4.13. Insurance System Explained
The insurance system in Escape from Tarkov is a vital mechanic that can save you from losing your hard-earned gear. By paying a fee to an insurance agent, you can have your items returned if they are not picked up by other players before the end of the raid. Understanding how it works is crucial for mitigating losses.
When you equip gear for a raid, you have the option to insure it. There are two main insurance providers: Prapor and Therapist. Each has different coverage levels and costs. After a raid, if you die and your insured items are not looted by another player or Scav, they will be returned to you after a waiting period. This waiting period can vary from a few hours to a couple of days, depending on the item and the insurance provider.
How Insurance Works:
- Choosing an Insurer:
- Prapor: Offers a more comprehensive insurance, covering more items and generally having a higher success rate for returns, but at a higher cost.
- Therapist: Offers a cheaper insurance option, but with a lower success rate and potentially longer waiting times.
- The Process: After a raid, if you die and your insured items remain on your body, they are subject to looting. If another player or Scav loots your gear and extracts with it, it's gone. If they loot it but die themselves, or if they simply don't loot it, it has a chance to be returned to you.
- Waiting Period: Once the raid ends, you will receive messages from your chosen insurer indicating whether your items are eligible for return. There will be a waiting period before they are delivered to your stash.
- Item Exclusions: Not all items are insurable. Quest items, found-in-raid items that you need to keep for quests, and certain rare items might not be eligible. Always check the insurance screen.
When to Insure Your Gear:
- High-Value Kits: Always insure your best gear. If you're running a fully kitted M4 with a high-end scope and armor, insuring it is a no-brainer.
- Quest Items: If you need to keep a specific item for a quest, insuring it can provide a safety net in case you die before completing the objective.
- When Learning a New Map: When you're unfamiliar with a map or its common engagement zones, insuring your gear can reduce the sting of early deaths.
- When Playing Solo: Solo players are often at a disadvantage. Insurance can help mitigate the risk of losing your entire loadout.
When NOT to Insure:
- Budget Kits: If you're running a cheap loadout with minimal investment, the cost of insurance might outweigh the potential loss.
- Items You Don't Care About: If you're intentionally using disposable gear for a specific purpose, insurance is unnecessary.
- When You Need 'Found-in-Raid' Status: Insured items that are returned to you are *not* considered 'found-in-raid.' If you need an item to be found-in-raid for a quest or Flea Market sale, do not insure it.
The insurance system is a powerful tool for risk management. By strategically insuring your gear, you can play more aggressively, take on riskier objectives, and ultimately enjoy the game more without the constant dread of losing everything.