Car Insurance for Travelling to Russia

by rohit prasad
(tallinn, estonia )

hi,

we are driving a uk car uk license plate across russia and into kazakhstan. we are unable to find out if we can get the car insurance for driving in russia, at the border near narva

any input on this would be great

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Aug 14, 2017
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Thingshave changed or you're just been lucky!!!
by: Davide

Thank Mr.Anonymous for sharing your experience with our readers.

I cannot confirm what you say as my knowledge on this topic is limited but as far as have been told whether you are Russian or you're not and you're driving in Russia your car must be insured.

Then if at the border the guards check it or don't that's another matter. Maybe you have been lucky or maybe things have changed. Don't know!

Anyway, I recommend anyone who want to drive to Russia and enter it from another country to do their own research before leaving.

Remember, when visiting Russia never take anything for granted, especially nowadays, and especially if you are not a Russian citizen.

My best!

Aug 11, 2017
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car insurance
by: Anonymous

I drove to St Petersburg from Helsinki last month. Nobody asked for insurance documents at the border. I tried to ask for insurance at several gas stations near the border on the Russian side with no joy. Finally a Russian speaking good English told me that only Russian cars could be insured, not foreign ones. I ended up driving without insurance.

The same thing happened later on the same trip when I drove from northern Finland to Murmansk and on to Norway. The difference this time was that the area was very remote and apart from a gas station near the border there was not much for the first 80 to 100 miles past the Russian border.

Never stopped by police, only at the usual checkpoints - no hassles re insurance.

Jul 14, 2017
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Car Insurance Price
by: Davide

The price for car insurance should be like I wrote, so around USD80/90.

Jul 08, 2017
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Driving to Russia and Border Crossing with Car
by: Davide

Hi Rohit,

Thank you for posting your message on our site.

As far as I know you can easily buy your car Russian insurance, which is mandatory, after crossing the Russian border. Just drive to the gas station which is located 100m ahead of the Russian border.

The Russian insurance should cost you around 80/90USD, I think no more than 100USD. Bigger engine - higher insurance.

However, I would like to inform you that Russia since 2009 has been part of the "green card" International Motor Insurance Card System. Hence, if your current car insurance (whatever is your country) is part of this international motor insurance card system, you don't need to by any additional insurance to travel to Russia. Just bring along with you this green card issued by your insurance company for the period you will be in Russia, and you will be fine.

Remember the best way to enter Russia is from Estonia via Narva or Luhamaa. Just keep in mind that this requires advance time slot booking.

For this reason I would recommend that you book your passing at www.estonianborder.eu (system is called GoSwift). This cuts the waiting down to a minimum.

Also, bring all car facts and numbers such as your international driving license and car documents in general, as well as someone who can speak Russian, as the Russian officers don't speak English, and if they do they speak very bad.

Lastly, avoid in-Russia border traffic Sunday evenings.

Hope it helps!

Jul 08, 2017
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Jul 01, 2017
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Price Of Car Insurance
by: Anonymous

I am also thinking of driving to Russia from the UK passing through Latvia and found your advice very helpful .
If I was to buy my Russian 3rd Party Car Insurance from Parex Bank in Latvia would you have any idea on average what a 2.2 engine 2004 car would cost for 1 month of insurance ?

Jul 22, 2016
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Travelling to Russia By Car!
by: Davide

Hi Rohit,

Thank you for stopping by on our site.

I did some research on your request, see below what I found.

For your information to travel in Russia by car or motorcycle you need the following documents:

• Your personal passport with valid Russian visa, original;

• Your driving licence, original, and an international driving permit - DP 1949 (in UK you can get it at selected Post Office branches for £5 in just 5 minutes) or by post through The Automible Association (AA);

• The registration document on your car (a document that proves you are the owner of the car with all the information about the owner and registration - called "techpassport" or auto-passport in Russian), original;

• Third-party insurance valid in Russia (can be purchased at petrol stations just before the border or if you want to save money and time at the local office or affilliate of a Russian insurance company (such as Ingosstrakh, Rosno, etc.), for example, in Latvia it can be bought at most Parex Bank branches).

You should also know that none of these documents should be translated in Russian (except for your visa, insurance, and International driving permit that will be in Russian, anyway).

Your visa does not need to have the information about your car, but it's recommended, so when you apply for your visa support, submit your car details as well.

That said, I personally would recommend that you get your car insurance before you travel to Russia, and not at the border as you are not 100% sure to find a petrol station offering a car insurance. Also, the language barrier can be an issue to deal with!

Hope this helps!

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