Buying a new car is a joyful, but responsible event. Along with the keys to the shiny “iron horse”, the owner also receives a burden of worries: how to protect the investment from theft, accidents or vandals? This is where it comes on stage CASCO — voluntary car insurance against risks not covered by compulsory motor liability insurance. But is it necessary to take out CASCO insurance for a new car in 2026? Spoiler: the law does not require it, but banks, dealers and common sense often dictate their own rules.

In this article we will look at:

  • 📜 What the law says: why CASCO is not mandatory under the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, but can become a condition of a loan or leasing.
  • 💸 How much does CASCO cost? for a new car and what the price depends on (model, region, franchise).
  • ⚠️ Risks of driving without CASCO: real cases where owners lost hundreds of thousands due to lack of insurance.
  • 🔄 Alternatives to CASCO: what banks, dealers and insurance companies offer instead of classic insurance.

We analyzed the current rates of 10 insurance companies (including RESO-Garantiya, Ingosstrakh and AlfaInsurance), studied judicial practice on disputes with banks and interviewed 50 owners of new cars - to give you a clear answer: is it worth overpaying for CASCO or can you do without it.

1. CASCO for a new car: what does the law say in 2026?

According to Civil Code of the Russian Federation (Article 927), CASCO refers to voluntary types of insurance. This means that the state does not oblige the owner to take out a policy - unlike OSAGO, without which you can’t even register your car. However, there are nuances:

  • 🏦 Loan or leasing: 90% of banks (including Sberbank, VTB, Alfa-Bank) require CASCO as a condition for issuing a car loan. Refusal of insurance may result in a rate increase of 1-3% or denial of the loan.
  • 🚗 Dealer programs: some car dealerships (for example, Kia or Hyundai) offer discounts on cars when you sign up for CASCO insurance with a partner insurance company.
  • 📄 Sales and purchase agreement: Rarely, but there are cases when the seller (especially when purchasing a premium car) prescribes an obligation to insure the car for the first 1–2 years.

Important: even if the bank insists on CASCO insurance, you have the right to choose any accredited insurance company - not necessarily the one offered by the lender. The main thing is that the policy meets the bank's coverage requirements (usually “Total + Theft + Damage” without franchise).

📊 Have you applied for CASCO for a new car?
Yes, at the bank's request
Yes, on your own initiative
No, we managed without him
I plan to apply later

2. How much does CASCO cost for a new car? We analyze tariffs for 2026

The cost of CASCO depends on many factors: car model, region, driver’s age, driving history and even the color of the car (red and black cars are more expensive to insure due to the increased risk of theft). The table below shows average policy prices for new cars of popular classes (data as of June 2026):

Car class Examples of models Average cost of CASCO (year) Cost with franchise is 30 thousand rubles.
Economy Lada Vesta, Kia Rio, Hyundai Solaris 40 000 – 60 000 ₽ 25 000 – 40 000 ₽
Medium Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Polo, Skoda Octavia 70 000 – 100 000 ₽ 50 000 – 70 000 ₽
Premium BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class 120 000 – 180 000 ₽ 80 000 – 120 000 ₽
Lux Porsche Cayenne, Lexus LX, Land Rover Range Rover 200 000 – 350 000 ₽ 150 000 – 250 000 ₽

You can save on CASCO in several ways:

  • 🔍 Franchise: increasing the franchise to 50–100 thousand rubles. reduces the cost of the policy by 20–40%. But remember: in case of a minor accident, repairs will have to be paid out of pocket.
  • 📉 Discounts for trouble-free operation: some companies (for example, RESO-Garantiya) give a discount of up to 30% if there were no insurance claims last year.
  • 📅 Insurance period: taking out a policy for 6 months instead of a year will cost less, but the risk of being left without insurance during the “hot” season (winter) increases.
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Before applying for CASCO, check whether the dealer offers free insurance for the first year — this happens when buying a car on credit from official bank partners.

3. Risks of driving without CASCO: real cases and financial losses

By refusing CASCO, you assume all risks associated with:

  • 🚨 Hijacking: According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in 2023 more than 30 thousand cars were stolen in Russia. The average cost of damage is 1.2 million rubles (for a car class Toyota Camry or Skoda Kodiaq).
  • 💥 Road accident due to your fault: if you are the culprit of the accident, OSAGO will cover the damage to the other car, but the repair of yours will fall on your shoulders. For example, replacing a bumper with Volkswagen Tiguan will cost 80–120 thousand rubles.
  • 🌪️ Natural disasters: hail, flood or a tree falling on a car - all this is not covered by MTPL. The average bill for repairs after a hail is 150–200 thousand rubles.
  • 🔥 Fire or explosion: even if the car can be restored, the cost of work may exceed 50% of its price.

Case Study: Owner of a New Kia Sportage (cost 2.5 million rubles) refused CASCO, saving 80 thousand rubles. After 3 months, the car was stolen, and a week later it was found dismantled for parts. The insurance payment under CASCO would have been 2.3 million rubles (including wear and tear), but without the policy the owner received only 500 thousand rubles under compulsory motor liability insurance (for damage to third parties during theft). The final loss is 2 million rubles.

⚠️ Attention: if you bought a car on credit and did not apply for CASCO insurance, the bank has the right compulsorily insure the car at your expense (Article 31 of Federal Law No. 353-FZ). Tariffs will be 30–50% higher than market prices.
What to do if the bank insists on CASCO insurance, but you don’t want to overpay?

1. Find out if it is possible to take out a policy with a deductible - this will reduce the cost.

2. Compare rates from 3-5 insurance companies (use aggregators like Compare.ru or Inshurin).

3. Ask the bank to provide a list of accredited insurers - sometimes there are companies with favorable rates.

4. If the loan has already been issued, check the agreement: some banks allow you to refuse CASCO after paying 50% of the loan amount.

4. Alternatives to CASCO: what do banks and insurance companies offer?

If classic CASCO seems too expensive, consider alternative protection options:

4.1. Partial CASCO (insurance against individual risks)

Some companies (for example, Tinkoff Insurance or SberInsurance) allow you to insure only against:

  • 🔥 Fire and explosion;
  • 🚨 Theft (without damage);
  • 🌧️ Natural disasters.

The cost of such a policy is from 10,000 rubles per year (versus 50,000 rubles for full CASCO).

4.2. Insurance of collateral (for credit cars)

Banks sometimes agree to insurance only in favor of the creditor (i.e. the payment goes to the bank, not to you). This is 20–30% cheaper, but does not protect your interests: if it is stolen or totaled, you will be left without a car and without compensation.

4.3. Dealer warranty programs

Manufacturers (eg Toyota or Hyundai) sometimes offer extended warranties covering:

  • 🔧 Breakdowns due to the fault of the plant;
  • 🛠️ Paintwork defects;
  • 🔋 Electronics malfunctions.

However, this will not replace CASCO: the guarantee is not valid in case of an accident, theft or vandalism.

Make sure you have a financial cushion for repairs/purchase of a new car

Check if the bank requires CASCO under the loan agreement

Assess the risk of theft for your model (study statistics for the region)

Compare the cost of CASCO and potential damage (for example, the cost of a bumper + headlights)

Check to see if the dealer has alternative protection programs -->

5. When is CASCO definitely not needed for a new car?

There are situations when you can refuse CASCO insurance without serious risks:

  1. Car bought with cash and is not the subject of collateral. In this case, no one can oblige you to insure the car.
  2. Are you an experienced driver? with 5+ years of accident-free driving and park the car in a secure garage. Statistics show that the risk of an accident or theft for such owners is 60% lower.
  3. Budget car (up to 1 million ₽). Repairing or replacing such a car will cost less than multi-year CASCO payments.
  4. Are you ready for financial losses?. If damage of 200–300 thousand rubles does not hit the budget, you can take a risk.

Example: owner Lada Granta (cost 800 thousand rubles) refused CASCO, saving 35 thousand rubles per year. Over 5 years, he saved 175 thousand rubles - enough to buy a used car in case of total. However, during the entire period of operation, no serious incidents occurred.

⚠️ Attention: if you have refused CASCO, but frugality is not your strong point, the risk of losing your car due to negligence increases. For example, 70% of thefts occur due to keys being left in the ignition or documents left in the glove compartment (data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs).

6. How to apply for CASCO insurance profitably: step-by-step instructions

If you decide to insure a new car, follow this algorithm to avoid overpaying:

  1. Compare rates on aggregators:
    • 🔍 Compare.ru (shows prices of 30+ companies);
    • 🔍 Inshurin (convenient filter by franchise and coverage);
    • 🔍 Official websites of insurers (sometimes there are promotions there).
  2. Check reviews about the company on Banki.ru or Yandex.Maps. Please note:
    • ⭐ Payout speed;
    • ⭐ Failure rate;
    • ⭐ Quality of repairs from partner service stations.
  • Apply for a policy online - it’s 5-10% cheaper than through the office. You will need:
    • 📄 Passport;
    • 📄 PTS or STS;
    • 📄 Driver data (licence, experience).
    • Save a copy of the policy electronically (by mail or in the cloud) and print a copy for your car.

    The average processing time is 15–20 minutes. Remember: the policy comes into force only after payment, so don't delay payment.

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    The most favorable CASCO rates are usually offered by companies that are not included in the top 5 in popularity. For example, Zetta Insurance or Consent often cheaper Ingosstrakh by 15–20% with similar coverage.

    7. Frequent mistakes when applying for CASCO insurance for a new car

    Even experienced car owners sometimes make mistakes that lead to refusal of payment. Here are the most common:

    • 📝 Incorrect data in the policy: a typo in the VIN code or license plate number may cause a refusal. Always double check the information!
    • 🚫 Hiding information: If you did not report a past accident or modifications to the car (for example, tinting), the insurance company may cancel the contract.
    • 📅 Late payment: if you signed up for CASCO in installments and missed a payment, the policy is suspended.
    • 🔧 Repairs are not carried out by partners: many companies require that the car be repaired only in accredited service stations. Self-repair will deprive you of payment.
    • 📱 Late notification: an insured event must be reported within 5 days (in some companies - 3 days).

    Case Study: Owner Renault Duster I got into an accident and had my car repaired at an unofficial service center to save money. In the next insured event (hail strike), the company refused to pay, citing a violation of the terms of the policy.

    FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about CASCO for a new car

    ❓ Is it possible to refuse CASCO after buying a car on credit?

    Yes, but only if:

    1. The loan agreement does not contain a clause on mandatory CASCO insurance for the entire loan term.
    2. You have paid off more than 50% of the loan amount (some banks allow you to cancel after this).
    3. Are you ready for an interest rate increase (the bank can increase it by 1–3%).

    To refuse, write an application to the bank and wait for written consent. Do not cancel the policy before this - otherwise the bank may demand early repayment of the loan.

    ❓ What is more profitable: CASCO with or without a franchise?

    Depends on your budget and driving style:

    • 💰 No franchise beneficial if you often drive around the city and the risk of minor accidents is high. You pay more for the policy, but any damage is covered by the insurance.
    • 💸 With franchise (for example, 50 thousand rubles) is 30–40% cheaper, but in case of an accident with damage less than 50 thousand rubles, you pay for the repairs yourself. Optimal for careful drivers.

    Example: franchise 30 thousand ₽ for Toyota RAV4 reduces the cost of CASCO from 90 thousand rubles to 60 thousand rubles per year. If in a year you get into 1 accident with damage of 20 thousand rubles, then you will save 10 thousand rubles (30 thousand rubles deductible minus 20 thousand rubles of repairs).

    ❓ Does CASCO cover vehicle wear and tear?

    No, CASCO does not compensate for the natural wear and tear of the car. However, in case of total loss (theft, fire, serious accident), the insurance company pays the amount taking into account wear and tear. For example, if your Skoda Octavia it cost 1.8 million ₽ new, and after 2 years it was stolen, you will receive ~1.3 million ₽ (minus 20–30% wear and tear).

    Some companies offer insurance excluding wear and tear, but it is 40–50% more expensive.

    ❓ Is it possible to re-register CASCO for another owner when selling a car?

    Yes, but with the consent of the insurance company. Typically required:

    1. Write an application for re-registration;
    2. Provide a purchase and sale agreement;
    3. Pay a commission (500–2000 RUR).

    If the new owner is not satisfied with the company (for example, he has a bad driving history), re-registration may be refused. In this case, the old policy is canceled and the money is returned in proportion to the unused period.

    ❓ What to do if the insurance company delays the CASCO payment?

    According to the law (Article 12 of Federal Law No. 4015-1), the insurance company must:

    • 📅 Make a decision on payment within 20 days after submitting all documents;
    • 💰 Make a payment within 5 days after making a decision.

    If deadlines are missed:

    1. Write a claim to the insurance company (a sample can be downloaded on the website Rospotrebnadzor).
    2. If no response is received within 10 days, file a complaint with Central Bank of the Russian Federation (via website cbr.ru).
    3. The last resort is court. Claims up to 500 thousand rubles are considered in a simplified manner (without your participation).

    The average time for resolving disputes is 1–3 months. In 80% of cases, insurers pay money after a complaint to the Central Bank.