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TICO TRAVEL - ALL RATES INCLUDE BASIC INSURANCE,
TAXES & UNLIMITED MILEAGE.
(LDW- Loss Damage Waiver & LIB- Third party liability)
Car rentals with Tico Travel also come with surf racks
when needed, a/c and CD player. Most
vehicles have a standard transmission. Automatic transmissions can be
requested for certain vehicles for free or sometimes a small additional fee if available. Infant
car seats can also be requested for an additional charge. Call your Tico Travel agent at 1-800-493-8426 for more information when
booking about our special arrangements with the individual car rental agencies
we use.
Here is a brief overview of the Costa Rica Car Rental Insurance and how
it works:
Auto insurance in Costa Rica is a government monopoly of the INS (Instituto
Nacional de Seguros). Liability insurance from the INS is mandated by law, but
provides only minimal coverage. Rental agencies offer supplemental programs that
cover deductibles and contingencies other than a simple traffic accident.
The cost of insurance can approach or exceed the cost of renting. There are
three types:
Required by Law—TPL, SLI, SLC or API—Liability
Insurance from the INS is required regardless of your policies at home or the
claims of your titanium credit card. The cost ranges from $US 7-20 per day
depending on the vehicle. This insurace does not cover your rental car at all,
only damages to other people, their cars, or property. Unless you purchase
supplements, or have documented coverage from your credit card you are still
responsible for all damages to the rental vehicle.
Optional—CDW or SLDW—Collision
Damage Waivers are a supplement underwritten by the rental company to reduce
your liability for your rental car to the deductable amount ($US 1,000-3,000
depending on the company and vehicle) only in the case of an accident. The cost
ranges from $US 12-20 per day depending on the company and vehicle. You are
still responsible for all losses or damages in the case of negligence,
vandalism, road damage, or theft.
This insurance may be replaced by your home auto insurance policy or credit card
coverage. Check before you rent, and get it in writing. Some credit card
companies have exclusions specifically against Latin American rentals. Some
rental companies do not allow you to waive this insurance regardless of other
coverage. They are noted in the rate table.
Optional: Zero Liability-Under the
names of Full Coverage, Vandalism Supplement, Damage Supplement, and Theft
Insurance these extra policies are intended to reduce your liability to zero
when combined with SLI and CDW. For example, if the trunk is damaged by thieves
while they steal your luggage you will be held resposible for the damage unless
you have purchased a third level of insurance. The cost ranges from $US 5-20 per
day depending on the fine print and vehicle.
These insurances may be replaced by your home auto insurance policy or credit
card coverage. Check before you leave home, and get it in writing. Some credit
card companies have exclusions specifically against Latin American rentals.
Other costs of renting a car in Costa Rica.
Gas—Cars returned with less than a full tank of gas will be refuled at your
expense. The price of gas from the rental companies can be up to twice the cost
at a service station.
Government License Plate Fee— $US 1 per day, rarely included in quoted rates but
with Tico Travel they are included.
Airport Concourse Fee—There is a 12% airport concourse tax added to the cost of
any car picked up at Juan Santamaría. The Car companies all know this and will
make arrangements to help you avoid it. If you arrive late and plan to stay in
the area (do not drive at night), take a taxi to your hotel and have the car
delivered the next morning (often free of charge and saves you a day of rental).
If you arrive early and want to get on the road, the car companies have off
airport pickup locations a few minutes away.
Additional Drivers—$US 2.50-10 per day
Secure Parking—Recommended. Never leave anything in the car!
Ferry—Taking your car on ferry boats costs between $US 10-15.
Damages—Unless you purchase all of the above insurance or your credit card
covers it, you are responsible for damage done by potholes, vandals, thieves,
falling trees, high tide, army ants, spilled food, and any other imaginable
occurrence other than a traffic accident involving another party.
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