Kazakhstan (KZ)
Kazakhstan is the world's ninth-largest country by area and the largest landlocked nation — a vast Central Asian republic stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Altai Mountains, encompassing endless steppes, dramatic canyons, and the remnants of the ancient Silk Road.
Insurance Guide
Which insurances you actually need in Kazakhstan, prioritised.
Insurance in Kazakhstan combines mandatory state schemes (OSMS health insurance, compulsory motor third-party) with a growing private market. Expats are strongly advised to carry comprehensive international health insurance in addition to mandatory OSMS, as state healthcare quality varies significantly. The insurance market is regulated by the Agency for Regulation and Development of Financial Markets (АРРФР). Almaty has significant earthquake risk — ensure property insurance explicitly covers seismic events.
Legally Mandatory
- - OSMS (Mandatory Social Health Insurance / ОСМС): employee 2% + employer 3% of salary — required for all employed workers
- - ОГПО (Compulsory Motor Third-Party Liability Insurance): required for all vehicle owners; annual cost ₸5,000–25,000
International Private Health Insurance
Supplementary private health insurance covering private clinic consultations, specialist care, hospitalisation, and medical evacuation — going beyond the basic OSMS state coverage.
Who needs it: All expats — OSMS alone is insufficient for quality care and does not cover medical evacuation.
Annual cost: ₸350,000–1,500,000/year depending on coverage level and provider
Ensure your policy includes medical evacuation coverage — Kazakhstan is remote from top-tier medical facilities. Verify coverage for Central Asia specifically.
Compulsory Motor Third-Party Liability (ОГПО)
Mandatory minimum motor insurance covering third-party bodily injury and property damage caused by your vehicle.
Who needs it: All vehicle owners in Kazakhstan — legally required before vehicle registration.
Annual cost: ₸5,000–25,000 depending on vehicle class, engine size, and region
Purchased at insurance offices or via Kaspi.kz app (instant). Required documentation: vehicle registration, technical inspection certificate (техосмотр), driver's licence.
Comprehensive Motor Insurance (КАСКО)
Comprehensive vehicle insurance covering theft, collision damage, fire, and natural disaster in addition to third-party liability.
Who needs it: Highly recommended for all car owners given Kazakhstan's high accident rates and challenging road/weather conditions.
Annual cost: 3%–7% of vehicle market value per year
Dashcam footage is legally admissible and strongly recommended — critical for КАСКО claims after accidents. After an accident: call 102 (Police) immediately, do not move vehicles until police complete the accident report (схема ДТП).
Property and Contents Insurance
Covers apartment/house contents against theft, fire, water damage, and other perils. Essential given Almaty's earthquake risk.
Who needs it: Property owners and renters in Almaty (earthquake zone) and Astana.
Annual cost: Contents/renters: ₸15,000–50,000/year. Full property owner: ₸30,000–120,000/year.
Almaty is in a seismically active zone — explicitly confirm earthquake coverage is included. Many standard policies exclude seismic events. Ask specifically before purchasing.
Travel Insurance (outbound)
Coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and lost luggage when travelling outside Kazakhstan.
Who needs it: All expats travelling internationally from Kazakhstan. Required for Schengen visa applications.
Annual cost: ₸5,000–30,000 per trip or ₸25,000–80,000/year for annual multi-trip policy
Annual multi-trip policies are most cost-effective for frequent business travellers. Ensure Schengen-area coverage meets minimum €30,000 medical coverage requirement for visa applications.
Life Insurance
Term life or accumulative life insurance providing a payment to beneficiaries upon death or serious disability.
Who needs it: Expats with dependants or financial obligations; those in high-risk industries (oil & gas, construction).
Annual cost: Varies widely by coverage amount, age, and health status
Accumulative life insurance (накопительное страхование жизни — НСЖ) offered by local companies as a savings + insurance hybrid. Generally not recommended for short-term expats due to early withdrawal penalties.
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Never drive without valid ОГПО (compulsory third-party motor insurance) — traffic police checks are common and fines are significant.
International health insurance with medical evacuation is essential in Kazakhstan — local specialist care has limits for complex conditions.
Almaty earthquake risk is real — ensure property insurance explicitly includes seismic coverage.
Use Kaspi.kz to purchase and renew ОГПО instantly — faster than visiting an insurance office.
After any road accident: call 102 immediately, do not move vehicles, photograph everything, and film from dashcam if available.
Keep digital copies of all insurance policies and emergency contact numbers in your phone at all times.
Insurance
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