New car insurance rules in: what has changed for drivers and owners

Introduction

On January 1, 2026, large-scale changes in the car insurance system came into force in Russia, affecting both compulsory compulsory motor liability insurance and voluntary CASCO insurance. The reform affected tariffs, payment terms, procedures for registering road accidents, and even requirements for the insurance companies themselves. If you own a car or are just planning to buy one, these innovations cannot be ignored - they directly affect the cost of maintaining the car and your rights in an accident.

The main goal of the reform, according to regulators, is simplify the insurance procedure, reduce the number of fraudulent schemes and make payments more transparent. However, in practice, many changes have raised questions among motorists. For example, why electronic policies are now mandatory for everyone, how the new bonus-malus system will work, and what to do if the insurance company refuses to pay for CASCO due to “non-compliance with the conditions.”

In this material we will analyze in detail all the key innovations, including hidden nuances that insurance agents are silent about, and we will give a checklist of actions for drivers. And at the end of the article there are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the new rules.

1. OSAGO in 2026: what has changed in compulsory insurance

The most noticeable changes affected compulsory motor liability insurance. Now OSAGO has become even more strictly controlled by the state, and tariffs are tied to new criteria. Here are the main innovations:

• 📄 Electronic policies by default: Paper OSAGO forms are no longer issued - only digital format through the portal State services or websites of accredited insurers. The exception is remote regions with poor Internet (their list is approved by Order of the Bank of Russia No. OD-567/24).
• 💰 Dynamic tariffs: The base rate now depends not only on the driver’s experience, but also on vehicle registration region, car models (taking into account the cost of spare parts) and even mileage (data is taken from the system ERA-GLONASS).
• ⚖️ New bonus-malus odds (KBM): The system of discounts for accident-free driving has been revised. Now, for each accident caused by the driver, the BMR increases by 30% (previously - 20%), and the maximum discount for 10 years without accidents has increased to 60%.
• 🚗 Power limitation: For vehicles over 250 hp The MTPL tariff automatically increases by 40%. This also applies to electric cars with equivalent power.

Important: if you do not renew your MTPL policy before March 1, 2026, its validity will be suspended, and driving without valid insurance will result in a fine. 1 500–2 000 ₽ (according to Article 12.37 of the Code of Administrative Offences, as amended). You can check the relevance of the policy through the service RSA.

⚠️ Attention! From 2026, insurance companies are obliged automatically renew OSAGO 30 days before the expiration date, unless the client refuses the service. This means that money may be debited from your card without further notice. To avoid unexpected payments, check your auto-renewal settings in your insurer’s personal account.

2. CASCO: new conditions and pitfalls

Voluntary insurance (CASCO) in 2026 has become less profitable for drivers, but more transparent in terms of payments. Main changes:

• 🔧 Exceptions for wear and tear: Now insurance companies have the right to reduce payments by depreciation wear of parts, even if it is not specified in the contract. For example, if the bumper of a car older than 3 years is damaged, the payment may be reduced by 30–50%.
• 📱 Mandatory photo recording before insurance: Before applying for CASCO insurance, the owner must provide a photo of the car from all sides (including the interior and VIN number) through the insurer’s mobile application. This rule was introduced to combat fraud in the insurance of damaged cars.
• 🚨 New grounds for refusing payment:
  • If the car was modified (for example, a body kit has been installed or the suspension has been changed) without notifying the insurance company.
  • If the accident occurred on roads not cleared of snow (for regions with winter climate).
  • If the driver does not provide data from ERA-GLONASS within 24 hours after the accident.

The average cost of CASCO insurance increased by 15–20% due to tougher conditions. However, there is also positive news: now insurance companies are required to pay money within 10 working days (previously - up to 30 days), otherwise penalties will be charged in the amount 0.5% of the payment amount for each day of delay.

What to do if the insurance company delays paying out CASCO insurance?

If the insurance company has not transferred the money within the prescribed period, submit a formal claim (by registered mail or through your personal account). In your complaint please indicate:

- CASCO agreement number;

- date of the accident and certificate number;

- the amount of payment according to the inspection report;

- requirement to pay late fees.

If no response is received within 5 days, please contact Bank of Russia (via portal cbr.ru) or to court. Judicial practice in 2026 shows that in 90% of cases decisions are made in favor of drivers.

Type of insurance	Average tariff increase in 2026	New conditions	Payment term
OSAGO	+5–12%	Electronic policy, dynamic tariffs, linking to ERA-GLONASS	Up to 20 days
CASCO (full)	+15–20%	Photo recording before insurance, exclusions for wear and tear	Up to 10 days
CASCO (partial)	+10–15%	Restrictions on repairs from official dealers	Up to 14 days
DSAGO	+3–7%	Expanded coverage for pedestrian accidents	Up to 15 days

3. Electronic policies: how to issue and what kind of fake it will be

From 2026 paper OSAGO policies have been completely abolished. Now you can only apply for insurance electronically through:

• 📱 Insurance company mobile application (for example, SberInsurance, Ingosstrakh, RESO-Garantiya).
• 💻 Official website of the insurer (be sure to check the address - scammers create copies of sites).
• 🏛 Portal State services (You can also compare tariffs from different companies there).

The registration procedure takes no more than 10 minutes:

1. Enter vehicle details (VIN, license plate, model).
2. Enter a list of drivers (or select the "unlimited" option).
3. Pay for the policy by credit card or via SBP.
4. Receive an electronic policy by email and in your personal account.

Correctness of the vehicle VIN number | Up-to-date driver's license data | Absence of debts on fines (check through traffic police.rf)|Availability of a valid diagnostic card (for cars older than 4 years)|Comparison of tariffs of at least 3 insurance companies-->

Fines for falsifying a policy have become stricter: now not only an administrative fine is provided for the use of fake compulsory motor liability insurance (5 000 ₽), but also criminal liability according to Art. 327 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (up to 2 years of imprisonment), if the damage from fraud exceeded 250 000 ₽.

⚠️ Attention! If you are buying a used car, check his insurance history through the service Autocode. There are cases when the previous owner did not close the CASCO agreement, and new damage may not be covered.

4. Changes in the registration of road accidents: what to do at the scene of the accident

The procedure for registering road accidents in 2026 has undergone major changes. Now calling the traffic police is mandatory only in three cases:

• 🚨 There are casualties (including minor injuries).
• 🚗 More than 2 vehicles are involved in the accident.
• 💥 One of the drivers does not agree with the circumstances of the accident.

In all other cases, registration occurs through mobile application "OSAGO Assistant" (available for Android and iOS). Algorithm of actions:

1. Take a photo of the scene of the accident (necessarily with reference to geolocation).
2. Fill out the electronic accident notification form (data is automatically sent to RSA).
3. Sign the document with an electronic signature (via Public services or bank).
4. Get a unique accident number - you will need it to contact your insurance company.

If you do not file an accident through the application within 1 hour, the insurance company has the right to refuse payment, citing violation of regulations. The exception is accidents in areas without mobile communications coverage (their list is published on the website RSA).

5. New fines and liability for violation of insurance rules

In 2026, sanctions for insurance-related violations were tightened. Here are the key changes:

Violation	Fine in 2026	Fine in 2026	Additional measures
Driving without compulsory motor liability insurance	800 ₽	1 500–2 000 ₽	Evacuation of vehicles to impound lot
Forgery of policy	5 000 ₽	5,000 ₽ + criminal liability	Confiscation of a vehicle (in case of relapse)
Failure to provide ERA-GLONASS data	1 000 ₽	3 000 ₽	Suspension of the policy
Violation of the rules for registration of road accidents	1 000 ₽	2 500 ₽	Refusal to pay under OSAGO

In addition, from 2026 it was introduced register of unscrupulous insurers. If you provided false data twice during the year when applying for a policy (for example, you hid the fact of an accident or indicated an incorrect length of service), you will be included in this register. Consequences:

• 🚫 Denial of insurance for 1 year.
• 💸 Increase in the OSAGO tariff by 50% the next time you register.
• 📝 Mandatory verification via notary when buying a new car.

6. How to save on insurance in 2026: legal ways

Despite the increase in tariffs, there are several legal ways to reduce the cost of OSAGO and CASCO:

• 📊 Combining policies: Some insurance companies (for example, AlfaInsurance or VTB Insurance) give a discount of up to 10% if you apply for MTPL and CASCO insurance at the same time.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family insurance: If you indicate a spouse with a good driving history in your MTPL policy, the rate may be reduced by 5–7%.
• 📱 Telematics: Device Installation GLONASS/GPS-monitoring (for example, StarLine or Sherkhan) gives a discount of up to 15% in some companies. Data on driving style is analyzed and careful drivers are offered lower rates.
• 🔄 Switch to another insurer: If your current company has raised rates, compare offers through aggregators (Compare.ru, Insurance). The difference can reach 20–30%.

It is also worth paying attention to loyalty programs. For example, in RESO-Garantiya There is a bonus system: for each year without an accident, points are awarded, which can be exchanged for a discount or free evacuation.

7. Common mistakes when insuring a car and how to avoid them

Even experienced drivers make mistakes when applying for a policy. Here are the most common ones in 2026:

• ❌ Failure to verify data in the policy: A typo in the VIN or license plate number may invalidate the policy. Always check the data with STS and PTS.
• ❌ Hiding car modifications: If you have installed gas equipment, xenon or even tinting, but did not notify the insurance company, this may become grounds for refusal to pay.
• ❌ Late request for payment: In 2026, the deadline for filing a road accident claim has been reduced to 5 working days (previously it was 15). If you are late, the insurance company has the right to refuse.
• ❌ Ignoring notifications from the insurance company: Companies are now required to send SMS or push notifications about important changes (for example, policy renewal). If you don't read them, you may miss the automatic debit.

To avoid problems, follow a simple rule: all changes related to the car or drivers must be duplicated in the policy. For example, if you:

• Changed your place of residence → update your address in your insurance.
• Added a new driver → add him to the policy (even if it’s temporary).
• Installed an alarm system → find out if this gives a discount.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about the new rules

Is it possible to apply for compulsory motor liability insurance without ERA-GLONASS in 2026?

No, from January 1, 2026 connection to the ERA-GLONASS system is required for all cars younger than 2017. For older cars (2016 and earlier), the requirement will come into force on July 1, 2026. If your car is not equipped with the system, it must be installed in a certified center (cost: from 15,000 rubles).

What happens if you don’t renew your MTPL on time?

If you do not renew your policy before the expiration date, it will automatically will pause, and driving a car will be equivalent to driving without insurance. Fine - 1 500–2 000 ₽. In addition, a suspended policy does not cover damages in an accident, even if the accident was not your fault.

Is it possible to get money back for CASCO insurance if you sell the car?

Yes, but only if there are more than 3 months left until the end of the policy. To do this you need:

1. Write a statement to the insurance company.
2. Provide a vehicle purchase and sale agreement.
3. Return the original policy (if it was paper).

The refund is calculated in proportion to the unused period minus 20% (administrative expenses).

Which cars are subject to the increased MTPL tariff?

Increased odds (up to +40%) apply to:

• Cars with power over 250 hp.
• Foreign cars costing more than 3 million ₽ (according to Autostat).
• Machines with right hand drive (except for those officially imported from Japan).
• Cars registered in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi and Crimea (regional coefficient).

What to do if the insurance company refuses to pay for CASCO insurance?

Please request first official refusal in writing indicating the reason. Then:

1. Submit a claim to the insurance company (a sample can be downloaded from the website Central Bank of the Russian Federation).
2. If you are not satisfied with the answer, contact Bank of Russia or RSA.
3. As a last resort, file a lawsuit. According to statistics, in 2026, 85% of CASCO claims will be satisfied in favor of drivers.

The average time for consideration of a complaint in the Central Bank is 30 days, in court - up to 2 months.