usvi-on-line
insurance on car rental
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martini girl
- Posts: 329
- Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2006 4:29 pm
- Location: Pennsylvania
insurance on car rental
As this will be our first trip to St. John and subsequent first time renting a vehicle outside of the continental U.S., I'm curious as to whether the rental agency offers car insurance on the rental and do people purchase it?
My personal auto policy at home does cover rentals, which is why we typically decline the rental insurance, however, the personal policy changes a bit on the coverage once you are off the "mainland" as they put it. The coverage changes from replacement to actual cash value, which could be quite a gap if we are given a newer vehicle to rent and then damage it.
If you purchase it, is it expensive? Just curious and also want to be prepared.
My personal auto policy at home does cover rentals, which is why we typically decline the rental insurance, however, the personal policy changes a bit on the coverage once you are off the "mainland" as they put it. The coverage changes from replacement to actual cash value, which could be quite a gap if we are given a newer vehicle to rent and then damage it.
If you purchase it, is it expensive? Just curious and also want to be prepared.
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California Girl
I don't know if this is true for all rental agencies/insurance companies, but I asked once and was told that although my personal car insurance would cover any damage to the vehicle, I would be responsible for paying for the rental car the entire time it was out of the "fleet" and in the shop being repaired, and insurance doesn't cover that. That's definitely something to consider when you throw "island time" into the mix! 
cost of insurance
I believe St. John Car Rental charges $12 per day if you elect to take the insurance.
My advice is to take out the insurance!!
Both times in St. Thomas/St. John using a rental car, it was hit!
First time 2yr's ago on St. Thomas it was backed into while at Duffy's.
Then this time last month.....
1st while at Megan's bay parked right next to the bathroom where all the taxi's go around, we came off the beach to see someone had backed into the car... then while parked in a lot on St. John, came back in the evening to see a dent on the hood & off course the lot attendant had NO idea whre it came from!
Take out the insurance!
Both times in St. Thomas/St. John using a rental car, it was hit!
First time 2yr's ago on St. Thomas it was backed into while at Duffy's.
Then this time last month.....
1st while at Megan's bay parked right next to the bathroom where all the taxi's go around, we came off the beach to see someone had backed into the car... then while parked in a lot on St. John, came back in the evening to see a dent on the hood & off course the lot attendant had NO idea whre it came from!
Take out the insurance!