REGULATIONS IN CAR INSURANCE

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Since January of 2006 the Superintendencia de Seguros (legal entity which regulates insurance in Panama) regulated discounts given on car insurance policies to 40% on new – dealership cars and 35% on all used cars for drivers with good records.

Before 2006 some companies gave up to 60% discount which meant some companies offer cheaper premiums than others. After 2006 all companies have rates that vary by a couple of dollars.

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What can make a difference on premium prices? The limits you obtain for your car insurance policy. Limits are the maximum amount that you are protected if you cause damage to foreign property or with medical assistance to persons in your car and others.

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The minimum limits I recommend are:

Personal Injuries (to thirds) is $10,000 per person and $20,000 per accident.

Property Damage $15,000 per accident

Medical Expense (you and others in your car) is $5,000 per person and $25,000 per accident.

At a person’s request you can lower or increment these limits, but you should be aware that if you cause an accident you are legally responsible to pay for the damages and courts in Panama can take years to solve cases and you could end up without a license and with a big lawyer’s expense if you are not properly protected.

Damage to thirds policies start from $130 a year – but offer low limits and do not protect for medical expenses for the people in your car. For $160-175+ you can get higher limits, medical protection for yourself and others in your car and roadside/legal assistance.

Companies differentiate themselves by offering a great number of benefits such as legal service, discounts, extraterritorial coverage, or towing services – which you should be aware and take advantage of.

To get more information on car insurance or to get a quote, contact our customer service department at forlacol@gmail.com or by phone (507) 6676 5151.

HOW CAR INSURANCE IS DONE IN PANAMA

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Cars made in the year 2000 or newer can be insured for Full Coverage - civil responsibility (personal injuries and damage to foreign property), medical assistance, and coverage for the insured vehicle (collision and comprehensive).

Cars from 1999 or older are insured for Civil Responsibility (damage to thirds) under Panamanian law. This coverage includes foreign property and personal injuries for third parties. Your policy can also include medical assistance for the driver/passengers in your car.

The older the car the higher the premium for full coverage - this has to do with the risk of a car accident and older parts are harder to get and more expensive.

Depreciation is done 20% first year (some companies do 15%) and then 15% the rest of the years.

If you bring your car to Panama include the entry taxes as part of the value of the car.

For you to be covered your license needs to be valid. You can use any license from any country or an international license; just make sure it’s not expired!

No-fault coverage does not exist in Panama.

If you are financing a car, banks will require you to have a full coverage policy. It is much better to use a broker who can assess your needs, compare different premiums, and assist you in a claim. The Law 59, of July 29, 1996 (which regulates insurance in Panama) in Article 36 states that a consumer has the right to chose who will sell him/her insurance. So don’t pay higher premiums at the bank!

AAA does not exist in Panama, but your insurance policy has roadside assistance included! This covers jump-starts, towing, a tire change, or gas delivery (gasoline costs are not included).

OUR FULL COVERAGE POLICY INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:

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Benefits for full coverage:

Reimbursement for a rental in case of complete theft of the auto ($20.00 daily with a max. of $600.00)

Civil responsibility for replacement car

Accidental death coverage: $5,000.00 per person, $25,000 per accident

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    Additional Benefits:

    Roadside Assistance - 205-0224

    Legal assistance in traffic accidents.

    Towing service: caused by mechanical damage or a traffic accident. Up to $150.00 per event, three (3) events per year, maximum annual benefit $150.00.

    Medical emergency service: ambulance service and medical attention in case of an automobile accident, 24

    hours a day and 365 days of the year.

    Basic roadside assistance includes a jump-start, a tire change, or gas delivery (gasoline costs not included): Up to $150.00 per event, three (3) events a year. Maximum annual benefit of $450.00.

    Locksmith for loss or misplacement of keys: Up to $150.00 per event, three (3) events a year. Maximum annual benefit of $450.00.

    Transportation to your home because of immobilization of the vehicle (starting from kilometer 25): Up to $100.00 per event, three (3) events per year.

    Hotel expenses caused by an accident or breakdown of the vehicle (starting from kilometer 25): Up to $100.00 per event, maximum 5 days per event, three (3) events per year.

    Auto rental in case of car theft (starting from kilometer 25): Up to $200.00 per event.

    Medical assistance outside of the country: Reimbursement of medical expenses and hospitalization due to auto accident (including the insured person, the spouse, and children under eighteen (18) years of age) during their stay abroad. Up to $5,000.00 yearly.

    We Arrive First

    We arrive within 30 minutes or less at the scene of the accident or the insured person is 100% exonerated of the payment of the deductible. (*)

    Delivery of the repair order at the auto repair shop of your preference, in case of an accident

    A lawyer will represent the insured person in front of court in case of a traffic citation.

    (*) Applies:

    From the Church of Don Bosco in Calidonia (by Vi­a Espana) until the intersection with Vi­a cincuentenario and Ri­o Abajo.

    From the Church of Don Bosco in Calidonia (by Vi­a Transistmica) until the bridge of San Miguelito and the South part of the City until Avenida Balboa.

    Reimbursement of Gasoline for Unemployment

    Gasoline costs will be reimbursed up to a maximum of three (3) months, in case of an involuntary unemployment for more than 30 consecutive days; depending on the amount of cylinders the car has, using the following parameters:

    For cars with four (4) cylinders: $25.00 max monthly, up to $75.00 annually.

    For cars with six (6) cylinders: $35.00 max monthly, up to $105.00 annually.

    For cars with eight (8) cylinders: $50.00 max monthly, up to $150.00 annually.

    Restrictions Apply.

    To get more information on car insurance or to get a quote, contact our customer service department at forlacol@gmail.com or by phone (507) 6676 5151.

    DAMAGE TO THIRD PARTIES ~ MINIMUM INSURANCE REQUIRED BY LAW

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    Plan 160:

    Coverage

    Responsibility Limits

    Premium

    Personal Injuries

    10,000.00 P/Person

    20,000.00 P/Accident

    Included

    Property Damage

    15,000.00 P/Accident

    Included

    Medical Expenses

    2,000.00 P/Person

    10,000.00 P/Accident

    Included

    Total (Tax Included)

    $160.00

    Payment Options:

    Cash

    Credit card or bank discount

    Conditions:

    Applies only to personal autos with up to 15 years of use.

    Applies to clients with a good transit record.

    Autos with 11 years or more of usage will need to be previously inspected.

    Additional Benefits:

    Roadside Assistance - 205-0224

    Legal assistance in traffic accidents.

    Towing service: caused by mechanical damage. Maximum annual benefit $150.00.

    Medical emergency service: ambulance service and medical attention in case of an automobile accident, 24 hours a day and 365 days of the year.

    Basic roadside assistance includes a jump-start, a tire change, or gas delivery (gasoline costs not included): Up to $150.00 per event, three (3) events a year. Maximum annual benefit of $450.00.

    Locksmith for loss or misplacement of keys: Up to $150.00 per event, three (3) events a year. Maximum annual benefit of $450.00.

    Transportation to your home because of immobilization of the vehicle (starting from kilometer 25): Up to $100.00 per event, three (3) events per year.

    Hotel expenses caused by an accident or breakdown of the vehicle (starting from kilometer 25): Up to $100.00 per event, maximum 5 days per event, three (3) events per year.

    Also:

    ~ Civil responsibility for replacement car

    ~ Accidental death coverage: $5,000.00 per person, $25,000 per accident

    ~ Extraterritorial coverage in Costa Rica (up to 7 days)

    ~ Alarm discounts

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    Plan 175: *NEW*

    Coverage

    Responsibility Limits

    Premium

    Personal Injuries

    25,000.00 P/Person

    50,000.00 P/Accident

    Included

    Property Damage

    20,000.00 P/Accident

    Included

    Medical Expenses

    5,000.00 P/Person

    25,000.00 P/Accident

    Included

    Total (Tax Included)

    $175.00

    Payment Options:

    Cash

    Credit card or bank discount

    Conditions:

    Applies only to personal autos with up to 15 years of use.

    Applies to clients with a good transit record.

    Autos with 11 years or more of usage will need to be previously inspected.

    Additional Benefits:

    Roadside Assistance - 205-0224

    Legal assistance in traffic accidents.

    Towing service: caused by mechanical damage. Maximum annual benefit $150.00.

    Medical emergency service: ambulance service and medical attention in case of an automobile accident, 24 hours a day and 365 days of the year.

    Basic roadside assistance includes a jump-start, a tire change, or gas delivery (gasoline costs not included): Up to $150.00 per event, three (3) events a year. Maximum annual benefit of $450.00.

    Locksmith for loss or misplacement of keys: Up to $150.00 per event, three (3) events a year. Maximum annual benefit of $450.00.

    Transportation to your home because of immobilization of the vehicle (starting from kilometer 25): Up to $100.00 per event, three (3) events per year.

    Hotel expenses caused by an accident or breakdown of the vehicle (starting from kilometer 25): Up to $100.00 per event, maximum 5 days per event, three (3) events per year.

    Also:

    ~ Civil responsibility for replacement car

    ~ Accidental death coverage: $5,000.00 per person, $25,000 per accident

    ~ Extraterritorial coverage in Costa Rica (up to 7 days)

    ~ Alarm discounts

    To get more information on car insurance or to get a quote, contact our customer service department at forlacol@gmail.com or by phone (507) 6676 5151.

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