What fleet insurance is
Once a company runs several vehicles, insuring each one separately becomes a burden: different expiry dates, different terms, dozens of payments. Fleet insurance usually means a package that protects all company transport — cars, vans, trucks, buses and special machinery.
The package rests on two products:
- OSAGO (compulsory motor third-party liability insurance) — covers liability to third parties. It is issued for each vehicle.
- KASKO (voluntary motor own-damage and theft insurance) — covers the vehicles themselves. For a fleet it is often arranged as one master contract with uniform terms.
Companies often add extended liability above the OSAGO limits (DSAGO), accident insurance for drivers and passengers, and cargo insurance.
What each policy covers
OSAGO
OSAGO pays for damage your vehicles cause to other road users. The limits per victim are RUB 400,000 for property and RUB 500,000 for life and health. When an accident is recorded without traffic police (the "europrotocol"), the limit is RUB 100,000, or RUB 400,000 if recorded via Gosuslugi Avto or the DTP.Europrotocol app. OSAGO does not pay for repairs to the company's own vehicle. More on the OSAGO page.
KASKO
KASKO protects the vehicles themselves: accident damage, including when your own driver is at fault, falling objects, fire, natural events, vandalism, theft and total loss. Claims are settled by repair at a service station (a dealer or one chosen by the insurer) or in cash based on a repair estimate. Fleet contracts often include towing, an accident commissioner on site and glass cover without police certificates. More on the KASKO page.
Common add-ons
- DSAGO — an extra liability limit if damage to third parties exceeds the OSAGO limits. Especially relevant for trucks and buses.
- Accident cover for drivers and passengers — see employee accident insurance.
- Goods in transit — for companies carrying goods in their own vehicles: cargo insurance.
- Green Card — if vehicles travel abroad: Green Card.
Who must insure and what happens without a policy
Under Federal Law No. 40-FZ on OSAGO, every vehicle owner, including a legal entity, must insure its liability. This must be done before the vehicle is registered and no later than 10 days after the right of ownership arises. A legal entity's OSAGO contract covers an unlimited number of drivers: any employee with a licence of the right category may drive.
Liability under Article 12.37 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offences (KoAP):
- driving without OSAGO — a fine of RUB 800 (Part 2); a repeat offence — RUB 3,000 to 5,000 (Part 3);
- driving outside the period of use stated in the policy — RUB 500 (Part 1).
Fines are not the main risk. Without a policy the company pays victims out of its own funds: under Article 1068 of the Civil Code, an employer is liable for harm caused by an employee performing work duties. KASKO is not required by law, but leasing companies and banks usually require it for leased and financed vehicles.
What drives the price
OSAGO is priced using the Bank of Russia formula (Directive No. 7204-U as amended by No. 7349-U): base rate, territory, bonus-malus, engine power, period of use and other factors. Legal entities have their own base rates, and because the policy covers any driver, the corresponding factor applies. You can get an estimate in the OSAGO calculator.
Fleet KASKO is priced individually:
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Fleet composition and value | Makes, age and actual value of vehicles form the basis of the price |
| Claims history | A low loss ratio in past years is the strongest argument for a discount |
| Deductible | A fixed deductible noticeably lowers the premium: the company repairs minor damage itself |
| Use | Taxi, car sharing, long-haul trips and heavy-duty work cost more |
| Parking and security | Guarded parking, anti-theft and telematics systems reduce risk |
| Settlement option | Dealer repair costs more than an insurer-chosen shop or a cash settlement |
The KASKO calculator gives a guide for one vehicle, but only an individual quote gives the exact price for a fleet.
Choosing an insurer
- Check the insurer's Bank of Russia licence for the relevant classes.
- Make sure it has claims handling and partner repair shops in the regions where your fleet operates, including for trucks.
- Compare the rules for adding and removing vehicles mid-term, additional premiums and refunds.
- Ask about instalments, a dedicated account manager and regular claims reports.
- Read the policy wording: exclusions, parking requirements, deadlines for reporting an event.
See the list of companies under Insurance companies. Polis Re specialists can help collect fleet data and compare offers from several insurers — submit a request.
Claims
- Make the scene safe and call emergency services and the traffic police if needed.
- Record the accident: by europrotocol if the conditions are met, or through the police.
- Notify the insurer within the deadline set by the contract and file a claim with documents.
- Present the vehicle for inspection before any repairs.
Under OSAGO the insurer has 20 calendar days to decide on a claim (excluding non-working public holidays). If two vehicles with OSAGO were involved and only property was damaged, the victim claims from its own insurer (direct settlement). The financial ombudsman handles disputes only with individuals, so a company resolves disputes through a pre-trial claim and the commercial (arbitration) court.
Common mistakes
- Policies expire on different dates, so sooner or later a vehicle goes out without OSAGO.
- Seasonal machinery is insured for a period of use but works outside it.
- KASKO does not reflect real use: the car works as a taxi, but the contract says personal or business use.
- Drivers do not know what to do after an accident and miss notification deadlines.
- The company does not track its loss ratio and comes to renewal without arguments for a discount.
If you carry passengers under a contract of carriage, you also need OSGOP — compulsory carrier liability insurance.
