Fake policies and look-alike insurer websites are a real problem. Having bought such a "policy", a driver is left without insurance: the fine for driving without OSAGO (compulsory motor third-party liability insurance) and the damage from an accident fall on them. A check takes a few minutes and requires no special knowledge.

Step 1. Check the insurer's licence

Insurance business in Russia may only be conducted under a Bank of Russia licence. All insurance market participants are entered in a register on the regulator's website — in the "Directory of financial market participants" section.

How to search

  • by the company's full or short name;
  • by its INN or OGRN (tax and state registration numbers) — they are shown in the policy and on the insurer's website.

What to look at

  • Licence status — valid, suspended, restricted or revoked. If it is suspended or revoked, new contracts may not be concluded.
  • Types of insurance — the licence lists the permitted types. OSAGO requires a licence for this type of compulsory insurance.
  • Details — the address, INN, OGRN and official website must match those in the contract.

An insurer offering OSAGO must be a member of the Russian Union of Motor Insurers (RSA). The list of members is published on the union's website.

Step 2. Check that it is not an illegal operator

The Bank of Russia maintains a list of companies showing signs of illegal activity on the financial market. If the name of the company or website is on this list, do not transfer any money to it.

Signs of a suspicious offer

  • the OSAGO price is noticeably lower than at other companies for the same details;
  • you are asked to pay to a private individual's card;
  • the website address differs from the official one by a letter or two or has an unusual domain;
  • the "agent" cannot show a power of attorney from the insurer and does not issue proof of payment;
  • the policy is sent in a messenger as a photo without the insurer's electronic signature.

Step 3. Buy e-OSAGO in the right place

  • on the insurer's official website or app — check the website address against the Bank of Russia register;
  • via Gosuslugi (the state services portal), if this option is available;
  • through reputable intermediaries that redirect you to payment on the insurer's or bank's side.

After payment the policy is sent to your e-mail. Save the file and the contract number.

Step 4. Check the OSAGO policy

Information on OSAGO contracts is stored in the automated insurance information system. Since 1 October 2024 its operator has been JSC NSIS, a subsidiary of the Bank of Russia; the policy check functions previously performed by the RSA have also passed to it.

How to check

  • by the policy series and number;
  • by the car's number plate;
  • by VIN if the car does not yet have a number plate.

You log in to the service via Gosuslugi, bank IDs or an electronic signature. The result shows whether the contract is in force, which insurer concluded it, for what period, and whether a particular driver is named in it.

If the policy is not found

  1. Check that you entered the details correctly.
  2. If the contract has only just been concluded, the information may not appear in the system immediately — check again later.
  3. If the policy is still missing after a few days, contact the insurer named in the document using the phone number on its official website.
  4. If it turns out the policy is fake, file a report with the police and a complaint with the Bank of Russia, attaching the payment documents.

How to check an insurance agent

An agent acts on behalf of the insurance company under a power of attorney. Ask to see it: the power of attorney states the insurer, the agent's full name, its term and the agent's powers, including the right to accept money. When paying in cash, the agent must give you a document confirming payment of the premium. If in doubt, call the insurance company on the number from its official website and ask whether this agent works with it.

How to check policies of other types

There is no single open database for KASKO (comprehensive motor insurance), property, life or DMS (voluntary medical insurance) policies. You can check such a contract with the insurer itself: by policy number on its official website, in your personal account or via its hotline. Make sure the contract has actually been concluded and that the premium and term match the documents you hold.

Step 5. Check the details in the policy

  • the full name and passport details of the owner and the policyholder;
  • make, model, number plate, VIN, engine power;
  • the list of drivers and their licences — or the "no restriction" mark;
  • the term of the policy and the period of use;
  • the coefficients and the total premium.

An error in the engine power, VIN or driver details may give rise to a dispute when a claim is made. It can be corrected through the insurer — the procedure is described in "How to amend an OSAGO policy". If you have doubts about your KBM, see the guide to checking and restoring your KBM.

Reliability is more than a licence

A valid licence is the minimum requirement. For long-term contracts — life insurance, multi-year KASKO, large property — it is also worth assessing the company's financial stability: ratings, financial statements, quality of claims handling. How to do this is explained in "Financial stability of insurers". From 1 January 2027, payments under life insurance contracts will be guaranteed by the ASV (Deposit Insurance Agency) if a licence is revoked — more in "Life insurance guarantees: the ASV".

Profiles of the largest companies are collected in the Polis Re directory of insurance companies, and our specialists will help you choose OSAGO from a verified insurer.