Changing state registration plates (GRP) is a procedure that many car owners face, whether it is buying a car with the preservation of old plates or losing them. Immediately after receiving a new certificate of registration of the vehicle (CTC), the driver faces the question: do I need to notify the insurance company about the changes that have occurred? Many people mistakenly believe that if the VIN code of the car remains the same, then the policy is not required to change. However, the legislation of the Russian Federation and the terms of the insurance contract dictate their own, more stringent rules.
Amendments to the MTPL or CASCO It is a mandatory requirement when changing numbers, since it is the license plate that is the main identifier of the car for traffic police and automatic photo cameras. Ignoring this point can lead to serious problems when communicating with inspectors on the road, as well as difficulties in obtaining payments in the event of an insured event. It is important to understand that the database Russian Union of Auto Insurance Companies The PCA should be synchronized with the current data about your vehicle.
In this article, we will discuss in detail why it is necessary to make changes to the insurance policy, what are the terms for this procedure and what threatens the driver for the lack of relevant information. We will consider the algorithm of actions for different types of insurance and answer the most frequent questions that motorists have when changing the GHZ. Compliance with these rules will help you avoid unnecessary fines and are guaranteed to receive insurance compensation if necessary.
Legislative requirements and insurance rules
The main regulatory act regulating compulsory insurance of civil liability of vehicle owners is the Federal Law. No. 40-FZ. According to Article 15 of this Law, the policyholder is obliged to inform the insurer of all changes that may affect the degree of insurance risk. Change of state registration plates, of course, refers to such changes, as the identification data specified in the policy changes.
In addition, paragraph 8 of article 15 of the law states that if the information specified in the insurance policy is changed, the policyholder must immediately demand the appropriate changes to the insurance policy. The insurer, in turn, is obliged to make these changes in writing in the insurance policy or issue a new form. This requirement applies to both paper and electronic versions of policies (e-CAGO). Ignorance of this requirement is a direct violation of the terms of the contract.
⚠️ Attention: The absence of the current number of the car in the CTP policy does not relieve from liability, but creates significant obstacles to the rapid execution of documents by traffic police officers in case of an accident or inspection.
The situation voluntary (CASCO) is governed by the terms of a specific contract concluded with an insurance company. However, almost all standard rules of CASCO stipulate that the change of marking data of the car (which include numbers) must be agreed with the insurer. Otherwise, the company may refuse to pay, arguing that it provides false information or changes in risks without notice.
Consequences of Ignoring Data Replacement in Policy
Many drivers ask, “What happens if I don’t change my insurance number?” The answer depends on the situation in which the car is located. If you are stopped by the traffic police inspector to check documents, he will check the data of the CTS, driver's license and CTP policy. According to the Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, the presence of discrepancies in the data is not the basis for imposing a fine directly for the absence of edits in the policy, if the policy itself is valid and the VIN code matches.
However, there are more serious risks associated with transgression. Photo and video cameras read the state registration mark. If the car is listed in the database with one number (new), and in the CTP policy, which is checked automatically, old ones are indicated, the system can show the absence of insurance. In this case, the owner will receive a “letter of happiness” with a fine for the absence of OSAGO, which will have to be challenged, providing evidence of changing numbers.
The most critical situation arises when the attack occurs. insurance. If you are in an accident, the presence of old numbers in the policy can be a reason to delay the payment process or even to refuse, if the insurance company sees this as an attempt of fraud or a significant violation of the terms of the contract. This is especially true for CASCO, where documentation requirements are stricter.
- 🚗 The risk of getting a fine for the absence of OSAGO due to desynchronization of databases of cameras and PSA.
- 📉 The possibility of refusing to pay for CASCO if discrepancies in the documents are detected.
- ⏳ Delaying the timing of the registration of an accident and obtaining insurance compensation.
- 👮 Additional questions and time for verification of documents by traffic police officers.
Even if the penalty for the lack of changes in the policy is not issued directly, the risk of problems in the payment of an accident outweighs the 5 minutes spent on a call to the insurance.
Differences in the procedure for OSAGO and CASCO
The procedure for making changes for compulsory and voluntary insurance has its nuances. In the case of OSAGOAccording to the rules, the changes are made free of charge. The insurance company has no right to demand additional payment or recalculation of coefficients, since the change of numbers does not affect the base rate or individual driver coefficients (MSC, age, seniority remain the same).
S CASCO The situation may be different. Although changing numbers in itself rarely leads to higher policy costs, some insurance companies may charge a small administrative fee for issuing a new form or making changes to the system, if this is stipulated by the rates of a particular insurer. However, most often this service is also provided free of charge, but requires personal presence or a more complex verification procedure.
Immediately. (usually up to 3-5 days)| Parameter | OSAGO | CASCO |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of modification | Free of charge. | Usually free, but it depends on the rules of the SC. |
| Time limit for modification | Under the terms of the contract (usually 3-10 days) | |
| Need for a new form | Yes (or supplement) | Yes (new app or policy) |
| Impact on cost | No. | No (unless the risks have changed) |
It is important to note that for MTPL The procedure is as simplified as possible. You don't have to go to the office. It is enough to go to the personal account on the website of the insurance company, select the option "Make changes", download a scan of the new CTC and get an updated policy on email. The data in the PCA database will be updated automatically within a few days.
Step-by-step instructions: how to make changes
The process of updating data in the insurance policy does not require complex manipulations. The main thing is to prepare the necessary package of documents. You will need a passport of the owner of the car (or a general power of attorney if you are not the owner), a valid CTP/CASCO policy, a new Vehicle Registration Certificate (CTC) and, in some cases, a diagnostic card (although it is usually not required when changing numbers, since the inspection is tied to the VIN).
If you are a customer of an insurance company and contact the office, the procedure will take no more than 15-20 minutes. The employee will check the documents, enter new data into a single database, and then give you a new paper policy or printout of electronic with current numbers. The old policy is withdrawn or cancelled.
☑️ Documents for replacing data in insurance
For owners. e-OSAGO The algorithm is even simpler. You must log in on the insurer's website, go to the "My policies" section, select the desired contract and click the "Make changes" button. The system will request the upload of a photo or scan of the new CTC. After checking with moderators (usually takes 10 minutes to 24 hours), you will receive a new policy file. Make sure to save it in your smartphone and print it out if necessary.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure that the new policy correctly indicates not only the number of the car, but also the engine power. Error in horsepower can lead to problems in calculating the transport tax and checks.
Time limits and time limits
There is no strict time limit (e.g., “strictly 3 days”) within which you are required to replace your insurance number using the wording “promptly”. In practice, this means a reasonable time required for the processing of documents. Insurance companies usually recommend doing this during the period of time. 3-10 days after receiving a new CTC.
However, it is not worth delaying this process. If an accident happens the next day after the number change, and the policy will have old data, it will create unnecessary bureaucratic red tape. The insurance commissioner will be forced to make additional requests to the traffic police to confirm that the car with a new number and the car in the policy are the same vehicle.
Can I travel with an old policy during the registration period?
Formally, if the policy indicates the old number, and the new CTC is a discrepancy. Although it is difficult to write a penalty for this (since the policy is valid for VIN), the risk of problems in case of an accident remains. It is better not to take risks and make changes on the day of receipt of documents on the car.
The human factor should also be taken into account. If you decide to make changes at the end of the month, when the insurance offices are in line, or before the holidays, the process may be delayed. In the case of online insurance, technical work on the site may also temporarily limit the possibility of making edits. Therefore, the best solution is to update the data immediately after visiting the IREO traffic police.
Frequent Questions and Answers (FAQ)
In conclusion, we will answer the most common questions that arise in drivers when changing state registration plates. These clarifications will help avoid common mistakes and misunderstandings on the part of insurance companies.
Do I have to pay for changes to the CTP policy?
No, making changes to the CTP policy when changing numbers, owner or other data is free of charge. The insurance company has no right to take money for this service according to the legislation of the Russian Federation.
What to do if the insurance company requires a payment?
Requiring additional payment when changing numbers is illegal. If an employee insists on payment, request a written waiver of change or a reference to a regulation allowing the charge. Usually, the mention of a complaint to the Central Bank or the RSA removes all questions.
Can I just cross out the old number and write a new one?
Absolutely not. Any corrections made by hand in the CTP policy (even certified by seal) have no legal force and can be regarded as forgery of documents. Changes can only be made by the insurer through its database with the issuance of a new form or supplement.
Does the change of number affect the bonus-malus ratio (MBM)?
No, the MSC is tied to the driver (his SNILS/passport) and the VIN code of the car, not to license plates. Changing the GRZ will not affect your discount for accident-free driving, but the data in the RSA database must be updated so that the system correctly reads the story.
Timely updating of data in the insurance policy is a guarantee of no problems when communicating with the traffic police and quick receipt of payments in the event of an accident. Don't put this case on the back burner.