The cost of car insurance in Moldova depends on the exact type of policy a driver needs. RCA is the mandatory insurance for driving within Moldova, Green Card is required for trips abroad, and CASCO protects the driver's own car against damage, theft and other risks under the terms of the contract. These policies can't be compared on price alone, because they solve different problems, are calculated under different rules and cover different situations.
Before buying car insurance, many drivers first want to understand the price. That's logical: one policy is needed for everyday driving in Moldova, another for crossing the border, and a third to protect your own car from costly repairs. But simply asking "how much does car insurance cost" isn't enough, because that question can hide completely different types of protection.
That's why, before calculating the price, it's important to first understand which policy you actually need in your situation. If the car is used in Moldova, you need RCA. If you're planning a trip abroad, you'll need a Green Card. If you want to protect your own car against damage, theft, fire, hail or other risks, it's worth considering CASCO.
What types of car insurance exist in Moldova
For a car owner, it's important to understand not only the names of these policies, but also what each one is for.
RCA is the mandatory civil liability insurance for vehicle owners. It's valid on the territory of Moldova and exists so that, in the event of a road accident, the injured party can receive compensation for the damage caused by the person at fault. RCA does not cover repairs to the at-fault driver's own car. The official RCA.BNM.MD portal provides tools for calculating domestic RCA premiums, checking policy status and getting information about the Bonus-Malus class.
Green Card is the mandatory external civil liability insurance for trips abroad. It confirms that insurance coverage exists while the car is being driven outside Moldova, in the countries included in the chosen coverage zone. RCA.BNM.MD also offers a tool for calculating the Green Card insurance premium.
CASCO is voluntary car insurance. Unlike RCA and Green Card, CASCO isn't about liability toward third parties — it's about protecting the driver's own car. Depending on the terms of the contract, it can cover damage from a road accident, theft, fire, natural events, falling objects, damage in a parking lot and other events.
These three types of insurance can complement each other, but none of them replaces the others.
What determines the cost of RCA
The cost of RCA is calculated according to established rules and depends on the data used in the calculation system. For an accurate calculation, it's important to enter up-to-date information about the owner and the vehicle.
The price of RCA can be affected by:
- the car owner's details;
- the type and category of the vehicle;
- the data from the vehicle registration certificate;
- insurance history;
- the Bonus-Malus class.
For cars with Moldovan and Transnistrian registration plates, RCA is issued for 12 months. Exceptions may apply to seasonal vehicles and cars with temporary PROBE plates.
Bonus-Malus is one of the key factors. RCA.BNM.MD explains that the Bonus-Malus class is determined by insurance history and affects the size of the insurance premium. The class can be checked using the data of an individual or a legal entity.
In practice, this means that two owners of similar cars can end up with different RCA costs. If one driver has a better insurance history while the other has had insurance claims, the calculation will differ.
Getting RCA usually requires the owner's personal or tax ID code, the vehicle's details, the registration certificate number and the policy's start date. Through Superpolis.md you can calculate the cost of RCA online and get the mandatory policy without visiting an office.
What determines the cost of Green Card
The cost of Green Card depends on the parameters of the trip. Unlike RCA, which is needed for driving in Moldova, Green Card is issued for travel abroad, which is why the coverage zone and the term are especially important for the calculation.
The price of Green Card is usually affected by:
- the country or coverage zone;
- the insurance term;
- the type of vehicle;
- the policy's start date;
- the car's parameters;
- the chosen conditions for issuing the policy.
If a driver is going abroad for a short period, the cost will be one thing. If the car frequently leaves Moldova and the policy is needed for a longer period, the calculation will be different. It's also important to take the route into account: the policy needs to cover not only the destination country but also any transit countries on the trip.
Saving money on Green Card should be done carefully. Too short a term or the wrong coverage zone can cause problems when crossing the border or in the event of an accident abroad. That's why the route and dates should be determined first, and prices compared only afterward.
A Green Card can be issued and calculated online through Superpolis.md.
What determines the cost of CASCO
CASCO is usually calculated individually, because this policy depends not only on the car but also on the kind of protection the owner wants. Unlike RCA and Green Card, CASCO isn't a mandatory civil liability policy — it's voluntary insurance that helps protect the driver's own car.
The cost of CASCO can be affected by:
- the car's year of manufacture;
- the car's market value;
- the make and model;
- the chosen list of covered risks;
- whether there's a deductible, and its size;
- the repair terms;
- the age and driving experience of the drivers allowed to operate the car;
- the history of insurance claims;
- the presence of anti-theft systems;
- the territory of use;
- other additional contract terms.
The broader the coverage, the higher the cost can be. For example, a policy with only basic risks will differ from a CASCO policy that includes road accidents, theft, fire, hail, falling objects, parking-lot damage and other events.
The deductible also affects the price. If the client chooses a policy with a deductible, part of the loss is paid by the client themselves in the event of an insured event, but the policy itself can cost less. If the deductible is minimal or absent, the insurance protection can be more convenient, but the price is usually higher.
CASCO is especially relevant for new cars, financed or leased cars, expensive cars, and for drivers who want to reduce the risk of major repair costs. The cost can be calculated through the CASCO page by leaving your details for an offer.
What data is needed for an accurate calculation
To get an accurate car insurance price, it's not enough to simply state the car's make. Each policy requires its own set of data.
For RCA you'll usually need:
- the individual's personal ID code or the company's tax ID code;
- the car's registration number;
- the registration certificate number;
- the owner's details;
- the start date;
- the insurance term.
For Green Card you'll need:
- the car's details;
- the registration number;
- the registration certificate number;
- the type of vehicle;
- the country or coverage zone;
- the trip's duration;
- the policy's start date.
For CASCO you may need:
- the car's make, model and year of manufacture;
- the car's value;
- its equipment/trim level;
- mileage;
- driver information;
- the desired risks to be covered;
- repair terms;
- the desired deductible;
- whether there's a loan or lease;
- a vehicle inspection.
The more accurate the data, the more correct the calculation. Don't rely on memory: a mistake in the registration certificate number, the plate number or the owner's details can lead to the policy being issued incorrectly.
Example situations: which policy do you need
To understand the price difference, it helps to think not about an abstract "car insurance," but about a specific situation.
The car is used only in Moldova
If a driver drives around Moldova and doesn't go abroad, the basic mandatory policy is RCA. It's needed to legally drive on the road and to cover liability toward third parties.
For example, if a driver causes an accident and damages someone else's car, the injured party seeks compensation under RCA. But the at-fault driver's own car isn't repaired through RCA.
The car travels abroad
If a driver is planning a trip outside Moldova, RCA alone isn't enough. An international trip requires Green Card. Its cost will depend on the coverage zone, the length of the trip and the type of vehicle.
For example, a trip of a few days and regular trips several times a month are different situations. In the first case, a short-term policy may be suitable; in the second, it's worth comparing the cost of a longer-term policy.
The driver wants to protect their own car
If the goal is to protect your own car against damage, theft, fire, hail or other risks, you don't need RCA or Green Card — you need CASCO.
For example, if a car is damaged in a parking lot, suffers hail damage or is stolen, RCA won't solve that problem. Such situations can be covered under CASCO if the corresponding risk is included in the contract.
The driver wants full protection
In some cases, a driver needs all three policies, but for different purposes. RCA — for driving in Moldova, Green Card — for travel abroad, CASCO — for protecting their own car.
This approach is especially relevant for new and expensive cars, drivers who frequently travel abroad, and cars bought on credit or leased.
How to get a price online
To calculate a price, you need to choose the type of policy:
- RCA, if the car is used in Moldova;
- Green Card, if you're planning a trip abroad;
- CASCO, if you want to protect your own car.
Superpolis operates as an insurance broker and helps compare offers from several insurance companies, understand the terms and choose the right policy. You can find out more about how it works on the About Superpolis page.
How to avoid overpaying for car insurance
Saving money on car insurance should be reasonable. The cheapest option isn't always the best one if it doesn't meet the terms you actually need.
To avoid overpaying:
- first determine which policy you need;
- check the validity term and the start date;
- choose the correct zone for Green Card;
- compare options by their terms, not just by price;
- take the deductible and covered risks into account when choosing CASCO;
- enter your data strictly as it appears on your documents;
- check the policy after it's issued.
If the policy is needed for a trip, a repair, a financed car or a non-standard situation, it's better to get advice before paying. A mistake in choosing the right policy can cost more than the insurance itself.
Frequently asked questions about the cost of car insurance in Moldova
How much does RCA cost in Moldova?
The exact cost of RCA is calculated based on the owner's and the car's data. The price can be affected by the vehicle's parameters, insurance history, the Bonus-Malus class and other factors provided for by the calculation system.
Why do different drivers pay different prices for RCA?
Because the price depends not only on the car, but also on the owner's data, insurance history and Bonus-Malus class. That's why similar cars can have different RCA costs.
How much does a Green Card cost?
The cost of a Green Card depends on the coverage zone, the insurance term, the type of vehicle and the policy's start date. For an accurate calculation, you need to specify the route and the travel period.
Why is CASCO more expensive than RCA?
CASCO can cost more because it protects the driver's own car against damage and other risks under the contract. RCA covers liability toward third parties, not repairs to the at-fault driver's car.
Can you get only CASCO, without RCA?
CASCO doesn't replace RCA. If the car is driven on Moldova's roads, RCA remains a mandatory policy. CASCO can be purchased in addition, to protect the driver's own car.
Do you need a Green Card if you already have RCA?
Yes, if the car is driven outside Moldova. RCA is valid for driving within the country, while a Green Card is needed for international trips.
How can I find out the exact price of car insurance?
You need to choose the type of policy, enter the car's and owner's details, specify the term, the start date and other parameters. Through Superpolis.md you can calculate the cost of RCA, Green Card, and request a quote for CASCO.
Which policy should I choose for a new car?
For a new car, mandatory RCA is usually required. If the car will be driven abroad, a Green Card will also be needed. If the owner wants to protect the car against damage, theft and other risks, it's worth considering CASCO.
Can you buy car insurance online?
Yes. RCA and Green Card can be issued online, and for CASCO you can request a calculation and a quote. This is convenient if you want to compare options and get a policy without visiting an office.
Choose your type of car insurance and calculate the price online
The cost of car insurance in Moldova depends on which policy a driver needs: RCA for driving within the country, Green Card for trips abroad, or CASCO for protecting their own car. These policies differ in purpose, coverage and how they're calculated, so comparing them on price alone is the wrong approach.
The right approach is to first determine what you need, then choose the type of insurance and calculate the cost based on up-to-date data. This way a driver doesn't overpay for unnecessary terms and doesn't end up without the protection they actually need.
Superpolis.md helps you choose the right car insurance, calculate the cost and get a policy online.