What should you do right after a car accident in Bishkek?
First, stop, switch on the hazard lights and help anyone who is hurt, then record the place and the damage before the cars are moved.
Do not start repairs before the assessment: if repairs are done before the inspection, the insurer may refuse the payout in full or in part. The appraiser’s report is one of the documents for the insurance payout, and it takes 3–5 days after the inspection, up to 7 days for major damage.
What the law says
The main rules behind the steps and advice on this page. The links lead to the texts of the acts in the Ministry of Justice’s legal database (CBD).
- Law of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 192 of 24 July 2015 “On Compulsory Insurance of Civil Liability of Vehicle Owners”The driver involved and the policyholder must notify their insurer no later than 5 working days (Art. 15, part 3, item 1; Rules, para. 35). Repairs before the inspection may be grounds for a full or partial refusal of the payout (Art. 27, part 1).
- Rules of Compulsory Insurance of Civil Liability of Vehicle Owners, approved by Government Resolution No. 257 of 19 May 2020 (as amended on 8 October 2024)The insurer pays or sends a reasoned written refusal within 30 calendar days (paras. 72–73). Limits (Annex 2 to the Rules, para. 4): 300 thousand KGS for life and health per victim; 150 thousand KGS for property per victim, and no more than 450 thousand KGS for all victims. If the payout was made on documents drawn up without GUOBDD officers, the victim may not make further property claims against the insurer (para. 41). The difference can be claimed from the party at fault in court (para. 42). The procedure at the scene and the notices: paras. 35–38.
- Civil Code of the Kyrgyz Republic, Part II, of 5 January 1998 No. 1, Article 993Damage to a person or property is compensated in full (Art. 993, part 1). If the insurance sum is not enough, the owner of the vehicle found at fault pays the difference (law, Art. 26, part 1).
- Government Resolution of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 618 of 06.10.2011 (list of emergency services)Emergency numbers: 100 — GUOBDD hotline, 102 — police, 103 — ambulance.
- Law of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 155 of 22 December 2021 “On Appraisal Activity”The appraisal report is drawn up in two copies: one goes to the client and the other stays with the appraiser. It is numbered, stitched and signed by the appraiser, and stamped if a seal is used.
Order of steps at the scene
Stop and switch on the hazard lights
Stop, switch on the hazard lights and set out the emergency stop sign.
Do not move the accident objects
Clear the roadway only after the positions of the vehicles and the marks on the road are recorded. Do this in the presence of witnesses.
Help the injured and call an ambulance
Give first aid to anyone who is hurt and call an ambulance: 103.
Notify the traffic police (GUOBDD)
Report the accident to the road safety authority: the GUOBDD hotline is 100, the police 102. GUOBDD officers must take part in the paperwork if anyone is injured, if there is a disagreement about the circumstances or the damage, or if one of the drivers refuses to sign the notice. If no officers came, the accident is still registered at the nearest GUOBDD unit, to establish who is at fault.
Record the witnesses
Write down the names and addresses of the witnesses and wait for the officers to arrive.
Photos and video
If you can, take photos or a video of the place and the damage. Send them on WhatsApp: we agree the cost of the assessment based on them.
Your insurer’s details
Give the injured party and the officers the details of your insurer. Insurers issue the accident notice form, and the drivers fill it in even if GUOBDD officers did not come. The driver involved must notify its insurer no later than 5 working days (Rules, para. 35).
What to prepare
Your insurance policy or its duplicate
Certified copies of the accident diagram, the accident certificate and the intoxication test record
The applicant’s passport, or a power of attorney for a representative of a legal entity
A copy of the driving licence of the person who was driving, and of the document that gives the right to drive
If the car was damaged: invoices, receipts and waybills for the repairs, and the assessment documents
Photos and video of the accident site and the damage
How we help
The appraiser inspects the car in person, records each damage, prepares a defect list and calculates the restoration cost at market prices. Preparing the documents for the insurance payout is included in the cost of the assessment. If the insurer does not accept the report, we will redo it or help you dispute the decision. The report is issued on paper, in two copies, with the appraiser’s signature and stamp.
Common questions after an accident
Can I start repairs before the assessment?
It is better not to. If repairs are done before the inspection, the insurer may refuse the payout in full or in part when the repaired car does not allow the insured event and the size of the loss to be established reliably. The law does not require the insurer’s approval of repairs.
What if no photos were taken at the scene?
The appraiser will inspect the car in person and photograph each damage. The main thing is not to start repairs before the inspection.
How much does a damage assessment after an accident cost?
From 4 500 KGS for 1–2 damaged parts, up to 7 000 KGS for 11 or more parts. We agree on the cost after you send the photos and the video on WhatsApp.
What if the car cannot be driven or is at an impound lot?
The appraiser does an on-site inspection in Bishkek and the suburbs: at the impound lot or at the repair shop. If the car has not been towed yet, take photos and a video before it is moved.
What if the insurer does not accept the report?
We will redo the report or help you dispute the insurer’s decision. A dispute over the payout is first considered by an insurance arbitrator, on your written application, before any lawsuit.
Do not start repairs before the damage is assessed
Message us on WhatsApp: we will agree on the cost from the photos and the video, tell you which documents you need and arrange the inspection. We work on weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00.