Since 2025, compulsory insurance in Kyrgyzstan has entered an active phase: the OSAGO policy has become necessary for all drivers, and housing insurance has become a real tool in case of emergencies. In an exclusive interview, the Deputy Chairman of the Board of the State Insurance Organization (GSO), Salavat Sadyrakunov, discussed the number of drivers without insurance, the differences in housing insurance between urban and rural areas, and the prospects for crop protection for farmers.
- The OSAGO policy became mandatory in 2025. What percentage of drivers are already insured, and how many remain without coverage?
- As of July 1, 2025, the OSAGO policy is mandatory for all vehicle owners. By the end of 2025, more than 1,114,300 vehicle owners had obtained insurance, which accounts for about 60-70% of Kyrgyzstan's vehicle fleet. Thus, about 30-40% of vehicles still do not have insurance coverage.
Of the total number of insured, 19.8% chose the State Insurance Organization (GSO). The coverage level continues to grow due to increased public awareness and enhanced control over compliance with legislation.
- There have been proposals in social media and at meetings to suspend fines. Does GSO have data on whether the company is coping with requests, and will there be a shortage of forms during mass inspections?
- The State Insurance Organization (GSO) has the necessary resources and infrastructure to service the current flow of clients. Our branch network covers all regions of the country, which allows for effective coordination of work.
Additionally, the OSAGO policy can be obtained online through mobile applications, the "Tunduk" platform, and the official website gso.kg, which significantly reduces the burden on offices and minimizes the risk of queues.
As of today, more than 357,000 vehicles are insured with the State Insurance Organization (GSO). Overall, about 60-70% of the vehicle fleet is covered by insurance. At this time, there are no prerequisites for a shortage of forms or the emergence of mass queues.
- Some deputies claimed that "OSAGO simply replenishes the budget." Can you explain what part of the insurance premium goes to payouts and what part goes to state revenue?
- It should be noted that the insurance premium for OSAGO is not a tax. Funds from insurance contributions form the company's reserves, which are used exclusively for payouts on insured events and ensuring financial stability.
Payouts to victims of traffic accidents are made within established limits. Part of the funds goes to the costs of conducting insurance activities, as stipulated by law. Thus, insurance premiums are not directed to replenish the state budget, but serve to provide financial protection for citizens.
- How long does it typically take from a traffic accident (under OSAGO) or a fire to payout to the victim? People complain about bureaucracy - is there a plan to transition to complete digital settlement of losses?
On average, the payout process for OSAGO or housing insurance after a fire takes 2 to 3 weeks from the moment all necessary documents are submitted. The key factor is confirming the fact of the insured event and assessing the damage.
In the case of a traffic accident, materials from the State Traffic Safety Department are needed, and in the case of a fire, a certificate from the competent authority and documents confirming the extent of the damage are required. The faster the document package is assembled, the quicker the decision on payout will be made.
Regarding digitalization, the insurance system is actively implementing electronic settlement. Many processes are already automated, and we plan to reduce the number of personal visits and processing times. Our goal is to make the process as convenient and understandable as possible for people in difficult situations.
- According to last year's data, less than 17% of housing is insured in Bishkek, while in the regions this figure exceeds 30%. Why are urban residents so passive? Is it related to distrust of the system or a lack of information?
- The difference in indicators is explained by the peculiarities of risk perception and lifestyle. In the regions, people more often face natural threats, leading to a quicker realization of the need for insurance.
In large cities like Bishkek, many homeowners have a sense of relative safety, especially in apartment buildings. Housing insurance is not always perceived as a means of protecting property and budget. The problem lies more in the insufficient awareness of citizens about the importance of insurance protection. As awareness increases, the coverage level will grow.
- Many Kyrgyz citizens consider compulsory housing insurance (600 soms in rural areas, 1200 in cities) a hidden tax. What real assistance did people whose homes were affected by mudslides or fires in 2025 receive? Please provide specific payout figures.
- Insurance is a means of mutual protection, not a tax. The insurance premium is 600 soms per year in rural areas and 1200 soms in cities, and payouts can reach 500,000 soms in rural areas and 1,000,000 soms for urban housing, depending on the damage.
In the first two months of 2026 alone, more than 65,000,000 soms were paid to victims of fires and natural disasters. For a family that has lost their home, the insurance payout is real financial support that allows them to start rebuilding without debt.
- The Cabinet has mandated civil servants to insure their homes under threat of sanctions. How effective has this measure been, and are there plans to impose fines on ordinary citizens for not having property insurance?
- The measures for insuring civil servants are aimed at increasing discipline in the enforcement of legislation and setting an example for others. According to preliminary data, the level of insurance among civil servants has indeed increased.
As for ordinary citizens, the current focus is on informing and increasing understanding of the importance of insurance. The main goal is to protect the population, not to impose punitive measures.
- A "general insurance pool" for housing protection was recently announced. How will this affect ordinary Kyrgyz citizens and will it increase the reliability of the company?
- The general insurance pool involves the pooling of financial resources from insurance companies to cover large risks. This will create additional resilience for the entire insurance system, especially in the context of large-scale natural disasters. Pooling resources will allow for risk distribution and reduce the burden on individual companies, ultimately increasing payout guarantees and strengthening trust in the system.
- In February 2026, the parliament will consider issues related to agricultural insurance. Will GSO insure crops against drought or frost, and how much will this cost farmers?
- The issue of agricultural insurance is actively being developed. For Kyrgyzstan, where agriculture plays a key role in the economy, this is an important direction. Mechanisms for insuring crops against drought, frost, and other natural risks are being considered. Our task is to create an effective system that will work in the interests of farmers.
GSO is ready to participate in this program provided there are clear rules, transparent rates, and a balanced risk distribution model. We pay attention to ensuring that the cost of insurance is affordable for agricultural producers. Specific parameters and conditions will be announced after the legislative and financial development is completed.
- Is GSO studying the experience of other countries, such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, or China?
- The State Insurance Organization (GSO) constantly analyzes international insurance experience, including practices from neighboring countries. Special attention is paid to digitalization, automation of loss settlement, and reserve formation. At the same time, any foreign practices are adapted to our legislation and the specifics of the domestic market. Our goal is to implement best practices that will genuinely enhance the reliability and convenience of insurance services for the citizens of Kyrgyzstan.
