When it comes to car insurance, many drivers are faced with the question: “What should a policy even look like?” This is especially true for beginners who are registering for the first time OSAGO or CASCO. The appearance of the document depends on its form (paper or electronic), the insurance company and the type of insurance. But there are general signs by which you can distinguish a genuine policy from a fake or mistake.

In 2026, most policies are issued electronically, but paper forms are still found - especially for those who are accustomed to the “good old” format. In this article, we will look at what both options look like, what should be indicated in the document, and how to verify its authenticity. We will also show real samples of policies from popular insurance companies so that you can compare with your document.

Paper OSAGO policy: what it looks like and what should be indicated

Classic paper policy OSAGO is an A4 format form (sometimes folded in half), protected from counterfeiting by watermarks, holograms and other elements. Since 2019, all forms are printed on special paper with copy protection. This is what must be on the front side:

  • 📄 Series and policy number - a unique identifier (for example, XXX 123456789).
  • 🚗 Vehicle data: make, model, VIN, license plate number, year of manufacture.
  • 👤 Owner information: Full name, date of birth, passport details.
  • 📅 Validity period — start and end date of insurance.
  • 💰 Insurance premium - the amount you paid.

On the reverse side it is usually indicated insurance rules, driver restrictions (if the policy is limited) and insurance company contacts. Important: if the form looks “makeshift” (no security elements, blurry text, typos), this is a reason to be wary.

An example of a fake OSAGO policy

Most often, scammers counterfeit forms by removing watermarks or printing on plain paper. Pay attention to the print quality: the original text is clear, without blurring, and the hologram changes color when tilted.

From 2023 all paper policies OSAGO must contain QR code for authentication via app RSA (Russian Union of Auto Insurers). If there is no code, the document is either old (issued before 2023) or counterfeit.

Electronic MTPL policy: where it is stored and what it looks like

Electronic policy (or e-OSAGO) is a digital document that arrives by email after registration. It has the same legal force as a paper one, but is stored as a PDF file. Outwardly, it looks like a scan of a paper form, but with some differences:

  • 📧 Arrives by mail within 15 minutes after payment.
  • 🔗 Contains unique link to check on the RSA website.
  • 📱Can be saved in applications Public services, RSA or Insurer Online.
  • 🚨 Does not require printing - just show it to the traffic police officer from your phone.

Important: if you received a policy in the format .jpg or .png (not PDF), this is a reason to doubt its authenticity. Official electronic policies are always sent in a secure PDF with a digital signature from the insurance company.

📊 How do you store your OSAGO policy?
On paper in the car
Electronic PDF on your phone
In the RSA/Gosuslugi application
I don't remember where he is

To check the electronic policy, go to the website RSA and enter the document number. The system will show if it is valid. If the policy is not in the database, it is either a fake or an insurance mistake.

CASCO: what the policy looks like and how it differs from OSAGO

Policy CASCO (voluntary insurance) is similar in appearance to compulsory motor liability insurance, but has a number of key differences:

  1. No standard form — each insurance company develops its own design.
  2. More car data — mileage, equipment, and the presence of an alarm system are indicated.
  3. Insurance conditions — risks (theft, accident, natural disasters) and deductible are listed.
  4. Cost - usually several times higher than that of OSAGO.

This is what must be in the policy CASCO:

Parameter OSAGO CASCO
Document Format Standard A4 form Depends on the insurance company (A4 or A5)
QR code Mandatory from 2023 Not required, but maybe
Validity period From 3 months to 1 year From 1 month to 5 years
Vehicle data Minimum (make, license plate) Detailed (VIN, mileage, equipment)
Cost Fixed tariff (from 2,000 ₽) Individual calculation (from 10,000 ₽)

Important: in the policy CASCO often indicated exceptions - cases when the insurance company does not pay compensation. For example, if the car was stolen with the window open or the keys were left in the ignition. Read this section carefully!

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If the CASCO policy does not indicate the mileage of the car, the insurance company may refuse to pay in case of an accident, citing “wear and tear of parts.” Always check that the data matches the PTS.

How to distinguish a fake policy from a real one

Fake policies are a common problem, especially when purchased through intermediaries. Here are the key signs that should alert you:

  • 🚩 No QR code (for compulsory motor liability insurance from 2023 it is mandatory).
  • 🚩 Typos in data — incorrect VIN, license plate number or full name.
  • 🚩 Price too low — OSAGO cannot cost less than the minimum RSA tariff.
  • 🚩 Absence from the RSA database - check on the official website.
  • 🚩 No digital signature (in the electronic policy).

In 2026, fraudsters often forge electronic policies by sending fake PDF files with the logo of well-known insurance companies. Always check the document through official sources!

If you find a fake:

  1. Contact your insurance company immediately.
  2. File a police report (under Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - fraud).
  3. Check to see if your car is listed as stolen (on the traffic police website).
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Even if the policy looks genuine, but is not displayed in the RSA database, it is invalid. Driving with such a document is tantamount to driving without insurance (fine 800 rubles under Article 12.37 of the Administrative Code).

Where and how to check the authenticity of the policy

Check the policy OSAGO or CASCO can be done in several ways:

  1. RSA official website:
    • Go to dkbm-web.autoins.ru.
    • Enter the series and policy number.
    • The system will show the insurance data and the insurance company.
  • Application "Government services":
    • Open the "Transport" section.
    • Select "Compulsory Motor Liability Insurance Check".
    • Enter your policy details or vehicle registration number.
    • Insurance company mobile application (for example, SberInsurance, Ingosstrakh, RESO).

    If the policy is not in the database, but you are sure that you have formally issued it, contact the insurance company - there may be a technical error. In some cases, data is updated in the RSA database with a delay of up to 3 days.

    ☑️ Check your policy before your trip

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    What to do if you lost your policy

    Loss of policies OSAGO or CASCO - not a problem if you know the document number. Here's how to restore:

    • 📄 OSAGO:
      • Order a duplicate from your insurance company (usually free of charge).
      • Download an electronic copy on the RSA website.
    • 📄 CASCO:
      • Contact the insurance office with your passport and PTS.
      • Some companies issue a duplicate through your personal account.

    Important: if you have electronic policy, you don’t need to restore it - just print a copy from the mail or save it to your phone. The main thing is that the document number is readable.

    ⚠️ Attention: If you have lost your policy CASCO and don’t remember the number, the insurance company may request payment for issuing a duplicate (usually 300–500 rubles). To avoid this, store a copy of the document in a cloud service (for example, Google Drive or Yandex.Disk).

    To make it easier for you to compare what policies look like from different insurers, we have collected examples from top companies (the design may vary slightly depending on the year of issue):

    • 🏦 SberInsurance — light green form with the Sber logo, QR code in the upper right corner.
    • 🏦 Ingosstrakh — a blue form with a hologram, the owner’s details are in bold.
    • 🏦 RESO-Garantiya - red heading, on the reverse side are detailed insurance conditions.
    • 🏦 AlfaInsurance — black and white form with a color logo, vehicle data in the table.
    • 🏦 VTB Insurance — blue background, QR code and policy number are highlighted with a frame.

    These companies' electronic policies usually come in PDF form, digitally signed and protected from editing. If you received a document in Word or Excel format, it is 100% fake.

    Example of an electronic SberInsurance policy

    The PDF file must have a digital signature (can be verified through Adobe Acrobat), as well as a link to verify it on the company website. If a file opens without a password, this is suspicious.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the appearance of policies

    Is it possible to drive with a printed electronic OSAGO policy?

    Yes, the printout has the same legal force as the original. The main thing is that all the data and the QR code are clearly visible on it. However, the traffic police inspector can check the policy against the database, so it is better to have a phone with access to the PDF file.

    What to do if there is an error in the license plate number or VIN in the policy?

    Contact your insurance company immediately for correction. Driving with incorrect data is equivalent to lack of insurance (fine 800 ₽). Correction usually takes 1-3 days and is free if the error was caused by the insurer.

    Can a compulsory motor liability insurance policy be on two sheets?

    Yes, if it contains many drivers (in a limited policy) or additional conditions. The main thing is that both sheets are stitched and have the seal of the insurance company.

    Is it necessary to stick an MTPL policy on the windshield?

    No, from 2018 this is not mandatory. It is enough to have the document with you (in paper or electronic form). However, some drivers, in the old fashioned way, keep it in the car “just in case.”

    What does an MTPL policy for a motorcycle look like?

    Externally, it is identical to a car, but the vehicle data will indicate the type “motorcycle” and the corresponding category (A or A1). Insurance rates may also vary.