Decoding Car Rental Insurance in Costa Rica: Essential Insights for Travelers.
Costa Rica car rental insurance is a big issue when you rent cars in this country because all companies have different policy rates and sale goals.
So how do you make a sound purchasing decision when renting a vehicle in Costa Rica?
As customers, how can you budget well your trip with car rental services not having an idea of what the final bill is going to be?
It is recommendable adding between 130 to 170% on top of time and mileage quotes. Lastly, go directly to the local websites to read their Costa Rica local policies and avoid a negative car rental experience on your vacation.
Costa Rica Insurance Policies
Costa Rica car rental insurance policies and waivers offered by local companies at airport pick-up locations are:
CDW /LDW (Collision and Loss damage waiver) establishes a security deposit ($750-$2500) that limits the customer’s responsibility to cover damages to the vehicle.
It is usually an optional feature when clients have it on credit cards. CDW may be declined when Gold and Platinum credit cards provide primary insurance coverage (Amex, Visa, and Mastercard insurance programs).
A security deposit may be higher since the credit card used is responsible for the whole vehicle.
This does not mean that local car rentals work with outside insurance dealers but facilitates the user to recover from damage charges at home.
Written documentation must be provided to decline it otherwise, it will be mandatory.
Please bring a letter from your bank where it proves it. The actual CDW policy will vary in rates among national agencies so find out how much it is to budget well your car rental service.
The collision daily fee may go from $5 to $ 15 per day depending on the vehicle.
Liability Car Rental Insurance Costa Rica
Liability Car Rental Insurance can be found as ALI/TPL/SLI meaning third-party liability coverage.
Third-party insurance is a MANDATORY rental coverage that protects the renter against claims made by third parties.
Car Rental companies cover themselves through INS with this insurance policy to avoid civil responsibility in court. Therefore Agencies pass this responsibility onto any customer renting a vehicle.
Customer driving behavior can be liable to court, so credit cards do not mess around with this.
The Liability insurance daily fee may go from $15 to $25 per day. Liability or civil responsibility is not covered by any credit card insurance benefit programs.
Costa Rica Trips with Zero Deductible Coverage
The Zero Deductible Coverage is optional and reduces responsibility when combined with liability and collision.
For customers who want to travel worry-free, full insurance coverage is available partially and in full by some companies. The insurance fee may go from $10 to $25 per day.
The only Costa Rica car rental insurance policy accepted through credit card holders is the collision if you provide proper written documentation.
