Insurance in Tajikistan

Tajikistan has a formal insurance market using the terms суғурта and суғуртавӣ, with insurance organizations providing voluntary products and implementing several compulsory schemes. The main legal framework is the Law on Insurance Activity No. 1349 of 23 July 2016, amended in 2024 and 2025, together with the Civil Code and related rules. The National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT) handles licensing, supervision, the Unified State Register of insurers and brokers, and supervisory complaints. It also publishes licensing information, measures against insurers and relevant market information. In 2025, the market had 16 insurance organizations, including one state insurer and 15 private insurers. Two organizations also provided reinsurance. The market recorded about 2,484,436 contracts, 456.8 million somoni in premiums and 60.2 million somoni in claim payments. Availability of a particular product, branch and service depends on the current NBT register and the provider's territorial coverage. Voluntary insurance can cover life, accidents and sickness, medical treatment, tourist medical needs, motor hull, cargo, property, fire, construction, liability, financial and business risks, travel, collateral and deposits. Individuals and companies can generally choose a licensed insurer, and contracts are made in somoni. Voluntary premiums depend on the insured amount and the assessed risk, while an insurer's tariff must have an actuarial basis. Insurers must publish their licence, insurance classes, contract period, rules, tariffs and audited annual report on their websites. Compulsory schemes include motor third-party liability insurance, insurance for passengers travelling by road, air or water and on rail services, certain international road transport, agricultural property, building and property fire risks, and workers exposed to high-risk conditions. Compulsory state-funded life and health cover applies to defined groups such as the President, members of Parliament, customs and military personnel, police, the KNB, emergency workers, civil servants, judges, prosecutors and investigators. State implementation of these schemes is reserved for a state insurer. GUP «Точиксугурта» is the state insurer identified in the national system. Motor third-party liability insurance covers damage to other people and may include carrier liability. Vehicle owners can check a policy through the NBT electronic insurance system, upload a photograph of a missing policy and buy cover from listed licensed providers. The NBT insurance hotline is 3939 and operates from 08:00 to 20:00. For a motor liability claim, the file may require the policy, traffic-inspection evidence, identity document, driving licence, vehicle technical passport and proof of medical treatment, death or property damage. Once complete documents are submitted, payment is due within five working days. In a death case, 50% is due within one working day and the balance within one working day after the death certificate is provided. Social insurance is separate from the private insurance market. Mandatory pension insurance begins when employment starts, and the Agency for Social Insurance and Pensions maintains contribution and personal data and handles pension claims. The system covers old-age, disability, survivors' and social pensions. Access depends on registration and the person's contribution record. Occupational pension contributions are at least 5% of the wage fund for heavy or hazardous work and 2.5% for other covered work. Social tax finances this system; it is not a private insurance premium. For non-budget employers, the general rates are 20% for the employer and 2% for the employee, with possible exceptions for special groups. Payment is generally due by the 15th of the following month under the Tax Code. Health insurance has both mandatory and voluntary forms under Law No. 408, which took effect on 1 January 2025. Mandatory financing comes through social tax for employees and certain self-employed people, while the state budget finances defined groups. The available evidence does not establish uniform practical access and programme details nationwide, so the responsible institution and applicable programme should be checked for the person's status. Voluntary medical insurance may be obtained by citizens, stateless people and foreigners with temporary or permanent residence. A claim should be reported to the insurer, agent or broker according to the contract and insurance rules. The policyholder generally has to prove the insured event and document the damage. For mandatory claims, official documents may be required, and the insurer prepares a claim act. Property compensation cannot exceed the actual loss; underinsurance can reduce payment proportionally. A beneficiary can usually be named or replaced during the contract period. A premium increase because of higher risk requires the policyholder's consent. Renewal, early termination, portability and other changes mainly depend on the contract and its rules because no general statutory cooling-off or portability rule was established in the reviewed material. A written complaint should first go to the insurer, agent or broker. If the response is inadequate, the policyholder can use the NBT supervisory channel or hotline and can pursue a claim in court under general law. Insurers must maintain reserves, meet solvency and reporting duties, follow anti-money-laundering and customer-identification requirements, and retain records for at least five years after the end of the business. If an insurer fails, the law provides for transfer of its insurance portfolio.