Regulations for taking out compulsory third-party and occupant liability insurance for private vehicles

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On March 17, 2025, Governmental Agreement No. 47-2025 of the Ministry of the Interior was published in the Diario de Centro América.

The following is a brief summary of the same:

As of the recent regulation, all owners of private vehicles identified with “P” license plates must contract and maintain in force a civil liability insurance against third parties and occupants. The purpose of this insurance is to guarantee indemnification for injuries or deaths caused in traffic accidents.

 

The coverage established in the regulation will be determined on the basis of the minimum monthly salary for non-agricultural activities of economic circulation two (CE2) in force. This measure seeks to strengthen the protection of victims of traffic accidents and to promote the responsibility of vehicle owners.

 

The civil liability insurance for traffic events shall have a minimum insured sum of 200 minimum monthly wages. The coverage will include:

  • Compensation for physical injuries: up to 50 minimum monthly salaries per affected person.
  • Compensation for death: up to 50 minimum monthly salaries per affected person.

 

In addition, a specific table will be applied to determine the compensation values in case of physical injuries to third parties and occupants. This measure seeks to guarantee adequate compensation to victims of road accidents.

No.

Type of injury

Amounts to be compensated

1

Loss of a toe, other than the big toe

Dos salarios mínimos.

2

 Loss of a finger of the hand, other than the index finger or thumb

Four minimum salaries

3

Loss of the big toe

Nine minimum salaries

4

Loss of the index toe

Nine minimum salaries

5

Complete and permanent deafness in one ear

Ten minimum salaries

6

Loss of thumb

Twelve minimum salaries

7

Loss of sight of one eye without ejection

Fourteen minimum salaries

8

Loss of one eye with expulsion

Seventeen minimum salaries

9

Loss of leg below or at the knee

Twenty four minimum salaries

10

Loss of leg above the knee

Twenty eight minimum salaries

11

Permanent and complete deafness of both ears

Thirty minimum salaries

12

Loss of one hand or one foot or permanent disability

Forty minimum salaries

13

Total and permanent disability

Fifty minimum salaries

14

Complete loss of both hands or both feet

Fifty minimum salaries

15

Absolute and permanent blindness

Fifty minimum salaries

 

Injuries involving partial or total loss of organs, senses or major limbs that are not detailed in the regulations will be compensated according to a specific classification, with amounts based on minimum salaries.

Injury Classification

Description

Amount in minimum salaries

Minor

Injuries that do not significantly affect the functionality of the organ or limb.

One to fifteen minimum salaries

Moderate

Injuries that generate a partial decrease in functionality.

Sixteen to thirty-four minimum salaries

Serious

Injuries that imply an irreversible loss or permanent disability of an organ, sense or main member not specified in the previous sections.

Thirty-five to fifty minimum salaries

Drivers must carry a proof of insurance, printed or digital, issued by the insurance company. Vehicles with foreign plates classified as light must also comply with this obligation while circulating in the country. Those who do not contract or maintain in force the mandatory insurance and are involved in a traffic incident will be sanctioned with a fine of Q. 3,200.00.

Owners of private vehicles with active insurance that does not comply with the amounts and coverage stipulated in the regulation must adjust it to comply with the regulations in force.

The Agreement will become effective forty-five days after its publication in the Diario de Centro América.