Verkhny Lars – Dariali crossing

Do I need Georgian car insurance at Verkhny Lars?

Yes. A Russian-plated car crossing at Verkhny Lars into Dariali needs Georgian compulsory third-party liability insurance for the entire time it is in Georgia, and a Russian OSAGO policy does not cover it. Buy the Georgian policy online before you join the queue — Verkhny Lars is the only road crossing between the two countries and the wait there is measured in hours, not minutes.

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Road crossing between Russia and Georgia

~2,400 m

Height of the Jvari Pass on the road south

100–200 GEL

Administrative fine for driving uninsured

30,000 GEL

Medical cover required per traveller since 2026

What makes this crossing different

Verkhny Lars is the only operating land crossing between Russia and Georgia, so everything funnels through it: private cars, coaches and freight together. Queues build up on holidays and at the end of long weekends, and the road on both sides runs through the Darial gorge, which can close at short notice in winter for snow and avalanche clearance.

That makes the insurance the easiest part to take out of the queue. A policy bought online is registered against the plate before you arrive, so the vehicle check at the Georgian post is a lookup rather than a purchase.

Why OSAGO does not travel

Russian compulsory motor insurance is valid in the territory it is written for, and Georgia is not in it. Georgia also does not participate in the Green Card system, so a Green Card bought for a European trip does not help here either.

The Georgian policy covers your liability to other people on Georgian roads: injury to a third party up to 30 000 GEL and damage to their property up to 25 000 GEL. Damage to your own car is not part of compulsory cover in Georgia any more than it is under OSAGO.

Practical notes for the drive south

  • The Georgian Military Highway continues over the Jvari Pass towards Stepantsminda and Tbilisi; in winter it can be restricted to vehicles with winter tyres or closed outright.
  • The policy must cover every day the car is in Georgia, including days it is parked.
  • Travel medical insurance with an insured sum of at least GEL 30,000 has been required of most foreign visitors since 1 January 2026, for the whole length of the stay.

Questions about Verkhny Lars

Is OSAGO valid in Georgia?

No. Russian OSAGO does not extend to Georgia, and Georgia is outside the Green Card system. A Georgian compulsory third-party policy is required for the vehicle from the moment it enters.

Can I buy Georgian insurance at Verkhny Lars?

It is sold on the Georgian side, but it means more time at a crossing where the wait is already the main problem. Buying online beforehand takes the step out of the queue entirely.

How long can a policy run for?

We sell 15-day, one-month and one-year cover; a year costs $150.00. Georgian law also recognises a 90-day term, which we do not sell — for a three-month trip most drivers take the annual policy.

Does the policy cover me in South Ossetia or Abkhazia?

Those areas are outside the control of the Georgian authorities and are not entered from Russia lawfully under Georgian law. The compulsory policy is written for use on Georgian roads under Georgian jurisdiction.

What do the police check?

Insurance is verified electronically against the number plate, so patrols see whether a foreign-plated car is covered without stopping it. Driving without cover is an administrative offence carrying a 100–200 GEL fine.

Take one step out of the queue

Buy the policy online while you are still planning the trip, not while you are sitting at the border.

Choose the cover that fits you. Prices are per policy.

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