Planning to rent a car in Jamaica? Renting a car will give you the freedom to get off the beaten tourist path. By planning ahead and following a few key tips, you’ll likely save yourself a lot of stress later. Here are some special considerations to keep in mind:
Essential Tips for Renting a Car in Jamaica
Book from home.
Don’t wait until you get to Jamaica to rent a vehicle. It will be cheaper to book your car from the United States before you go. The further ahead you reserve your car, the better the chance of landing a deal because you can watch out for price drops.
You do not need an International Driving Permit.
U.S. residents do not need to get an International Driving Permit to drive in Jamaica. All you need is a valid state-issued driver’s license to rent a car for up to three months.
You’ll drive on the left.
Jamaica is one of a minority of countries where people drive on the left.
Pay for the rental in Jamaican dollars.
You may have the option to pay for the rental in U.S. dollars, but this option will cost you more in the long run. Pay in the local currency to avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion fees. If you opt to pay in U.S. dollars, the rental car company converts the purchase amount from the local currency on your behalf. But this process is entirely unnecessary, since your credit card company will process the transaction in either currency, and you will pay through the nose for the non-convenience.
Automatic transmissions are easy to find.
No need to worry about driving with a stick shift if you’re not used to it. Major rental car companies offer vehicles with automatic transmissions in many car categories.
Double check your credit card coverage.
You’re not required to buy car rental insurance in Jamaica as long as you’re covered by your credit card benefits. Before you leave for Jamaica, contact your credit card company to see what coverage it offers on car rentals in Jamaica. When in doubt, it’s better—though pricier—to be safe than sorry.
Inspect the car carefully before driving it off the lot.
Make sure to protect yourself from potential false damage claims by carefully look over your car before taking it for a spin. Document every nick, scratch or dent. Your smartphone will come in handy for taking photos of any imperfections to ensure you won’t have to pay for them later. Narrow, winding roads in Spain’s small towns are notorious for leaving cars a little banged up, so you’ll want to make sure you aren’t blamed for any dings left by previous renters.
Don’t wander too far off the grid.
Cell phone coverage may not be available in all parts of the country, so map your route ahead of time so you won’t get lost.
Be prepared for rougher roads.
Jamaica has an older and more poorly-funded infrastructure than many other countries. Even streets in busy urban areas are prone to potholes and overcrowded lanes, and the island has many rural and beach backroads. Be prepared to drive on gravel, dirt, sand, and generally less-maintained travelways. Also, be forewarned that any damage this causes to your vehicle will be charged back to you—so drive carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent car in the US from another country?
You cannot rent a car in the United States if you aren’t an American citizen. This may include waivers for certain countries. Additionally, you will need to have valid documentation like a passport and proof that you are insured. This topic is further covered on the DHS site.
What is required to rent an automobile in Europe?
Check out several websites to find an affordable car rental in Europe. Also, you should consider booking online.
You must ensure that you have all of the necessary information before renting a vehicle, and this includes but is not limited to:
- Your full name, including any middle names (if applicable)
- The address at which you are staying
- Date, time & location of pickup
- Rent a vehicle by making & model
- Insurance company and policy number
- Any special requests for additional equipment
- Details of the rental agreement, such as duration, rate, deposit and balance due at the conclusion of the trip, excess charges or limits of liability and cancellation penalties, are included.
- Payment method(s), credit card, debit card cash, personal cheque or cash
Once you have all of the information above, you can book your vehicle at one of these companies.
Which company is the largest in car rental?
The largest car rental company in America is Hertz Corporation. Harry Hertz founded the Hertz Corporation in 1919.
Hertz Corporation has more than 6,000 locations around North America and Europe. The company also owns other businesses such as hotels, financial services and automobile parts manufacturing.
Today, the company has almost 4 million employees worldwide.
Statistics
- American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport. (nerdwallet.com)
- For canceled trips two days or shorter, a guest is charged 50% of one day’s trip cost. (insider.com)
- Automatics are more expensive (usually about 50 percent more) and may only be available if you upgrade to a bigger, pricier car. (ricksteves.com)
- For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 3 percent cash back on purchases at U.S. gas stations (terms apply), and the Citi Premier® Card earns three points per dollar at gas stations, too. (afar.com)
- You can rent an automatic but these cars can cost as much as 50% more than a manual vehicle. (earthtrekkers.com)
External Links
enterprise.com
autoslash.com
avis.com
kayak.com
How To
12 Things You Should Know about Renting a Car in Europe
What are my top tips for renting a car to travel in Europe?
Before you rent a car in Europe there are some things you need to know. The type of rental car that you choose will have a huge impact on your experience. These are some must-know tips that will ensure your trip is smooth.
- Your insurance policy. Before hitting the road, ensure your auto insurance covers travel outside your home country. Find cheap car insurance abroad with our guide.
- The correct documents. You will need a driver’s permit from your home country as well as several identification cards (passports and visas). To prove your identity and whereabouts. It is best to have all the documents you need in order to meet any deadlines.
- Road Rules. Follow local traffic laws and pay attention to signs indicating speed limits, one-way streets, and pedestrian crossings. Driving in an unspecified country can result in accidents and fines.
- Parking rules. Many cities require drivers only to park in designated areas. Before arriving in town, be sure to review parking regulations.
- Gasoline. Gasoline. Although gas prices are subject to change depending on the country and location, they are generally three times higher than those back home.
- Insurance requirements. For rentals older than three years, some countries require additional liability coverage. Get more information from your rental company.
- GPS navigation systems. These GPS navigation systems are growing in popularity among travelers. However, if you don’t know how to use them properly, you can bring along a map with you and ask for directions.
- Radio stations. Radio stations in your area might play music you don’t like. To change the frequency from English, press “0”.
- Seatbelts. European countries make seat belts mandatory.
- Road tolls All across Europe, road tolls are quite common. Most can be paid at meters at major intersections.
- Speeding tickets. Large areas of Europe prohibit speeding, including Germany and Austria, Switzerland, Italy and France.
- Tipping. Tipping isn’t as expected in Europe than in North America. Tipping isn’t customary anywhere in the world anymore. Instead, try giving a round number like 10% – 15%.
