Shipping a jeep to stt for personal use and to rent it out weekly to guests at our airbnb

Most of the local companies will have very similar pricing for auto insurance.  You will need to get a business license for renting it and the insurance company might need the business license before they give you insurance.  You will have to pay the taxes for renting (Form 724 I think) and also gross receipts, income tax etc. I use Theodore Tunik for my business auto.  Caribbean Risk for general business liability.  

Personally, I’d simply make sure the insurance covers anyone driving the Jeep, just like your homeowners insurance covers guests, and say to your rental guests that they are welcome to use the Jeep, with appropriate age restrictions, if they choose.

Setting up a separate Jeep rental business seems overly complex and hardly worth the hassle.  To me the Jeep is simply one of the assets of the property, like a pool or a paddle board.  It’s standard and built into the property rental fee.  I have to believe 90% of your tenants will want a Jeep anyway.

We have family, relatives and friends visit all the time and they will use one of our two Jeeps without us in the vehicle frequently.  Even if we happen to be off island.

@jaldeborgh that was my first though too because I dislike paying insurance premiums.

But, if the insurance company discovers that the Jeep was used as a rental, they may refuse to pay a claim.

Of course, if someone was seriously injured, the lawyers would be all over that.

The risk of an accident is much greater in the VI; people not accustomed to driving on the left, drinking and driving is legal, horrible roads.

Just a thought.

@jaldeborgh make sense, thanks. It does seem overly complex to set up a separate jeep rental business. I’ll look into renting it out as an extra with the house. But insurance does seem tricky. Hmmmm 🤔 if they have insurance and sign forms along with the house rental, their insurance would cover any accidents though, correct?

Posted by: @beachbumlife

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Hmmmm 🤔 if they have insurance and sign forms along with the house rental, their insurance would cover any accidents though, correct?

You better speak with an attorney. The VI is a very litigious society. You should never assume someone else's insurance will cover your risk.

Every insurance company I have used here makes you list all the authorized drivers on your policy.   I once had a lady in a rental jeep hit and damage my car.  Police were called.  Report was filed.   The rental company’s insurance company wouldn’t pay.  Said the driver had to pay.  My insurance company confirmed that.  The lady left island and refuses to answer my calls.  So I agree.  Don’t assume anything.  

For rental vehicles, yes, all drivers must be listed, the rental companies are always very specific on that point.  For personal vehicles I believe occasional drivers are covered.  For example if you lend your car to a neighbor, I’m under the impression the insurance is in force.  I’m very confident that’s true in Massachusetts, I’d have to check for the USVI.  I’ve let relatives and friends drive our local cars on a number of occasions.  The insurance is on the vehicle, not the driver.  There may be limitations on the policy around minimum age or something else, but that’s clearly spelled out.