OSAGO: how to avoid fraud

The Bank of Russia reported the growing problem of copycat websites imitating those of major insurance companies. These websites copy design and colour scheme of an official website with the address of the clone slightly different from the official.

The Bank of Russia is warning that OSAGO policies purchased through these websites are not valid.

To avoid purchasing fake digital OSAGO policy via a bogus website, the Bank of Russia advises the following:

- check carefully that the address of the page matches the address of the insurer’s official website and make sure it does not change when you go to other pages;

- if in doubt and before paying insurance premium, call the hotline of the insurer and ask all the necessary questions.

If you are asked to pay for the policy with a digital wallet, it might be a sign of a scam website: insurance companies usually require card payments.

To sign digital OSAGO agreement, you can visit official websites of insurance companies. The links are provided on the Russian Association of Motor Insurers website - www.autoins.ru (‘Digital OSAGO’ section).

On the Internet you can also find other websites that provide list of insurance companies and offer digital OSAGO policies. However, those policies have no force or effect, because the current law stipulates that digital OSAGO agreement can be signed only via the official website of the insurer.