Informatoin on Rental Car Insurance in Costa Rica
Protecting You and Your Costa Rica Rental Car
No matter where you are travelling it is recommended that any rental car you hire be covered by some form of insurance. Every car you rent from us is covered by basic insurance and that cost is already included in your daily rates. However, you may wish to purchase additional insurance to protect both you and the car during your stay in Costa Rica. Accidents happen and few extra dollars per day can keep you from having to pay insurance deductibles or other fees.
Insurance coverage on rental cars is limited, no matter which insurance option you choose. This is the same all over the world. No insurance company offers 100% coverage of a rental car.
Pick Your Car Rental Insurance Option
Mandatory Basic Insurances
- Supplementary Liability Protection - (SLP)
This mandatory insurance costs between $6.00 and $9.00 per day and provides basic coverage for accidental injury or death claimed by a third party. Terms and conditions apply.
- Third Party Liability Insurance - (TPL)
This additional insurance covers damages caused to third party property as a result of collision. This exempts the authorized driver from ALL CIVIL LIABILITY. There is a 20% deductible that is the responsibility of the renter.
Injury or death caused to third parties is covered based on the following rates:
- Injury - Up to ¢1.000.000.00 (one million colones).
Individual Death - Up to ¢40.000.000.00 (forty million colones).
Multiple Death - Up to ¢40.000.000.00 (forty million colones) per person with a max of ¢100.000.000 (one hundred million colones).
Third Party Liability Insurance does not cover damages, injury, or death that are the result of negligent driving. This includes driving through sand, water, under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Any damages caused as the result of any other violation of the rental agreement are also not covered.
CDW - (Collision Damage Waiver)
This is the most basic insurance provided for your rental car and the costs is between $5.00 and $9.00 per day and provides basic coverage. The Collision Damage Waiver covers damage to the vehicle in case of accident (Terms and Conditions apply). There is a 20% deductible on repair costs.
The Collision Damage Waiver does not cover damages as a result of negligent driving in sand, water, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and any other violations of the rental car agreement.
Supplementary “Zero Deductible” Insurance
Avoid the risk of having to pay a high deductible by choosing our supplemental insurance. For only a few extra dollars a day you can avoid a costly repair bill.
Supplemental insurance is available to renters 25 years of age or older and only on rentals of five (5) days or more.
Supplemental insurance rate schedule:
- Compact car (Sedan) $13 / day
Compact 4x4 (Terios) $15 / day
Standard 4x4 (Rav 4) $20 / day
The Supplemental “Zero Deductible” plan does NOT cover the following:
- Loss of keys, tools, or detachable radio front panel.
Accidents or damage caused to the car due to careless driving, traffic violations, driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, along areas inaccessible to cars (rivers, beaches, swamps, or similar places) or the car being driven by someone who is not authorized under the rental agreement.
Does not cover assistance or travel expenses in case of damaged tires, lost keys, dead battery, rental fees on replacement car due to accidental damage, or towing or rescue expenses.
Leaving the car in unsafe conditions or in high risk areas where car theft is prevalent.
ZERO DEDUCTIBLE does not cover 20% of damages caused to other people's property in case the customer has an at-fault accident.
Personal Accident Insurance - (PAI)
Personal Accident Insurance is an optional insurance package that covers medical expenses that arise as a result of accident while driving or riding in the rental car. The cost of this additional insurance is only $3.00 per day and covers up to ¢3.000.000 (or the equivalent amount in US dollars) of medical expenses. Medical treatment is to be performed at the facilities authorized by the Instituto Nacional de Seguros or in facilities authorized by Costa Rica Rental Car.
In the case of accidental death to the driver or passengers of the rental vehicle Personal Accident Insurance will pay up to ¢1.000.000 (or the equivalent amount in US dollars).
Credit Card Insurance for Rental Car Agreements
Many credit cards offer insurance coverage for purchases or rentals paid for with the credit card. This coverage may include everything from small dents or scratches all the way up to complete replacement of the rental car under certain conditions.
Credit card insurance coverage varies from card to card as well as from the issuing banks. Never assume that any purchase or rental that you make with your card is covered. Always verify with your credit card company the level of insurance provided.
Visit the links below for more info on VISA, MasterCard, and American Express Rental Auto Protection Plans. However, it is advised the you call your credit card customer support line (listed on the back of your credit card) and verify any and all details prior to signing any rental agreements.
MasterCard
www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/cardholderservices/index.html
American Express
https://www124.americanexpress.com/cards/
VISA
http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/benefits/bft_dmg_waiver_personal.html