Local companies may have better deals on the first sight, but when you get down to the details, you will find a lot of disadvantages like follows:
- apart from any insurance you sign you may find often the sentence: that you may be reliable to any damage, accident whatsoever and have to deposit the full amount of repair instantly!
- The cars may not be as new as you may be used to in the US or whereever and some vehicles have hidden technical problems which could be hazzardus driving the vehicle!
There was an article in a german TV regarding car rental in the DR with those wild privat companies and people - let's say it was a mess: out of 6 cars 5 had serious technical defects (one streethole and the wheel is off!), while others had very unfavorable contracts to the client and insurance coverage? - forget it!
So my advice to you - get a car from a good recognized company like Hertz, Avis, National and enjoy your vacation - there is not enough time for you to waste hassling on cars or having problems giving the car back and beeing charged for damages you did not do! (The maximum charge on accidents with reliable companies is RD$ 5000.-, about USD 303.- and thats it, no more!)
Enjoy your vacation!
Henry
