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Travelers Cos. Inc. (The)

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Local Currency LT

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29-Jul-2011

20-Jul-2023

Local Currency ST

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Foreign Currency ST

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20-Jul-2023 10:02 HKT

Annual Review For Travelers Cos. Inc. (The)

S&P Global Ratings has performed annual reviews of the credit ratings of this issuer. When applicable, this review would include the review of the issuer’s subsidiaries or associated entities. In an annual review, S&P Global Ratings reviews current c...

19-Nov-2019 23:55 HKT

Travelers Insurance DAC Upgraded To 'AA-' From 'A+'; Outlook Stable

We've reviewed Ireland-based insurer TIDAC under our revised criteria. We are raising our ratings on TIDAC to 'AA-' from 'A+'. The stable outlook reflects our outlook on Travelers and its core and highly strategic insurance subsidiaries. HIGHTSTOWN (...

30-Jul-2019 04:11 HKT

The Travelers Cos. Inc., Core Subsidiaries Ratings Affirmed; Outlook Stable

Travelers is one of the largest U.S. P/C insurers, with a demonstrated track record of above-peer average operating performance and 'AAA' risk-based capital adequacy. We are affirming our 'AA' ratings on Travelers Cos. Inc.'s core rated subsidiaries....

27-Feb-2019 22:28 HKT

The Travelers Cos. Inc. Senior Debt Rated 'A'

HIGHTSTOWN (S&P Global Ratings) Feb. 27, 2019--S&P Global Ratings said today that it assigned its 'A' senior debt rating to The Travelers Cos. Inc.'s (NYSE:TRV) proposed $500 million 30-year senior debt issuance. Travelers intends to use the proceeds...

06-Dec-2018 00:24 HKT

Credit Conditions: Global Conditions Are Tightening As Trade And Economic Worries Mount

Credit conditions are becoming more challenging for borrowers around the world, as trade tensions, increases in borrowing costs in some regions, and a historic stretch of economic expansion—particularly in the U.S.—shows signs of slowing. S&P Global ...

28-Mar-2018 23:26 HKT

Credit Conditions: North America Sector Outlook--March 2018

Trade tensions resulting from new U.S. tariffs, heightened financial market volatility, and rising interest rates pose the greatest threats to the prolonged period of favorable credit condition in North America--but the prevailing low risk of recessi...

28-Mar-2018 23:20 HKT

Credit Conditions: North America March 2018--Trade Tensions, Market Swings Pose Risks To Benign Conditions

01-Mar-2018 01:08 HKT

The Travelers Cos. Inc. Proposed Senior Debt Rated 'A'

HIGHTSTOWN (S&P Global Ratings) Feb. 28, 2018--S&P Global Ratings said today that it assigned its 'A' senior debt rating to The Travelers Cos. Inc.'s (NYSE:TRV) proposed $500 million 30-year senior debt issuance. Travelers intends to use the proceeds...

01-Dec-2017 20:45 HKT

Credit Conditions: North America Sector Outlook--November 2017

The following is a rundown of credit conditions for various business sectors in North America, with a focus on what has changed since the previous quarter. For a broader look at S&P Global Ratings' top risks, and the region's macroeconomic environmen...

01-Dec-2017 20:39 HKT

Credit Conditions: North America November 2017: As Favorable Conditions Persist, All Eyes Are On Washington

As the favorable credit environment in North America stretches on toward unprecedented length, bolstered by steady (if unspectacular) economic growth, the biggest risks borrowers face in the near-term could come from the U.S. capital. The ongoing deb...

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• 25-Sep-2023 22:54 HKT

Economic Outlook U.S. Q4 2023: Slowdown Delayed, Not Averted

S&P Global Ratings expects the U.S. economy to slip below trend for a drawn-out period. While we now expect the economy to expand 2.3% this year (up from 1.7% in our June forecast), we see growth slowing to 1.3% in 2024 and 1.4% in 2025, before conve...

• 18-Aug-2023 06:48 HKT

Insurers' Losses From The Tragic Maui Wildfire Are Expected To Be Manageable

The tragic wildfire that earlier this month destroyed most of Lahaina, Hawaii, is the deadliest in modern U.S. history. The death toll, currently at 110, is still rising as recovery operations continue. It's already well above the death toll from the...

• 10-Aug-2023 05:27 HKT

The Travelers Cos. Inc.

For 2023, we expect underwriting profitability in personal insurance to improve from the effect of pricing increases obtained in 2022 and 2023. We also believe that premium growth will rise amid strong pricing, retention, and growth exposure. The sta...

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Travelers Insurance Group Holdings Inc.

Insurance / Global / North America / United States

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Fitch Affirms Travelers' Ratings; Outlook Stable

Fitch completes insurance notching review for u.s. property/casualty insurance sector, fitch rates traveler's senior unsecured notes issuance 'a', fitch downgrades insurance hybrids on revised criteria, fitch ratings upgrades travelers' idr to 'a+'; ifs to 'aa' outlook stable, fitch affirms st. paul travelers idr at 'a'; outlook stable, fitch affirms st. paul travelers following increase in asbestos and hurricane reserves, fitch affirms st. paul travelers debt ratings at 'a-'; ifs at 'aa-', fitch affirms st. paul travelers ratings following asbestos charge, fitch revises debt rtgs & affirms ifs rtgs upon st. paul/travelers merger completion, fitch places travelers on rating watch negative following merger announcement, fitch assigns 'a' to travelers property casualty corp.'s sr debt issue, fitch affirms travelers property casualty group's 'aa' ifs rating; downgrades senior debt rating, fitch assigns 'a' to travelers p&c corp.'s conv debt issue, the travelers companies, inc., the travelers companies, inc. - ratings navigator, the travelers companies, inc. (and subsidiaries), the travelers companies, inc. (and operating subsidiaries), travelers companies, inc (the) - ratings navigator, fitch completes insurance notching review for u.s. property/casualty insurance, travelers companies, inc. - ratings navigator, the travelers companies, inc. -- and subsidiaries, fitch boosts transparency of its north american non-life insurance ratings, travelers property casualty corp., fitch comments on travelers rating watch status, travelers property casualty rtgs unaffected by renewal rights transaction, fitch affs travelers p&c ifs ratings; lwrs fixed income rtgs, fitch aligns citigroup rtgs; upgr ssbh and tpc's l-t sr to 'aa', fitch affirms travelers p&c ratings, fitch announces combined rtgs for ins industry & modifies certain rtg serv, fitch ibca places travelers property casualty corp on rtgalert positive, dcr reaffirms citigroup and travelers p&c, dcr cpa report: travelers property casualty insurance group, dcr reaffirms travelers p&c ratings, dcr credit analysis update for travelers property casualty corporation (tap), dcr reaffirms travelers p&c, outlook positive, north america cross-sector outlook 2024, global outlook 2024, global insurance 2024 outlook compendium, u.s. property/casualty insurance outlook 2024, u.s. health insurance outlook 2024, u.s. mortgage insurers outlook 2024, north american life insurance outlook 2024, u.s. title insurance outlook 2024, global reinsurance outlook 2024, global mid-year sector outlooks 2023, global cross-sector mid-year outlook 2023, global insurance mid-year outlook 2023, global insurance 2023 outlook compendium, u.s. health insurance outlook 2023, u.s. property/casualty insurance outlook 2023, u.s. mortgage insurance outlook 2023, u.s. title insurance outlook 2023, north american life insurance outlook 2023, global reinsurance outlook 2023, fitch ratings 2022 mid-year outlook: global insurance, mid-year sector outlook updates, interest, rate rises and stagflation risks drive deterioration in sector outlooks, fitch ratings 2022 outlook: global insurance compendium, fitch ratings 2022 outlook: u.s health insurance, fitch ratings 2022 outlook: u.s. life insurance, fitch ratings 2022 outlook: u.s. property/casualty insurance, fitch ratings 2022 outlook: u.s. mortgage insurance, fitch ratings 2022 outlook: u.s. title insurance, fitch ratings 2022 outlook: global reinsurance, fitch ratings 2021 outlook: global insurance compendium, fitch ratings 2021 outlook: u.s. property/casualty insurance, fitch ratings 2021 outlook: u.s. health insurance, fitch ratings 2021 outlook: u.s. mortgage insurance, fitch ratings 2021 outlook: u.s. life insurance, fitch ratings 2021 outlook: u.s. title insurance, fitch ratings 2021 outlook: global reinsurance, fitch ratings 2020 outlook: u.s. health insurance (on course for another strong year), fitch ratings 2020 outlook: u.s. property/casualty insurance (commercial pricing trends accelerate), fitch ratings 2020 outlook: u.s. life insurance (sector outlook revised to negative), fitch ratings 2020 outlook: u.s. insurance broker industry (market conditions promote continued favorable margins), fitch ratings 2020 outlook: u.s. title insurance (2019 is a tough act to follow), fitch ratings 2020 outlook: global reinsurance, fitch ratings 2019 outlook: u.s. health insurance (sector outlook remains stable on continued strong operating performance), fitch ratings 2019 outlook: u.s. property/casualty insurance (sector outlook stable on better market fundamentals), fitch ratings 2019 outlook: u.s. insurance broker industry (stability in revenue growth and profit margins anticipated), fitch ratings 2019 outlook: u.s. life insurance (sector outlook remains stable), fitch ratings 2019 outlook: u.s. title insurance (strong employment offsets rising rates), fitch 2019 outlook: global reinsurance, fitch 2018 outlook: global reinsurance, fitch 2018 outlook: u.s. health insurance (rating outlook stabilizes), insurance rating criteria - effective from july 20, 2023 to march 4, 2024, insurance rating criteria — effective nov. 26, 2021–july 15, 2022, insurance rating criteria - effective from 15 april 2021 to 26 november 2021, insurance rating criteria -- effective march 2, 2020–aug. 25, 2020.

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What Are Deferred Acquisition Costs (DAC)? Definition

Daniel Liberto is a journalist with over 10 years of experience working with publications such as the Financial Times, The Independent, and Investors Chronicle.

What Are Deferred Acquisition Costs (DAC)?

Deferred acquisition costs (DAC) is an accounting method that is applicable in the insurance industry. Using the DAC method allows a company to defer the sales costs that are associated with acquiring a new customer over the term of the insurance contract.

Key Takeaways

• Deferred acquisition costs (DAC) is an accounting method that is applicable in the insurance industry.
• Using the DAC method allows a company to defer the sales costs that are associated with acquiring a new customer over the term of the insurance contract.
• Using this accounting method tends to reduce the first-year strain of policy and produces a smoother pattern of earnings.
• Companies may only defer costs associated with the successful placement of new business and cannot amortize all back-office expenses.

Understanding Deferred Acquisition Costs (DAC)

Insurance companies face large upfront costs when issuing new business, including referral  commissions  to external distributors and brokers, underwriting, and medical expenses. Often these costs can exceed the premiums paid in the early years of different types of insurance plans.

The implementation of DAC enables insurance companies to spread out these large costs (that otherwise would be paid upfront) gradually—as they earn revenues. Using this accounting method tends to produce a smoother pattern of earnings .

As of 2012, insurers are required to comply with a new  Federal Accounting Standards Board  (FASB) rule, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts,” or ASU 2010-26.

FASB allows insurance companies to capitalize on the costs of acquiring new customers by amortizing them over time. With this process, DACs are recorded as assets —rather than expenses—and they can be paid off gradually.

Deferred acquisition costs (DAC) are treated as an asset on the balance sheet and amortized over the life of the insurance contract.

The FASB also requires that companies amortize balances on a constant level basis over the expected term of contracts. In the case of unexpected contract terminations, FASB rules that DAC must be written off, but it is not subject to an impairment test . This means that the asset is not measured to see if it is still worth the amount stated on the balance sheet.

Special Considerations

Deferred acquisition costs (dac) amortization.

DAC represents the “un-recovered investment” in the policies issued and is therefore capitalized as an  intangible asset  to match costs with related revenues. Over time, the acquisition costs are recognized as an expense that reduces the DAC asset. The process of recognizing the costs in the income statement is known as amortization and refers to the DAC asset being amortized, or reduced over a number of years.

Amortization requires a basis that determines how much DAC should be turned into an expense for each accounting period. The amortization basis varies by the Federal Accounting Standards (FAS) classification:

• FAS 60/97LP – Premiums
• FAS 97 – Estimated Gross Profits (EGP)
• FAS 120 – Estimated Gross Margins (EGM)

Under FAS 60, assumptions are "locked-in" at policy issue and cannot be changed. However, under FAS 97 and 120, assumptions are based on estimates that can be readjusted as needed. DAC amortization uses estimated  gross margins  as a basis and an interest rate is applied to the DAC based on investment returns.

Requirements for Deferred Acquisition Costs (DAC)

Prior to the introduction of ASU 2010-26, DAC was described vaguely as costs that “vary with— and are primarily related to—the acquisition of insurance contracts.” That led companies with the difficult task of interpreting which expenses qualified for deferral and often prompted a broad range of insurance firms to categorize most of their costs as DAC.

FASB later concluded that DAC accounting was being abused. The board responded by providing clearer guidelines. ASU 2010-26 was accompanied by two important changes to meet the capitalization criteria:

• Companies may only defer costs associated with the successful placement of new business, rather than all sales-related expenses.
• Only a portion of back-office expenses directly linked to revenues can be considered a DAC asset. 

Examples of deferrable costs include:

• Commissions in excess of ultimate commissions
• Underwriting costs
• Policy issuance costs

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More From Forbes

How to save money on travel insurance if you’re over 60.

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Getting travel insurance when you're over 60 can be hard. Here's how to make it easier.

Dave Dzurick likes to play it safe when he travels, so he shops around for travel insurance. But lately, he's noticed that the policies have gotten more expensive.

"Each year past 60 seems to increase travel insurance rates," says Dzurick, a retired broadcast engineer from Tucson, Ariz.

It's not just his imagination.

"Age is the crucial underwriting factor in determining trip cancellation and medical assistance risk for the insurance provider," explains John Rose, the chief risk and security officer of ALTOUR .

Age is more important than ever in travel insurance

You would expect something like age-based pricing to be a constant in the travel insurance industry, but not necessarily. Some group travel insurance policies don't consider age. But a shift is underway.

Last year, when Travelex Insurance Services launched its new line of travel protection plans , it called out one enhancement: competitive age-band pricing, which bases its rates on each traveler’s risk level.

"We’re responding to the coverage and benefits our partners and travelers want," notes Brooke Kirby, Travelex vice president of marketing.

In other words, the rate you pay for travel insurance will be more closely aligned with your age than ever. That's good news if you're young. But if you're over 60, it can present a challenge.

Best Travel Insurance Companies

Best covid travel insurance plans, what is age-band pricing in travel insurance.

Rhonda Abedsalam, vice president of Travel Insurance at AXA Partners US , says age-band pricing is a mechanism designed to align prices with the real risks associated with each age group.

"It provides a fair and balanced approach to travel insurance," she says.

Specifically, this method offers younger travelers access to more affordable options, preventing them from bearing the brunt of a one-size-fits-all pricing strategy. She says older travelers who are looking for lower rates can choose plans offering minimal coverage for a cost-effective solution.

"We always advocate for choosing a plan that balances affordability with comprehensive coverage," she says.

That's a position the US Travel Insurance Association (USTIA) agrees with. When I asked about age-band pricing, a representative advised me that it’s important to understand the plan you are purchasing — what is and isn’t covered — and the level of medical expense and medical evacuation limits offered.

"Never purchase based on price alone," says Robert Gallagher, USTIA's president.

Your travel insurance rates may vary

Pricing travel insurance based on age makes sense, say experts.

"There's a higher risk for claims, primarily due to health concerns," explains PK Rao, CEO of INF Visitor Care .

How much more expensive? Consider medical insurance. A 65-year-old U.S. citizen, for example, might pay $9 a day for international travel insurance with a $1 million coverage limit. On the other hand, an 85-year-old American might pay $31 a day for that same insurance policy, according to Joe Cronin, CEO of International Citizens Insurance .

"Fortunately, there are more affordable options for seniors who are more budget-conscious," he says.

How to lower your travel insurance rates if you're over 60

"The easiest way to lower your costs would be to Benjamin Button it and get younger," jokes Michal Wieczorek, global client relations and intelligence specialist at Insured Nomads .

Seriously, though, he says choosing higher deductibles and lower medical maximums can cut your insurance costs. He says some insurers specialize in benefits for older travelers but cautions buyers to be careful.

"Read the fine print, because certain benefits may decrease or be eliminated above certain ages, especially things like accidental death and dismemberment and evacuation benefits," he adds.

There's a difference between retail travel insurance and group insurance, adds Dan Skilken, president of Tripinsurance.com.

"Retail travel insurance policies are price-sensitive based on age, trip cost, and the length of the trip," he says. "Commercial policies sold through cruise or major tour companies are generally not priced based on age."

In other words, sometimes older travelers can get a better price going through the cruise line or tour operator for travel insurance. But here again, buyers need to be careful, he adds, since some of those policies may lack essential coverage.

How one customer saved money on travel insurance after age 60

Dzurick says he's not deterred by the higher rates because he knows the value of travel insurance.

"For me, one way to save on travel insurance is to get a separate medical rider covering only the basics," he says.

A bare-bones policy would cover only essential items like medical care when you're abroad and emergency evacuation, but would omit some of the other features of travel insurance like coverage of lost luggage or trip interruption.

There's another method Dzurick likes. He checks with his employer-provided insurance to see if it will offer coverage.

"My former employer recently changed insurance plans for retirees, and it turns out the new policy provides coverage worldwide," he says. "So there's no need for any additional coverage."

Some travel insurance companies offer reduced coverage for older travelers. For example, INF has policy maximums up to $250,000 for policyholders who are older than 70 to ease the concerns of travelers.

"You can also take a fixed benefit option which offers lower payments, but still has evacuation benefits," notes Rao.

Cronin says there are budget-friendly options for U.S. seniors traveling outside the U.S. He likes Trawick Safe Travels USA Comprehensive Insurance and Atlas Travel Medical, both of which offer affordable options for seniors traveling to the U.S.

Another travel insurance hack: the two-policy option

Another way to get affordable coverage with a decently high policy maximum if you’ve aged out of the coverage you prefer is to purchase two travel medical insurance plans, according to James Nuttall, general manager of Insubuy .

"Each plan is considered secondary to the other, and they can share the load for claims involving large medical expenses," he explains.

For instance, a plan offering $250,000 worth of coverage may not be in the budget for your age group. But two plans offering $100,000 worth of coverage each might be.

"Just keep in mind that each plan must be from a different insurance company," he adds. "You can’t just purchase two of the same plans."

Pro tip: If you decide to go down this road, work with an experienced travel advisor who knows how two insurance policies would work together.

Other ways to save money on travel insurance if you're over 60

There are other ways to save money, according to Daniel Durazo, director of communications at Allianz Partners USA .

Consider an annual travel insurance policy

Purchasing an annual travel insurance policy can be a smart choice for those who have more than three trips planned in a year, says Durazo. Unlike a one-trip plan, an annual plan protects all of your trips in a 365-day period, which can save you money, rather than insuring each trip separately. Annual policies are sometimes offered at a flat rate, meaning your cost may not increase with age and trip cost.

Buy a plan that includes more

For example, some travel insurance policies include children at no additional charge. That includes Allianz’s OneTrip Prime and OneTrip Premier, both of which cover children aged 17 and younger when traveling with a parent or grandparent.

Focus on trip cancellation benefits for U.S. trips

Durazo says trip cancellation benefits may cover the cost of canceling your trip if you encounter a situation covered by your policy. These benefits can reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs if you have to cancel your trip at the last minute for a covered reason. They're among the most frequently used benefits for U.S. trips (often, medical expenses are covered by your health insurance plan).

Get a plan with post-departure benefits if you're going abroad

Post-departure benefits can kick in as soon as you begin your trip. They can include coverage for travel delays, baggage loss or damage and baggage delay, according to Durazo. It can also include emergency medical and emergency transportation benefits, which are highly recommended for overseas travel.

Age-band pricing is more pervasive than ever in travel insurance. If you're headed somewhere this summer, make sure you know all of your options before you buy a policy.

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Edinburgh is a great holiday destination, it may not always have the warmest climate but with such beautiful countryside and friendly people, it is hardly noticable. There are fabulous beaches not far from the centre of the city includingthe lovely town of North Berwick with its sandy beaches, sailing, boat trips, golf, tennis and watersports. A surfers paradise lies just 20 miles from Edinburgh at Gullane with its long beach surrounded by sand dunes. Its village has a selection of pubs, shops and restaurants.

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Visitors to Edinburgh will find plenty to do both indoors and out. The city is dominated by the huge castle that sits high above Edinburgh and offers tourists an insight into Scotland’s royal past. There are audio tours available daily. The zoo is one of Scotland’s most visited attractions. Edinburgh zoo is involved in various conservation projects and offers visitors a wealth of information about its animals which include Azara's agouti to Grevy's Zebra a penguin parade and feeding chimps.

A big part of the attraction for visitors to Edinburgh is the festivals; the Edinburgh Festival is the most famous. The Edinburgh Festival is a variety of different events which include The Fringe Festival, Edinburgh Book Festival, Edinburgh Military Tattoo and a Jazz Festival. During winter the city hosts many Christmas themed events which culminate in the Hogmanay.

Less than 10 miles from Edinburgh is the village of Roslin and the Rosslyn Chapel a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The chapel which has been described as an “Architectural Wonder” was built between 1446 and 1484 and almost every surface of the chapel is completely covered with carvings of individual figures and scenes. There are tours held for both adults and children to find out more about this world famous attraction.

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AREA AGENCY on AGING  has an agreement with  Interlink,  Salmon River, and COAST where anyone over 60 can make an appointment and send the charges to Area Agency on Aging.

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Is Moscow Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded its neighbor country Ukraine, starting a war between these two countries.

This act of invasion caused many Ukrainians to flee their country and seek shelter in places like Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, etc…

At this time, we recommend no travel to Russia or Ukraine, or any neighboring countries for your own safety.

Russia : Safety by City

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Moscow, the capital of Russia, is a political, scientific, historical, architectural and business center of this huge country.

It’s one of the most visited places in Russia, and for good reason.

The best-known parts of Russia are concentrated precisely in the urban areas and cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

Moscow’s history attracts the most tourists, as they are fascinated by it is a surreal and sometimes brutal but nevertheless thrilling and jaw-dropping national story.

In this city, visited by 17 million tourists annually, the history, told in its numerous museums, some of which are the world’s greatest, interacts with modernity.

For example, in the Garden of Fallen Monuments (Fallen Monument Park), you can see entire clusters of modern art contrasting with the very non-conceptual Communist monuments.

• Warnings & Dangers in Moscow

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

Generally speaking, Moscow today is safe as much as other cities in Europe, despite its problematic history with criminal activity in the 90s. However, if you’re planning on traveling to Moscow, keep in mind that you should always keep your guard up and remain aware of your surroundings, just in case.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Generally speaking, transportation in Moscow is safe, but you should bear in mind that kidnappings have been known to happen, mostly in unlicensed taxis, so be careful when hailing one on the streets. Keep in mind that the most dangerous areas where small crime tends to occur are the underground walkways, called “perekhods”. Only use official services like Yandex Taxi, Uber or Gett taxi.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

Pickpocketing is very common in Moscow, and surprisingly it is mostly performed by groups of children. Pay attention to your belongings, don’t leave them in plain sight and be especially careful in crowded places like stations or near tourist attractions.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Moscow isn’t particularly susceptible to natural disasters. Some blizzards and snowstorms are possible during winter which can affect the traffic and delay your flights. During winter, be prepared to face the below-freezing temperatures.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

The situation improved drastically when it comes to kidnappings and muggings. Generally, never accept free drinks or food when you’re in a club or a bar. Drink spiking and then attacking and robbing the victim have been reported on numerous occasions.

TERRORISM RISK: HIGH

After the recent terrorist attack in the subway in St. Petersburg the probability of this situation happening again in Moscow is very high.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

There are many scams in Moscow, usually performed by children trying to distract you and then steal some money from you. Never talk to strange kids on the street. Also, you should avoid playing street gambling games.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women are generally safe in Moscow, though you should avoid finding yourself alone in clubs or bars, and of course, apply all normal precaution measures like avoiding remote and poorly lit streets and areas.

• So... How Safe Is Moscow Really?

Moscow experienced a rise when it came to crime rates during the 1990s.

Violent crime, as well as petty crime and scams,  had increased, but the biggest part of the violence was within the criminal groups themselves, and it didn’t affect foreigners that much.

However, it decreased since the 90s, so right now, for tourists, Moscow isn’t more dangerous than any other European city, it’s even less so.

The crime rate in Moscow is fairly lower than one in New York, London or Paris, so you should feel safe here.

Also, you can count on the officials to be uncorrupted – don’t ever try to bribe them: you will be charged with bribery.

Bear in mind that if you are a member of the LGBT community, there is no reason to avoid Moscow altogether but you should refrain from any public displays of affection.

As of June 2013, “homosexual propaganda to minors” is prohibited, which means that any discussion of gay rights or homosexuality issues in the presence of minors is punishable by law.

While you walk around Moscow, you might encounter police officials that may demand to see your papers to check if you have been registered within 7 business days of your arrival into Moscow.

You shouldn’t have any problems with this, because if you stay in a hotel then you are automatically registered and will be handed a confirmation paper.

• How Does Moscow Compare?
• Useful Information

Most countries do need a visa to enter Russia, and if you’re a U.S. citizen you must possess both a valid U.S. passport and a bona fide visa issued by a Russian Embassy or Consulate. None of the nationals that do need a visa can acquire one upon arrival, so make sure you apply for your visa in advance. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.

The Russian ruble is the official currency in Moscow. ATMs are widespread throughout the country and credit cards are accepted everywhere.

Moscow has a highly continental influenced climate characterized by warm to hot and dry summers and extremely cold, freezing winters with temperatures as low as -30°C – sometimes even lower, with heavy snowfall.

Sheremetyevo International Airport is the Russian busiest international airport. It is located in Molzhaninovsky District, Northern Administrative Okrug, in Moscow, about 29 km northwest of central Moscow.

Travel Insurance

Just like anywhere else, we advise getting travel insurance when traveling to Moscow, because it would cover not only medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.

Moscow Weather Averages (Temperatures)

• Average High/Low Temperature

Russia - Safety by City

• Where to Next?

9 Reviews on Moscow

That's just not true.

The person who wrote the text obviously have never been in Moscow and in Russia at all. This is ridiculous. Even about pickpocketing, the risk at most is medium, mugging is zero in historical places but is pretty high in sleeping quarters

Your rating is only two stars for safety though? So I am confused. Are you rating the article to be in poor taste?

I went to Moscow in 2021. I enjoyed the trip. I felt there were “unsafe areas” so I avoided them. So long as you know where you are going and don’t insult the locals, you should be fine.

51% safe?! Is this out of date?

Moscow and Russia in general are MUCH SAFER than Paris or London, yet those latter are more than 15 points ahead?!

Hell, it’s even admitted in the above text: “Moscow isn’t more dangerous than any other European city, IT’S EVEN LESS SO.” Yeah, you bet! And then: “the crime rate in Moscow is fairly lower than one in New York, London or Paris, so you should feel safe here.” So why the low rating? I don’t get it.

Also, the latest terrorist attack in Moscow happened in 2010… so how can you honestly say that the risk is still “high”? Especially for the fact Russia is very much on the edge when it comes to fighting terrorism domestically and over the world.

Sure, it might not be ideal everywhere in Moscow, but it’s WAY SAFER than in Paris, especially at night. You just can’t go out in Paris after the evening anymore, in most areas (I got assaulted for no reason at Châtelet-les-Halles and taking the RER train at dark is becoming more and more risky)… while in Moscow, chances are that you’ll see girls in miniskirts walking home while quietly singing. Or maybe you’ll stumble upon some gorgeous lady asking you for a lighter and then giving you her number for a coffee the next day. So very dangerous!

I sense a serious bias, here. Is it because of that LGBT thing? Could you pick a more extreme case? Yeah, you can totally be gay in Russia, just be so in private. There even are transsexuals, but this is a traditional and respectable country, so you should respect their choice of not publicizing various sexual lifestyles.

Moscow and Saint Petersburg are safe

Moscow and Saint Petersburg are very safe in my opinion! I’ve been to both cities visiting family! There are so many people out on the streets and on public transportation- I felt very safe! You need to change your ratings!!

Any update on Covid-19 to visit Moscow

I visited 118 country and Moscow one of the safest city I have been, st Petersburg as well, I read this article hoping to find any update on covid-19 restrictions upon arrival, so if anyone can update I’m planning to visit Moscow again but I need to know if quarentain is required or mandatory, anyone can share, cheers.

In Russia nobody cares, masks off. I dont know if fiew thousands of infected per day are high for you though. I was never arrested for not wearing mask, but you have to have it on you. Sometimes cops ask to put mask, you just do that and everything ok, some shops can refuse to do service if you dont have mask. I assume they pressured by boss, so just put on mask, they can give you gloves and dont cause any problems.

Written by someone who never visited Russia

A veer biased review. Moscow or St. Petersburg for being such brilliant truly cosmopolitan cities are extremely safe. Pickpocketing in Russia?! By children?! Who wrote this? Clearly by someone who has never been to the great country of Russia.

Have never been there. But wish me well

Bias review, Moscow is much safer than that!

This review is so bias and just wrong! First of all apart from being a political, scientific and etc center, it is an absolutely beautiful city and a very culturally rich city. For tourists there’s a huge range of delicious food, amazing shopping, a lot of cultural activities, and all sorts of entertainment. I’ve travelled there in December 2019, and most of the time I spent walking around and exploring by myself, be it during day time or night, nothing happened to me once. I mostly used subways and sometimes taxi, both safe. Just have a common sense when it comes to safety and you’ll be fine. You need to travel there at least once in a lifetime, it’s a completely different experience and it’s a beautiful one, NOT a communistic terrorist epicenter as some describe it to be.

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Article Contents

• Moscow : Safety by City
• Overall Risk
• Transport & Taxis Risk
• Pickpockets Risk
• Natural Disasters Risk
• Mugging Risk
• Terrorism Risk
• Women Travelers Risk
• Weather Averages (Temperatures)
• User Reviews
• Share Your Experience

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