What OSAGO covers

OSAGO is compulsory motor third-party liability insurance in Russia. The policy protects your liability, not your car: if you cause a road accident, the insurer pays for the harm done to other people — their cars and other property, their life and health. OSAGO does not pay to repair the at-fault driver's own car; for that you need KASKO (voluntary motor own-damage insurance).

Payout limits are set by law and are the same at every insurer:

  • RUB 400,000 — damage to the property of each injured party;
  • RUB 500,000 — harm to the life or health of each injured party.

If the loss exceeds the limit, the injured party may recover the difference from the at-fault driver. That is why some drivers add voluntary liability cover (DSAGO) with a higher limit.

Who must buy a policy

The obligation is set by Federal Law No. 40-FZ on compulsory motor third-party liability insurance. Every owner of a car, truck, motorcycle, bus or trailer used on public roads must have a policy. Driving without one, or letting a driver who is not named on a restricted policy drive, is an administrative offence under Article 12.37 of the Russian Code of Administrative Offences.

There are two types of policy: with a named list of drivers and with no driver limit. An electronic policy (e-OSAGO) has the same force as a paper one: its details go straight into the AIS OSAGO database, and traffic police check them there. The OSAGO contract is a public contract — an insurer may not refuse to sell it or force you to buy add-ons.

What drives the price

OSAGO rates are set by the Bank of Russia. Bank of Russia Directive No. 7204-U, as amended by Directive No. 7349-U of 4 May 2026, currently applies. The premium is calculated as:

TB × KT × KBM × KVS × KO × KM × KS

  • TB — base rate. Each insurer picks it within the Bank of Russia band; for passenger cars owned by individuals the band is RUB 1,399 to 8,665. That is why the same policy costs different amounts at different insurers.
  • KT — territory: the owner's region and city of registration.
  • KBM — bonus-malus: years without at-fault accidents lower it, an at-fault accident raises it. Each driver's KBM class is stored in AIS OSAGO.
  • KVS — driver age and experience: young drivers with little experience pay more.
  • KO — driver restriction; for a policy with no driver limit the factor is 3.16 for individuals and 1.97 for organisations.
  • KM — engine power.
  • KS — seasonality: if the car is used for less than a full year, the policy costs less.

The OSAGO calculator shows the exact amount for your car and drivers.

Europrotocol

If two vehicles were involved, both drivers have OSAGO, nobody was hurt and there is no dispute about what happened, the accident can be reported without the traffic police, using an accident notice (the "europrotocol"). The payout limit is RUB 100,000, or up to RUB 400,000 if the data are recorded through Gosuslugi Avto or the DTP.Evroprotokol app.

Your copy of the notice must reach the insurer within 5 working days. Do not start repairs or scrap the car for 15 calendar days (not counting public holidays) unless the insurer allows it earlier: it needs to inspect the vehicle.

How to claim

  1. Stop, switch on the hazard lights and put out the warning triangle. If anyone is hurt, call an ambulance and the police.
  2. Report the accident: by europrotocol or with traffic police officers.
  3. File a claim. If only vehicles were damaged and both parties have OSAGO, the injured party claims from their own insurer (direct settlement).
  4. Present the car for inspection and provide the documents the insurer lists.
  5. The insurer reviews the claim within 20 calendar days (not counting public holidays) and either issues a repair referral or pays money.

For passenger cars owned by individuals, the main form of settlement is repair at a service station chosen by the insurer, with no deduction for wear. Insurers pay cash in cases set by law — for example, by agreement with the injured party; the amount is then calculated under the Bank of Russia Unified Methodology, with wear deducted. A step-by-step guide is in the Insurance claim section.

If the insurer refuses or underpays, first send it a written complaint, then apply to the Financial Ombudsman. Without these steps a court will not accept an OSAGO lawsuit.

How to choose an insurer

  • Check that the company holds a current Bank of Russia OSAGO licence — all such companies are members of the RSA (Russian Union of Motor Insurers).
  • See whether the insurer has a claims office and repair shops in your region.
  • Compare prices: because base rates differ, the gap can be noticeable.
  • Consider how easy it is to file a claim online and track it.

Company profiles are in the directory of Russian insurers.

Common mistakes

  • Buying a policy on an unverified website. Buy e-OSAGO directly from the insurer or through a trusted intermediary, and check the policy number in AIS OSAGO.
  • Wrong details in the application. Understated engine power or the wrong region gives the insurer grounds for a recourse claim against the policyholder.
  • A driver not on the list was at the wheel. The insurer pays the injured party but can then recover the amount from the at-fault driver.
  • Relying on OSAGO alone. It does not cover your own car: for that you need KASKO, and for trips abroad a local liability policy — see Green Card.