automobile

I.N.S.  AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE

This is an extract. Please read the entire policy to get the full picture (spanish version only). Following are the coverages available. Within certain rules, you can select the coverages you need and pay for the ones you get.

COVERAGES

A ‑ PERSONAL LIABILITY.  Covers liability established by the Courts as a result of death or injury caused by an accident for which the driver of your vehicle was guilty.  Does not cover injury or death of family or employees of the policy holder or driver.

C ‑ PROPERTY DAMAGE. Covers damage to property (car, house, etc.) belonging to third parties, if the accident was the fault of the driver of your vehicle. 

D – COLLISION.  Pays for the repair of your vehicle in case of collision or overturning if the accident was
your driver’s fault, or if the other vehicle has no insurance and the owner cannot pay.

F – THEFT. Covers total theft of the vehicle. If car is recovered, policy pays for damage and missing parts. Does not cover non‑factory accessories or personal items stolen from the vehicle.

G – ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE and/or towing for accidents, flats, batteries, lock-outs, lack of fuel, mechanical failure, etc. Coverage is only available for cars and pickups for personal use, less than 16 years old. Free if you buy D. Comes into effect one month after policy purchase.)

H ‑ ADDITIONAL RISKS. Covers damage resulting from fire, floods, wind, hurricanes, earthquakes, landslides, vandalism, explosions, collision with birds, falling objects, accidents within parking lots or private property,  etc.

K-   REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. Wth INS’s prior authorization, policy holder can to rent a sedan while the insured vehicle is being repaired. Coverage is only for cars and pickups for personal use, less than 16 years old.

P or B – MEDICAL SERVICES.  Covers driver and family (up to third degree) riding within the insured vehicle and injured in a motor accident where the insured vehicle was damaged. Coverage B – treatment is provided at INS clinics. Coverage P - policy holder has the option to select the medical services provider.

OTHER THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

LICENSE.  Anyone with a valid license can drive. “Valid” means a Costa Rican license, or a foreign or international license if the driver last entered the country less than 90 days ago and is 18 or over.

OBLIGATORY.  This is NOT the “obligatory insurance”: it is optional, so nobody has authority to request to see your policy.  But carry your policy number - it helps if you have an accident.

INSPECTIONS.  New insurance or changes in coverage require signatures, an inspection, and photos.

OWNERSHIP.  Insurance should be in the name of the legal owner of the car. One policy for each car. If you change vehicles you can put your new car on the old policy. If you sell a car and will not replace it, you can sign a letter to INS requesting cancellation of the policy, and INS will process a partial refund.

INSURED VALUE. Cars should be insured at market value. INS does not automatically update values: please contact your agent to do this at policy renewal time, before the grace period commences.

ABROAD.  For cars with Costa Rican registration, coverage is for all Central America and Panama.

DEDUCTIBLES.  Coverages C, D, F and H have standard deductibles. Coverages A, B, G, K and P have none.

RENEWAL.  Auto insurance is normally for six months, after which you have a grace period of 10 working days to pay for renewal.  After that, you would have to apply for new insurance.  If you have an accident in the grace period, renew before claiming.

ALCOHOL. Policy will not pay for accidents to vehicles being driven by persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs, even if the condition did not cause the accident.  An alcohol count of 50mg or more in 100cc of blood will invalidate insurance coverage, except for coverages A and C.

EXCLUSIONS. Vehicles involved in any type of race, rally, riot, combat, or used for any illegal purpose. Vehicles being towed, or on certain ferries. Criminal liability incurred by the insured party.