Auto Insurance in Puerto Rico

Last Updated on January 2, 2026

Drivers in Puerto Rico are required to carry auto insurance—at a minimum, coverage that protects others when you cause damage. If you’re new to the topic, here’s a plain-English breakdown of auto liability insurance.

What makes Puerto Rico different is how the minimum coverage is purchased. Instead of buying a standard “state minimum” liability policy the same way you would in most U.S. states, Puerto Rico ties required coverages to the marbete (registration/tag renewal) process and uses a combination of mandatory programs plus optional private insurance.

Below, we’ll explain how car insurance works in Puerto Rico, what the minimum requirements actually cover (and don’t cover), and what to shop for if you want real protection beyond the bare minimum.

Key Takeaways

1. Puerto Rico’s Minimum Coverage Is Unique: Required coverages are tied to marbete (registration/tag) renewal and typically include SRO (compulsory insurance) plus ACAA injury coverage.
2. SRO Has a Limited Purpose: Puerto Rico’s compulsory insurance mainly covers damage your vehicle causes to another vehicle—and it does not pay to repair your own car.
3. ACAA Covers Injuries, Not Vehicle Repairs: ACAA provides injury/medical-related benefits for people hurt in traffic accidents, while vehicle repair claims usually go through SRO or private insurance.
4. Private Insurance Is How You “Fill the Gaps”: To cover injuries you cause, property damage beyond vehicles, and your own car (collision/comprehensive), you’ll generally need optional coverage from a private insurer.

How Car Insurance Works in Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, most drivers end up with two “must-have” coverages tied to renewal, plus optional private insurance if they want broader protection:

Why it matters: The mandatory programs are helpful, but they’re limited. If you want coverage for injuries you cause, damage to a building/fence, or repairs to your own car, you’ll usually need additional coverage beyond the minimum.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s minimum requirement is typically described as minimum coverage auto insurance, but the structure is unique compared to most states.

1) Compulsory Liability Insurance (SRO)

Puerto Rico requires drivers to carry “Compulsory Insurance,” officially called Seguro de Responsabilidad Obligatorio (SRO). The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCS) explains the program and the rules here: Seguro Obligatorio (SRO) – OCS.

Key limitation: SRO is mainly designed to cover damage your vehicle causes to another vehicle in a traffic accident in Puerto Rico (not your own vehicle). The current program limit is up to $4,500 per accident.

SRO exists because car insurance is mandatory for vehicles that travel on public roads, but it’s not meant to replace a full private policy.

2) ACAA Mandatory Injury Coverage

Puerto Rico also has a mandatory injury benefits system administered by ACAA (Administración de Compensaciones por Accidentes de Automóviles). ACAA states it operates with a mandatory premium of $35 per year (with optional upgrade plans available when you renew your marbete). See ACAA’s overview for injured parties here: ACAA – Lesionados.

This is similar in concept to personal injury protection (PIP) in certain U.S. jurisdictions—benefits are available regardless of who caused the crash, which ties into how no-fault auto insurance is commonly described. In many places, no-fault structures can influence pricing, which is why drivers often ask whether insurance in a no-fault state is more expensive.

Bottom line: Puerto Rico’s mandatory system helps with baseline protection, but it does not automatically give you robust liability limits or coverage for your own vehicle. Many drivers add private coverage to close the gaps (more on that below).

If you want help choosing what to add, start with these additional coverage options and build a policy that fits how you actually drive.

How to Get Car Insurance in Puerto Rico

For most drivers, minimum coverage is handled during the registration/tag (marbete) renewal process. That’s when the compulsory coverages are selected/paid as part of keeping your registration current.

1. Renew your marbete: During renewal, you’ll pay the mandatory fees and select your SRO provider.
2. Decide if you need private insurance too: If you want higher liability limits or protection for your own vehicle, request quotes from insurers that write private auto policies in Puerto Rico.
3. Match coverage to your situation: Financed vehicles usually need physical damage coverage; older paid-off cars may not.

Registration costs vary. If you’re trying to budget your renewal and insurance costs, this guide can help you understand typical costs to register a car by state (Puerto Rico’s process is different, but the budgeting mindset is the same: expect a mix of registration fees and required insurance-related charges).

Visiting or moving from the mainland? Many U.S. auto policies treat Puerto Rico as within the “policy territory,” but you should confirm with your insurer before you drive—especially if you’re renting a car or staying long-term.

Best Car Insurance in Puerto Rico: What to Shop For

The “best” car insurance in Puerto Rico is the policy that fills the gaps left by the minimum programs and protects your finances after a serious crash. When comparing quotes, focus on these items (not just the price):

• Higher liability limits: SRO is limited and focused on damage to other vehicles. A private policy can expand coverage for injuries and other types of property damage. (See how bodily injury liability coverage and property damage liability coverage work.)
• Coverage for your own car: If you can’t afford to replace your vehicle after a crash or theft, look at collision/comprehensive.
• Medical-related add-ons: Some drivers add medical expenses coverage on top of ACAA, depending on their needs.
• Deductibles and claims experience: A low premium isn’t always a win if the deductible is unaffordable or the claims process is frustrating.

Pro tip: When you request quotes, ask insurers to price the same limits/deductibles across all companies so you can compare apples to apples.

Types of Car Insurance in Puerto Rico

In Puerto Rico, insurers and banks often describe policies using package-style names. Here’s what those labels usually mean in plain English:

Compulsory Insurance (SRO)

This is the required “Seguro Obligatorio” tied to your renewal. It’s meant to provide a baseline layer of protection, but it does not cover damage to your own vehicle and it’s limited in scope.

Public Liability (Responsabilidad Pública)

This is private insurance that expands beyond the basic mandatory programs. Depending on the policy, it can cover injuries and property damage you cause to others in ways the minimum programs don’t. It’s the category most similar to “standard liability insurance” in the states.

Full Coverage

Full coverage car insurance typically refers to a package that includes liability plus physical damage protection for your own car—usually collision coverage and comprehensive coverage. If you have a loan or lease, this is often what a lender expects you to carry.

Medical Expenses Coverage

Some drivers add medical-related coverage through a private insurer, which may be labeled as medical payments coverage (MedPay) or “medical expenses.” If you’re wondering what typically pays after a crash, this guide explains when car insurance pays for medical bills after an accident.

Double Interest and Single Interest

These options are common in Puerto Rico, especially when financing a vehicle:

• Double interest: Designed to protect both the lender and the vehicle owner (often required to drive off a dealer lot with financing).
• Single interest: Designed primarily to protect the lender’s interest in the vehicle.

If you’re not sure what you’re buying, ask the agent or lender, “Does this policy include liability for injuries and property damage to others—or is it only physical damage to the vehicle?” That one question prevents a lot of expensive misunderstandings.

Other Car Insurance Coverage Available in Puerto Rico

Beyond liability and physical damage, insurers may offer useful add-ons that can make life easier after a breakdown or claim:

Extended Warranty or Mechanical Breakdown Insurance

Also called MBI, mechanical breakdown insurance can help cover certain repairs that a standard auto policy will not (because normal car insurance is mainly designed for accidents, not wear-and-tear).

Roadside Assistance

Many companies offer emergency roadside assistance coverage that can include common services like fuel delivery, help with a flat tire, and towing.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Because minimum limits are limited and not every driver carries robust private coverage, many drivers consider UM/UIM an important add-on. Here’s the difference between uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

GAP Coverage

If you’re financing and owe more than your car is worth, GAP insurance can help cover the difference if your vehicle is totaled and the claim payout is less than the remaining loan balance.

If you ever need to file a claim, it helps to know the process ahead of time. This step-by-step guide explains how to go through your insurance company to get repairs done.

Driving Without Insurance in Puerto Rico

Driving without the required coverage in Puerto Rico is illegal, and it can lead to fines and other headaches—especially if you’re also dealing with an expired marbete, inspection issues, or paperwork problems.

Also keep in mind that paperwork problems can create coverage confusion. For example, drivers often ask whether expired registration voids a car insurance policy. Even if a policy stays active, an expired registration can still create serious legal trouble and complications after a stop or crash.

If you cause a crash while uninsured (or without the right coverage), you may be personally responsible for injuries, vehicle repairs, and legal claims. Here’s what typically happens after an accident without insurance.

How to Find Cheap Car Insurance in Puerto Rico

If you want cheaper car insurance in Puerto Rico, the biggest “lever” you control is shopping and policy design. Use these strategies:

1. Compare multiple quotes: Rates can vary a lot by insurer—even for the same driver and vehicle. Shop at least 3–5 companies.
2. Stack discounts: Most insurers offer savings for things like bundling, safe driving, paying in full, or certain professions. Start with this list of best auto insurance discounts.
3. Right-size physical damage coverage: If your car is older and paid off, you may not need collision and comprehensive forever. This guide explains when you should drop full coverage on your car.

FAQs on Car Insurance in Puerto Rico

Final Word: Compare Quotes to Find the Best Puerto Rico Car Insurance

Puerto Rico’s car insurance system can feel confusing at first because the minimum requirements are tied to renewal and split across programs. The easiest approach is to treat SRO and ACAA as your baseline, then compare private insurance options to cover the gaps—especially higher liability limits and protection for your own vehicle.

Take a few minutes to request quotes, confirm what each policy covers (and excludes), and choose the combination that protects you financially—not just the cheapest sticker price.