SOAP – Mandatory Personal Accident Insurance (Seguro Obligatorio de Accidentes Personales)
Translated to English from the official CoNaSeT website.
What is SOAP?
In Chile, SOAP is a legally required insurance that covers death and bodily injuries resulting directly from traffic accidents involving an insured vehicle.
Its coverage allows for the payment of hospitalization or medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, and dental care, or rehabilitation costs. In case of disability or death, it compensates the affected person or beneficiaries accordingly.
Who does SOAP cover?
- The driver of the vehicle.
- The passengers or people being transported in the vehicle.
- Any third party affected in a traffic accident involving a vehicle insured with SOAP.
Insurance Amounts
- Death: 300 UF (Unidad de Fomento)
- Total permanent disability: 300 UF
- Partial permanent disability: Up to 200 UF
- Medical and hospitalization expenses: Up to 300 UF (Level 03 M.L.E. Fonasa)
Beneficiaries in case of death, in order of precedence:
- Surviving spouse
- Minor children
- Adult children
- Parents
- The mother of non-marital children of the deceased
- If none of the above are present, compensation goes to the person who proves they are the heir.
Who must purchase it?
Every owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer, or motorhome must purchase it when obtaining their Circulation Permit.
What should I consider when purchasing it?
Make sure the insurance company or bank has representative offices throughout most of the country, so you have a place to handle claims if necessary. It is also advisable to compare prices at different institutions before making a decision. While price differences are small, associated services like roadside assistance and mechanical workshops can make a difference.
What should I do if I sell my vehicle? Is it necessary to buy SOAP again?
No, the transfer of vehicle ownership during the insurance contract period automatically transfers the insurance coverage without altering it until the policy expires. However, the insured must notify the insurer within 5 days of the transfer.
What if the SOAP is under someone else’s name?
Regardless of who purchases the insurance, it is important to note that SOAP is tied to the vehicle, not the owner. Therefore, you can still obtain insurance for the vehicle and be protected.
Mandatory Insurance for Foreign Registered Vehicles – SOAPEX
Vehicles with foreign registration must also purchase insurance during their stay in the country, providing the same coverage as SOAP, known as SOAPEX. This mandatory personal accident insurance is required for all foreign-registered vehicles entering Chile temporarily or provisionally.
Check here for the SOAP Policy for motor vehicles with foreign plates.
What if I don’t have SOAP?
- You risk a fine between 1 and 1.5 UTM (Unidad Tributaria Mensual).
- In case of an accident, neither you nor the passengers nor third parties will have hospital care coverage.
- The Chilean police (Carabineros de Chile) can remove your vehicle from circulation and place it at the Local Police Court’s disposal.
How many times is this insurance paid in a year?
SOAP is paid once a year and must be purchased before obtaining the Circulation Permit. It then has a 12-month renewal.
Cases where the insurance does NOT apply:
- Traffic accidents caused during car races and other motor vehicle competitions.
- Traffic accidents that occur outside Chile.
- Suicide and all kinds of self-inflicted injuries.
- War, earthquakes, and any other traffic accidents resulting from fortuitous events unrelated to vehicle circulation.
Deadlines to claim benefits
- General rule: One year from the date of the traffic accident or the death of the involved person, provided the death occurred within a year of the accident.
- Permanent disability: One year from the date of the medical certificate issuance, which must be presented within two years from the accident date.
The insurance company must pay within 10 days from the submission of the required document.
Steps to Claim Benefits
Seek Medical Attention: Go to an emergency service to receive treatment for physical injuries (driver, passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist), specifying that they are due to a traffic accident.
Report the Accident to Carabineros de Chile: You must know the license plate number of the vehicle. Without this information, it is impossible to identify the involved vehicle.
Obtain a Certificate from the Competent Court or Public Prosecutor’s Office: This document should include the details of the traffic accident, based on the report sent to the competent court.
Report the Accident to the Insurance Company: Keep all medical bills, certificates, and documents from the Court or Public Prosecutor’s Office related to the traffic accident. You will need to present these to the insurance company to be reimbursed for expenses.
What is the time frame for the insurance company to pay?
The insurance company must pay within 10 days from the submission of the required documents, which include:
- A certificate from Carabineros de Chile detailing the accident information.
- In the case of death, a death certificate of the victim, along with a family book, marriage certificate, birth certificate, or other documents proving the beneficiary’s status.
- In the case of disability, a certificate proving the nature and degree of the disability.
- Receipts for the cost of medical care, recovery, and rehabilitation, as well as pharmaceutical care for the victim due to the injuries sustained.
Are there deadlines for filing a claim?
In the event of an accident, the driver or owner of the insured vehicle or their representatives must notify the insurance company in writing within 30 days of becoming aware of the traffic accident, unless there is a justified impediment. Additionally, they must immediately report the accident to the nearest Carabineros de Chile unit, presenting the corresponding insurance certificate.
Which insurer is responsible if two or more vehicles are involved in the accident?
In such cases, each insurance company is responsible for compensating the people transported in the vehicle it insures.
Which insurer is responsible if pedestrians and vehicles are involved in the accident?
In the case of pedestrians, non-transported individuals, or when it is not possible to determine which vehicle the affected people were traveling in, all involved insurers are jointly responsible for the highest compensation due to the person or their beneficiaries. However, the final payment should be shared equally among the insurer.