Car Renting Tips

Renting a car it is usually cheaper in Santiago and more expensive in Patagonia.
Most companies in Chile say that their price have CDW insurance, but they do not mention that their CDW insurance has a deductible (amounts usually run between USD 300 and USD 700). This amount would be your maximun responsability in case of an accidente and is “per” accident. Small companies do not have ofices in other cities besides Santiago, so there is a risk in case you need assistance or vehicle change.
Leaving Chile with a car rental vehicle it is not a simple procedure. You have to get a legal authorization in advance. Permit costs aprox USD 125 for 15 days or USD 250 per month. This extra payment will include the same Liability (third parties) and CDW insurance in Argentina that you have in Chile. You have to consider that crossing Chile and Argentina border is not like in Europe, here takes much more time and patient as well.
There is no rental company that authorizes their rental vehicles to cross to either Peru or Bolivia. This is because too many cars stolen in those countries, and also because relationship between Chile and those countries is …let’s say “not good at all”
Your country's driver licence is good enough to drive in Chile but we would also reccommend to get an international drivers licence in you are planning to cross to Argentina. If stopped in Chile, police usually will ask for your International drivers licence, but nothing so far has `happened to a customer of our company for not having it (that's 20 years car rental business experience).
If you are planning to rent a car in order to drive in Patagonia, the best alternative is a pick up truck (because of its higher clearence) or jeep. Double traction would be even better. We recommend to take 2 spare tires and a spray for emergency flat tires. But in the other hand we have had many clients that have travelled through all Patagonia with a simple compact sedan vehicle (you obviously would have to drive slower and with less weight).
Always try to park your vehicle in a safe parking place and do not leave things inside where people can see them. Try always to leave your staff in the trunk. Also take out the panel of your radio every time you leave your car alone (if it’s possible)
Chilean roads are quite good. I guess you have heard there is nothing free in life, well, let me tell you that there are many, and also expensive, tolls in Santiago and Panamericana N° 5 (main road that goes from North to South) so you must have plenty of cash in order to pay them.
Santiago has recently inagurated new modern roads that makes your driving much safer and way faster. In order to use this roads you pay new electronic free flow tolls (you pay meanwhile you drive....that’s without stopping, just a sound will be heard) If your rental starts in Santiago is normal that you will pay an extra of aprox. USD 10 daily because of this new underground toll roads. Cars we offer are equipped with a device in order to be able to drive in these "free flow toll roads" which is called TAG.