Insurance is a contract in which a customer pays a premium and the insurer covers defined risks under stated conditions. The policy, exclusions, limits, documents, and claim process matter as much as the price. ОМС, or compulsory health insurance, is the public health-insurance system used for covered medical care. ДМС, or voluntary medical insurance, is a private product that can add services or access according to its network and contract. ОСАГО is compulsory motor third-party liability insurance. It protects against covered liability to other people when a vehicle causes harm, but it is not the same as insurance for damage to the owner's own car. КАСКО is voluntary vehicle insurance that can cover damage to the insured car under the policy. The covered events, deductible, approved repairs, and exclusions can differ widely between contracts. People also buy life, accident, travel, home, contents, liability, and business insurance. Some insurance is offered together with a loan or another service, but linked insurance should not be accepted without understanding its purpose and cancellation or claim conditions. A claim usually requires prompt notice, evidence of the event, identification, the policy, and sometimes reports from police, doctors, or other authorities. The insurer then checks whether the event and loss fall within the contract. Common limits include exclusions, deductibles called франшиза, maximum payouts, waiting periods, approved providers, and duties to prevent further damage. A low premium can mean narrower protection or a larger personal share of the loss. The first step is to insure the risk that would seriously harm your household, then compare licensed insurers and read the full policy. Keep the policy and claim instructions accessible before an emergency occurs.
Insurance in Russia
Insurance in Russia helps protect people from selected financial losses caused by accidents, illness, damage, or liability. ОСАГО is compulsory motor third-party liability insurance, while КАСКО and ДМС are common voluntary products. Public compulsory health insurance is known as ОМС, and private voluntary health insurance is called ДМС.
Tip
Choose insurance for a loss you could not comfortably pay yourself, not simply because a product is offered at checkout or with a loan. In Russia, confirm whether the product is ОМС, ДМС, ОСАГО, КАСКО, or another form before comparing it. Keep proof of payment, policy documents, and claim contacts in one place.

