Renting a car in Costa Rica

[sweetpea&babycorn]

My fiance and I are close to booking a trip to Costa Rica. We were thinking about renting a car so we could in and out of San Jose since we'll be staying outside the city. For those who have rented cars in foreign countries: what kind of liability waivers should I consider? I don't think either of our auto insurance companies would cover rentals outside the US. I don't want to get duped into paying more than I need to, but I think it would also be smart to have some kind of protection while driving as I've read that the driving culture in Costa Rica is absolutely nuts!

If anyone also has any ideas as to where to visit, must see sites, etc, please share!

 

[mary poppins]

Driving in Costa Rica is a little nutty. We flew into Liberia and rented a car. DH says car insurance is required when renting there and comes with the rental, but don't buy the extra insurance - they try to upsell by using scare tactics. Also, check to see if any of your credit cards provide insurance. If so, evaluate the insurance and use one of those cards for the rental if the coverage is good.

Have fun in Costa Rica!

 

[sweetpea&babycorn]

Thank you MP! I'll definitely look into the credit card thing with SO. What kind of insurance do they require and how much additional is that per day? I was browsing some car rental companies at the San Jose airport and I'm not sure which ones are required. Some of them are $15/day and that is even more than renting the car itself!! We just booked our trip so I'll have to call the company to let them know when we are arriving and ask them if we should rent a car and if our itinerary will make a car rental worthwhile.

 

[mary poppins]

I don't remember what the insurance requirements were or how much the upgrades cost.

Good thing you put the thread back to the top of the front page, though. Seeing it made me realize I forgot to mention that the rental agency gave us a manual car (stick shift). Also, we noticed many of the cars where we went were manual. I don't recall whether DH specified what type of transmission when he made our reservation. We wouldn't ordinarily think to do so because usually in the US, rental agencies only have cars with automatic transmissions. Plus, since DH and I both know how to drive manual, it didn't really matter to us. But if it matters to you or your fiance, you should make sure to request in advance (preferably in writing) a car with automatic transmission. It would be best if both of you are able to drive the car while traveling.

Will you be staying at a resort and thinking about leaving for day trips? If so, perhaps the resort has a shuttle.

If not at a resort, you may be able to have someone from a tour agency take you on day trips. There seemed to be a few in the area we stayed. I can recommend one for you if that's the case. We used one our friend had previously used and recommended it to us.

 

[perry]

Many countries do not automatically recognize a US drivers license - and if you get into an accident and don't have the right drivers license then you may have huge personal (and legal) liability.

It is possible to get an "international" drivers license. AAA and other agencies issue those. I highly recommend this as a first step.

While the CC insurance may be beneficial - it 1) normally only covers damage to the vehicle. 2) is not ordinary auto insurance. 3) may not even apply in the foreign country you are going to.

You need to have a personal conversation with someone at the CC company who can clarify what it will - and will not - cover (and send you the appropriate section of the "Terms and Conditions" that describes what they are explaining - don't just go on verbal only).

Do an internet search on auto insurance for the country you are going to - and ask the rental agency three questions: 1) what is required for that country for insurance. 2) What level do they recommend (very few people in the US want to only have the minimum required - think this through carefully). 3) What are the extra levels of insurance available and what do they do.

As previously stated the Rental Agencies like to sell #3; which is often not needed or desired. But, you need to know what your options are for each country (and some countries only have one level).

Despite the insurance coverage you buy - you need to very carefully check out and understand the implications related to a serious accident. In some countries you can be charged with murder for being involved in an auto accident where someone dies; or gross negligence even if they do not die. Those are criminal charges and you are likely to sit in the local jails until.... Make sure you understand what the local laws and customs are (and foreigners are often treated more severely than locals).

I have held an international drivers license in the past and have driven in several foreign countries. There are other countries where I would just hire a car complete with a driver.

Please do your research.

Perry