There are different ways to save on insurance. The bad way is to buy the cheapest policy without reading the terms and end up with no payout. The good way is to pay only for the protection you really need. Here is how to optimise costs without sacrificing reliability.

For individuals

1. Compare offers

Rates for voluntary insurance vary noticeably between companies, and even for OSAGO (compulsory motor third-party liability insurance) the price depends on the base rate the insurer chooses within the Bank of Russia’s corridor. For passenger cars owned by individuals the base rate corridor is 1,399 to 8,665 rubles. Calculate the cost in our calculators and compare terms, not just prices.

2. Watch your bonus-malus ratio

The OSAGO bonus-malus ratio (KBM) goes down for accident-free driving and goes up after accidents you caused. Check your KBM before buying a policy: if it has been calculated incorrectly, contact the insurer, and if they refuse to correct it, the Bank of Russia.

3. Limit the list of drivers

An OSAGO policy with no restriction on drivers is calculated with a ratio of 3.16. If only one or two people drive the car, a contract with a named-driver list will be noticeably cheaper. In KASKO, the list of drivers and their experience also affect the price.

4. Use a deductible

An unconditional deductible in KASKO (comprehensive car insurance) or property insurance reduces the policy price. You pay for minor damage yourself, and the insurer covers large losses. The key is to choose an amount you can afford without straining your budget.

5. Drop unnecessary options

Collecting certificates, towing, an accident commissioner, taxi, GAP cover — these are useful but not always necessary options. Keep only the ones you will actually use.

6. Choose the right term and territory

For travel insurance, an annual multi-trip policy is more cost-effective if you travel abroad several times a year. If you use your car seasonally, OSAGO can be taken out for a limited period of use (for individuals — at least 3 months). The sum insured must meet the requirements of the destination country, but there is no need to overpay for territory you do not need.

7. Insure for the real value

Understating the sum insured does not pay off: with underinsurance, the payout is reduced proportionally (Article 949 of the Civil Code). Overstating it is also pointless — the insurer will not pay more than the actual loss.

8. Use tax deductions

For voluntary medical insurance (DMS) contracts you can claim a social personal income tax deduction (Article 219 of the Tax Code, overall social deduction limit of RUB 150,000 a year), and for life insurance contracts concluded from 2025 for at least 10 years — the long-term savings deduction (Article 219.2, limit of RUB 400,000 a year). This returns part of the premium you paid.

For businesses

9. Audit your insurance programme

Companies often buy policies separately, in different years and from different insurers. As a result, some risks are insured twice while others are not insured at all. Put all contracts into a single table: objects, sums insured, limits, deductibles, exclusions, terms. This alone usually reveals savings.

A single programme for a vehicle fleet, property or employee voluntary medical insurance is usually cheaper than separate policies and easier to administer. Aggregate limits and a common deductible give flexible control over the price.

Review sums insured annually: property revaluation, new equipment, the sale of part of the fleet — all of this should be reflected in the contracts, otherwise you either overpay or risk a proportionally reduced payout.

10. Manage your risks

Insurers assess not only the object but also the protective measures: fire alarms, security, cargo tracking, driver training. Documented risk reduction measures are an argument for a lower rate. Telematics is useful for fleets, and regular inspections with prompt fixes for warehouses.

What not to do

  • buy a policy from an unknown seller — check the insurer’s licence in the Bank of Russia’s directory of financial market participants;
  • give up insuring large risks to save money — a single uncovered loss will wipe out all the premiums saved;
  • withhold information when concluding a contract: knowingly false information gives the insurer the right to have the contract declared invalid (Article 944 of the Civil Code).

Polis Re specialists will help you find the best terms and compare offers from different companies — submit a request or use the comparison tool.