All changes made to an insurance policy by terminating it and concluding a new MTPL insurance policy for vehicle owners are made in the presence of the policyholder (client).

Which documents you will need

The following documents are required for this:

  1. Original of the policy
  2. Vehicle registration certificate
  3. ID
  4. RNN (taxpayer registration number)
  5. Driving licence

Today, in most cases, the IIN – the individual identification number stated in the ID – is used instead of the RNN. If the insurer’s document list still shows the RNN, ask the manager whether a separate document is needed or the IIN is sufficient.

If, when selling a car, you hand the insurance policy over to the new owner, you must be present when the policy is drawn up for the new owner.

Changes to the insurance policy are made by the manager on the basis of the client’s written application.

Change of the car’s place of registration: additional payment or refund

Please note the difference in insurance premiums, which depend on the place of registration of the car. For example, when terminating an insurance contract and concluding a new one:

  • from a car registered in a region to Almaty – you will need to pay an additional amount;
  • from Almaty to a region – part of the premium will be refunded.

A similar principle applies to other changes that affect the cost of the policy: if the risk for the insurer increases, an additional payment is required; if it decreases, part of the premium for the remaining term of the contract is returned.

How to receive a refund of part of the insurance premium

To arrange the refund you must provide copies of the following documents:

  1. ID
  2. RNN

In order to receive part of the insurance premium, you must:

  1. After submitting the documents, within 10 business days contact the service manager or manager (in the regions) and find out the number of the payment order, or wait until a notification arrives at your home address.
  2. With the payment order number or the notification, the original ID and the RNN, go to any branch of the insurer and receive part of the insurance premium.

Many insurers now transfer the refund to the client’s bank account – in this case the account details are stated in the application. It is better to agree the method of receiving the money with the manager in advance.

When an MTPL policy needs to be changed

A compulsory motor third-party liability insurance policy is issued for a specific vehicle and for the specific persons permitted to drive it. If data that affect the terms of the contract or the amount of the premium change, the policy must be brought into line. Typical situations:

  • sale of the car or change of owner;
  • change of the vehicle’s place of registration;
  • the need to add a new driver or remove a driver from the policy;
  • replacement of the licence plate or registration certificate;
  • change of surname, ID details or driving licence details of the policyholder or driver;
  • replacement of one car with another.

If the changes are not made, in the event of an accident the insurer may raise questions about the payment, and during a document check – about the validity of the policy. It is therefore better to make the changes as soon as they occur rather than postponing them until the end of the contract term.

Step-by-step procedure

  1. Collect the documents from the list above and the original of the current policy.
  2. Contact the insurer’s manager or your insurance broker and write a written application describing the changes.
  3. The manager will check the documents, calculate the new premium taking into account the changed conditions and inform you of the additional payment or refund.
  4. The current contract is terminated and a new one is concluded at the same time – so that there is no gap in insurance protection between them.
  5. Receive the new policy and check all the data in it immediately: licence plate, VIN, list of drivers, place of registration, term of validity.
  6. If part of the premium is to be refunded, keep a copy of the application and monitor the transfer deadlines.

What to check in the new policy

  • That the car’s details match the registration certificate – an error in a single digit can become grounds for a dispute when a loss is settled.
  • The full list of persons permitted to drive, if a standard policy for one vehicle has been issued.
  • The date and time the new contract begins – insurance protection must not be interrupted.
  • The correctness of the bonus-malus class: the history of accident-free driving affects the cost of the policy, and it is important not to lose it when the policy is reissued.

Typical mistakes made by motorists

  • Handing the policy to the new owner when selling the car and not coming for the reissue – the contract remains with the previous owner.
  • Letting a driver who is not in the policy drive, intending to “add him later”.
  • Not keeping copies of documents and of the application for a premium refund.
  • Not checking the new policy immediately after receiving it and discovering a typo only after an accident.

Frequently asked questions

Can changes be made without a personal visit?

The procedure depends on the insurer. Changes made by terminating and concluding a new contract, as described above, are made in the presence of the policyholder. Some companies accept applications in electronic form – clarify this in advance.

Will the discount for accident-free driving be preserved?

The bonus-malus class is tied to the driver, not to the policy form, so it is preserved when the policy is reissued correctly. If the class is stated incorrectly in the new policy, ask the manager to check the data.

Do I need to change the policy if I have bought a different car?

Yes. The policy is issued for a specific vehicle, so for the new car the contract is reissued or a new one is concluded.

Read more about motor insurance in the car insurance section, calculate the approximate cost of the policy in the MTPL calculator, and check the meaning of terms in the glossary. If you need to sort out a specific situation, you can get a consultation from a broker.