The essentials in one minute

  • Stop, make the scene safe and help anyone injured.
  • Decide how to register the accident: with the traffic police (GIBDD) or via the europrotocol.
  • File a claim with the insurance company and make the car available for inspection.
  • The insurer has 20 days to make a decision.
  • In a dispute: a written claim first, then the financial ombudsman, and only then the court.

Step 1. At the scene

  1. Stop the car, switch on the hazard lights and place a warning triangle.
  2. If anyone is injured, call an ambulance and the police on 112 and give first aid.
  3. Do not move the vehicles until their positions have been recorded. If they are blocking traffic, first take photos and videos from different angles.
  4. Write down the other driver's details: full name, OSAGO policy number and insurer, number plate, and the contact details of any witnesses.
  5. Do not sign documents you disagree with and do not accept any financial obligations without the insurer's consent.

Step 2. Choose how to register the accident

Europrotocol

The europrotocol lets drivers register an accident without the police if all of the following conditions are met:

  • two vehicles were involved;
  • both drivers have a valid OSAGO policy (compulsory motor third-party liability insurance);
  • no one was injured — only the vehicles were damaged;
  • the drivers agree on the circumstances and the diagram of the accident, or their disagreements are recorded via the Gosuslugi Avto app or the DTP.Europrotocol app.

The payout limit for a paper europrotocol is 100,000 rubles. If the accident data is submitted via Gosuslugi Avto or the DTP.Europrotocol app, the limit is up to 400,000 rubles. After a europrotocol, do not repair the car for 15 calendar days (excluding non-working public holidays): the insurer may ask to inspect it.

Registration with the traffic police

If anyone is injured, more than two vehicles are involved, someone has no OSAGO policy or the drivers cannot agree, call the police. The officer will draw up a report, a ruling or a decision in the case. The insurance company will need copies of these documents.

Step 3. Contact the insurance company

If only vehicles were damaged and the liability of all participants is insured under OSAGO, the victim applies to their own insurance company — this is called direct loss settlement. If anyone's health or other property was harmed, the claim is filed with the at-fault driver's insurer.

A copy of the europrotocol accident notice must be sent to the insurer within five working days. It is convenient to file the payout claim at the same time — many companies allow this online.

Documents for the payout

Vehicle damage

  • a claim for insurance compensation;
  • the passport of the victim or other recipient, and a power of attorney if a representative is acting;
  • documents confirming ownership of the vehicle;
  • the accident notice — if registered without the police;
  • copies of the report, ruling or decision — if the accident was registered by the traffic police;
  • bank details — if the payout will be made in cash.

Harm to health

In addition, medical documents on the nature of the injuries, diagnosis and treatment period, as well as documents on expenses for medicines and rehabilitation and on lost earnings. Compensation for harm to health is calculated using standards approved by the Russian Government, within 500,000 rubles.

Death of a victim

A death certificate, documents confirming the right to compensation and, to recover funeral expenses, documents confirming those expenses.

Step 4. Inspection and the insurer's decision

Make the car available for inspection at the agreed time. If the insurer fails to arrange an inspection within the period set by law, the victim may go to an independent expert on their own.

The company has 20 calendar days (excluding non-working public holidays) from receiving the claim and the full set of documents to make a decision. For each day of delay, the law provides for a penalty of 1% of the compensation amount.

For passenger cars owned by individuals, the main form of compensation is repair at a repair shop the insurer refers you to. Cash is paid in the cases listed in the law — for example, if the car is a total loss or by written agreement with the insurer.

If the insurer refuses or underpays

  1. Send the insurer a written claim stating your demands, with supporting documents.
  2. If the response does not satisfy you, apply to the financial ombudsman — for OSAGO disputes this pre-trial step is mandatory. The review is free of charge.
  3. If you disagree with the financial ombudsman's decision, you can go to court.

What not to do

  • do not leave the scene of the accident — this is an administrative offence;
  • do not start repairs before the insurer has inspected the car;
  • do not sign an agreement on a cash payout without checking the amount against the real cost of repair.

Learn more about the policy on the OSAGO page, find answers to common questions in "OSAGO: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions", and see insurer profiles in the insurance company directory.