Pulsar or INS Viajero: what actually changes when you need a doctor abroad?
INS Viajero is the travel policy of Costa Rica's Instituto Nacional de Seguros, sold to nationals and residents of Costa Rica who travel abroad. [1][2] Its conditions are built as a table: three age groups, six options each. This page puts those options next to Pulsar's plans. We compared INS's Option 1 (USD 50,000, ages 18 to 64) with Pulsar's Standard, Option 2 (USD 100,000) with Superior, and Option 3 (USD 150,000) with Prime. [1][6]
Who is behind INS Viajero, and who do you deal with?
The insurer is the Instituto Nacional de Seguros, and the conditions are registered with SUGESE as P19-57-A01-972, version 5, dated May 27, 2025. [1] Their conditions refer to the "Unidad de Asistencia del INS" and name no separate assistance company. [1] Pulsar is sold by Asteroid LLC in Aventura, Florida; assistance and claims are run by MDabroad (US & UK Medical Abroad, LLC), in international medical assistance since 2000. [6]
What are the medical limits, and how are the options tiered?
For ages 18 to 64, Cobertura B (medical expenses) runs from USD 50,000 (Option 1) through 100,000, 150,000, 250,000 and 500,000 to USD 1,000,000 (Option 6). [1] For ages 65 and over, the six options run USD 50,000, 75,000, 100,000, 125,000, 150,000 and 200,000. [1] Pulsar's plans are Basic USD 30,000 (EUR 30,000 on Europe trips), Standard USD 50,000, Superior USD 100,000 and Prime USD 150,000 medical per person. [6]
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
INS excludes "Condiciones o situaciones existentes previas a la contratación del seguro que afecten el interés que se asegura" [conditions or situations existing before the policy was taken out that affect the insured interest] (Cláusula VII, 1.c). [1] There is one exception in Cobertura B, section 2.b: emergency-room care and hospital stabilization "siempre y cuando esté en riesgo la vida del paciente" [as long as the patient's life is at risk], with a USD 10,000 sublimit in every option. [1][2]
Pulsar does not cover pre-existing conditions, except acute heart attack and stroke, covered regardless of history; an optional upgrade (USD 15,000 or 20,000) covers acute episodes of listed chronic conditions. [6]
What are the age limits, and what changes from 65?
INS sells from 16 days of age (Cláusula V) and its published conditions and page do not state a maximum age. [1][2] From 65 the policy uses a separate table, with medical limits of USD 50,000 to 200,000 instead of USD 50,000 to 1,000,000. [1] Pulsar sells up to age 85 at purchase; from 65 the medical limit applies at 75 percent. [6]
How long can the trip be?
INS: "El período total de vigencia de la póliza, en ningún caso debe sobrepasar el límite de ciento ochenta (180) días continuos por viaje" [the total period may never exceed 180 continuous days per trip] (Cláusula XIII). [1] Pulsar's maximum is also 180 days. [6]
Is there a deductible?
Their published conditions do not state a deductible. [1] Pulsar has no deductible on the plans sold on its site. [6]
How do you get care: call first, direct billing or reimbursement?
Cláusula XI asks you to notify the INS assistance unit abroad immediately. If you truly cannot, you have 48 hours after the accident, emergency or acute illness; a late notice means expenses "deben ser presentados por reembolso" [must be submitted for reimbursement]. [1] The INS page and Cláusula X list assistance lines for the USA, Spain, Canada and the Caribbean, and Europe and the rest of the world. [1][2] Pulsar asks you to call first; in network the clinic bills Pulsar directly, and people answer 24/7 by phone and WhatsApp in Spanish, English or Portuguese. [6]
How long does reimbursement take?
Cláusula XII: "El INS brindará respuesta dentro de los diez (10) días hábiles" [INS will answer within ten business days] counted from the claim and all requirements, and the same period applies to pay after acceptance. [1] For Pulsar, check the issued plan terms for reimbursement timelines.
Is there telemedicine?
Neither the conditions nor the INS page we read mention telemedicine. [1][2] On Pulsar, telemedicine is unlimited on every plan, with no charge per consultation and nothing counted against the medical limit. [6]
In what currency are you charged?
Cláusula XVIII: all payments between the insured and INS are made in US dollars, and conversions use the Banco Central de Costa Rica reference selling rate. [1] Pulsar charges in the traveler's own currency (COP, MXN, PEN, CLP and others) at the prior day's market rate plus 1 percent, rounded up, and refunds the same amount in the same currency. [6]
What about cancellation and refunds?
Under Cláusula XVII (derecho de retracto), if the insured cancels within the first five business days after issue and has made no claim, 100 percent of the premium is returned. [1] Otherwise, Cláusula XIV refunds the unearned premium pro rata, minus 17 percent for administrative costs, within ten business days of the request. [1] Pulsar refunds in full within 10 days of purchase if the trip has not started and nothing was used; afterward it returns 80 percent or offers a free date change until 3 business days before cover starts. [6]
What happens if my flight is delayed?
INS Cobertura E pays the sum in the offer, USD 100 in every option, if departure is delayed or suspended at least 12 hours because of strike, weather, volcanic ash or a mechanical problem. [1] It does not apply to flights originating in Costa Rica. [1] Pulsar reimburses reasonable expenses for delays over 12 consecutive hours (clause 38). [3] Flight delay, with Blink Parametric: register your flight 24 hours ahead and get a lounge pass if it is delayed, live now. An automatic USD 50 payment for a delay of 2 hours or more is coming November 2026. Eligible flights per the terms on your voucher.
What else is distinctive in INS's conditions?
Cláusula V covers an insured who is "nacional, o bien, residente temporal o permanente en la República de Costa Rica" [a national, or a temporary or permanent resident of Costa Rica]. [1] The INS page says the policy cannot be bought abroad except at the airport office. [2] Non-professional extreme sports are covered with a sublimit of USD 20,000 to 400,000 depending on option (up to USD 100,000 from age 65); professional competition is excluded (Cláusula VII). [1] The table also lists emergency dental USD 500, epidemic or pandemic illness USD 7,500, trip cancellation up to USD 5,000 and a hospital daily allowance of USD 75 (maximum USD 750). [1]
When might INS be the better choice?
If you live in Costa Rica and want a medical limit above USD 150,000, INS goes up to USD 1,000,000 for ages 18 to 64. [1][6] If you want a Costa Rican insurer with a SUGESE-registered policy, an airport office and a local phone line (800-TELEINS), those are on its page. [1][2] INS includes accidental death and disability amounts, trip cancellation up to USD 5,000 and a fixed USD 100 flight delay payment today; check the Pulsar terms for equivalents before you compare. [1][3] It also covers non-professional extreme sports with an explicit sublimit and gives a 5-business-day withdrawal right. [1]
How do I choose?
Four checks work on any product. First, read the table for your age group, not the headline number, because the 65-plus table differs. [1] Second, find the deadline to notify and what a late notice does (48 hours, reimbursement only, here). [1] Third, check the currency of payment and the exchange rate rule. [1] Fourth, find out whether a free-look or withdrawal period exists and how many days it lasts.
Sources
- Instituto Nacional de Seguros, "Seguro INS Viajero con Asistencia Autoexpedible", SUGESE P19-57-A01-972 V5, May 27, 2025. https://www.grupoins.com/media/uornacdv/p19-57-a01-972-cg-dersa-os-ins-viajero-con-asistencia-autoexpedible.pdf (accessed 2026-10-01)
- Instituto Nacional de Seguros, "Seguro Viajero". https://www.grupoins.com/seguros-personas/seguro-viajero/ (accessed 2026-10-01)
- Asteroid LLC, Pulsar terms. https://pulsar.travel/terms/ (accessed 2026-10-01)
- Asteroid LLC, "The Pulsar Promise". https://pulsar.travel/pulsar-promise/ (accessed 2026-10-01)
- Asteroid LLC, "Draft Flight Delay Benefit terms (dated October 1, 2026)". https://pulsar.travel/flight-delay-benefit/ (accessed 2026-10-01)
- Asteroid LLC, "Pulsar Travel Assistance: full text for assistants". https://pulsar.travel/llms-full.txt (accessed 2026-10-01)
This comparison uses the conditions and pages INS publishes, read on October 1, 2026 (sources above). Conditions change and vary by plan and country: check the current document before you buy. Pulsar is not affiliated with INS. Brand names belong to their owners.