Two different types of cover for one car

In Russia, "car insurance" usually means two policies: OSAGO and KASKO. They are often confused, although they protect against opposite situations. OSAGO pays for damage you cause to others. KASKO compensates damage to your own car, regardless of who is at fault.

OSAGO: compulsory liability insurance

Compulsory motor third-party liability insurance (OSAGO) is governed by Federal Law No. 40-FZ. Driving without a valid policy is prohibited. If you are at fault and someone else's car, property or health is harmed, your insurance company compensates the victims.

  • property damage limit — 400,000 rubles per victim;
  • life and health limit — 500,000 rubles per victim;
  • your own car is not repaired under OSAGO if the accident was your fault.

The price is calculated with a single Bank of Russia formula: the base rate is multiplied by coefficients for region, bonus-malus (claims history), driver age and experience, number of drivers, engine power and seasonal use. Each company sets its base rate within an approved corridor, which is why prices differ between insurers. You can estimate your policy with the OSAGO calculator.

KASKO: voluntary cover for your own car

KASKO (comprehensive car insurance) is not required by law, but banks often require it for car loans. The terms are set by each company's insurance rules. The classic set of risks:

  • damage — road accidents, hitting an obstacle, rollover, falling trees, snow and ice, natural disasters, fire, explosion, unlawful acts of third parties;
  • theft — stealing or hijacking the car;
  • total loss — when repair is not economically viable.

A deductible, a limited list of drivers and programmes covering only selected risks noticeably reduce the price of KASKO. When choosing, pay attention to the form of compensation (repair at a shop chosen by the insurer, at an official dealer, or a cash payment), whether the sum insured decreases after a payout, and whether parts depreciation is applied. Learn more on the KASKO page.

Why you need both policies

OSAGO meets the legal requirement and protects you against claims from other road users. KASKO covers what OSAGO does not: repairing your own car when you are at fault, theft, and damage in a car park when the culprit is unknown. Together they provide full protection. If the damage you could cause might exceed the OSAGO limits, ask the insurer about voluntary extended liability cover (DSAGO).

What to do after a road accident

  1. Stop, switch on the hazard lights and place a warning triangle — at least 15 m behind the car in built-up areas and 30 m outside them.
  2. If anyone is injured, call an ambulance and the police on 112.
  3. Photograph the scene, the position of the cars, the damage, the number plates and the road layout.
  4. If no one is injured, only two vehicles are involved and both drivers have OSAGO, you can use the europrotocol (an accident report completed by the drivers without the police): the limit is 100,000 rubles, or up to 400,000 rubles if recorded via the Gosuslugi Avto app or the DTP.Europrotocol app. In all other cases, the accident must be registered with the traffic police (GIBDD).
  5. Notify your insurance company and check how to file a claim.

A step-by-step guide to OSAGO payouts is available in the Insurance Claims section.

What to do under KASKO in other situations

Damage in a car park or vandalism

Do not touch the car until the damage has been recorded; take photos and videos, report to the police and obtain confirmation that your report has been registered. Many policy rules allow payouts without police certificates for certain types of damage, such as broken glass, but check this in your own contract.

Theft

Report it to the police and the insurer immediately. Keep the keys and registration documents — the company will ask for them when you file a theft claim.

Fire

Call the fire service on 101 or 112. To receive a payout, you will need a document from the Emergencies Ministry (MChS) confirming the fire and its cause.

General rules

  • notify the insurer within the deadline set in the policy rules;
  • do not start repairs before the company's representative has inspected the car;
  • do not waive your claims against the person at fault in writing — this may deprive the insurer of its right of recourse and become grounds for refusing the payout.

How to choose car insurance

Start with OSAGO — it is the mandatory minimum. Then decide whether you need cover for your own car and compare KASKO programmes with identical parameters. Polis Re specialists will help you compare insurers' offers — submit a request or visit the OSAGO section.