Selling a car is a process that requires not only finding a buyer and drawing up a contract, but also resolving issues with existing insurance policies. Many owners forget that when selling a car, you can return part of the money paid for OSAGO or CASCO. However, the return procedure has nuances: from the timing of the application to the correct calculation of the amount. In this article, we will look at how to properly process a return, what documents will be required, and what to pay attention to so as not to lose money.

According to data Central Bank of the Russian Federation, in 2023, only 38% of car owners exercised the right to return insurance after selling the car. The reason is a lack of information or the belief that the amount will be meager. In practice, we can talk about thousands of rubles, especially if the policy CASCO was issued for a long period. It is important to act quickly: you have 30 days from the date of sale to apply for a return.

In the article you will find:

  • 🔹 Step by step instructions for refunds for OSAGO and CASCO insurance
  • 🔹 List of documents, without which the insurance company will refuse to pay
  • 🔹 Calculation formulas refund amounts with examples
  • 🔹 Common mistakesbecause of which they lose money
📊 Have you already tried to get your insurance money back after selling your car?
Yes, it worked without problems
Yes, but the insurance company refused
No, I didn’t know about this possibility
I'm planning to sell the car soon

1. Is it possible to get a refund for insurance after selling the car?

Yes, you can return part of the insurance premium in both cases: when selling a car with valid policies OSAGO and CASCO. However, the return conditions are different:

  • 📄 OSAGO: Returns are regulated Art. 958 Civil Code of the Russian Federation and rules Central Bank of the Russian Federation. The insurance company is obliged to return money for the unused period, but will retain 23% for conducting the case (maximum).
  • 🛡️ CASCO: return conditions are specified in the contract. Some companies hold up to 50% from the amount if the policy was valid for less than 6 months.

An important nuance: if you sold the car, but the new owner did not re-register the compulsory motor liability insurance policy in his name, the policy is automatically suspended. This does not relieve you of the obligation to return it to the insurance company to calculate the balance. Ignoring this rule may lead to problems the next time you apply for insurance.

Application deadline - 30 calendar days from the date of sale. If you miss this period, the insurance company has the right to refuse a refund. An exception is cases when other conditions are specified in the contract (for example, for CASCO, some companies give 45 days).

⚠️ Attention: If you sold the car under a general power of attorney (without deregistration), you will not be able to get the insurance back. In this case, the policy remains valid, since legally the car still belongs to you.

2. What documents are needed to return insurance?

In order for the insurance company to calculate the refund amount, a package of documents will be required. Its composition depends on the type of insurance and the method of selling the car. Here's the full list:

Type of insurance Mandatory documents Additional documents (if necessary)
OSAGO
  • 📋 Application for termination of contract
  • 📄 Original MTPL policy
  • 📝 Purchase and sale agreement (PSA)
  • 🔑 Owner's passport
  • 📊 Extract from the traffic police about deregistration (if the sale involves re-registration)
  • 💳 Details for transferring money
CASCO
  • 📋 Application (according to the insurance form)
  • 📄 Original CASCO policy
  • 📝 DCP or certificate-invoice (if selling through a salon)
  • 📈 Vehicle inspection report (if any)
  • 📄 Certificate of no losses (sometimes required)

Pay special attention application for termination. Its form may vary depending on the insurance company. For example, in RESO and Ingosstrakh The form can be downloaded on the website, and in AlfaInsurance - just get it in the office. Some companies (for example, Tinkoff Insurance) allow you to issue a refund online through your personal account.

If the car was sold with re-registration to a new owner, be sure to provide an extract from the traffic police. Without it, the insurance company may consider that the car is still your property and refuse to return it.

Prepare the original policy|Take a copy of your passport|Fill out an application for termination|Get an extract from the traffic police (if the sale involves re-registration)|Prepare details for transferring money-->

3. How to calculate the insurance refund amount?

The formula for calculating the refund amount is specified in Directive of the Bank of Russia No. 5000-U for OSAGO and in the contract for CASCO. In both cases it is taken into account unused insurance period and commissions are deducted.

For OSAGO the calculation looks like this:

Refund amount = (Policy cost × Number of unused days) / Total number of days of insurance × (100% - 23%)

Where 23% — the maximum amount of deduction for conducting a case (by law). Some companies retain less - e.g. SberInsurance takes 20%.

For CASCO the formula is more complicated, since the commission depends on the terms of the contract:

Refund Amount = (Policy Cost × Unused Days / Total Days) × (100% - Commission)

Commission may vary from 10% up to 50%. For example, if the policy cost 50 000 ₽, was valid for 1 year (365 days), and you sold the car after 200 days, then with commission 30% the calculation will be:

(50 000 × (365 — 200) / 365) × 70% = 12 328 ₽

Important: if according to the policy CASCO there were payments (for example, after an accident), the insurance company has the right to withhold an additional amount for risks. In this case, the refund may be 0 ₽.

Calculation example for compulsory motor liability insurance

Let’s assume that the MTPL policy cost RUB 7,500 for 1 year (365 days). The car was sold after 180 days. Calculation:

(7 500 × (365 — 180) / 365) × 77% = 3 500 ₽.

This is exactly how much you will receive in your account after deducting a 23% commission.

4. Step-by-step instructions: how to get your insurance money back?

The refund process consists of 5 stages. Follow the instructions to avoid errors:

  1. Gather your documents.

    Prepare the original policy, passport, policy document and an extract from the traffic police (if the car is deregistered). If the sale was through a salon, request a certificate-invoice.

  2. Write a statement.

    Use the insurance company's form. In your application please indicate:

    • 🔸 Policy number
    • 🔸 Car sale date
    • 🔸 Details for transferring money
  • Submit your documents.

    Serving methods:

    • 🏢 In the office of the insurance company (the most reliable option)
    • 📧 By email (if insurance allows)
    • 🌐 Through your personal account (for example, in Tinkoff or Sberbank Insurance)
    • Wait for the calculation.

      The insurance company is obliged to consider the application within 10 working days (for OSAGO) or 14 days (for CASCO). If the documents are in order, the money will be credited to your account within 5 days after approval.

    • Check the translation.

      If the money has not been received, contact the insurance company and request confirmation of the transfer. Sometimes banks delay payments by 1-2 days.

    If the insurance company refuses to accept documents or delays payment, file a formal claim. B 90% cases this helps speed up the process. If this does not work, contact Central Bank of the Russian Federation or RSA (Russian Union of Auto Insurers).

    💡

    Before submitting documents, make copies of all papers and save the incoming application number. This will help prove the fact of the claim if the insurance company “loses” your documents.

    5. Typical mistakes when returning insurance

    Many car owners lose money due to mistakes made. Here are the most common:

    • ⏳ Missing the filing deadline.

      The application must be submitted within 30 days after sale. If you are late, the insurance company will refuse, even if the policy was valid for only a week.

    • 📄 Incomplete package of documents.

      Most often they forget to provide an extract from the traffic police or the original policy. Without them, returns are not possible.

    • 💰 Errors in details.

      If you enter the account number incorrectly, the money will go “nowhere”. Check your details three times!

    • 🔄 An attempt to return CASCO with payments.

      If there were insured events under the policy, some companies refuse to refund or hold until 100% amounts.

    • 🚗 Sale by proxy.

      In this case, the policy is not automatically terminated and the money cannot be returned.

    Another common mistake is an attempt to return insurance after the policy has expired. For example, if compulsory motor insurance expires in a month, and you sold the car 10 days before, some believe that there will be no return. In fact, you are entitled to a refund within those 10 days!

    ⚠️ Attention: If you sold a used car and the new owner did not renew the insurance policy, and then got into an accident, the insurance company may file a recourse claim to you as the former owner. To avoid this, be sure to cancel the policy after the sale.

    6. What to do if the insurance company refuses to refund?

    Refusals from insurance companies are not uncommon. Most often, they motivate this by “an incomplete package of documents” or “a missed deadline.” Here's what to do in this situation:

    1. Request a written refusal.

      By law, the insurance company is required to provide it within 5 days after your request. Without it, it will be difficult to challenge the decision.

    2. Check the legality of the refusal.

      Check the reason with Art. 958 Civil Code of the Russian Federation (for OSAGO) or the terms of the contract (for CASCO). If the refusal is unfounded, proceed to the next step.

    3. Write a complaint.

      Draw up the document in two copies and send it by registered mail with notification. In your complaint please indicate:

      • 📌 Date of filing the return application
      • 📌 List of documents provided
      • 📌 Requirement to return money within 10 days
  • Contact your regulators.

    If the insurance company ignored the claim, file a complaint:

    • 🏛️ B Central Bank of the Russian Federation (via website www.cbr.ru)
    • 🏛️ B RSA (Russian Union of Auto Insurers)
    • 🏛️ B court (if the refund amount exceeds 50 000 ₽)

    In practice 80% disputes are resolved at the claims stage. Insurance companies do not want to deal with inspections from the Central Bank and prefer to resolve the issue peacefully. If the case goes to court, the chances of winning are high - the courts almost always side with the client if the claims are justified.

    💡

    If the insurance company refuses to refund without legal grounds, your chances of challenging the decision through the Central Bank or the court are more than 90%. The main thing is to have confirmation of the submission of documents and a written refusal.

    7. Features of insurance return under different sales scenarios

    The return process may vary depending on how the vehicle was sold. Let's consider the ternary scenario:

    Sales scenario Nuances of insurance return Additional actions
    Sale with re-registration in the traffic police
    • 🔹 Full refund possible (minus commission)
    • 🔹 An extract from the traffic police is required
    • 📋 Check that the new owner has reissued the MTPL
    Sale without deregistration (according to DCT)
    • 🔹 Refund is possible, but the insurance company may request additional documents
    • 🔹 Risk of recourse if the new owner gets into an accident
    • 📝 Save a copy of the agreement and the transfer deed
    Trade-in (exchange in the salon)
    • 🔹 Returns are possible, but the salon can help with registration
    • 🔹 Sometimes the insurance company works directly with the dealer
    • 📋 Request an invoice certificate from the salon

    If the car has been sold through a thrift store, check who is the policyholder under the policy. Sometimes stores issue temporary compulsory motor liability insurance for themselves, and in this case you are not entitled to a refund.

    When trade-in Some dealers offer to “transfer” the remaining CASCO insurance to a new car. This is more profitable than returning the money, since the termination fee may be lower. Check these conditions with the salon manager.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about returning insurance after selling a car

    🔍 Is it possible to return money for OSAGO if the new owner has already reissued the policy for himself?

    Yes, but only if you submit your application within 30 days after sale. Renewal of the policy by a new owner does not affect your right to a refund for the unused period. The main thing is to provide the insurance company with a copy of the policy and an extract from the traffic police.

    🔍 How long does it take to get a refund?

    The deadline for consideration of the application is until 10 working days for OSAGO and up to 14 days for CASCO. After approval, the money is transferred to the account within 3–5 days. If more time has passed, check the status using the application number.

    🔍 Is it possible to return CASCO if there were payments under the policy?

    It depends on the terms of the contract. Some companies (for example, VTB Insurance) allow returns even after payments, but retain an additional commission. Others (eg. SOGAZ) may be refused if the amount of payments exceeded 50% from the cost of the policy. Check this point with your insurance company.

    🔍 What to do if you have lost the original policy?

    Contact your insurance company for a duplicate. It is usually given out free of charge or for a nominal fee (200–500 ₽). Without the original policy, a return is not possible, as it is grounds for termination of the contract.

    🔍 Is it possible to return insurance if the car was stolen?

    No, in this case the policy is not terminated, since the risk of the insured event (theft) has already been realized. If the car is found, you can continue to use the policy or transfer it to a new owner.