After a road accident, the main question is how much the repair will cost. Under OSAGO (compulsory motor third-party liability insurance) and KASKO (comprehensive motor insurance), the answer comes from an expert assessment. Let's see who carries it out, under what rules, and what to do if you disagree with the insurer's calculation.

Technical expert and appraiser: what's the difference

  • A technical expert (ekspert-tekhnik) carries out the independent technical assessment of a vehicle under OSAGO. They must be included in the state register of technical experts maintained by the Ministry of Justice of Russia. An opinion from an expert not on the register is not accepted under OSAGO.
  • An appraiser works under Federal Law No. 135-FZ "On Valuation Activity in the Russian Federation". They must be a member of a self-regulatory organisation of appraisers and insure their liability. Appraisers determine the market value of property and of damage — this is needed in KASKO, apartment and house insurance and corporate property insurance.

Assessment under OSAGO

The Unified Methodology

The cost of restoration repair under OSAGO is calculated strictly according to the Unified Methodology approved by Bank of Russia Regulation No. 755-P, using reference books of average prices for spare parts, materials and labour hours compiled by the Russian Union of Motor Insurers (RSA). The methodology is binding on the insurer, the independent expert and any assessment ordered by the financial ombudsman.

Step by step

  1. Submit a direct loss settlement claim to your insurer with the accident documents. If the damage prevents the car from being driven, say so — the inspection will be carried out where the vehicle is located.
  2. The insurer must inspect the car and/or arrange an independent technical assessment within 5 working days of receiving the claim (unless the parties agree on another date).
  3. Do not repair the car or dispose of damaged parts before the inspection — otherwise the payment may be refused in full or in part.
  4. The insurer considers the claim within 20 calendar days (excluding non-working public holidays) and issues a referral for repair or, in cases provided by law, makes a payment.

When you can order an assessment yourself

If the insurer has not carried out the inspection or arranged the assessment within the deadline, the injured party may contact a technical expert independently. The cost of such an assessment is included in the losses. It is important to notify the insurer of the date and place of the inspection so that its representative can attend.

Assessment under KASKO

For KASKO, the rules are set not by the OSAGO law but by the contract and the specific company's insurance rules. They state how damage is calculated: repair at a service station on the insurer's referral, a calculation based on official dealer prices, or payment based on an assessment. The OSAGO Unified Methodology does not apply here.

  • Read the section on how the amount of damage is determined and on "total loss" carefully.
  • Check whether depreciation of parts is taken into account and whether there is a deductible.
  • If you disagree with the calculation, the rules usually allow an independent assessment; its result can be used in a claim letter and in court.

If you disagree with the amount

  1. Request the documents. Ask the insurer for the inspection report and the repair cost calculation.
  2. Get your own assessment. Under OSAGO — from a technical expert on the state register using the Unified Methodology; under KASKO — from an appraiser or expert according to the contract rules.
  3. Send a claim letter. A written pre-trial claim to the insurer is mandatory. Attach the opinion and calculation.
  4. Contact the financial ombudsman. For individuals this is a mandatory step before going to court. Under OSAGO, there is no limit on the amount of the claim; under KASKO and other lines, claims of up to RUB 500,000 are accepted. The financial ombudsman may order their own assessment, free of charge for the consumer.
  5. Court. If you are not satisfied with the decision, you can go to court, where a forensic assessment may be ordered.

How to choose an expert

  • Check that the technical expert is on the state register and the appraiser is a member of an appraisers' SRO.
  • Sign a contract and get a receipt or certificate of services — these costs may be reimbursed.
  • Make sure the opinion contains photos, a description of the damage and references to the methodology and reference books.
  • Don't trust promises to "guarantee a higher payout" — the amount is determined by the methodology, not by what either party wants.

Before buying a policy, compare the claims settlement terms of different companies in the insurer catalogue or calculate the price with the OSAGO calculator.