Rent a car?

[Mike_D]

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.

[Ly Shell]

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.

[negrilmon]

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...

[Ly Shell]

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....

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

[negrilmon]

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...

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!

[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)

[negrilmon]

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

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!

[negrilmon]

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)

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!

[Rambo]

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

[Rob]

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!

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!