Just come back from my trip to Russia and thought I would relate my experiences.

I bought car insurance on the Finnish side of the border at Brusnichnoye. Funny little booth at a shop just before the border - no english but can speak russian. The Raja Kaapa shop at Nuijama. Did not cost alot - about 40 euros for 30 days. Green card doesn't extend to russia yet.

Border crossing on Russian side was okay except they didn't know about migration cards (like landing cards) and did not give me one (Ha Ha see later). I got only a 2 week temporary import permit for the car in spite of my protests to give me one for the length of my visa (2 months). Did not need to give photocopies of any documents. They just looked at my Russian insurance certificate and my english car registration documents. I already have a russian driving license but took and international driving permit as well just in case. I made an ordinary customs declaration in duplicate and kept a stamped copy.

Visa registration without a migration card in moscow took a whole day. Very exhausting ans lots of pushing but eventually got a migration card from OVIR and got it stamped. result! I could have not registered at all, but since I needed to extend the temporary import certificate at Tsaritsino (Customs HQ), I needed it.

Trip to Tsaritsino wasted a whole afternoon but everybody was quite kind and helpful. The administrator tried to infer that my migration card wasn't in order because they messed up the dates (visa to 15/9 but registered only to 30/8). Migration card is needed to extend temporary import. Car was inspected and assessed. Paid about RBL 4,000 fixed fee for goods with value $5k - $10k. Received certificate. Inspectors offer to buy my car!

Got stopped by the DPS (cops) 3 times in 5 weeks. Twice for documents - all in order. Once for speeding but got let off! (116kph in 75kph zone).

Officer:You were going very fast!
Me:Really? But this is the Moscow-St Petersberg motorway with a 110kph limit. (It was a section through a small village - not a motorway).
Officer: you were going 116 in a 75 zone (shows me radar gun)
Me:Really? Where is the 75kph sign?
officer: It's over there (points)
Me: Really? I'm sorry I didn't see it cos I was overtaking a car at the same time (this was on the equivalent of double white lines - but this was not the issue here).
Officer: Where are you from? (looks at number plate, wife etc in car)
me: Returning from holiday to london, United Kingdom.
Officer: Okay, go a little more slowly in future!
me: Thank you, have a nice day! (cue swift departure)

Cruising around was very easy as cars tended to get out of the way for the mercedes!

Disaster struck on the last day in heavy traffic in moscow when a ZIL-130 rear ended me and took out one tail light and the whole estate tailgate. DPS handed sitation very well and were really helpful and polite. Filled in accident form and exchanged details with truck driver.

At the site of accident, DPS write report. Vehicles moved of the road and everyone has to write a statement which the DPS keep. Given date to turn up at DPS office for decision. Got lots of contact phone numbers for all other drivers involved. Owner of vehicle turns up with his friend who speaks a little english. They feel guilty and give me some cash to buy a new tail light. They tried to find and buy one for me (really!) but failed.

I stop off at mercedes office in moscow and discuss car with mechanic who recommends and independant outfit who can do work at short notice. Book car in at garage same day and authorise gathering of spare parts needed.

Next day go to truck drivers insurance company to ascertain claims procedure. Everybody helpful and gives me list if stuff I need to gather.
Note the claim is made by the innocent party to the guilty party's insurance company.

Three days later turn up at DPS office for decision. Other driver doesn't turn up. Phoned owner of vehicle and gave my mobile to the DPS officer dealing with our case - he has words with the owner(!) After 90mins other driver appears (!). Driver admits guilt and I get some forms - protocol, prilozhenie 12 and 31 and reshenie (decision). Note protocol can only be written in the presence of all parties to the accident.

Travel to the garage. Pick up the car - not yet repaired (needs to be inspected in damaged condition). Drive to the insurance company and fight to get claim registered. They said english registration document and passport need certified translations. I throw a fit in their office and the claim gets accepted (using the temporary import certificate to back up the vehicle registration) They still claim I can't collect the money in cash until I get certified passport translation but I solve this another way. I fill an application/claim form.They take the forms from the DPS and the accident form where details exchanged. they give me copies and stamp them. Allocate me a claim number. They say payment only after 15 working days. Alot of sitting around then car gets inspected. Inspector writes up the report REALLY well. I get copy of the report. Drive back to the garage to install new parts previously bought and painted. Garage does job in 24 hours (tailgate already painted).

Next day I give a doverenost (power of attourney) to a relative to collect the money on my behalf using their russian passport which doesn't need a certified translation. Collect the car at 6.30pm. This is Friday - 4 days after accident, 2 days after DPS office and insurance company.
Garage owner offers to buy my car!

Next day set off for finnish border. Getting out of russia was easy. I made one customs declaration for whole family of 3 people. Customs kept the temporary import extension from Tsaritsino. Passport control didn't even ask about a migration card (kept it hidden to see if they would notice).

So that was it. Alot of hassle but my russian improved alot. Fantastic journey through europe and back plus travelled alot in Russia. It hasn't put me off one bit.

Rgds

Les

PS drove 8,000 miles - 3,000 there, 3,000 back, 2,000 in Russia.