Absolutely, you can rent with us from the age of 21. There's no need to wait until 25.

If you're between 21 and 24, a Young Driver Surcharge of USD $10 per day applies. This is an industry-standard fee that reflects the higher statistical risk associated with younger drivers, and it's required by our insurance underwriters. It's charged at pickup and covers your full rental period.

Everything else (the vehicle selection, the service, the coverage options) is exactly the same. Many of our most enthusiastic customers are in their early twenties exploring the island for the first time, and we love making that experience smooth and memorable.

Yes, and we strongly encourage it for couples or groups sharing driving duties on a longer trip. Adding an additional driver is simple and costs USD $5 per day per extra driver.

The additional driver must:

• Be present at the time of pickup to show their original driving licence and passport;
• Meet the same minimum age requirement (21 years) and licence experience requirement (held for at least one year);
• Be formally registered on the Rental Agreement before getting behind the wheel.

This matters more than it might seem: anyone who drives the vehicle without being listed on the agreement is doing so without any insurance coverage. If anything happens, the primary renter becomes personally liable for all costs. It's worth the five dollars.

We know that after a long flight the last thing you want is confusion. Here's exactly how it works, step by step:

Yes, we offer hotel and villa delivery and collection across Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin. If you're staying at a resort in Maho, Simpson Bay, Mullet Bay, Cupecoy, Dawn Beach, or anywhere else on the island, we can bring the car to you and collect it at the end of your stay.

A delivery/collection fee applies depending on your location and the time of day. Early-morning and late-evening deliveries may carry a slightly higher surcharge. Exact fees are quoted at the time of booking.

When booking hotel delivery, please provide:

• The full name and address of your hotel or villa;
• Your preferred delivery time (allow a 30-minute window);
• A local contact number or the front desk number so our driver can reach you on arrival.

All of our rentals include Third-Party Liability (TPL) insurance as required by Sint Maarten law, at no additional cost. TPL covers bodily injury and property damage caused to other people or vehicles if you're at fault in an accident. It does not cover damage to the Ocean Elite vehicle itself.

To protect yourself from out-of-pocket costs for damage to your rental, we offer two optional tiers of Collision Damage Waiver (CDW):

• Standard CDW (USD $15/day): reduces your financial liability for accidental vehicle damage to a maximum excess of USD $500. Think of it as a meaningful safety net.
• Full CDW (Zero Excess), USD $25/day: eliminates your financial liability for accidental vehicle damage entirely. If something happens, you're covered with nothing further to pay on the damage itself.

CDW does not cover damage caused by DUI, off-road driving, tyre or rim damage from negligent driving, lost keys, or any breach of the rental terms. We're always transparent about what's included. If you have a specific scenario in mind, just ask us at pickup.

Great question. It's one we get a lot from North American visitors.

US and Canadian personal auto insurance: most US and Canadian personal auto policies do not extend coverage to international rentals, particularly in the Caribbean. We strongly recommend calling your insurer before your trip to confirm. Do not assume you're covered, so get it in writing from your provider.

Credit card rental insurance: many premium Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards offer some form of rental car coverage as a cardholder benefit. However, this coverage varies enormously by card and issuer. Key things to verify with your card provider before declining our CDW:

• Does the coverage apply to rentals in Sint Maarten / the Dutch Caribbean?
• Is it primary coverage (pays first) or secondary (only pays what your personal insurance doesn't)?
• What is the maximum coverage amount, and does it cover the full value of the vehicle?
• Does it cover loss-of-use charges (our daily rate while the car is being repaired)?

It depends on how you pay. If you pay by credit card, no security deposit is required at all. A security deposit is only taken when you choose to pay for your rental in cash.

When a deposit does apply (cash payments), it is a flat USD $500 for all vehicles, regardless of category. It is held as a refundable cash security deposit at pickup, not a charge against the rental itself.

When is the deposit returned?

• Once you return the vehicle in good condition, with a full tank of fuel, and with no outstanding charges, we refund the full $500 cash deposit to you on the spot.
• If there are charges to recover (damage, fuel shortfall, a traffic fine), the relevant amount is deducted and only the remainder of the deposit is returned to you.
• Paying by credit card avoids the deposit entirely, so if you'd rather not tie up $500 in cash, simply pay by card.

Yes, and honestly, you should. The French side has some of the most beautiful beaches and restaurants on the island. Crossing from the Dutch side (Sint Maarten) to the French side (Saint-Martin) is completely permitted in your Ocean Elite vehicle.

The border is open and relaxed. There are no passport checks or customs declarations for most nationalities when crossing between the two sides. You'll barely notice you've entered a different jurisdiction.

A few things to keep in mind when driving on the French side:

• Your insurance coverage, including any CDW you've purchased, remains valid on Saint-Martin. You are covered island-wide.
• Speed limits and road signs on the French side are in kilometres per hour (km/h), not miles per hour. The main speed limit is 50 km/h in towns and 70 km/h on open roads.
• Traffic rules are governed by French road law on the French side. Roundabout priority rules apply, so vehicles already in the roundabout have right of way.
• Carry your Rental Agreement and passport/ID when driving on the French side.

First, stay calm. These situations are rare, but we make sure you're never stranded or without support. Here's what to do:

In the event of an accident:

In the event of a breakdown:

Call us directly. If the breakdown is due to a mechanical fault, we will arrange roadside assistance and, if needed, a replacement vehicle. We're a local company. We know every corner of this island and we'll get to you quickly. Please do not authorise any third-party repairs without speaking to us first, as unauthorised repair costs cannot be reimbursed.

We operate a straightforward Full-to-Full policy: your vehicle is collected with a full tank, and we ask that you return it with a full tank. Simple and fair.

If you return the vehicle with less than a full tank, we'll refuel it on your behalf and charge you for the fuel used at the local pump price, plus a USD $20 service and convenience fee. It's always cheaper to fill up yourself at one of the petrol stations near the airport or in Philipsburg before returning the car.

A note on fuel type: your vehicle's fuel type (petrol or diesel) and the fuel cap location are shown in your vehicle orientation at pickup. Please double-check before filling up. Putting the wrong fuel in the vehicle causes serious engine damage and is not covered by CDW. If you ever accidentally misfuel, do not start the engine. Call us immediately and we'll arrange safe recovery.