The mandatory Marchamo – annual vehicular circulation permit – for 2020 for the 1,560,343 registered vehicles in the country is now available for purchase.
And keeping with tradition, the cost is higher over last year.
The Superintendencia General de Seguros (Sugese) – General Superintendence of Insurance – approved Thursday morning the Seguro Obligatorio de Automóviles (SOA) – mandatory insurance – by the INS, allowing the annual collection to start, as usual on November 1.
Last year, if you will recall, the Sugese did not approve INS’ proposed drop in the rates, causing uncertainty when the 2019 Marchamo would be available. The delay lasted for three weeks, going on sale in the last week of November.
For 2020, all passenger vehicles will pay ¢25,026 for the SOA, motorcycles ¢89,614 and taxis ¢68,397, a 3.5% increase over 2019.
The SOA represents only 21% (one fifth) of the total cost of the Marchamo, the biggest portion is the annual property tax on vehicles. Also included in the total cost of the Marchamo are a whole bunch of taxes and unpaid fines.
To know what the cost of your 2020 Marchamo you can call the INS by telephone at 800-MARCHAMO or visit their website www.ins-cr.com.
The 2020 Marchamo must be paid by December 31. There is no grace period. On January 1, vehicle owners caught by Transitos (traffic police) without the Marchamo face a fine and possible confiscate of the license plates and/or vehicle. The outstanding amount is also subject to penalties and fines.
The 2020 Machamo can be paid at any of the 2,327 points of sale, including banks, INS agents and ICE itself. And of course online.
