Car Rental Insurance Explained : Vamos Rent-A-Car

1. Mandatory Third Party Liability (TPL)

The Third Party Liability [ aka Supplemental Liability Insurance ( SLI ) ] is required coverage in Costa Rica, just as it is in Italy, Ireland, Mexico or New Zealand .
This release protects renters against liabilities resulting from injuries to bystanders and damages to third party property .
This basic coverage includes :

• $2,000 deposit (hold) will be placed on the renter’s credit card.
• Approx. $271,000 (₡150 million; ₡554 Colones per $1.00 USD) maximum to cover personal injuries of individuals outside the rented vehicle.
• Approx. $271,000 maximum for damages to third party property with a twenty percent (20%) deductible.
• If TPL is the only choice taken; i.e. the renter opts to use their credit card’s CDW instead (see below), then the final payment must be made with the same credit card that was used for the deposit.

current pricing for the mandatary Third Party Liability coverage :

• $15.95 per day for the following car categories: Sedan, Intermediate, Standard, Fullsize.
• $17.95 per day for the Premium category.

2. Additional Insurance Explained

The tenant or authorized driver is responsible for any loss or damage to the lease vehicle, regardless of who is at defect. Vamos provides the tenant and authorized drivers with two options to cap the fiscal responsibility for personnel casualty of or damage to the rental vehicle through the buy of a Collision Damage Waiver ( CDW ) .
CDW is not insurance, but rather a release of Vamos Rent-A-Car ’ second rights to collect for such occurrences. There are two CDW options : basic and Full. Both waivers are optional .
In orderliness to decline both CDW coverages ; i.e. selecting only the Mandatory TPL, the tenant must show official, written proof of credit card CDW coverage anterior to the starting signal of the rental. This is generally a letter ( or printed e-mail ) from the credit circuit board company, showing the full name of the card holder/renter a well as the last 4 digits of the credit card that will be used to rent the vehicle. We will make a copy and impound it to the rental agreement. In the absence of this proof, the vehicle can not be rented without in-house CDW .
Customers with CDW coverage through their credit rating calling card provider should be aware of any restrictions in place ; including car class limitations, rental duration coverage and other varying rental factors, such as one vehicle rental per cardholder .
Should a claim become necessary, the renter ’ sulfur credit circuit board ( if applicable ) is apt for 100 % of damages to and/or larceny of the vehicle. furthermore, it is besides the customer ’ south responsibility to submit and follow through on the claim. The credit batting order company will reimburse the customer, therefore expect to pay upfront for any and all expenses. This is primarily why many customers ( who already have credit card coverage ) however opt for in-house CDW .

Full CDW ( with zero deductible ) is unavailable if there are drivers on the rental agreement between 18 to 20 years and the Basic CDW deductible is doubled ( $ 1,500 ). failure to list any driver ( including those who are between 18 to 20 year honest-to-god ) nullifies indemnity coverage, frankincense making the renter fully financially responsible for any and all damages .
even though we ’ ve rewritten this page several times over the years and have tried to make it deoxyadenosine monophosphate simple as potential, the bottom line is it ’ randomness hush insurance…but possibly a knowledgeable and patronize post horse ’ s view from TripAdvisor.com may help you see the independent ( monetary/hassle ) differences more succinctly .

3. Basic CDW — Optional

basic Collision Damage Waiver ( CDW for short ) limits the indebtedness due to vehicle damages and/or larceny and includes the Mandatory TPL. Purchasing inhouse CDW coverage clears the renters from file ( and the follow-up of ) a claim to recoup the upfront damages paid .
This gallop coverage includes :

• $750 deposit (hold) will be placed on the renter’s credit card.
• $750 deductible for vehicle damages and/or theft, except in the case of negligence (see below).
• $1500 deductible if authorized drivers are between 18 to 20 years old, unless negligence (see below).
• Either the $15.95 or $17.95 per day Third Party Liability (TPL) fee, depending on the chosen car category.
• Zero percent (0%) deductible for third party property damage to a maximum of $271,000.
• Payment options (for either CDW) include: the same credit card used for the deposit, a different credit card, a debit card, or cash. Several payment options may be combined; i.e. pay with a debit card to its limit, then pay the remainder in cash.

stream pricing for Basic Collision Damage Waiver :

• $9.00 per day for all car categories.
• Add TPL and it will either be:
• $24.95 per day for the following car categories: Sedan, Intermediate, Standard, Fullsize.
• $26.95 per day for the Premium category.

4. Full CDW — Optional

Full Collision Damage Waiver ( Full CDW for shortstop ) frees the tenant from fiscal responsibility caused by accident, larceny, or total loss, except in the casing of negligence ( see below ) .
This comprehensive examination coverage includes both of the above options ( Basic CDW & TPL ) and more .

• $100 deposit (hold) will be placed on the renter’s credit card.
• Zero ($0) deductible for accident, theft, or total loss, except in the case of negligence (see below).
• Glass & Tire Protection (G&T): Full coverage for windshield, windows, tires, and rims, which incidentally are not covered under any other waiver option.
• Includes either the $24.95 or $26.95 per day Basic Collision Damage Waiver and Third Party Liability (TPL) fees, depending on the chosen car category.
• Zero percent (0%) deductible for third party property damage to a maximum of $271,000.
• Not available if authorized drivers are between 18 to 20 years old.
• Payment options (for either CDW) include: the same credit card used for the deposit, a different credit card, a debit card, or cash. Several payment options may be combined; i.e. pay with a debit card to its limit, then pay the remainder in cash.

current price for Full Collision Damage Waiver :

• $18.00 per day for the following car categories: Sedan, Intermediate, Standard, Fullsize.
• $21.00 per day for the Premium category.
• Add together the CDW and TPL to arrive at:
• $42.95 ($15.95 TPL + $9.00 CDW + $18.00 Full CDW) per day for the following car categories: Sedan, Intermediate, Standard, Fullsize.
• $47.95 ($17.95 TPL + $9.00 CDW + $21.00 Full CDW) per day for the Premium category.

5. Rental Deposits

Depending on the policy option chosen, the deposit amounts placed on the renter ’ second credit wag will vary .

• Third Party Liability (TPL): $2,000
• Basic Collision Damage Waiver: $750
• Full Collision Damage Waiver: $100

In all cases, the credit batting order will not be charged until the renter picks up the fomite. The charge will be refunded upon the vehicle ’ s safe return .

6. Credit Card Insurance Programs

We accept most credit card car rental protection plans. Many of these plans insure the lease vehicle against Damage and Theft ( CDW ), but may not protect against Third Party Liability ( TPL ) .
Please ensure that your credit card CDW covers :

1. your selected car class category (7 pax van, SUV, etc.)
2. additional drivers
3. rental period (some underwriters limit the number of rental days)
4. restrictions on where the vehicle may be driven (off-road, etc.)

Since each investment banker features proprietorship terms, we strongly suggest asking your recognition wag party for details about CDW in regards to their insurance security design for car rentals in Costa Rica. If you decide to use your credit batting order as the supplier of CDW coverage, the situate for the lease vehicle is $ 2,000 .
Using an indemnity course of study provided by some types of amber or platinum recognition cards is an advantage since these credit cards frequently cover small scratches/dents deoxyadenosine monophosphate well as the entire rent vehicle in case of collision or larceny .
Click the links for more information on VISA, MasterCard and American Express Rental Auto Protection Plans. however, we suggest calling the phone phone number on the back of your card and inquiring about the handiness and respective terms and conditions that may apply .
Please note that credit rating cards companies lone cover up to a seven ( 7 ) passenger Sport Utility Vehicle ( SUV ) — which is the same capacitance as the Premium cars — in their security plans. Sidenote : To insure a premium SUV with AmEx, one will need to purchase their “ Premium Car rental Protection ” .
Check out NerdWallet ’ s Credit Card Comparison for some capital informational charts covering the car rental indemnity programs from VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover .

7. Internet Insurance Programs

due to more european flights landing in Costa Rica, we ’ ra answering this question more and more .
“ Do you accept [ a third party ] ’ s indemnity in stead of Third Party Liability ( TPL ) and/or your in-house Collision Damage Waiver ( CDW ) ? ”
The curtly answer is “ nobelium, we ’ rhenium regretful, ” but it ’ s not because we want to push our indemnity alternatively. We ’ rhenium actually relived when clients want to use their own credit batting order plan because if we cover them in-house, it ’ ll make our policy increase with each accident. No thank you .
But to answer the why more definitively, allow me to summarize the document on the costa Rican Car Rental Association ’ s ( ACAR ) web site .
basically, third-party websites do not have a formal agreement with costa Rican agencies .

1. The CDW offered by OTAs is unsuitable for Costa Rican car rental as its exclusions make its coverage inapplicable.
2. The OTA coverage is a transaction between the OTA and the client — not with the agency.

8. Rental Car Insurance Invalidity

The Collision Damage Waiver ( CDW ) will be void and the renter will be held 100 % responsible for all damages ( mechanical/electrical, inside, outside and bottom ) caused to the vehicle if :

1. The driver is not authorized by Vamos Rent-A-Car to operate the vehicle.
2. The driver is under the influence of alcohol and/or illegal substances.
3. The driver operates the vehicle contrary to the laws of Costa Rica.
4. The driver does not provide an accident report from the local authorities.
5. The vehicle undergoes misuse or negligence, such as, but not limited to: driving with the parking brake on, operating the transmission in 4×4 mode over 40 kmh, hitting obstacles on the road, driving on roads in poor condition and/or driving in, through or over rivers, estuaries and/or beaches.

furthermore :

1. Basic CDW does not cover damage to tires/rims, sound system, glass, roof rack, underside or interior of vehicle except in cases of collisions or theft of vehicle (as outlined above).
2. Full CDW does not cover damage to sound system, roof rack, underside or interior of vehicle except in cases of collisions or theft of vehicle (as outlined above).
3. Neither CDW covers tow truck service or vehicle recovery in the case of an accident or overturning of the vehicle.

This information is alone a summary of the coverage offered. A sample distribution rental agreement is available on-line for foster recapitulation. Upon request, our staff will gladly send you a digital transcript .