Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

By accessing or using the website at empirerentcar.com (the “Platform”) or completing a vehicle reservation, you (“Renter”, “you”, “your”) agree to be legally bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”), our Privacy Policy, and all applicable laws and regulations of the Dominican Republic.

If you do not agree with any provision of these Terms, you must discontinue use of the Platform immediately. These Terms constitute a binding agreement between you and Empire Cars (“Company”, “we”, “us”, “our”), a car rental business operating in Sosua, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

2. Eligibility & Driver Requirements

To rent a vehicle from Empire Cars, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 21 years of age at the time of pickup.
• Hold a valid, full driving licence issued at least 2 years prior to the rental date.
• Present a valid passport or government-issued photo ID at pickup.
• If your licence is not issued in English or Spanish, you must also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP).
• Present the payment card used to complete the booking at the time of pickup.

Failure to present any of the above documents at the time of vehicle collection will result in the vehicle not being released and no refund will be issued.

3. Reservations & Pricing

• All reservations are confirmed only upon successful payment through our secure checkout (powered by Stripe).
• Prices displayed on the Platform include the base daily rental rate. Applicable taxes, optional insurance, and delivery fees are itemised separately at checkout.
• All prices are displayed and charged in US Dollars (USD). Your bank may apply its own currency conversion fees if you are paying from a non-USD account.
• You will receive a confirmation email containing your booking reference number, rental summary, and pickup instructions. Please retain this for your records.
• We reserve the right to correct obvious pricing errors. If a material error is discovered after payment, we will contact you to confirm or cancel the booking, offering a full refund if you choose not to proceed.
• Quoted prices are valid only at the time of booking. We do not retrospectively honour expired promotional rates.

4. Cancellation & Refund Policy

Cancellation charges are determined by the time remaining before the scheduled pickup:

• To request a cancellation, email nicolas@cometsports.co.uk with your booking reference number.
• Approved refunds are processed back to the original payment method within 5–10 business days.
• If Empire Cars cancels a booking due to vehicle unavailability or force majeure, you will receive a full refund or the option to rebook at no additional cost.

5. Vehicle Pickup & Return

• Vehicles are available for pickup during our operating hours: Monday–Sunday, 08:00–20:00 (AST).
• If airport or hotel delivery has been selected at checkout, our team will contact you prior to your arrival to confirm the handoff time and location.
• A vehicle condition report will be completed jointly at the time of pickup. Both parties must acknowledge and sign the report. You are encouraged to take photographs of the vehicle before departing.
• Vehicles must be returned at the agreed date, time, and location. A grace period of 1 hour is permitted. Beyond that, an additional full-day charge will apply.
• We are not responsible for delays caused by flight cancellations, traffic, adverse weather, or other circumstances beyond our control.

6. Fuel Policy

Vehicles are provided with a specific fuel level recorded at pickup. You must return the vehicle with the same fuel level. If the vehicle is returned with less fuel than at pickup, a refuelling charge will apply based on local fuel prices plus a service fee of $15 USD.

7. Vehicle Use & Restrictions

During the rental period, the following rules apply to all renters:

• Only the named renter (and any pre-approved additional drivers) may operate the vehicle.
• Vehicles must not be driven off-road unless the specific vehicle was rented with explicit off-road permission.
• Smoking inside the vehicle is strictly prohibited. A cleaning fee of $150 USD will be charged for violations.
• Vehicles may not be taken outside the Dominican Republic under any circumstances.
• Vehicles may not be used for commercial purposes, racing, towing, or transporting hazardous materials.
• The renter is responsible for all traffic fines, toll charges, and parking violations incurred during the rental period.
• Pets are permitted only with prior written approval. An additional cleaning fee may apply.
• The renter must comply with all traffic laws of the Dominican Republic at all times.

8. Insurance & Damage Liability

Basic third-party liability is included with every rental. Optional Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) coverage is available at checkout and is strongly recommended.

• Without CDW: The renter is fully responsible for the cost of repairs or replacement for any damage, loss, or theft during the rental period, up to the full market value of the vehicle.
• With CDW: The renter’s liability is reduced to the stated excess amount shown at checkout. CDW does not cover damage to tyres, windscreen, undercarriage, interior, or loss of keys.
• All accidents, damage, or theft must be reported to Empire Cars immediately by phone or WhatsApp. A police report must be filed for all incidents involving third parties.
• Insurance does not cover damage resulting from negligence, intoxication, reckless driving, or use of the vehicle in violation of these Terms.

9. Security Deposit

A security deposit may be required at the time of pickup, depending on the vehicle category. The deposit amount will be communicated prior to pickup. The deposit is held as a pre-authorisation on your card and released within 7–14 business days after the vehicle is returned in satisfactory condition. The deposit may be used to cover unpaid fines, fuel shortages, damage, or excessive cleaning requirements.

10. Breakdowns & Roadside Assistance

In the event of a mechanical breakdown that is not caused by driver negligence, Empire Cars will arrange a replacement vehicle or repair at no additional charge. Contact us immediately by phone or WhatsApp. We are not liable for indirect losses, missed flights, accommodation costs, or any consequential damages arising from breakdowns or delays.

11. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Empire Cars shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising out of or in connection with your rental. Our total aggregate liability shall not exceed the total rental amount paid for the booking in question. Empire Cars is not responsible for personal belongings left in the vehicle.

12. Intellectual Property

All content on the Platform — including text, graphics, logos, images, and software — is the property of Empire Cars or its licensors and is protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from any content without our prior written consent.

13. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Dominican Republic. Any dispute arising out of these Terms or your use of our services shall first be addressed through good-faith negotiation. If unresolved within 30 days, the dispute shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.

14. Modifications to These Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be reflected by updating the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. Your continued use of the Platform or services after such changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

15. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding these Terms of Service, please contact us:

• Email: nicolas@cometsports.co.uk
• WhatsApp: +1(849) 536-0261
• Business hours: Monday–Sunday, 08:00–20:00 (AST)