Car Rental Insurance FAQ’s & Prices

Vamos Rental Car

Coverages:

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.  If alternate coverage cannot be validated, acceptance of TPL will be a condition of rental.

This waiver 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.

Additional Insurance Explained
The renter or authorized driver is responsible for any loss or damage to the rental vehicle, regardless of who is at fault.  Vamos provides the renter and authorized drivers with two options to cap the financial responsibility for loss of or damage to the rental vehicle through the purchase of a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW).

CDW is not insurance, but rather a waiver of Vamos Rent-A-Car’s rights to collect for such occurrences.  There are two CDW options:  Basic and Full.  Both waivers are optional.

In order to decline both CDW coverages; i.e. selecting only the Mandatory TPL, the renter must show official, written proof of credit card CDW coverage prior to the start of the rental.  This is generally a letter (or printed email) from the credit card company, showing the full name of the card holder/renter as well as the last 4 digits of the credit card that will be used to rent the vehicle.  We will make a copy and attach it to the rental agreement.  In the absence of this proof, the vehicle cannot be rented without in-house CDW.

Customers with CDW coverage through their credit card provider should be aware of any restrictions in place; including car category limitations, rental duration coverage and other varying rental factors, such as one vehicle rental per cardholder.

Should a claim become necessary, the renter’s credit card (if applicable) is liable for 100% of damages to and/or theft of the vehicle.  Furthermore, it is also the customer’s responsibility to submit and follow through on the claim.  The credit card company will reimburse the customer, so expect to pay upfront for any and all expenses.  This is primarily why many customers (who already have credit card coverage) still 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 ($1,950).  Failure to list any driver (including those who are between 18 to 20 year old) nullifies insurance coverage, thus making the renter fully financially responsible for any and all damages.

2. Basic CDW — Optional
Basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW for short) limits the liability due to vehicle damages and/or theft and includes the Mandatory TPL. Purchasing inhouse CDW coverage clears the renters from filing (and the follow-up of) a claim to recoup the upfront damages paid.

This extended coverage includes:

$750 deposit (hold) will be placed on the renter’s credit card.
$975 deductible for vehicle damages and/or theft, except in the case of negligence (see below).
$1950 deductible if authorized drivers are between 18 to 20 years old, unless negligence (see below).
Includes the $11.95/day Third Party Liability (TPL) fee.
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.

3. Full CDW — Optional
Full Collision Damage Waiver (Full CDW for short) frees the renter from financial responsibility caused by accident, theft, or total loss, except in the case of negligence (see below).

This comprehensive 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 the $11.95/day Third Party Liability (TPL) fee.
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.

Rental Deposits
Depending on the insurance option chosen, the deposit amounts placed on the renter’s credit card will vary.

Third Party Liability (TPL): $2,000
Basic Collision Damage Waiver: $750
Full Collision Damage Waiver: $100
In all cases, the credit card will not be charged until the renter picks up the vehicle. The charge will be refunded upon the vehicle’s safe return.

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, interior, exterior and underside) caused to the vehicle if:

The driver is not authorized by Vamos Rent-A-Car to operate the vehicle.
The driver is under the influence of alcohol and/or illegal substances.
The driver operates the vehicle contrary to the laws of Costa Rica.
The driver does not provide an accident report from the local authorities.
The vehicle undergoes misuse or negligence, such as, but not limited to: driving with the parking brake on, operating the transmission in 4x4 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:

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).
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).
Neither CDW covers tow truck service or vehicle recovery in the case of an accident or overturning of the vehicle.