roaring river - sav la mar - montego bay for shopping - i know it will be worth it..

I've used Avis a couple time ...
Used Budget once ...
Long time ago used 'Champagne Rental' (I think they're gone now - but I did like the name)
And I've used Island Rental - even bought one of their cars once.

I think they're all fair to use .. but the loss/damage issue and the insurance issue is something you want to get straight before you go down there. If you have a credit card that covers car insurance that is the best avenue. But you need to get that straight with your insurance company before you go ... get something in writing from your credit card company - because their canned response is that your credit card does not cover insurance in Jamaica (or Israel, for that matter). Some credit cards do cover insurance in Jamaica, some don't. The other thing you want to do is go over the car very thoroughly when you rent it ... make note of any and all defects, scratches, tears - make sure each defect is noted in writing/diagram.

I'm with you jasperpro, I don't like the hastle of cabs, and maybe I'm a little spoiled, but I like the freedom of being able to go where and when at my whim. If it costs me a little more .... I just chalk it up to being on vacation ... I'll budget myself on other things, but not transportation. Gotta have wheels, mon ...

I rent from Chalis every time,Just turned in my car after 9 weeks .I searched for the best deal
online and use that as leverage to get a fair price.I paid $26 per day and I carry a World Master card
It will cover Jamaica as far as insurance.It did cost me $85 annually to have the card.With the cost of taxi's
and the hassle of it I drive all over the place and wouldn't do it any other way.Just follow the speed limit and
don't let anybody carry ilegal things with you and you will feel liberated.
Farmer

Why dont you try the rental in negril that has the jeep covertibles. I have rented from them before and the owner Patrick is a good guy. Not sure how price compares but bout 50 plus all the taxes

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by original spanky

Why dont you try the rental in negril that has the jeep covertibles. I have rented from them before and the owner Patrick is a good guy. Not sure how price compares but bout 50 plus all the taxes

---

good point, but that makes me pay for airport transfers again - and that is bout $70 each way.. why pay $140 if i am renting anway $50 X 8 = 400 + 140airport trans. = 540$ + 'all the taxes' = ???more....
i can rent a new toyota with air for $500 with no liability..

We have used Island several times and had great experiences.
We also get the full coverage as it is one less thing to worry about.
Never had any problems.

I've used Island once and they were great! Also, have you looked into Dhana Car Rental? I used them quite a few times but they are located off site and the driver will pick you up to take to their office.

Have rented with Island three times with no problems and great service.

If you still haven't made reservations, you might want to check out carrentalexpress.com. It gives comparison rates for all of the independent rental agencies in Jamaica. Plus, the rate listed for Island is usually cheaper than the rate quote on Island's website, although the savings tend to be less during high season. Hope this helps.

Enjoy your trip!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by poolguywindsor

Island has a office in the airpor, which makes it more convenient than not. I guess I am lucky my credit card covers all insurance!

---

PGW,

Check with your CC company. Most cards exclude Jamaica from coverages.

nice site nky. they were a little cheaper then island direct (only about 20$).. i will styore it to my favorites, but i did make a online reservation last night with islands website.. so i guess its a done deal.. thanks for the info guys - very appreciated

Rented from Island this last time and had a great experience. Got the full coverage AND tire protection. They held 250 deposit and 77.00 gas deposit so 327.00. I scratched the rear bumper and because of the full coverage insurance i just did a written report and no issues what so ever. I highly recommend using them.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sammyb

Rented from Island this last time and had a great experience. Got the full coverage AND tire protection. They held 250 deposit and 77.00 gas deposit so 327.00. I scratched the rear bumper and because of the full coverage insurance i just did a written report and no issues what so ever. I highly recommend using them.

---

nice - great to read this one - exactly what i wanted to hear really - someone who rented the same thing - had a issue - no problems - thanks again.. i am sure i made the correct choice now..

Just returned our car to Island in MoBay yesterday. No issues whatsoever. Super convenient. We have a World MC, so insurance was included, but they did put a $500 "hold" on the CC until we returned it. Great experience with island. We will be using them again.

If you just want for a few days, Elvis bike rental (across from Sun Beach by Rayon) has some cars. They came through for me in a pinch and it was cheap enough. $60 for one day, less if you rent for more days

I've used Island Rentals now 3 times, and can recommend them, too. I applied for the World MasterCard a couple months before my trip where I rented for the first time - came in plenty of time and had no yearly fees. Cuts the rental car cost about in half - so well worth having.
The thing I liked about Island - just for peace of mind - was they have 24hr road side service anywhere on the island.

To prevent any dent/scratches claims - I use my camera and take about a 1-2 min video showing/talking about any flaws. I do this both at rental time and return time, with the agent present. I forget where I got that advice - but do it all the time, now.