Belarusian and Russian car owners may be able to obtain a single OSAGO policy this summer, marking a notable shift in how compulsory auto insurance is issued in the region. The draft legislation underpinning a unified system for mandatory car insurance cleared its initial hurdle in November 2022, and since then it has moved through a series of evaluations and approvals across multiple government departments. The goal is to streamline coverage so that drivers in both countries can rely on one policy to meet mandatory insurance requirements, rather than navigating separate regimes for each nation.
During today’s committee session, the bill received approval and was forwarded to the Council of the Parliamentary Assembly. The next sitting is scheduled for March 27 in Pskov, where the council is expected to consider placing the legislation on the agenda for the forthcoming parliamentary session. If adopted, the measure would advance to the next legislative stage for formal implementation, according to Viktor Pinsky, who chairs the parliamentary assembly’s legislative and regulatory committee. His comments underscored the sense of momentum behind the proposal and the belief that a unified approach could simplify compliance for motorists and improve cross-border coordination in the insurance market.
The conversation surrounding the policy reflects broader ambitions to harmonize regulatory frameworks within the Union State area, a process that would extend beyond insurance into related financial services and social policy coordination. Proponents argue that a single insurance market could reduce administrative friction and create more predictable pricing structures for drivers. Critics, however, emphasize the need for strong oversight to protect consumers and ensure that coverage remains comprehensive and affordable across diverse traffic conditions and regional risk profiles.
In remarks captured for public dissemination, Sergei Sivets, the Commission Vice-President, noted that the most immediate effect of the law would be a reduction in insurance costs by simplifying the process. This anticipated savings would come from standardizing underwriting criteria, streamlining paperwork, and eliminating redundant steps that currently slow down the issuance of OSAGO policies. Sivets also pointed toward a longer-term objective: the creation of a single Union State insurance market. This more ambitious aim would require ongoing cooperation across regulatory bodies, insurers, and possibly harmonized consumer protections to ensure consistent service quality across borders.
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Analysts view the proposed policy as part of a broader trend of aligning statutory requirements to reflect evolving regional economic and transportation needs. The anticipated changes would affect how insurers assess risk, how premiums are calculated, and how drivers prove compliance during routine checks or traffic stops. If the plan proceeds, drivers could experience a smoother renewal process, fewer administrative hurdles, and clearer guidance on what constitutes valid coverage under a single, cross-border framework. At the same time, the reform raises questions about how differences in road infrastructure, accident reporting, and healthcare access will be reconciled within a unified system. Observers expect regulators to publish detailed rules and transition timelines to help insurers and motorists prepare for the shift.
Source: Sputnik