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17% Taxis Don't Have Insurance
The risk of a traffic accident
is high and the non-protection
of users of formal taxis is just
as high, according to a report
by the Ministerio de Transportes,
as more than 2.000 taxis operate
without insurance.
There are 12.000 taxi plates
issued, according to the
Ministerio de Transportes
records. However, the Instituto
Nacional de Seguros (INS), the
state insurance company, reports
issuing only 9.868 policies this
year.
Accordin to Javier Vargas,
Director Ejecutivo del Consejo
de Transporte Público (CTP),
there is a "considerable group"
that are not in conforming with
the law.
The situation has caused the
ordering of an investigation
into the situation that will
result the loss of the taxi
plate or concession to those who
do not comply with the required
insurance policy.
"We are ready to begin the
administrative process necessary
for compliance", said Vargas.
The "Ley de Taxis" obligates all
licensed taxis (red cars with
the yellow triangle on the door
and specially marked license
plate beginning with TSJ for San
José, TG for Guanacaste, TL for
Limón, TP for Puntarenas, "TA
for Alajuela, TH for Heredia and
TC for Cartago) to have coverage
for "A" and "C" of the INS.
The insurance is to cover
damages to third parties of up
to ¢40 million colones for
injury and ¢100.000 colones for
death in the event of an
accident.
The INS is the state monopoly on
insurance and provides a number
of coverages that the owner of
vehicle can purchase. However,
since there exists no
requirements for drivers to have
full coverage and thus can
purchase the coverage options
separately.
And because insurance is an
option - basic insurance
coverage for third party
liability is included in the
annual Marchamo - Tránsito
officials do not ask for
insurance coverage proof when a
driver is pulled over for a
traffic violation. However, taxi
operators must have the coverage
A and C.
According to Rónald Acuña, head
of FENACOTAXI, his members pay
on average ¢70.000 colones every
six months for the coverage as
required by law, notwithstanding
the year and model of the
vehicle used to operate the
taxi.
The taxi organization head says
that some may fall in arrears in
making their payments, but those
are few and the public should
rest assured that is protected
when using a taxi.
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