/I was told that insurance ($80) is now mandatory on car rentals in SXM. We've never paid that before and have been coming for almost 20 years now - didn't pay it last year. We always had traveller's protection with AMEX. Am also hearing that the car companies don't accept AMEX anymore as payment. Anyone know if this is true? Thanks.

Amex is still accepted although most Amex cards do not provide extra liability insurance or collision coverage. Certain credit cards will cover collision coverage outside the US but most will not. I suggest you use a rental car company where you can purchase unlimited liability insurance because your auto policy will not cover accidents in St. Maarten.

Bruce,

As late as November/December 2010 we used our Amex card on SXM for our car rental, and while you're correct that almost no cards, at least none that I'm aware of, cover liability on the island, we do have full first dollar liability coverage with our Amex. I'm sure there must be different levels of coverage that go with different cards and beyond that, special coverages that can be purchased above and beyond the norm which I think is what we have, but we had no problem using the Amex there. Absolutely right, though, IMO everyone should check with their carriers at home to know for a fact what their coverage is and likewise, they should check with their credit card companies for the same purposes.

Respectfully,

pat