Terms and Conditions

Vehicle Rental Agreement – Terms & Conditions

Introduction

Welcome to Gilbert’s Car Rental! By renting a vehicle from us, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to comply with the terms and conditions contained in this Rental Agreement.

This Agreement outlines the rental process, your responsibilities as a renter, and the conditions under which Gilbert’s Car Rental provides you with a rental vehicle.

1. Vehicle Pickup and Return

The vehicle must be picked up and returned at the agreed location and time stated in the rental agreement.

The renter is responsible for returning the vehicle on time and in substantially the same condition in which it was received. Late returns may result in additional rental charges.

2. Rental Period

The rental period begins at the agreed vehicle pickup time and ends when the vehicle is returned to Gilbert’s Car Rental and the rental has been officially concluded.

If the vehicle is kept beyond the agreed rental period, additional days or applicable charges will be billed at the prevailing rental rate.

3. Fuel Policy

The vehicle must be returned with the same level of fuel that was present when the vehicle was picked up.

If the vehicle is returned with less fuel, a $20 refuelling service fee, in addition to the cost of the missing fuel, will apply.

4. Smoking

Smoking is strictly prohibited inside all rental vehicles.

If a vehicle is returned with a noticeable smell or evidence of smoking, a $100 cleaning and deodorising fee will apply.

5. Vehicle Damage

The renter is expected to operate the vehicle responsibly and exercise reasonable care at all times.

Particular care should be taken when driving on Cat Island’s roads, including narrow roads, uneven surfaces, potholes, and areas close to the edge of the roadway.

Scratches, scuffs, scrapes, or other damage to the vehicle caused during the rental period may result in charges to the renter.

Buffing and removal of scratches or scuffs will cost $100 per affected side, plus any additional costs required for repainting, bodywork, parts, or other repairs.

6. Damaged or Flat Tyres

If you experience a flat tyre or tyre problem, pull over safely as soon as possible and contact Gilbert’s Car Rental for assistance.

Do not continue driving on a flat or severely damaged tyre, as doing so may cause additional damage to the tyre, wheel, or vehicle.

If a tyre or wheel is damaged as a result of hitting a pothole, curb, object, or other road hazard, the renter may be responsible for the cost of replacement or repair.

If a tyre is punctured by a nail, screw, or similar object and the renter stops driving immediately and contacts us so that the tyre can be safely repaired, there will generally be no charge to the renter for the puncture repair.

7. Excessive Sand and Cleaning

Cat Island is a beautiful beach destination, and we understand that some sand may naturally enter the vehicle during your rental.

However, renters are expected to make reasonable efforts to minimise the amount of sand brought into the vehicle, particularly when transporting beach chairs, coolers, children, beach equipment, or other items.

Vehicles returned excessively dirty, heavily covered in sand, or requiring extensive cleaning may be subject to a $35 excessive cleaning fee.

8. Key Fobs

Please take special care of the vehicle’s key fob during your rental.

The following charges may apply if the key fob is lost or damaged:

$100 – Service fee to provide the spare key.
$350 – Replacement key fob.

Do not take the key fob into the ocean, swimming pool, or other bodies of water.

The renter is responsible for protecting the key fob from water and other damage. Water damage or loss of the key fob may result in the applicable replacement charge.

9. Dead Battery / Jump-Start Service

Before leaving the vehicle, make sure that all lights, accessories, and electronic equipment have been turned off.

If the vehicle battery becomes discharged because of renter negligence, including leaving the lights, radio, air conditioning, or other accessories operating while the vehicle is unattended, a $50 roadside assistance/jump-start service fee will apply.

If the battery fails because of normal wear and tear or a mechanical/electrical failure unrelated to renter negligence, there will be no charge to the renter for the battery failure.

Any additional damage or battery replacement costs resulting from renter negligence will be the renter’s responsibility.

10. Missing Items

The renter is responsible for returning the vehicle with all items that were provided with the vehicle.

Missing items may include, but are not limited to:

Spare tyre
Jack and jack components
Hubcaps or wheel covers
Vehicle accessories
Cell phone charger
Other equipment supplied with the vehicle

The replacement cost of missing items may be deducted from the renter’s refundable security deposit or charged to the renter.

11. Insurance and Liability

All vehicles rented by Gilbert’s Car Rental are provided with Third Party Insurance, which is the locally available insurance coverage for rental vehicles in The Bahamas.

Third Party Insurance

Third Party Insurance provides coverage for certain damages or injuries caused to third parties, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable insurance policy.

Damage caused to the Gilbert’s Car Rental vehicle as a result of the renter’s negligence, fault, misuse, or other circumstances for which the renter is responsible remains the renter’s responsibility, subject to applicable insurance coverage and the findings of the relevant authorities.

In the event of an accident, theft, damage, or other incident, the renter must immediately notify Gilbert’s Car Rental and, where required, the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

12. Payment Terms

Rental charges are due at the time of booking or vehicle pickup unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Payment may be made using available payment methods, including credit card, debit card, bank transfer, or other approved payment methods.

A security deposit may be required before or at the time the vehicle is provided to the renter.

12b. Credit Card Authorisation

The renter must complete and sign a Credit Card Authorisation Form before the vehicle is released. The form authorises Gilbert’s Car Rental to charge the card on file for the rental charges, the security deposit, and any fees or costs that become due under this Agreement, including but not limited to refuelling, cleaning, damage, missing items, and late return charges.

The card presented must be in the name of the renter and must be presented in person at pickup, together with valid photo identification, unless otherwise agreed in writing. A vehicle will not be released until the authorisation form has been signed.

13. Authorised Drivers

Only drivers who are authorised and listed on the rental agreement may operate the vehicle.

Additional drivers must be approved by Gilbert’s Car Rental and may be subject to an additional fee.

Allowing an unauthorised person to operate the vehicle may result in additional charges and may affect applicable insurance coverage.

14. Prohibited Uses

The rental vehicle must not be used for:

Illegal activities
Racing or speed competitions
Off-road driving
Driving on beaches or through the ocean
Transporting hazardous or dangerous materials
Any commercial activity not authorised by Gilbert’s Car Rental
Any use that could reasonably cause excessive damage or abuse to the vehicle

The renter must operate the vehicle in accordance with the laws of The Bahamas at all times.

15. Damage, Loss, or Theft

The renter is responsible for the vehicle throughout the rental period.

If the vehicle is damaged, lost, stolen, abandoned, or otherwise becomes unavailable during the rental period due to the renter’s actions, negligence, misuse, or failure to comply with this Agreement, the renter may be responsible for the associated repair, recovery, replacement, or other reasonable costs, subject to applicable insurance coverage.

All accidents, damage, theft, or other incidents must be reported to Gilbert’s Car Rental immediately.

16. Cancellation and Refunds

Cancellations, refunds, deposits, and applicable cancellation charges are subject to Gilbert’s Car Rental’s current Refund and Cancellation Policy.

The applicable policy will apply to the renter’s booking based on the terms communicated at the time of booking.

17. Governing Law

This Rental Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Any dispute arising from or relating to this Agreement shall be subject to the applicable jurisdiction of the courts of The Bahamas.

18. Amendments

Gilbert’s Car Rental reserves the right to update or amend these Rental Terms and Conditions from time to time.

Any material changes applicable to a renter’s booking will be communicated before or at the time of vehicle pickup.

The renter’s continued use of the rental vehicle constitutes acceptance of the applicable Rental Agreement and its terms.

Contact Information

If you have questions regarding this Rental Agreement or your vehicle rental, please contact Gilbert’s Car Rental:

Gilbert’s Car Rental
Address: New Bight, Cat Island, The Bahamas
Email: awgilbert1989@gmail.com
Telephone: +1 (242) 342-3011
Cell / WhatsApp: +1 (242) 474-1050