Work Risk Insurance (INS)

Any employer in Costa Rica who hires staff (for example, a restaurant with employees) must obligatorily purchase a Work Risk Insurance policy with the Instituto Nacional de Seguros (INS), regardless of the type of contract or the workers’ schedules.

Legal basis: Title IV of the Codigo de Trabajo and the Ley de Riesgos del Trabajo. It is a mandatory and universal social insurance, not optional.

Coverage: accidents and illnesses that workers suffer during their work or as a consequence of it.

Who must purchase it: any employer with hired personnel, without exception, including businesses that use staffing intermediaries.

The policy consists of:

• the insurance application, particular conditions,
• special and general conditions,
• the technical insurance standard,
• and any additions or declarations added later.

Cost: INS calculates the premium according to the risk level of the economic activity (for example, a restaurant kitchen has higher risk than office work) and the reported payroll. For an exact quote, you must consult directly with INS or an authorized insurance broker.

Note: this policy is independent of the employer contribution paid to the CCSS (see employer registration form CCSS) — they are two distinct obligations and both mandatory when personnel are hired.