Car rental is a hot topic for vacationers headed to Costa Rica. Recent research conducted by the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (ICT) indicates that, after accommodations, renting a car may be the largest expense, averaging $702 for an eleven-day vacation.
THE WEB is buzzing with negative reviews discussing overcharging, poor customer service and mechanical breakdowns. You may have even written one yourself!
A typical midsize (3 – 4 adults) 4X4 rental runs between $58 and $65 daily with third party insurance and rates can vary as much as 20 percent among car rental companies, so reading an instant review will undoubtedly be time well spent as soon as you calculate the savings.
So the question is; which rental company supplies the best balance of fair price, capable customer support and reliable vehicles? I’ve researched it all for you, so continue reading!
Disclosure: This research was conducted in-may – July 2013. The following companies were selected because they are the most widely used in Costa Rica. Some are local companies; others are international franchises of recognized brand names. Comparisons include: customer service, pricing and the reservation process. The firms are listed alphabetically and not predicated on personal or online preferences.
Consider this information before renting:
Insurance
One of the biggest causes for complaints is from the stack of unforeseen charges presented to the renter once standing at the rental company’s counter. Vacationers are typically tired following a long flight and are confronted by costs which were not anticipated, explained or budgeted.
Topping the list of grievances may be the non-disclosure of fees associated with the mandatory third-party insurance at that time the reservation is made.
According to Costa Rican law, every driver is required to carry liability coverage to insure against injuries to third parties. Car rental companies generally refrain from disclosing the expense of this policy in the quoted rental rate to seem more competitive. Mandatory third-party insurance can often be as much as double the vehicle’s rental cost. The only guarantee against insurance confusion is to inquire if your estimate includes the 3rd party insurance and insist on a written quotation.
luxury car rental miami of Mandatory Insurance (also called Third Party or SLI)
Expect to pay between $12 and $15 daily because of this insurance, depending on the make and model of the rented vehicle and the rental car agency. This is the legal condition of one’s rental agreement and is generally not covered by credit cards and cannot be waived. It goes without saying of renting an automobile in Costa Rica.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
As the name suggests, this isn’t insurance, but a waiver, which relieves the renter from any liability for damage to the rental car after the deductible is paid (usually from $750 to $1,500). Some agencies require renters to get their CDW policy; thereby negating any charge card program. For an additional fee, many agencies do offer a zero liability option where in fact the renter will be free of paying for any harm to the car. Some companies may put pressure upon renters to purchase the zero liability coverage; however, it really is entirely optional, unless it is in the fine print of these rental agreement.
Credit card insurance programs may cover the CDW for a rental vehicle. Consult with your chosen rental car company to find which proof of insurance is necessary and then request that from your credit card company prior to arriving. If you use your credit card’s CDW policy, expect to pay a higher deposit on the automobile; around $1,500 to $2000 is common. The bigger deposit ensures that the charge card holder has enough financial reserves to cover damages if needed. You should consider that if using CDW coverage provided by a credit card (instead of the rent a car operator), all damages will undoubtedly be billed to the renter’s charge card. The credit card company will then reimburse the card holder for damages.