Requirements
SOAT vs. full-coverage insurance on a rental car in Colombia: what each one covers
What SOAT covers, what full-coverage insurance covers, and why both matter on a rental car in Colombia: limits, deductible, deposit and roadside assistance.
Short answer: SOAT covers people and full-coverage insurance covers the car. SOAT is mandatory in Colombia and pays for the medical care of anyone injured in an accident, but it does not pay for a single scratch on the vehicle. Full coverage is what responds if you crash, if the car is stolen or if there is partial damage.
On a rental car both matter. This guide explains what each one covers, what falls outside them and how insurance works at Andes Auto Rental.
What is SOAT and what does it cover?
SOAT (Seguro Obligatorio de Accidentes de Tránsito) is mandatory for every vehicle on the road in Colombia. It covers the victims of an accident —driver, passengers and pedestrians— regardless of who was at fault.
Its limits are set in daily minimum wages, so they rise every year with the minimum wage. According to Fasecolda, Colombia’s insurers’ association, they are:
| Coverage | Limit per victim |
|---|---|
| Medical, surgical, pharmaceutical and hospital costs | Up to 800 daily minimum wages |
| Permanent disability | Up to 180 daily minimum wages |
| Death and funeral costs | 750 daily minimum wages |
| Transport of the injured | Up to 10 daily minimum wages |
What does SOAT not cover?
SOAT does not cover property damage: not the car you are driving, not another vehicle, not a lamppost or a building. It does not cover theft either. That is what full-coverage insurance is for.
What is full-coverage insurance?
It is a separate policy that covers the vehicle: collisions, partial damage, total loss and theft and, depending on the policy, third-party liability. On a rental car it is the difference between paying a deductible and paying for the car.
How insurance works at Andes Auto Rental
- It is added to the daily rate and is worth 10 % of it. If the rate is COP 139,000 a day, the insurance adds COP 13,900 a day.
- It covers 80 % of the vehicle’s value in case of total loss, partial loss and theft. The remaining 20 % is covered by the driver.
- It includes 24/7 roadside assistance anywhere in Colombia, for the whole rental.
- Third-party liability varies by vehicle and is written in the contract.
- Partial damage is quoted and explained to you before it is charged.
The full conditions are in the conditions section of the site.
SOAT vs. full coverage: side by side
| SOAT | Full coverage | |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory? | Yes, for every vehicle | A separate policy |
| Covers injured people | Yes | Depending on the policy |
| Covers the car | No | Yes |
| Covers another vehicle or property | No | Through liability, per the contract |
| Covers theft | No | Yes |
| Roadside assistance | No | Yes, 24/7 nationwide (at Andes Auto Rental) |
What falls outside both policies?
- Traffic and camera fines. They are deducted from the security deposit.
- The 20 % the driver covers in a claim under the full-coverage policy.
- Fuel. The car is handed over and returned at the same level.
The deposit is 30 % of the rental total, left by credit card or bank transfer when you collect the car, and returned 15 days after you drop it off. We explain why in our guide to camera fines with a rental car.
Who takes care of SOAT on a rental car?
The rental company. A reliable rental car leaves with a valid SOAT and technical inspection, and Bogotá’s cameras detect cars driving without them. SOAT can be checked online by plate, so if an officer asks for it, it is verified on the spot.
If you are visiting from abroad, the documents you need are in our guide to renting a car in Colombia as a foreigner. The available cars, with their details, are in our fleet.
The figures in this guide were verified against official sources on the update date. Tolls and rates are adjusted every year.
Frequently asked questions
- What is SOAT?
- SOAT is Colombia’s mandatory traffic accident insurance. It covers people: medical expenses, permanent disability, death and funeral costs, and transport of the injured, regardless of who was at fault. It does not cover damage to the car or to other vehicles.
- Does SOAT cover damage to the rental car?
- No. SOAT only covers injuries to people. Dents, scratches, collisions or theft of the car are covered by full-coverage insurance, which is a separate policy.
- How much is full-coverage insurance at Andes Auto Rental?
- It is added to the daily rate and is worth 10 % of it. If the rate is COP 139,000 a day, the insurance adds COP 13,900 a day.
- What does the rental’s full-coverage insurance cover?
- It covers 80 % of the vehicle’s value in case of total loss, partial loss and theft; the driver covers the remaining 20 %. It includes 24/7 roadside assistance nationwide. Third-party liability varies by vehicle and is written in the contract.
- What does no insurance cover on a rental?
- Traffic and camera fines, fuel, and the 20 % the driver covers in a claim. Fines are deducted from the security deposit, which is returned 15 days after you drop the car off.
- Do I need to carry the SOAT certificate in the rental car?
- SOAT is the rental company’s responsibility: the car leaves with a valid SOAT and technical inspection. SOAT can be checked online by plate, so you do not depend on a paper in the glove box.
