Marchamo – Procedure for Paying it Late

[xspire1]

Being new to Costa Rica I have just found out that I was supposed to pay the Marchamo for my vehicle in December of last year. Has anyone had the unfortunate experience of having to pay this insurance after the fact? If so, I would greatly appreciate finding out what is required and how it is done. I never received any paperwork in the mail and I am not even sure if this is how it is done in CR? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Gerry

[DavidCMurray]

You must take the initiative to pay the annual marchamo which is due in December. You can pay it at any bank, many co-ops, etc. Look for the signs.

If you use on-line banking with your Costa Rican bank account, you can probably pay the marchamo on-line and then to go the bank to pick up the windshield sticker. Look under “Pagos”, find “Marchamo”, enter your license plate number and see what comes up.

If you pay in person, you will need all the “ownership” papers for your vehicle — the title, registration, etc, and the license plate number.

As an aside, the marchamo is a combination of about a dozen taxes plus the legally mandated public liability insurance. The amount of liability insurance afforded is laughable — maybe c100,000 or c200,000. It’s not nearly adequate to cover you should you be at fault in an accident. INS provides expanded liability insurance plus property damage coverage, and collsion and theft insurance.

[jreeves]

If this is your first time paying the marchamo, I think you have to present your passport as well – my husband had to show his passport the first time he paid it.

[xspire1]

Thanks David

I found out that if you miss the December deadline you have to pay in person at the INS office. Life is good again.

I will definitely pay it on line in the future.

Thanks for your assistance.

Gerry

[xspire1]

Thanks

I paid the marchamo in person at the INS office and they were OK without the passport.

I appreciate your reply.

Gerry

[Author]

Posts