The expert explained the difference between a paper and electronic CTP policy

The difference between a paper and an electronic policy is not in the level of insurance coverage, but in the format of fixing the contract and organizing the client's path. On February 28, Yaroslav Ostudin, an investor, an expert practitioner in insurance and management of diversified assets, the owner of JSC IC Astro-Volga, JSC IC Astro-Volga, told Izvestia about this.

"In fact, a paper and an electronic policy are two carriers of the same legal fact — an insurance contract. If the conditions match, then the amount of insurance coverage is the same. The difference is shown in convenience, transparency and risks at every stage: from purchase to settlement," the expert explained.

A paper policy is a physical document confirming a contract. Its main advantage remains psychological familiarity: the seal, signature and letterhead create a sense of reliability. However, according to the expert, this feeling is often illusory. It is easier to visually forge a paper document, and the client often does not try to verify its authenticity before the insured event occurs. In addition, paper—based processes are more often associated with manual data entry, which increases the risk of errors in VIN, personal data, expiration dates, or a list of risks. Losing or damaging a document can also complicate the situation, especially during a stressful moment.

An electronic policy, on the contrary, is initially created as an entry in the insurance company's information system. The client gets access to the agreement in the form of a file, link, or through his personal account. The key here is not the file itself, but the ability to check the record in the database.

"The electronic format is easier to verify: you can verify the number, the start date, and the correctness of the data. Registration and receipt are faster, and the document itself is always available — it can be restored, forwarded or presented from a mobile device," said Ostudin.

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At the same time, the expert stressed that risks also exist in digital format. The main threat is not related to the electronic contract itself, but to fraudulent websites and phishing links that simulate the sale of policies. In such cases, the client receives a PDF file that is not a valid contract. You don't need to trust the file, but the record being checked in the system. If a person does not understand where and how to check the policy, there is a feeling of vulnerability. Another barrier remains the digital insecurity of some customers — the fear of technical failures or loss of access.

According to the expert, when choosing a format, it is important to take into account not only the media, but also the quality of the consultation. Insurance remains a complex product that is usually purchased once a year. It is important for the Client to understand the terms, limits, exclusions, and settlement procedure. The lack of clarification can lead to disappointment, regardless of whether the policy was paper or electronic.

Among the advantages of the electronic format, the specialist mentioned the speed of registration, convenience of storage, the possibility of quick verification and a more transparent client path with notifications and deadline control. The paper version, in turn, may be preferable for people with low digital literacy or a high level of distrust of online payments.

The main factor of trust, according to the expert, is not the form of the contract, but its validity, clear terms and predictable settlement of insurance claims.

"If these three elements are followed, the electronic format objectively wins in terms of convenience. If not, neither paper nor numbers can compensate for the lack of transparency," he concluded.

On January 27, Alexander Abramov, Executive Director of Sberbank Insurance, told Izvestia about non-insurable situations. So, payments are not allowed if the damage is related to the natural wear of the car — replacement of brake pads, shock absorbers, oil and other elements of scheduled maintenance. Also, the use of a car for other purposes is not recognized as an insured event, for example, to participate in races or to operate a taxi without an appropriate option.

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