This research paper is devoted to the actual problems of investment activity of insurance companies at the present stage of Russia's development. The key aspect of the study is the investment potential of insurance, its factors and peculiarities of formation and implementation in the Russian insurance market. For this purpose the comparative analysis of investment activity of insurance organizations in economically developed countries and in Russia was conducted, the problems of state regulation of investment operations of insurance companies were analyzed and ways of their solution were suggested. This paper also conducts a comprehensive analysis of insurance companies' investment opportunities at the regional level on the example of one of Russia's regions, characterized by weak insurance market development - the Republic of Khakassia. At the final stage of the study possible directions of increasing the investment activity of insurers both at the federal and regional levels areional levels are considered.