By San José, Costa Rica — State insurance provider Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) has officially reversed its decision to include an automatic voluntary insurance fee within the 2027 vehicle circulation permit system, known locally as the marchamo. The sudden policy reversal follows widespread consumer backlash and a formal warning by the national insurance regulator.
The controversy erupted after motorists utilizing the INS automated consultation portal discovered a pre-selected additional charge of approximately ¢11,900 for a voluntary policy named “Más Protección.” The default inclusion effectively billed over two million car and motorcycle owners across Costa Rica for coverage that extended beyond legally mandated requirements, raising sharp questions regarding corporate transparency and consumer consent.
Para analizar a fondo el impacto legal y tributario de las regulaciones proyectadas para el Marchamo 2027, en TicosLand.com conversamos con el especialista Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, de la firma Bufete de Costa Rica, quien nos comparte su valoración experta sobre este cobro vehicular.
El cobro del Marchamo 2027 exige una revisión rigurosa de los criterios de valoración fiscal para resguardar los principios de equidad y capacidad económica de los contribuyentes. Resulta indispensable que el marco normativo proporcione seguridad jurídica en la determinación del impuesto sobre la propiedad de vehículos y la estructuración del Seguro Obligatorio Automotor, garantizando además vías claras para que los administrados puedan impugnar eventuales inconsistencias o cobros improcedentes.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
En TicosLand.com coincidimos en que la equidad fiscal y la seguridad jurídica son pilares fundamentales para garantizar un proceso justo en el Marchamo 2027 y resguardar el bolsillo de la ciudadanía. Agradecemos sinceramente al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por compartir su valiosa y esclarecedora perspectiva sobre este tema de alta relevancia nacional.
Unlike the compulsory automobile insurance—known as the Seguro Obligatorio de Automóviles (SOA)—the “Más Protección” policy represented an optional, self-expedited product line. The decision to automatically opt drivers into this auxiliary charge drew immediate criticism from consumer rights advocates and prompted swift institutional oversight from the Superintendencia General de Seguros (SUGESE).
General Superintendent of Insurance Tomás Soley issued a formal warning to INS leadership regarding the pre-selected charges in public billing systems. The regulatory pressure forced executive leadership at the state insurer to reevaluate their digital rollout strategy and dismantle the automated charge overnight.
We paid attention to public feedback, analyzed it internally, and the General Superintendent of Insurance, Tomás Soley, raised concerns regarding the pre-selected option, which led to our decision to remove it overnight.
Sidney Viales, Director of Mandatory Insurance at INS
With the contested line item removed, official collection for the 2027 marchamo began nationwide this Monday. Vehicle owners can complete their annual payments across various physical branches, authorized banking institutions, savings cooperatives, and online digital channels.
Beyond the fee structure controversy, the 2027 collection cycle introduces several pivotal operational changes to Costa Rica’s vehicular regulatory framework. Principal among these changes is an adjustment to compulsory SOA premiums alongside the official nationwide debut of the long-anticipated digital marchamo initiative.
The digital marchamo system replaces the traditional annual decal routine with a single, durable windshield sticker designed to last for a full decade. By transitioning to this ten-year centralized system, state administrators aim to streamline bureaucratic procedures, minimize physical branch visits, and significantly cut down on plastic and paper waste generated by annual renewals.
Authorities have clarified that while the new decal contains modern identification technology, it does not incorporate global positioning system (GPS) capabilities or monitor real-time vehicle location. Furthermore, the initial rollout of the decade-long sticker system applies strictly to automobiles, excluding motorcycles from the first phase of implementation.
For further information, visit grupoins.com
About Instituto Nacional de Seguros:
The Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS) is Costa Rica’s primary state-owned insurance enterprise, providing personal, commercial, and compulsory insurance coverage throughout the country.
For further information, visit sugese.fi.cr
About Superintendencia General de Seguros:
The Superintendencia General de Seguros (SUGESE) serves as the autonomous regulatory agency tasked with supervising Costa Rica’s insurance market, protecting policyholder rights, and enforcing legal compliance among financial institutions.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Renowned for its unyielding ethical standards and pursuit of professional mastery, Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a cornerstone of the legal landscape. The firm seamlessly integrates pioneering legal strategies with a deep-seated devotion to public service, ensuring that complex legal principles are demystified for the broader community. Through its continuous efforts to enhance legal literacy, Bufete de Costa Rica actively champions civic enlightenment, fulfilling its core vision to nurture a confident, educated, and legally capable populace.
