Below we mention some tips to make your vacation in Patagonia go as smoothly as possible.
- Check the vehicle documentation before starting your trip.
- Sign according to the delivery certificate of the vehicle’s condition. For your backup, we suggest taking photos of the vehicle’s current state before starting your rental.
- Verify that the fuel tank is full when you receive the vehicle.
- If you have questions, ask for technical specifications of the vehicle.
- The vehicle must be returned with the tank full of fuel.
- If the rented vehicle has an Air bag, find out about the precautions for minors.
- The use of a seat belt is mandatory.
- Drive with low beams while on highways.
- For children, use a special safety seat.
- Children under 12 years of age should NOT ride in the front seat.
- You should not talk on your cell phone while driving, unless you are using hands-free.
- Pets should not be loose inside the vehicle.
- Drive defensively
- Our roads are made of pavement and dirt. In some cases they are narrow roads, with loose gravel.
- Consider that you may encounter other inexperienced drivers on the road.
- The maximum driving speed on paved roads is 100 km/hr.
- Drive with caution on dirt roads. Avoid overtaking since at excessive speed you may lose control of the vehicle. If this happens to you, avoid suddenly braking, especially if you lost control of the vehicle and began to spin or skid out of control.
- In this case, slow down by taking your foot off the accelerator and downshifting. We recommend that you do not exceed 80 km/hour on this type of road, to avoid the situation described above.
- The roads inside the Torres del Paine National Park are winding and usually with a lot of dust in suspension, the maximum recommended speed is 40 km/hr.
- In the area there are days of strong side winds that make driving difficult, be cautious and reduce speed.
- On windy days, be careful when opening vehicle doors as a gust of wind can drag the door backwards and break its tensioner. Try to park against the wind as much as possible and hold the door firmly when opening and closing it.
- On dry, windless days, the dust that rises on the roads can make visibility difficult.
- Be careful with animals that cross your path unexpectedly. (Guanacos, hares)
- If you rent one of our cars in winter, you will notice that it is equipped with tires with steel spikes (nails). We warn you that this type of tire helps, but does not solve the problem of driving on a very dangerous slippery surface. In addition to being very careful, try to drive smoothly, do not make sudden maneuvers. Never brake or accelerate suddenly.
- Do not drink alcohol or use drugs if you are going to drive, in these cases the insurance does not provide coverage.
- Civil Liability Insurance coverage for accidents in Chile is up to 500 UF for emergent damage, and 200 UF for moral damage.
- For Accidents in Argentina, civil liability coverage towards third parties and/or things of third parties not transported is up to $3.000.000 Argentine pesos.
- The Mandatory Personal Accident Insurance (SOAP) covers 300 UF for medical expenses, death or total permanent disability of the driver, the people transported and any third party affected in the accident.