Hey,

does anyone know if insurance can be bought at the Russian boarder, we'll arrive in Sochi by ferry from Trazbon, TK.
Any info would be great
Thanks -Jen

Yes it can. In fact customs will often not let your bike go thru until you have bought insurance. The guys at Sochi port will be able to direct you to an insurance seller.

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You are better off sorting out green card insurance for your bike as Russia joined the green card insurance zone a couple of years ago. Plenty of info on the HUBB about who can supply online, prices, etc.

Just crossed border from Latvia to Russia yesterday 12th June. Had no problems (and this was my first time). Have insurance in Norway and expected to buy Russian insurance at border but on checking, green card covers it. No-one asked for green card and no difficulties encountered. I am now in Moscow with no paperwork problems so far. Hope this helps, good trip.

Hi,
I'm in Moscow at the moment with my Land Rover. Just make sure if you get Euro green card insurance you actually get the green card (green pieace of paper) otherwise you will have a lot of fun explaining to the Russian traffic cops that you are covered. As my uk home insurance only gives me limited Green card time I have just bought local Russian insurance.

Hope the info helps, David

I always buy it at (actually shortly after) the border instead of having Green Cards mainly because it is far less hassel.

- I use my UK insurance throughout the EU to the RUS border.

- I don't have to bother and pay more to my own UK insurers - but I do tell them the dates it was in RUS and therefore they were not at risk.

- life is so much easier at the regular Roads Police documents checks which happen far more in my GB registered car than my local registered one. The Roads Police never think my 4 digit 'personal' number is a proper registration number - even less now it is on a temporary piece of paper in the windscreen, having demolished the front end (and plate) on an Elk/Moose running across the road the other night!!

It is only legal minimum insurance, takes about 5 minutes to buy, and for about GBP 20 per month (1.8 medium saloon) I consider it is worth it.
How a claim would be dealt with, I have yet to find out!

Colebatch's comments above about Customs not releasing vehicles without insurance is from a port, and does not apply at road borders.
I have crossed from/to RUS at 5 different borders with 5 different EU countries and having Insurance is not part of the RUS process.
On entering you are expected to buy it at the first available place - either the stall type shops around busy borders or in the next town.

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...and it's considerable cheaper if you do buy it in the first town, though you will be uninsured until you get there...

Daniel

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Have now been stopped 3 times between Moscow and Samara (all just routine) and each have checked green card from my insurer without any problems - if rest of trip goes as easily as this I will be delighted! Heading for Kaz tomorrow or Sunday so any advice (without highjacking thread) much appreciated.

Thank you guys! I'll buy it on the boarder as I let my UK insurance lapse, since I'm not returning...

Glad to hear the Russian traffic police seem reasonable, you've put my mind at ease.

Thank you again -Jen
www.landroveroverland.co.uk

We just bought some insurance at the hut after the border at Shemonaika on the Kaz/Rus border. 3months for 1500R for a motorcycle. Didn't seem too bad.

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