Buying a car with a subsequent replacement of license plates or their planned exchange is a situation that many car owners face. The main question that arises is: how to properly issue an MTPL policyso that you don’t have to overpay or redo documents? In 2026, the procedure has its own nuances related to changes in legislation and the work of insurance companies.

The main problem is that the OSAGO policy is tied to state registration plate (GRZ) of the vehicle. If the numbers change after registration of insurance, this may lead to the need to make changes to the policy or even reissue it. However, not all car owners know that when preliminary replacement of numbers (for example, when buying a used car with subsequent re-registration), you can avoid unnecessary expenses if you follow a clear algorithm.

In this article we will analyze all possible scenarios: from registration of compulsory motor liability insurance up to changing numbers before adjusting the policy after their shifts. We will also tell you how to save bonus-malus ratio (BMR) and not lose the discount for accident-free driving, even if the data in the policy has changed.

1. Is it possible to issue MTPL without numbers or with temporary signs?

Yes, it is possible, but with reservations. According to Federal Law No. 40-FZ (about MTPL), a policy can be issued even without indicating state numbers if:

  • 📌 The car is new and has not yet been registered (has PTS without registration marks).
  • 🔄 It is planned to replace the license plates in the near future (for example, when buying a used car with subsequent re-registration).
  • ⏳ Temporary transit numbers are issued for up to 20 days (for moving a car to the place of registration).

In such cases, the OSAGO policy indicates instead of numbers VIN code car or data PTS. However, it is important to consider that not all insurance companies agree to such registration. For example, RESO-Garantiya and Ingosstrakh require mandatory indication of the State Register, and SberInsurance and AlfaInsurance may accommodate you when providing documents for re-registration.

📊 Have you already encountered changing license plates on a car?
Yes, when buying a used car
Yes, on personal initiative
No, but I plan to
No and I don't plan to

If you are taking out a policy up to obtaining new numbers, check with your insurer whether you will subsequently need making changes to the policy. Some companies (for example, VTB Insurance) allow you to update your data free of charge within 30 days after the policy is issued.

2. What to do if compulsory motor liability insurance has already been issued, but the numbers have changed?

The situation when the MTPL policy was issued for old numbers, and then they were replaced (for example, when selling a car with subsequent re-registration to a new owner), requires mandatory notification to the insurance company. Otherwise the policy may be recognized void in case of an accident.

Algorithm of actions:

  1. Get new state numbers in traffic police.
  2. Contact the insurance company (by phone, through your personal account or office) and inform about the change in the state protection license.
  3. Provide copies of new documents: STS and Vehicle registration certificate.
  4. Please wait for confirmation of changes (usually takes 1-3 business days).

Application for Change (Insurance Company Form)

A copy of the new STS

Copy of vehicle registration certificate

Car owner's passport

OSAGO policy (original or copy)

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Most insurance companies are making changes free, but some (for example, Tinkoff Insurance) may charge a commission of 100–300 rubles. If you do not notify the insurer about the change of numbers, if an insured event occurs, you may refuse payment.

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If you change numbers due to their loss or damage, keep documents from the traffic police on the issuance of duplicates - they may be required to confirm the legality of changes in the policy.

3. Is the KBM retained when changing numbers?

One of the main fears of car owners is loss bonus-malus coefficient (BMC), which gives a discount on OSAGO for accident-free driving. Good news: Replacing state numbers does not affect the KBM, since it is not tied to the car, but to driver's license owner.

However, there are nuances:

  • 🔄 If you selling a car and buy a new one, the KBM is transferred automatically when a new policy is issued in your name.
  • 🚗 If you change plates on the same car (for example, on personal initiative), the KBM is retained, but only on the condition that the policy is not reissued to another owner.
  • ⚠️ If the insurance company refuses to take into account your KBM when adjusting the policy, require a written explanation - this is a violation of the law.

To avoid problems, before making changes to the policy, check your CBM on the official website RSA (Russian Union of Auto Insurers). If the data does not match those specified in the policy, contact the insurance company and request a recalculation.

4. How much does it cost to make changes to the MTPL policy?

The cost of adjusting data in the policy depends on the insurance company and the reason for the changes. In most cases number replacement refers to free adjustments, but some insurers may charge a nominal fee.

Insurance company Change Cost (2026) Processing time
SberInsurance Free 1–2 business days
AlfaInsurance Free 1 working day
RESO-Garantiya 200 rubles 3 working days
VTB Insurance Free (when applying through your personal account) 1 working day
Tinkoff Insurance 300 rubles 2 working days

If the insurance company requires payment for changes, check to see if this is a breach of contract. According to Art. 15 Federal Law No. 40-FZ, adjustment of data on the vehicle (including state registration certificate) should not lead to a change in the cost of the policy, unless they change car characteristics (power, model, etc.).

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Making changes to the MTPL policy when changing numbers should not affect its cost if other insurance parameters do not change (vehicle capacity, region, list of drivers).

5. Features of registration of compulsory motor liability insurance when buying a used car

When buying a used car and then changing license plates, it is important to properly register the MTPL to avoid problems. Let's consider two scenarios:

Scenario 1: Buying a car with a valid MTPL policy

If the seller gives you the MTPL policy along with the car, it needs to be re-registered in your name. To do this:

  1. Contact your insurance company to request a change of ownership.
  2. Provide purchase and sale agreement and vehicle registration certificate in your name.
  3. Pay the difference in cost (if any) or confirm the retention of the KBM.

Scenario 2: Buying a car without an MTPL policy

If the seller does not have a valid policy, you will have to take out one from scratch. What's important here is:

  • 📝 Indicate in the policy VIN code car if the numbers have not yet been received.
  • 🔍 Check car history via traffic police or service Autocodeto avoid registration problems.
  • 💰 Please note that when applying for a new policy, the KBM will be calculated based on your driving history, not the previous owner.

If you are buying a car in another region, check with your insurance company to see if it is possible to issue a policy remotely (for example, via Public services or personal account). Some companies (for example, Consent) allow you to do this without visiting the office.

What to do if the seller refuses to transfer the MTPL policy?

If the seller does not transfer the policy or refuses to reissue it, you have the right to:

1. Issue a new policy in your name (but you will lose the seller’s KBM).

2. Demand through the court compensation for the unused period of insurance (if the policy was paid in advance).

3. Check whether the policy was terminated by the seller before the sale (this can be done through the PCA database).

6. Frequent mistakes when applying for compulsory motor liability insurance with a change of numbers

Even experienced car owners make mistakes that later turn into problems. Here are the most common:

  • ❌ Failure to notify the insurance company about changing numbers. This may lead to denial of payment in case of an accident.
  • ❌ Registration of a policy for old numbers after replacing them. Such a policy is considered invalid.
  • ❌ Ignoring KBM check. If the insurance company doesn't honor your discount, you'll overpay.
  • ❌ Trying to save money on an electronic policy. Paper and electronic policies have the same legal force, but electronic ones are cheaper and faster to issue.

Another common mistake is an attempt to make changes to the policy through intermediaries. Some car owners turn to unofficial services that promise to update their data “quickly and cheaply.” This is risky because such companies may:

  • 🕵️‍♂️ Forge documents, which will lead to problems in the traffic police.
  • 💸 Take money, but do not make changes to the RSA database.
  • 📉 Ruin your KBM story.
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Before contacting the insurance company, make copies of all documents (PTS, STS, passport) and save them in electronic form. This will help quickly resolve controversial situations.

⚠️ Attention! If you change plates due to their loss or theft, be sure to get it from the traffic police certificate of issue of new signs. Without it, the insurance company may refuse to make changes to the policy.

7. How to apply for compulsory motor liability insurance online if the numbers are not ready yet?

From 2026, you can issue an MTPL policy completely remotely - through the websites of insurance companies or a portal State services. If numbers have not yet been received, follow this algorithm:

  1. Select an insurance company (for example, SberInsurance, AlfaInsurance or RESO).
  2. Please indicate in the registration form VIN code car instead of license plates.
  3. Attach scans PTS and passports.
  4. Pay for the policy online (by bank card, via SBP or Qiwi).
  5. After receiving the numbers, make changes through your personal account or contact support.

Some insurance companies (eg. Tinkoff) allow you to issue a policy even without VIN code, if you provide data PTS. However, in this case, additional verification of documents may be required.

If you are applying for a policy through Public services, the system will automatically prompt you to enter vehicle data. If the number is not yet available, select the option "The vehicle is not registered" and indicate VIN.

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An electronic MTPL policy has the same legal force as a paper one. You can present it to the traffic police inspector directly from your phone or print it out.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to drive with an MTPL policy if the numbers have changed, but the changes have not yet been made?

Technically it's possible, but it's risky. In the event of an accident, the insurance company may refuse to pay, citing inconsistencies in the data. It is better to make changes in advance or obtain temporary confirmation from the insurer.

How much time is given to make changes to the policy after changing numbers?

There is no strict deadline set by law, but it is recommended to do so within 10 days after receiving new numbers. Some insurance companies set their own limit (for example, SberInsurance - 30 days).

Is it possible to issue MTPL for transit numbers?

Yes, but only for the duration of the transit signs (maximum 20 days). After receiving permanent numbers, the policy will have to be reissued.

What to do if the insurance company refuses to make changes?

Request a written refusal and contact RSA (Russian Union of Auto Insurers) or Central Bank of the Russian Federation with a complaint. You can also file a lawsuit - the courts usually side with car owners in such disputes.

Does changing numbers affect the cost of compulsory motor insurance?

No, if other parameters do not change (car power, registration region, list of drivers). The cost of the policy is recalculated only when these data change.

If you still have questions about registering compulsory motor liability insurance when changing numbers, we recommend contacting RSA hotline by phone 8 (800) 200-22-77 or to the website autoins.ru. There you can check the relevance of your KBM and clarify details on adjusting the policy.