Question 1

What do I need to rent a car from Ocean Elite?

Accepted Answer

You need a valid driving licence: an original, physical copy issued by your home country, held for at least one year. Licences in non-Latin scripts must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP). You also need a valid passport or government-issued photo ID for all renters and additional drivers, a payment method in the primary renter's name (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or cash), and your booking confirmation. No security deposit is required if paying by credit card; a deposit applies only for cash payments.

Question 2

Can I rent a car if I am under 25?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can rent from the age of 21. Drivers between 21 and 24 pay a Young Driver Surcharge of USD $10 per day, an industry-standard fee required by insurance underwriters, charged at pickup for the full rental period. All other terms, vehicle selection, and coverage options remain the same. Drivers must still have held their licence for at least one full year.

Question 3

Can I add an additional driver to my rental?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for USD $5 per day per extra driver. The additional driver must be present at pickup with their original driving licence and passport, meet the same minimum age (21) and one-year licence experience requirement, and be formally registered on the Rental Agreement before driving. Anyone driving without being listed on the agreement has no insurance coverage, and the primary renter becomes personally liable for all costs.

Question 4

How does airport pickup work at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM)?

Accepted Answer

After landing and clearing customs, look for an Ocean Elite representative in the arrivals area holding a sign with your name. After confirming booking details, you'll be escorted to our nearby vehicle lot where your car will be clean, fuelled, and ready. A vehicle walkthrough and orientation covering fuel type, controls, and local tips takes about 10-15 minutes, and then you're on the road. We monitor flight arrivals and account for customs time; save our contact number in case of flight delays or diversions.

Question 5

Do you offer hotel drop-off and pickup services?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer hotel and villa delivery and collection across Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin, including Maho, Simpson Bay, Mullet Bay, Cupecoy, and Dawn Beach. A delivery/collection fee applies depending on location and time of day, with early-morning and late-evening deliveries carrying a slightly higher surcharge, quoted at time of booking. When booking, provide your hotel or villa's full name and address, preferred delivery time with a 30-minute window, and a local contact number.

Question 6

What kind of insurance coverage do you offer?

Accepted Answer

All rentals include Third-Party Liability (TPL) insurance as required by Sint Maarten law, at no additional cost, covering injury and damage to others if you're at fault. It does not cover damage to the rental vehicle itself. Two optional Collision Damage Waiver tiers are available: Standard CDW at USD $15/day, reducing liability to a maximum excess of USD $500, or Full CDW (Zero Excess) at USD $25/day, eliminating financial liability for accidental vehicle damage entirely. CDW does not cover damage from DUI, off-road driving, negligent tyre/rim damage, lost keys, or breach of rental terms.

Question 7

Do you accept US or Canadian auto insurance, or credit card rental coverage?

Accepted Answer

Most US and Canadian personal auto policies do not extend to international rentals in the Caribbean; confirm with your insurer before travel. Many premium credit cards offer rental coverage as a cardholder benefit, but coverage varies by card and issuer. Verify with your card provider whether coverage applies in Sint Maarten, whether it's primary or secondary coverage, the maximum coverage amount, and whether it covers loss-of-use charges. A security deposit is only required for cash payments; if relying on credit card insurance, you may need to pay for damage upfront and claim reimbursement from your card issuer.

Question 8

Is a security deposit required, and when do I get it back?

Accepted Answer

No deposit is required if paying by credit card. A deposit is only taken for cash payments: a flat USD $500 for all vehicle categories, held as a refundable cash security deposit at pickup. It's returned in full at drop-off if the vehicle is returned in good condition with a full tank and no outstanding charges; otherwise, relevant charges are deducted before the remainder is returned. Paying by credit card avoids the deposit entirely.

Question 9

Can I drive the rental car to the French side of the island (Saint-Martin)?

Accepted Answer

Yes, crossing from Sint Maarten to Saint-Martin is fully permitted, with no passport checks or customs declarations for most nationalities. Insurance coverage, including any purchased CDW, remains valid island-wide. The French side uses kilometres per hour (50 km/h in towns, 70 km/h on open roads) and follows French road law, including roundabout priority rules. Carry your Rental Agreement and ID when driving on the French side. Taking the vehicle to Anguilla, St. Barths, or any other island by ferry or boat is strictly prohibited and voids all coverage.

Question 10

What should I do if I get into an accident or the car breaks down?

Accepted Answer

In an accident: move the vehicle out of traffic if safe and turn on hazard lights, call Sint Maarten Police at +1 (721) 542-2222 for a police report (required for insurance claims), exchange information and photograph the scene, then call Ocean Elite immediately at +1 721-584-8890 or +1 721-554-7772 without admitting liability. For a breakdown, call us directly; we'll arrange roadside assistance and a replacement vehicle if needed. Do not authorise third-party repairs without speaking to us first, as unauthorised repair costs are not reimbursed.

Question 11

What is your fuel policy?

Accepted Answer

We operate a Full-to-Full policy: the vehicle is collected with a full tank and should be returned with a full tank. Returning with less than full results in refuelling on your behalf, charged at local pump price plus a USD $20 service and convenience fee. Fuel type and cap location are shown during vehicle orientation at pickup; putting the wrong fuel in the vehicle causes serious engine damage and is not covered by CDW. If misfuelled, do not start the engine and call us immediately for safe recovery.

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