Changes in Traffic Accident Inspections Effective Monday
Anyone who has been involved in a traffic accident in the last several weeks can attest to the nightmare in the process in getting the vehicle to an INS (Institutio Nacional de Seguros) inspection centre for an evaluation, a process that can take weeks instead of days, as it should.

According to the INS manager, Luis Ramírez, the problem has been in the services provided to the public institution by the private company Axa Re.

The inspection of traffic accidents was given on concession to Axa Re, which was responsible to be present at all traffic accidents and evaluate claims for the INS.

According to Ramírez, the inefficiency of Axa Re has meant a backlog for the INS, claimants having to wait weeks for an appointment to bring their vehicle to the INS evaluation centres, prolonging the process of repairing the vehicle.

Last week claimants were being given appointments into the first week to the middle of May, which forced the INS to take action and beginning on Monday, the INS will be working extra hours, until 9:00pm - usual closing time is 3:30pm - to inspect vehicles.

In addition, the 800 800 8000 line to report accidents and make appointments will be open from 8:00am (normal time) to 7:30pm.

"With these hours in two weeks we can be back to normal", said Ramírez.

In addition, the INS manager has asked that Axa Re better their process of customer service at the scene of an accident, to better orient drivers on the process following the accident.

One of the items on the Ramírez's list is the bettering of the response time. Ramírez said that the response time should not be longer than 40 minutes in urban areas and one hour in rural areas and that if an inspector is not able to reach the scene within that time, to tell drivers to make a report subsequently in a Tránsito offical (traffic police) are on the scene and have made a report.

Contrary to popular belief, a INS inspector is not required at the scene of an accident, however, a Tránsito report is required to file a claim.

Those involved in a traffic accident can call the 800 800 8000 line at the time of the accident and then making a claim with INS within five working days of the accident. With the Tránsito "boleta" (ticket) in hand, the claimant has to make an appointment to have the vehicle inspected and fill our the accident report.

The INS inspection centres in San José are located in the area known as La Coca Cola, by the bus station, and in Zapote. At the Zapote location, the INS traffic accident report can be filled out, while at the Coca Cola, a visit to an INS office is required to fill out the accident report.

Typically, the inspection appointment is available within three to five days, after which the claimant will receive an evaluation of the damage and authorization to repair the vehicle.

The INS accident report and claim is separate from the judicial process of the accident, where both the drivers and owners of the vehicles, depending on the case, have to make a declaration at traffic court, failing which can run the risk being found responsible for the accident by default. The declaration has to be make in the traffic court indicated in the traffic report.