Car rental insurance coverage to meet your travel and business needs
Rental Car insurance requirements in Costa Rica
At Adobe Rent a Car, we offer the perfect insurance coverage to meet your travel and business needs.
We’re not like other rental car companies! We take pride in being the largest and most comprehensive rental car agency in all of Costa Rica.
Choose from a wide range of options. From one-day rentals to long-term vehicle renting and simple sedans to commercial vans or pickups.
What’s more? We work directly with you to determine what type of vehicle and insurance coverage best fits your vacation or business needs. We promise no hidden fees. We also guarantee that each step of the rental process will be straightforward and hassle-free.
Is car rental insurance mandatory in Costa Rica?
Mandatory insurance, Costa Rica
Liability Protection Insurance (PLI): PLI car rental insurance, Costa Rica, is mandatory for all rentals and rental car agencies. It provides limited liability coverage and financial responsibility for incidents involving third parties. The Costa Rica car rental liability insurance daily rate is included in your rental agreement.
What happens when there are damages to a third party? Our Adobe PLI liability insurance covers up to $20,000. It has a 20 percent deductible or a minimum fee of $1000.
Note that the PLI does not cover any damages to the rental car itself. Personal injury protection is not included in the PLI either.
What happens in the event of the injury or death of a third party not traveling in the rental car? Your Adobe PLI will cover up to US $100,000 per accident with no deductible.
What if you decide to add Adobe’s full coverage Extended Protection (SPP)? Your liability coverage will increase to $5 million. In case of an accident, all damages to third parties (vehicles and people) will be waived and you pay nothing.
We also offer additional coverage options to ensure your peace of mind. Clients can choose from three different plans:
- Adobe Loss and Damage Coverage (LDW)
- The LDW provided by the renter’s major credit card coverage
- Extended Protection Coverage (SPP) – recommended
A $1,000 guarantee deposit is required for all vehicle rental agreements. Clients can make the deposit with their valid Visa, Mastercard, Discovery, or American Express credit card. Debit cards are accepted with some restrictions. Cash is not accepted.
Upon return of the vehicle. We’ll submit an electronic request to release the $1,000 deposit. The funds will be available depending on your bank’s processing time.
How does Costa Rica Car rental insurance work?
At Adobe, we offer our clients professional coverage at reasonable and competitive rates with no hidden fees. When renting a car, you’ll be given the option of choosing the coverage that best fits your needs. Choose from the following insurance option:
Adobe Car Protection Plan (LDW). This coverage is also known as a loss and damage waiver, CDW insurance Costa Rica, or collision damage waiver (CDW coverage).
Our LDW coverage provides basic rental car coverage during the duration of your rental, including:
- LDW coverage waives the client’s financial responsibility. This is in the event of a collision, roll-over, or other damages to the rental car.
Note that vandalism and tire damages are not covered under the LDW. According to Adobe’s terms and conditions.
- LDW provides coverage for partial or total theft of the vehicle.
- The LDW deductible or excess amount is $1,000.
Note that third-party damages are not covered under the LDW.
- What happens in the event of a collision, rollover, or damage to the vehicle? An Adobe representative will help you with filing a claim. Incident processing will include the vehicle appraisal, damage and downtime reports, repair reports, and others.
Your Credit Card’s LDW
Primary coverage options: Several conditions apply if you wish to decline Adobe’s LDW coverage. Some clients choose to use the secondary coverage offered by their major credit card’s LDW coverage. We accept Mastercard, Discover, VISA, and Amex credit card companies.
Important. What happens If you decline our Adobe LDW? You assume 100% responsibility for any and all damages incurred to the car during the rental.
You will first have to pay for the repairs and related fees while in Costa Rica. Only then can you file a claim to be reimbursed by your card carrier. Even though your credit card may cover damages to your car in Costa Rica.
Important. You must pay the total cost of the rental service with the same credit card used to decline the LDW insurance. Debit cards are only accepted under certain circumstances.
American Express rental car insurance coverage. The following conditions apply if you want to use your Amex travel insurance as your car rental coverage. You have to enroll for the service ahead of time and pay the indicated flat rate. The rate varies per country, per rental period, and the coverage you choose.
What happens if I have an accident?
In the event you have an accident in Costa Rica, make sure you follow these important steps:
- Call 911 and report the incident. The emergency contact number for police, ambulance, fire, or any other emergency in Costa Rica is 911.
Explain to the dispatcher that you’ve had an accident. Then a traffic police officer or “traffico” will be dispatched to your location. Make sure to let them know if you require medical assistance.
- Do not move the vehicle: You should not change any aspect of the accident scene until authorized by the traffic police. This is for insurance purposes under Costa Rican law. Do not move your car out of the flow of traffic. Most rent a car insurance, Costa Rica, agents will need to photograph the scene to determine who is responsible.
- Call our ADOBE hotline IMMEDIATELY: Report the incident to the attending agent. Call +(506) 2542-4800 during office hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Costa Rica time. After office hours call +(506) 2542-4888.
- Alert other drivers of any danger. Place the red emergency triangle on the road about 15 feet before the scene of the accident. This will alert other drivers of possible danger.
If you opted to use your credit card’s LDW coverage and complied with the required conditions:
- Work with your Adobe agent during the claim process. We will provide you with the necessary documents for your insurance carrier when you make a claim. Make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully beforehand to understand what’s covered and what isn’t.
- Make sure to sign the claim so that we at Adobe can assist with the credit card provider’s processing requirements.
What happens if I have an accident and need to leave the country?
To leave the country while an accident claim is being processed, you must provide Adobe with:
- A current accident report in the preset format
- Complete the procedures requested by Adobe and required by Costa Rican law.
- Grant Adobe Rent a Car power of attorney so we can continue the claim after you leave.
Feel free to contact one of our bilingual Adobe agents at reservas@adobecar.com. Or call 1 (855) 861-1250 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time). We’ll be happy to answer any questions or concerns you have about the insurance process.
Some important facts to consider if you decline the Adobe LDW
In order to make an LDW car rental insurance decline you must:
- Ensure that your major credit card is current. And make sure it provides LDW coverage in Costa Rica for the vehicle you are renting.
- Remember that the owner of the card must also be the driver of the rental car.
- Be aware of the terms and conditions of your credit card’s LDW.
- You can NOT waive the Adobe LDW if you pay with a debit card.
- Present a document that proves your credit card insurance covers the rental conditions.
Third party waiver (TPW)
Our TPW coverage is available to customers who decline LDW using their credit card protection. With the TPW, coverage for third-party property damage can be increased to $2 million and the deductible reduced to $0. This coverage will be offered by our agents at the time of the rental only to clients who present all the documentation required to decline the LDW.
Extended Protection Coverage (SPP)
With our Supplemental Protection Plan (SPP) your concerns for safety and security are covered. Our SPP is a comprehensive coverage that ensures our client’s needs are taken care of. Be it an accident in Guanacaste or a fender-bender in downtown San José.
A rental agreement with extended protection waives the deductibles from your LDW and PLI. With a ZERO deductible you will be fully covered If anything happens to the car. It also covers damages to a third party.
This applies both for both third party damages as well as for damages to the vehicle.
Our SPP ensures that your time in Costa Rica will be spent with peace of mind. For vacation or business! No matter what happens on the road.
Adobe SPP coverage includes:
- Nation-wide 24/7 roadside assistance, including tow truck service.
- No deductible. The PLI’s 20% deductible for third-party damages is waived.
- Insurance coverage is extended up to $2 million per event.
- Vandalism damages to the car are covered. This includes the tires and windows.
What car rental insurance should I purchase?
How much is rental car insurance in Costa Rica?
We at Adobe want your rental experience to be safe, positive, and hassle-free. We know that driving in a foreign country can be difficult.
Unfortunately accidents do happen. For these reasons we offer Extended Protection Coverage (SPP) for a low daily rate and no hidden fees. Rest assured that we at Adobe have you covered!
What happens If you do not purchase the SPP coverage? We highly recommend you choose our Adobe LDW. It is less complicated than the credit card providers.
Why? Because you’ll only need to pay the $1000 deductible and nothing more with the LDW. Your credit card’s insurance means you pay the total amount of the damages upfront. Then you can file a claim and wait to be reimbursed.
What are the rules I must follow to ensure my Adobe rental car coverage?
Clients who do not follow the Adobe rules and regulations regarding car rental coverage will lose their coverage benefits. Be aware that the PLI, LDW (from Adobe or another provider), or the SPP will not apply under the following circumstances:
- Failure to report an incident (collision or damages) to Adobe Rent a Car Company immediately after the event occurs.
- If the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the event.
- If the driver is not authorized or inscribed as an additional driver in the Adobe rental agreement and damages occur.
- Any damages incurred while driving on unauthorized terrain or not officially recognized roads. This includes rivers, lakes, beaches, mangroves, flooded roads, or “off-road” conditions.
- Failure to comply with the legal claim process with the corresponding insurance company. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Failure to report the incident to the Transit Police.
- Failure to report the incident or claim to the insurance company.
- Failure to comply with all legal process requirements.
Can I rent a car without insurance?
No. You cannot rent a car without insurance in Costa Rica. Even if you purchase private international insurance coverage for you and your family in your home country. Costa Rican law does not recognize such plans for vehicle rentals.
Can I use my personal auto insurance?
Your personal car insurance back home is not valid in Costa Rica.
Most international travel insurance packages include personal effects coverage. We recommend you purchase travel insurance. You will be covered if any of your goods or valuables are lost, damaged, or stolen while visiting.
Does full coverage insurance cover rental cars?
Most personal accident insurance providers cover rentals in their home country. Some do so abroad. However, Costa Rican law does not recognize such plans.
For your ultimate peace of mind, we recommend you opt for Adobe’s LDW or SPP coverage.
Traveling in a foreign country is exciting. But accidents can and sometimes do happen. Enjoy the beauty and excitement of road travel without worrying about the worst-case scenario. Rest assured, at Adobe Rent a Car, we’ve got you covered!
Contact your Adobe Rent a Car representative if you have questions or concerns about your car rental coverage.
We want your vacation or business trip to be as positive and as worry-free as possible. Feel free to contact one of our bilingual representatives with any questions or concerns you might have.
E-mail reservas@adobecar.com. Or call: +(506) 2542-4800; toll-free from the U.S. and Canada: +1 (855) 861-1250. Office hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Central Time.
