Insurance in Escape From Tarkov is one of the most overlooked systems by new players, yet it’s a crucial mechanic that saves time, money, and frustration. Losing valuable gear in a raid doesn’t always mean it’s gone forever—if you understand how insurance works and use it strategically, you can often recover your loadout with minimal cost.
This guide explains the importance of insuring your gear, how the system functions, and the best ways to recover your lost items safely and efficiently in 2025.
How Insurance Works
When you insure an item before entering a raid, you pay a small fee to one of two traders—Prapor or Therapist—who will attempt to return your gear if it isn’t taken by other players. If no one extracts with your insured item, it will be sent back to your inbox after a delay, typically between 24 and 48 in-game hours.
Insurance covers most gear, including weapons, armor, backpacks, and tactical rigs, though consumables like ammo and meds are excluded. Always remember: insurance only works if the item remains unlooted.
Choosing Between Prapor and Therapist
Prapor offers cheaper insurance but takes longer to deliver recovered items. Therapist’s insurance costs more but provides faster return times. For players who raid frequently, using Prapor saves money over time. However, if you need rapid turnaround—especially for expensive loadouts—Therapist’s faster recovery is worth the extra cost.
Most veterans mix both depending on their budget and schedule, ensuring they always have backup gear ready when needed.
What to Insure (and What Not To)
Not every item is worth insuring. Prioritize insuring weapons, armor, and valuable equipment that’s either rare or expensive to replace. Avoid insuring consumables or cheap gear that can be easily reacquired. Players often skip insuring high-demand loot, as it’s almost guaranteed to be taken by others.
In contrast, less common gear or unique weapon builds tend to return safely—especially if you die in remote areas with low player traffic.
Recovering Lost Gear
Recovered gear arrives via in-game mail. When you receive an insurance message, collect your items within 72 in-game hours, or they’ll expire. Be sure to clear stash space before claiming. Some players deliberately “insurance fraud” by dropping insured gear in hidden locations before extracting, ensuring recovery if they die mid-raid.
This tactic helps protect expensive kits during risky raids or late-wipe PvP sessions when losses are frequent.
Insurance Efficiency Overview
The table below summarizes key differences between the two insurance providers:
| Provider | Cost | Return Time | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prapor | Low | 24–48 hours | Frequent budget raids |
| Therapist | Medium–High | 12–24 hours | Expensive gear, fast recovery |
Conclusion
Insurance is a safety net every Tarkov player should use. It’s cheap, effective, and often the difference between rebuilding from scratch and jumping back into the fight quickly. By understanding what to insure and how to recover lost gear properly, you can maintain steady progress and protect your investments throughout the wipe.
In Tarkov, smart insurance is just as vital as good aim—it’s what keeps you fighting another day.
