Repair Deadlines for OSAGO and the Use of Spare Parts: A Fresh Look at the Crisis
Amid a broad disruption in the auto parts market, insurers and service centers find themselves pressed to complete repairs under OSAGO timelines. During a round table titled Import Replacement in OSAGO, held in the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation, executives from insurance companies, auto service networks, and independent experts discussed the challenges facing car insurance and claim settlements.
Participants proposed several interim steps that could help ease the bottleneck while the market adjusts:
- shortening or rethinking the legal deadlines for OSAGO repairs; and
- granting temporary clearance for insurers and service centers to use available parts, including used components, until parallel imports and substitution by domestic suppliers become viable again.
Currently, neither insurers nor vehicle owners can reliably obtain new original spare parts within the standard 30-day repair window. The anticipation that parallel imports or domestic substitution would quickly resolve the issue has not yet materialized, complicating claims and repairs alike. This friction has prompted a broader discussion about the permissibility of used spare parts, a topic that has lingered for some time. The central bank has not endorsed this approach so far, but many experts argue that a regulated framework could allow used components if safety, compatibility, and traceability requirements are met.
Current situation
What is occurring in the market now shows a split picture. Some car owners are patient, understanding the longer repair timelines, while others pursue faster outcomes through legal action. When repair conditions are breached, courts frequently order fines for insurance providers, underscoring the urgency of addressing the gap between policy terms and on-the-ground realities.
In this context, the round table’s discussion emphasized the need for practical rules that balance risk, customer rights, and industry constraints. The exchange highlighted the potential for temporary measures, accompanied by clear guidelines to prevent misuse and ensure traceability of every part used in repairs. Experts noted that any move toward using second-hand parts would require robust verification processes and transparent reporting to protect both policyholders and insurers. The proposals underscored the importance of a coordinated policy response that can be quickly communicated to the market and implemented through regulatory channels. [Citation: Public Chamber of the Russian Federation] [Citation: Central Bank of Russia]
The outcomes of the discussions and the expert recommendations are slated for submission to government authorities for consideration, with the aim of shaping interim rules and reinforcing the integrity of OSAGO claims while the broader market stabilizes. [Citation: Public Chamber of the Russian Federation]