Claim under an insurance policy (Poland)

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A claim or notice of an event under voluntary insurance in Poland — personal accident, travel, home, health or life: the policy number and type, the date and place of the event, what happened, the loss or injury, the amount claimed and the account for payment, and a request for the list of documents needed. It reminds the insurer that it pays within 30 days, and the undisputed part always within that time (art. 817 of the Civil Code).

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Common questions

How soon must a Polish insurer pay out on a voluntary policy?

Within 30 days of receiving notice of the event (art. 817 § 1 of the Civil Code). If the circumstances needed to establish liability or the amount cannot be clarified in that time, payment follows within 14 days of when, with due diligence, they could be, but the undisputed part must be paid within the first deadline (§ 2). The general terms of insurance may set more favourable deadlines.

What happens if a claim is reported after the deadline in the policy terms?

Lateness alone does not forfeit the payout. The insurer may reduce it only if failing to report on time added to the loss or made it impossible to establish the circumstances and consequences of the event; it cannot rely on the delay if it learned of the event from another source in time (art. 818 of the Civil Code). Even so, report as soon as possible and gather the evidence.

How long is there to pursue a claim under an insurance contract in Poland?

Claims under an insurance contract become time-barred after 3 years (art. 819 § 1 of the Civil Code). Reporting the claim or event to the insurer interrupts limitation, which runs again from receipt of the insurer's written decision granting or refusing payment (§ 4). After a refusal, the options are a complaint, the Financial Ombudsman, or a lawsuit.