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  #1  
Old 25 Apr 2012
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"Green Card" Insurance for Russia
I am on my way to Russia via a number of EU countries. I imported my bike from Australia and no where along the line has anyone asked me about insurance and as such I haven't bothered to chase it. Given that there is no real border in the EU I can't see that I am going to have any issues (unless I have an accident) until I get to the Russian Border.

My question is it easy and relatively inexpensive to get at the border or should I be looking to get it before then? Or will the Russians let me in given I am coming from the EU.
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  #2  
Old 25 Apr 2012
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Russian Insurance.
The insurance can be bought at the border, 18 months ago is cost me $20.00. The police stopped me before I bought the insurance, and of course demanded to see my policy that I did not have. I was all a game, as the insurance booth was on the opposite side of the road to the Police check point , they were after a money gift. If you have no Russian Roubles, make sure you have U.S.Dollars. Other than that issue, Russian police were OK.

Andy.
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  #3  
Old 26 Apr 2012
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Normally they dont let you through customs on the Russian border until you show them your insurance - which is always for sale at booths at the border.

How much it costs depends on how long you stay there ... the longer out you go the cheaper it becomes. 1 month or less is about 1000 rubles. 3 months 1500 rubles and 6 months is about 2000 rubles.

If you have longer than a month in Russia and or multiple entries then get insurance one to cover you up till you leave the final time - plus an extra month for safety. Just present the insurance doc each time you enter the country then and all is sweet.
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Old 26 Apr 2012
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Thanks for that, works out to about $60 Aussie, cheap enough.

The Danes were stopping people at the border. I thought I going be in trouble but they waved us through.

Do they take plastic or will I need rubles?
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Old 26 Apr 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by craig.iedema View Post
Thanks for that, works out to about $60 Aussie, cheap enough.

The Danes were stopping people at the border. I thought I going be in trouble but they waved us through.

Do they take plastic or will I need rubles?
There are banks at the border that change stuff like USD and EUR into rubles.
In Russia everything is rubles. Domestic payments in any other currency are technically illegal. All payments within Russia must be in rubles. The huts at the border may take plastic, but dont count on it. Stop at the first major town and hit an ATM for ruble cash once you have been let in.

Against some currencies (like GBP) the ruble has been very stable for quite a long time. Over the last 3 years its been 47 rubles to the pound +/- about 6% (between 44 and 50 rubles to the pound) which is about as stable as anything has been vs the pound in that period.

GBP/RUB | GBPRUB=X | Charts - Yahoo! Finance UK
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  #6  
Old 30 Apr 2012
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Well that was a little strange went through Passport Control, Customs and some other control off the Ferry in St Petersburg. No questions about insurance anywhere. Might be because the normal port is closed and they are using an old port. Who knows, it was a bit of struggle with the paperwork as there was not much English.

I will have to see if I can find some in St Petersberg on Wednesday (May Day Holiday tomorrow). I suppose if I don't get it I will be in the crap somewhere along the line.

Either way I have the bike in the country so that is something.
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  #7  
Old 30 Apr 2012
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I have never been asked to produce Insurance going in to RUS, either by UK registered car or bike - both of which I have done quite a few times and at different EU road border crossing points from/to Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland.

Although RUS insurance can be purchased at the border area, you are permitted to drive/ride to the next town and buy it there (where it will work out a bit cheaper, too!).


Bike insurance cost me about £12 and an average saloon car about £20, both for the first month although longer periods are pro-rate cheaper.
But this is only the very minimum insurance required by RUS Law and will not cover damage to your own vehicle.
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Old 1 May 2012
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Tony any recomendations of company? Need a SPB office or agent.
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  #9  
Old 2 May 2012
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Sorted!
Just for others reference I got it from Allianz at

26 Morskaya Bol'shaya ulitsa
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Russia
191186

Or in Russian

ул. Большая Морская 26
Санкт-Петербург
Санкт-Петербург
Россия
191186

2282 руб

It is just off Nevsky Prospect walking distance from the Palace Bridge.

This is about 15 minutes from the current ferry port if you catch either the Helsinki or Stockholm Ferries.

Lady who served me wasn't particularly helpful, glad I had a Russian person with me.
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