Marchamo 2027: how to remove the ₡11,900 "Más protección" insurance the INS adds automatically
When you pay the 2027 marchamo on the INS website, the amount already includes an optional ₡11,900 insurance. It isn't mandatory and you can remove it in two clicks.
If you're paying the 2027 marchamo online, check the amount before you confirm. The Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) added a voluntary insurance called "Más protección" to the bill by default. It costs ₡11,900 a year.
What does "Más protección" cover?
According to the INS, this insurance extends the marchamo's mandatory insurance (SOA) once a traffic accident uses up the SOA coverage:
- Medical care: up to ₡6 million more per person.
- Travel expenses: lodging, meals and transport when the INS can't treat you near where you live.
- Temporary disability: a payment during recovery, if an INS doctor prescribes it.
It's optional: the marchamo is valid with or without it.
How to remove it, step by step
- Go to the INS website and look up your vehicle's marchamo by license plate.
- Click "Pagar marchamo" (pay marchamo).
- The next screen lists optional add-on coverages. The first one is "Más protección", marked "Agregado" (added).
- Click the "Agregado" label (the green check mark).
- The site asks whether you want to continue without the insurance. Choose "Continuar" (continue).
- Check that the total dropped by ₡11,900 before paying.
If you pay through your bank's online banking, also check the breakdown of the amount before confirming.
Is it worth it?
It depends on the driver. If you already have medical expense insurance or a vehicle policy with broad coverage, you may not need it. If not, ₡11,900 for up to ₡6 million more in medical care may be reasonable protection. What matters is that it's your decision, not a charge that slips by unnoticed.
Why is it included?
When CR Hoy asked, the INS didn't explain why the insurance is included automatically; it only repeated that drivers can remove it.
More about the marchamo: how is the marchamo calculated?, where and how to pay it and our Look up your marchamo page.
This article is for information only. Current coverage and conditions are the ones the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) indicates.