Rent a car?

I've rented a car the last few times down but I'm thinking about going back to cabs or hiring a driver.

The car I rented last month was rear ended on Norman Manley Boulevard. Fortunately all of my family are just fine!

Unfortunately the guy who hit me just drove off. A kind witness got the license number so I end up at the Negril police station reporting the event and got a small taste of the "system".

Bluntly I felt I was treated differently because I'm white...Not waited on until everyone else, more than once hearing "white mon" mentioned, etc.

I would hate to think of the process if I would have hit someone!

I'm probably going to hire a driver next time and let them take the risk.

Any thoughts on this?

We hire a driver and use cabs. We also go too many places when we're there, maybe one or two day trips. We hire a driver to pick us up at the airport and drive us to Negril and then make arrangements with him at that time for the day trips. His name is Leo and we have had tremendous service from him. He's very friendly, professional and great customer service. There are also plenty of drivers you can hire in Negril and you'll find many of their names on this forum. Cabs are not expensive so we use them when we need to get some place too far to walk. If you want Leo's contact number private message me.

I don't trust myself to drive there. Since Jamaicans drive on the opposite side of the road, I have enough issues trying to remember which side I am supposed to walk down...

Also, I kind of take the whole I am on vacation attitude... I don't want to even have to think about driving. Glad you are ok though... An accident when at home is hard enough, it must be pretty daunting while out of country.

I drove in Jamaica for 15 years. I knew every pot hole and danger spot......That was then

Now Linston drives me

Cap

I drive at home, there I sit...then I can see the area we are driving in...........and avoid such a hassle 'bout any accident,
and ANY driver we can hire can find places we have never heard of...see enough strange things from the passengers side of the ride.........:)

Hi Negrilmon I think my wife and I saw your accident. It was on Wednesday April 03 arround 2pm and you were driving a wine red 4 door sadan heading towards the roundabout. If this was you I am glad to see no one got hurt. I was very surprized of the reaction of some of the locals who also witnessed the scene. Once they realized it was a tourist they told the other driver to hurry up and leave before you even had a chance to get out of your car. It was a classic hit and run in broad daylight with lots of witnesses.

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Originally Posted by negrilmon

...so I end up at the Negril police station reporting the event and got a small taste of the "system".

Bluntly I felt I was treated differently because I'm white...Not waited on until everyone else, more than once hearing "white mon" mentioned, etc...

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Ah, the joys of driving in Jamaica! (grin)

After living here for 20 years and dealing with "the system" for longer than that, it is very safe to say that you were treated equally if not better than everyone else. A fender bender is not a very serious incident in the scheme of things so it is a low priority to begin with, and others may have waiting much longer without your knowledge. It is not unusual for people to arrive at any government agency and have someone save "their spot" for them and to come back when it is closer to their turn.

That is part of "the runnings" that you learn...

As for the "white mon" comments, assuming you are "white", it is also safe to assume it was purely being used as a descriptive phrase - if there had been 2 "white men" there, they would have added a "white mon with the car" or some such additional description.

It is still not politically incorrect in Jamaica to describe someone by their physical characteristics, sometimes the easiest descriptions work the best....

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Originally Posted by Ly Shell

Hi Negrilmon I think my wife and I saw your accident. It was on Wednesday April 03 arround 2pm and you were driving a wine red 4 door sadan heading towards the roundabout. If this was you I am glad to see no one got hurt. I was very surprized of the reaction of some of the locals who also witnessed the scene. Once they realized it was a tourist they told the other driver to hurry up and leave before you even had a chance to get out of your car. It was a classic hit and run in broad daylight with lots of witnesses.

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Hi Ly Shell, that must have been me that you saw...same color car, date, time and direction...If you recall, one witness ran over to me and gave me the license number, she told me the guy who hit me said he was running off because I was white/tourist.

I also never got any paperwork as was promised by the Negril police...I reported the accident on Wednesday right after it happened. Sargent Hall said come back Friday to pick up the legal documents for the rental car agency. Sargent Hall said Jamaican law gives the guy 24 hours to report the accident before they could do anything and once that period of time went by he would start the process.

Once I heard this I figured I was screwed but I went back Friday anyway just in case a miracle happened.

I arrived at the police station at 3:00 as requested by Sargent Hall but he wasn't there. They called him on his radio and he was out in the bush but they said he was on his way. Once he got there 30 minutes later he quickly said he had no paperwork available and I was now going to need the rental agency to contact him next week since I was leaving the following day.

At this point I didn't see many options so I accepted that I was out on this one and went out and had a great afternoon driving out to Orange Hill and some of the back country of Negril enjoying my last day in Jamaica for this trip.

I met some great people and had a great time!...Also saw a 7 foot Jamaican Boa (Yellow Snake)...My first snake in 38 years of Jamaican travel... It scared the heck out of my Jamaican friend!

Since I had no proof for the rental agency I was out the $500 deposit and learned that it is better to hire a driver in the future. No huge deal...no one was injured!

Think hard before renting a car...Probably better just to kick back and enjoy the ride.
You can also help a local by hiring them for the week and spreading a little of the wealth.
I believe minimum wage in Jamaica is about $40 a week!...Think about trying to live on $40 a week...

Hi Rob, I would like to think you are correct here but I think I was delaing with some less than equal treatment. This eyewitness account below nails it.

I'm guessing they realized it was a tourist by the color of my skin.

"Hi Negrilmon I think my wife and I saw your accident. It was on Wednesday April 03 arround 2pm and you were driving a wine red 4 door sadan heading towards the roundabout. If this was you I am glad to see no one got hurt. I was very surprized of the reaction of some of the locals who also witnessed the scene. Once they realized it was a tourist they told the other driver to hurry up and leave before you even had a chance to get out of your car. It was a classic hit and run in broad daylight with lots of witnesses."

Those at the police station are locals also so I'm guessing some at the police station had this same attitude.

I don't think I'm going out on a limb to say there is some corruption in Jamaica...

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Originally Posted by negrilmon

...Sargent Hall said Jamaican law gives the guy 24 hours to report the accident before they could do anything and once that period of time went by he would start the process.

Once I heard this I figured I was screwed but I went back Friday anyway just in case a miracle happened.

I arrived at the police station at 3:00 as requested by Sargent Hall but he wasn't there. They called him on his radio and he was out in the bush but they said he was on his way. Once he got there 30 minutes later he quickly said he had no paperwork available and I was now going to need the rental agency to contact him next week since I was leaving the following day.

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Negrilmon,

Yes, I am sure that corruption exists in Jamaica as it does everywhere. Heck, even my old high school in Columbus Ohio was raided this past week for grade and attendance tampering - all the records were confiscated.

Anyhow, it sounds like what Sargent Hall told you is exactly correct. The law does provide the other party 24 hours to report the incident so no other paperwork can be started until that point. It does not mean that it would be completed in that 24 time period - just that nothing can proceed until the 24 hour time period is over. As mentioned, a fender bender is not a major priority and the fact you were leaving the next day put you in a time crunch situation. Last time I was involved in an accident here - the paperwork took about a week to be completed.

I would follow up with the rental agency - a reputable agency will receive the information from the Negril Police Station and will process it with their insurance company. From experience, this process can take a while, but once the agency processes the claim, you should be reimbursed on your credit card. This is normal operating procedure.

And yes, hiring a legally licensed and insured red plated driver does have its advantages...

I once witnessed an accident when my driver backed into a motorcycle outside the scotia bank. The incident was settled with a handshake and my driver walking away with the broken part that he agreed to replace. Since you are tourist, the locals correctly assumed that would not settle for a handshake and would want to go through the proper channels to report the accident on your rental car. The other driver may not have had proper insurance or couldn't afford the deductible, which is probably why the other locals told him to leave the scene when they realized you were a tourist. I'm not excusing their behavior, just offering a little insight in to their point of view. The locals do look out each other.

Fwiw, your story is exactly why we choose to hire a driver, rather than rent a car.

Hi Negrilmon, Sorry to hear you lost your $500 deposit. The lady that gave you the licence number just got off work at the Corral Seas Garden. I was the fellow that gave you directions to the police station. One would think when you rent a car, part of the rent is insurance especially in this case when it was cleary not your fault and you have witnesses that saw what went down. We have friends that live in the Negril area for 6 months of the year for the past 25 years and their comment was "even if you have their licence plate number, chances of pinning it on anyone is next to nil". We almost rented a motorcycle for a few days in which I have lots of experience in and I am glad we did not! Its not me I am worried about, its other drivers and the insurance and medical issues in a foreign country which is cloudy at the best of times. It sucks that you lost your deposit instead of the "car rental insurance" covering this incident.

Spot on Mike...The locals assumed correctly that I would take the proper approach (versus the alternative). Probably best to let a local drive when this is the process...

I wanted to pass along the story so people can learn from my experience...

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Originally Posted by Rob

Negrilmon

I would follow up with the rental agency - a reputable agency will receive the information from the Negril Police Station and will process it with their insurance company. From experience, this process can take a while, but once the agency processes the claim, you should be reimbursed on your credit card. This is normal operating procedure....

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I think Rob has a valid point here that I would pursue. If there is anything I can do to help, please PM me and I will do my best. Lyle

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Originally Posted by Rob

Negrilmon,

Yes, I am sure that corruption exists in Jamaica as it does everywhere. Heck, even my old high school in Columbus Ohio was raided this past week for grade and attendance tampering - all the records were confiscated.

Anyhow, it sounds like what Sargent Hall told you is exactly correct. The law does provide the other party 24 hours to report the incident so no other paperwork can be started until that point. It does not mean that it would be completed in that 24 time period - just that nothing can proceed until the 24 hour time period is over. As mentioned, a fender bender is not a major priority and the fact you were leaving the next day put you in a time crunch situation. Last time I was involved in an accident here - the paperwork took about a week to be completed.

I would follow up with the rental agency - a reputable agency will receive the information from the Negril Police Station and will process it with their insurance company. From experience, this process can take a while, but once the agency processes the claim, you should be reimbursed on your credit card. This is normal operating procedure.

And yes, hiring a legally licensed and insured red plated driver does have its advantages...

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Thanks Rob!!!... I'll get in touch with Chalis Car Rental and see If they are going through this process. If not I'll ask that they start.

I"ll be sure to let you know the outcome!

Chalis is decent company - have dealt with them in the past. This should work out okay... but dont hold your breath, it may take a while... (grin)

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Originally Posted by Ly Shell

I think Rob has a valid point here that I would pursue. If there is anything I can do to help, please PM me and I will do my best. Lyle

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Thank you Lyle! Were you the couple who offered to help when I pulled over? You were staying on the garden side of Coral Seas?

If so what a small world...never thought I would run in to you on this site! Funny!!

I'll call the agency tomorrow and see what is happening.

Thanks again!

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Originally Posted by Rob

Chalis is decent company - have dealt with them in the past. This should work out okay... but dont hold your breath, it may take a while... (grin)

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No breath being held...Been going to Jamaica since 1975...Soon come mon!

You've lived there 20 years?...Do you own property? If so, what does that legal maze look like?

Thanks again!

I would assume that as in the US (most states) police cannot "Arrest" a license plate....I mean, its good to get the plate number BUT you will have to be able to ID the driver for a citation to be issued.......and since it will be a "Traffic" Arrest not a "Major" (Felony) charge, and monies sought by either person involved would be through "Civil Court"...and Citations issued for a traffic violation cannot be used as evidence in Civil Court................That citation is nothing more than "the belief is you violated a traffic law, and must appear to answer for it"........Its not a finding of guilty...............
yes I wrote some....not many:)

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Originally Posted by negrilmon

No breath being held...Been going to Jamaica since 1975...Soon come mon!

You've lived there 20 years?...Do you own property? If so, what does that legal maze look like?

Thanks again!

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After 20 years, I can say that the government has really streamlined many aspects of the "legal maze" - for one, they accept PDF files which is a godsend when having to get forms to Kingston, which is still part of that maze - and even that maze is getting lesser each year.

I am owner and creator or Negril.com - starting that back in 1995 - own other things including RealNegril.com. We live outside Negril and have employed many great people who have gone on to work for major Jamaican corporations, started their own businesses and even have a few successful former employees in the States! It is always a great feeling to see our employees move on and make their own success, and we encourage it.

When you get here - lets sit back and share a few and exchange some stories!

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One would think when you rent a car, part of the rent is insurance

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Liability insurance is included, collision damage insurance is at an additional charge. Sometimes full collision is half as much as the rent itself. There is still a deductible involved, unless you buy Island Car's "zero liability" coverage which costs $30 a day on top of the rental fee: http://www.islandcarrentals.com/Home.aspx/AutoCoverage

Insurance works the same way with rental cars in the US - CDW is around $10-25 a day, but many credit cards include that insurance if you use their card to rent - not so in Jamaica with 99.9% of credit cards. Very few will cover collision in Jamaica (or Ireland or Israel or Iceland, for some reason).

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Originally Posted by Rob

After 20 years, I can say that the government has really streamlined many aspects of the "legal maze" - for one, they accept PDF files which is a godsend when having to get forms to Kingston, which is still part of that maze - and even that maze is getting lesser each year.

I am owner and creator or Negril.com - starting that back in 1995 - own other things including RealNegril.com. We live outside Negril and have employed many great people who have gone on to work for major Jamaican corporations, started their own businesses and even have a few successful former employees in the States! It is always a great feeling to see our employees move on and make their own success, and we encourage it.

When you get here - lets sit back and share a few and exchange some stories!

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Sounds good Rob!...FYI Chalis car rental is still looking into the situation...Thanks again!

This is why some of my best friends are drivers. After 14 years and 18 trips I am still not eager to drive in Jamaica. It's not that I can't, I just don't want to. Besides all the potential hassles, I am on vacation and want to get where I'm going safely regardless of how vacant I get :) If someday we are lucky enough to spend some seriously extended time there, such as in retirement, I would feel differently. But as a visitor I'll leave the driving to experienced local professionals!

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Originally Posted by Ras Walleye

This is why some of my best friends are drivers. After 14 years and 18 trips I am still not eager to drive in Jamaica. It's not that I can't, I just don't want to. Besides all the potential hassles, I am on vacation and want to get where I'm going safely regardless of vacant I get :) If someday we are lucky enough to spend some seriously extended time there, such as in retirement, I would feel differently. But as a visitor I'll leave the driving to experienced local professionals!

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I'm with you Ras! It just took me a liittle longer to learn that the risk of driving isn't worth the reward...I had a great time while it lasted!