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Using Chase Sapphire Rental Car Insurance in Costa Rica: Complete Guide
July 1, 2025
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Renting a car in Costa Rica offers unmatched freedom to explore this beautiful Central American destination at your own pace. But navigating Costa Rica's mandatory insurance requirements can be confusing—and expensive. If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Sapphire Reserve® card, you're already equipped with valuable rental car insurance benefits that can save you hundreds of dollars. Here's everything you need to know about using your Chase Sapphire card benefits for Costa Rica car rentals.
Chase Sapphire Rental Car Insurance: What's Covered
Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® cards offer primary auto rental collision damage waiver coverage—a significant benefit that most cards don't provide.
Coverage Limits
- Sapphire Preferred: Up to $60,000 (excludes exotic/expensive vehicles)
- Sapphire Reserve: Up to $75,000 (includes exotic/expensive vehicles)
What's Protected
Your Chase Sapphire card covers:
- Theft or damage to the rental vehicle
- Valid loss-of-use charges from the rental company
- Administrative fees related to covered incidents
- Reasonable towing charges
Critical Coverage Limitations
The Chase Sapphire rental insurance does NOT cover:
- Personal injuries (you or passengers)
- Liability for damage to other vehicles or property
- Damage to valuables left inside the rental car
- Off-road driving damage
- Rentals exceeding 31 consecutive days
- Vehicles over 10 years old or not manufactured in the last decade
- Motorcycles, electric scooters, mopeds
- Vans with 12+ passengers
- Peer-to-peer rentals (Turo, Zipcar)
Important Note: For Sapphire Preferred holders, Tesla rentals are specifically excluded from coverage.
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Costa Rica's Mandatory Insurance Requirements Explained
Costa Rica has unique mandatory insurance laws that catch many travelers off guard. Understanding these requirements is essential before you pick up your rental car.
Required: Liability Insurance (SLI/LPI)
Cost: $10-$25 per day
This government-mandated insurance covers damage to OTHER people and their property—not your rental vehicle or yourself. You cannot waive this coverage, and it's often not included in the advertised base rate.
Common names: Liability Waiver (L.W.) or Liability Protection Insurance (L.P.I.)
Required (with exceptions): Collision Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW)
Cost: $15-$40 per day
This protects the rental vehicle itself with a high deductible ($1,500-$3,500). Most rental companies require this unless you can provide proof of primary international rental car insurance from your credit card.
This is where your Chase Sapphire card becomes valuable.
Optional: Extended Protection (Zero Liability)
Cost: $20-$40 per day
Comprehensive coverage that protects against theft, vandalism, and other incidents typically with low or no deductible.
How to Use Your Chase Sapphire Card in Costa Rica
Step 1: Verify Your Card Provides Primary Coverage
Before traveling, confirm your specific card benefits. As of 2025, both Chase Sapphire Preferred and Reserve offer primary international rental car coverage, meaning you file with Chase first—not your personal auto insurance.
Step 2: Get Documentation From Chase
This is critical: Most Costa Rican rental companies require written proof of coverage.
- Call the number on the back of your card
- Request a letter of coverage that includes your card's last 4 digits
- Bring a physical or digital copy to the rental counter
Without this documentation, rental agents may not allow you to decline their CDW coverage.
Step 3: Book Your Rental Correctly
To activate Chase Sapphire rental car insurance:
- Pay the full rental amount with your Sapphire card
- You can use Chase Ultimate Rewards® points toward the rental
- You must be listed as the primary driver
- Decline the rental company's collision damage waiver at pickup
- Accept only the mandatory liability insurance (SLI)
Step 4: Document Everything
Before leaving the rental lot:
- Take photos/video of the entire vehicle
- Note all existing damage on the inspection form
- Test windshield wipers (rain is common)
- Verify all damages are documented
What This Saves You
By using your Chase Sapphire benefits to decline CDW:
- Savings: $15-$40 per day on collision coverage
- For a week-long rental: $105-$280 saved
- Sapphire Preferred annual fee ($95) easily offset in one trip
Choosing the Right Rental Company in Costa Rica
Not all Costa Rican rental companies readily accept credit card insurance. Based on traveler experiences, consider these tips:
Look for Transparent Pricing
Choose companies that clearly display insurance costs upfront. Companies like Adobe Rent a Car show all insurance options at checkout, reducing surprise charges at the counter.
Verify Card Acceptance
Some older Costa Rican systems require raised numbers on credit cards for manual imprinting. Chase Sapphire cards have raised numbers on the back of the card, which should work at most major rental companies.
Recommended approach:
- Contact the rental company directly before booking
- Confirm they accept credit card primary insurance
- Ask if they need documentation from your card issuer
- Get confirmation via email
Major Rental Companies vs. Local Options
International brands (Budget, Dollar, Enterprise) are more likely to accept Chase Sapphire coverage, but local companies like Adobe Rent a Car may offer better rates and transparency.
Filing a Claim With Chase Sapphire
If damage or theft occurs, you have multiple options to file:
Online: Visit the Chase eclaims portal
Phone (US): 888-320-9961
International collect: 804-673-1691
Required Documentation
- Rental agreement showing full payment with your Sapphire card
- Chase Sapphire statement confirming the charge
- Police report (for theft/vandalism)
- Repair estimates
- Accident report form
- Photographs of damage
Important Deadlines
- Start claim: Within 100 days of incident
- Submit claim form: Within 120 days of incident
- Provide documentation: Within 365 days of incident
Additional Costa Rica Driving Tips
Vehicle Recommendations
- All-wheel drive (AWD) strongly recommended over 2WD
- Hyundai Tucson offers good balance of cost, efficiency, and capability
- 4x4 essential during Green Season (May-November) due to washed-out roads
Essential Preparations
- Download Waze or Google Maps before arrival (Apple Maps doesn't work)
- Bring a portable phone charger (not all rentals have USB ports)
- Research routes beforehand to avoid dangerous dirt roads
- Keep gas tank above half—stations aren't always convenient
- Never cross rivers or drive recklessly—this voids all coverage
When NOT to Rely Solely on Card Insurance
Consider purchasing extended protection from the rental company if:
- You're driving during heavy rainy season
- Your itinerary includes remote areas with difficult roads
- You're uncomfortable with the $1,500+ deductible
- You want theft and vandalism coverage
Bottom Line: Maximize Your Chase Sapphire Benefits
Your Chase Sapphire Preferred or Reserve card provides robust rental car insurance that can save $100-300 on a typical Costa Rica car rental. The key to successfully using this benefit:
✅ Get documentation from Chase before you travel
✅ Confirm the rental company accepts credit card insurance
✅ Pay the full amount with your Sapphire card
✅ Decline CDW but accept mandatory liability insurance
✅ Document the vehicle condition thoroughly
With proper preparation, you can explore Costa Rica's stunning beaches, rainforests, and volcanoes with confidence, knowing your rental car is protected and you've maximized your credit card benefits.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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