Hello everybody,

I know that this is not exactly motorcycle question but I figured you, probably, would be the most informed crowd on this subject. I plan to bring my car from the US to Russia and drive it there for a few months. I clearly understand the "vremenny vvoz" customs procedure. I also understand that I could get basic liability insurance coverage from one of Russian insurance companies just before crossing the border.

I wonder, if anybody here (preferably from the States; I doubt European insurers would be helpful in this case) was able to get the full-coverage insurance for foreign-registered (motorcycle) car in Russia? It is my understanding that no Russian car insurance company would insure my car (again, I mean full cover, NOT liability insurance) as long as it has foreign license plates. Does anybody know any domestic (meaning, US-based) or international insurance companies, which would sell me full coverage policy for the trip to Russia?

I did some research on the Internet and GEICO kept popping up, but they seem to serve mostly EU countries. Does anybody know of any other options? I would love to hear from someone who has driven in Russia on foreign (especially, overseas) plates. Did you get a lot of hassle from the police? Were you concerned about theft? Any other issues?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

When i crossed into Russia this time, at the insurance booth they asked what level of cover i wanted (this had never happened before ) they have gotten a lot more professional with there insurance this year or it may of just been at this particular border crossing , look up Tony p post`s he lives in Moscow now and is usually very helpfully (if you happen to meet up with him buy him a from me i owe him one )

zebb
www.motoloco.eu

Thank you for your advice. Which border crossing did you use? And what did you mean by "insurance booth"? Is it something before or at the border?

I used the north Latvian border crossing on the A13 not the main one on the E22
Insurance booths can be anything from a garden shed affair to a garage or Evan sold out of the boot of a car (but the latter is a bit iffy) the sign you will see is something like this CTPAXOBON, without a Russian keyboard it is hard to spell it correctly , they are normally just after the border , Russian law allows you to drive to the first reasonably sized town to get it if you use the A13 crossing there is an insurance desk just inside the door of the garage on the right as soon as you clear the border (credit for this border crossing has to go to Tony P )

ZEBB
www.motoloco.eu

I have never heard of anyone getting full coverage insurance in Russia, although I have not ever tried either so maybe that's incorrect. I guess car theft can be a problem here, depending on what kind of car you have, but if you're worried about it just leave the car in a guarded lot at night.

I have a motorcycle with US plates and get stopped fairly regularly for it, but as soon as I show them my US passport that is the end of it--I can't say they are hassling me, they just want to make sure that the foreign plates are legit.

There are not really any tricks to driving here, it is pretty straightforward. although Moscow is a difficult city to drive in, just because of traffic and weird traffic patterns. I've crossed the border at several spots, I can't say there was a big difference in how I was treated, although some of the border people were actually friendly, while others were more neutral. No bad experiences though.

As Motorieter said Russia is not a problem if you have never been before most of the problems are in your head , the main border crossings can be very busy but in general most of the borders are very professional, It helps if you speak a bit of polite Russian , IE hello ,good morning, thank you etc. if you stick to the traffic laws most of the time the cops don't bother with you, riding in Moscow is an experience that will defiantly leave you needing a drink (great place though) Motorieter can you reply with the correct spelling for insurance please, and also how the bloody hell is it pronounced i have never figured out how to say it ,

cheers zebb

Ps you could try Finland for your insurance Russia is now part of the green card scheme and i have been told the Finish insurance companies reconise this unlike all the UK one`s

I think green card insurance is liability-only, so not sure if that will help, especially for a US-plated bike.

Insurance in Russian is: страхование
Pronounced: strakh-o-vaan-ee-ye

Linguistic tidbit: the root of this word (страх) means fear or terror.

You don't need a cyrillic keyboard. This program translits letters to their nearest equivalent - and then you can Cut'nPaste.

Translit.ru - транслитерация - переводчик с транслита

A little fiddling reveals how it works - both ways.

(Another beer on the bill!)

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Vitim Bridge Clubwww.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533442
www.sibirskyextreme.com

Cheer`s Tony , think next time in Moscow i am going to end up with a big bar bill

regards zebb