WELCOME The deposit is the first thing a traveller worries about when renting a car, and it is also the thing rental companies explain least. Here are the essentials, before you book.
How the deposit works
A rental car spends the year passing between dozens of drivers, on roads they are seeing for the first time. The deposit is not a sign of mistrust: it is what allows a recent car to be handed to every customer without passing the risk on to everyone's prices.
It is settled before you arrive, online or remotely, on a credit card in the main driver's name. The method that applies to your rental is confirmed to you before you commit. Everything is done in advance: on the day you collect the car, there is nothing left to settle on that front.
It is released 24 hours after the car is returned. After that it is your bank's decision: depending on the institution, the funds reappear in your account within a few days. That part is outside our control.
You will need a credit card in the main driver's name, with a limit high enough to carry the deposit. That is the thing to check before you travel.
Not accepted for the deposit: American Express, Nickel and Visa Electron cards, cheques and cash.
Deposit and excess: the difference
The deposit is the sum held as security during the rental. The excess is the maximum amount that would remain payable by you in the event of damage. They are two separate things, and they are not added together.
Our two packages
Essential cover is included in all our rates, at no extra charge. It covers collision damage to the car, third-party liability — damage caused to others — and the people travelling in the car.
Do take photos and a video of the car before you drive off: what is recorded at the start cannot be held against you on return.
The Sérénité + package, optional at €8 a day, reduces both the deposit and the excess. Over a week's rental, it is the price of one lunch for peace of mind.
| Current amounts | Essential cover | Sérénité + |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Included — €0 | €8 / day |
| Deposit | €800 | €600 |
| Excess | up to €1,300 | up to €700 |
| Glass damage excess | up to €350 | up to €190 |
The excess that applies is set by the insurer according to the nature of the claim — accident, vandalism, glass damage, theft. The full conditions are in our terms and conditions (in French).
All-inclusive price, cover included, live availability.
Check availability & pricesCan you rent a car in Martinique without a deposit?
It is a common search. A deposit is part of how car rental works: it is what allows a recent car to be handed to every customer without passing the risk on to everyone's prices. In one form or another, it exists in every rental.
What you can do is reduce the amount — that is exactly what the Sérénité + package is for, bringing the deposit down from €800 to €600 and lowering the excess.
Cancelling and moving your booking
Cancellation is free and fully refunded up to 7 days before collection. After that the booking is no longer refundable, unless the late-cancellation option was taken.
Something unexpected does not always mean cancelling: moving your booking to later dates is included in every package. The price is then adjusted to the rates in force for the new dates.
What you need to rent
- A valid driving licence held for at least 3 years.
- Photo ID — identity card or passport.
- A credit card in the driver's name.
- Minimum age 23.
A question this page does not answer? Write to us at contact@welcomerent.fr or on WhatsApp. We answer personally, in English, before and during your stay.