Crossing Poland - Green Card Car Insurance for Kaliningrad, Russia

Hello,

I'm making a trip to Kaliningrad in about a weeks time crossing Poland (never been so really looking forward to it) and I was wondering if anyone knew where I can buy Insurance for my UK Car as UK insurance companies are still not accepting Russia on the Green Card scheme even though Russia accepts the Green Card now!!

I will be crossing the border with Kaliningrad near Braniewo and wondered if there is somewhere there that I can purchase the Green Card Insurance. I have been told petrol stations sell it but I just wondered if this is can be confirmed or are there special places where I can get it?

Thanks for your help

Tristan

Hi Tris....its been a while since i drove into Russia , actually 1997 and 1998 , in those days they did not accept any western insurance , and you bought cover for the time you were in Russia at a small office at or near the border.....

Quite often the price seems to depend on how much they think they can get out of you , but its still cheap by western standards....

I am not sure if the petrol stations sell the insurance , but i am sure the small wooden sheds that were there in my days in Russia will still be there , and will be happy to sell you insurance......

Maybe somebody who has visited Russia more recently can inform you better..... have a nice trip....

Ok, Thanks for the info wildrover

I'm only there for 7days or so hopefully should be able to get some insurance somewhere.

Got a few days before I go so hopefully someone else who has been more recently will comment. Otherwise I will keep my eyes peeled for a small office!!

Thanks, will do :)

Tristan,
I'm from Moscow. Past spring I drove to Finland and I purchased green card in Moscow in the insurance company in order to save time. However I could also buy it on my way to Finland (there are plenty places which offer it near the boundary... I'm not sure though about petrol stations). I don't know how it works for non-Russians but citizens of Russia can't cross the boundary unless they have a green card obtained.

The minimum days I think they could sell the insurance for are 10 days. So whether you want to stay for that long or just for couple days you will have to pay for at least ten days. The average price is about 1200-1400 rubles (35-45$). It shouldn't be more than that. I guess the price is fixed now. I'd checked three or four different insurance companies before I finaly got it. They had offered exactly the same price (some of what I mentioned above).

If you have somebody who speaks Russian, that would certainly be easier for you to find an insurance company but usually they have the word "insurance" dublicated in English. In case they don't - pay your attention to the word "страховка" which is "insurance" in Russian.

Good luck,
Sasha
:)

Hi Sasha,

Thank you very much for your information.

I have got a translation of Insurance into Polish as I will be in Poland rather than Russia as I don't think I will be able to enter Kaliningrad without it. However will keep a look out for the word in case the Polish have it written in russian on their side!

Thanks again and will obviously write up what I find and what happens. I assume the Polish need to get Green Card Insurance for entering Kaliningrad so there must be somewhere near the border that sells it, Hopefully!

Thanks
tristan

Well I'm back from my 3870miles road trip!

Crossing Poland was great the roads were fine, no problems. Went on the 10, then 22, S22 and 54 to Braniewo.

Got car insurance from a shop Kantor right next to the petrol station next to Lidl just out the other side of Braniewo approaching the Kaliningrad border. 50 zolty for 15 days. about £10.

So having all the documents I got into Russia in about 1h 30m no problems.
Coming back took 4hrs to get into Poland, Long Queues! So arrive early.

Some great scenery in Poland could do with some duel carriage ways though!! But was a great experience and I might be going back next Summer!

Any Questions then please ask. Thanks

Tris,

I want to cross the border to Russia at the same point you did but really wonder about the queues because I will have a flight to catch on my way back. Do you think the queues were there because it was the Summer period? Or will the queues be there whenever you want to cross the border? Did you have any troubles with your visa when crossing the border?

Thank you!

Tris,

What documents did you require, because I am looking to cross border at same place with my VW Camper. Great info on getting the insurance Thanks.

With the Ukranian and Russian borders, there'll be queues regardless of when you travel. The best bet with those borders is to allow 6 hours wait with a car, which is ridiculous, but sadly true at times.