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All car rentals are required by law to carry BASIC insurance, no matter how good your CC is, whereas comprehensive insurance is optional and is backed by your CC insurance.
Nearly all rental car web site calculators give car rental rates alone, without required insurance, fees, and taxes, to seem competitive online. But at the counter, you have to pay for basic insurance as well as fees and taxes. You have the option of extended coverage, which your credit card insurance and offshore policies DO cover, at least to some extent.
BASIC INSURANCE
Costa Rica law is based on legal precepts in which the accused is presumed guilty and must prove his innocence, rather than the other way around. So, a person in a car crash or fender bender must prove innocence rather than disproving guilt in terms of financial responsibility for damages. BASIC compulsory insurance makes possible baseline deductibles according to car class. This state requirement for all practical purposes makes the car rental industry possible here. Technically, this insurance covers claims by third parties in accidents.
The client is responsible for any damages to the vehicle up to the deductible amount for the vehicle class summarized below:
TYPE I: $1500 (+$1000 for complete loss)
TYPE II: $2500 (+$1000 for complete loss)
For all practical purposes, BASIC insurance is about the same as the car rental rate itself, so plan to approximately double the estimate you get online for what your final costs will be once basic insurance, and all applicable fees and taxes are factored in.
COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE
A deductible of $0 can be achieved with comprehensive insurance that carries a cost that varies according to vehicle class between $15-25/day.
Purchase of this insurance waives the driver of any financial repercussions, no matter what happens within legal bounds.
The same coverage is also provided in theory by Credit Card Insurance. But the difference is that the driver must respond to any damages and subsequently petition his credit card issuer for compensation whereas paid comprehensive takes full responsibility for any downstream consequences of an accident.
ZERO-DEDUCTIBLE COLLISION DAMAGE WAIVER: $10/day
This option relieves the renter of basic damages being charged to the deposit, although the deposit is still required. In the event of theft, total loss of the car, third party damages, or “civil liability,” a 20% deductible is required on damages incurred.
ZERO-DEDUCTIBLE THIRD-PARTY DAMAGE AND CIVIL LIABILITY: $5/day
This additional pairs nicely with the Collision Damage Wavier, as it relieves you of the additional 20% deductible owed for damage done by third parties, damage done to third parties, as well as civil liabilities incurred.
ACCESSORY PROTECTION : $5/day
Accessory protection covers damage to, theft of, or loss of: keys, antennae, tires, windows/windshields, radio, and tools (included tire changing tools).
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE: $5/day
Roadside assistance is your assurance that any hick-ups that might occur while you’re out on the road. If you need help with directions, just call; if you need to be towed, or help replacing a flat tire, they will help make whatever arrangements it takes to get you back on the road.
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