BALTA
BALTA is a motor third-party liability insurance for the LV market with online purchase and 24/7 assistance.
Direct payment
Claims must be reported to the insurer as soon as possible after the insured event occurs, by submitting a claim in person or by calling +371 67533375. The agreed notification (saskaņotais paziņojums) must be submitted to the insurer within 10 days of the accident date. Claims can be submitted 24/7 via the website, mobile app, or by phone.
Geographic scope
LV
Standard contract valid in Latvia, EEA countries, Switzerland, Serbia, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Montenegro. Green Card required for Albania, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Moldova, Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine.
Unique selling points
- Latvia's non-life insurance market leader with over 30 years of experience, backed by PZU Group with 200 years of insurance heritage.
- Optional 'Compensation from Own Insurer' add-on lets policyholders claim vehicle damage directly from BALTA without contacting the at-fault party's insurer, accelerating claim resolution.
- 24/7 claims reporting available online, via the BALTA mobile app, or by phone, with case progress trackable in the 'Mana BALTA' self-service portal.
- Network of over 200 partner repair workshops with a 2-year warranty on all repairs and full insurer responsibility for repair quality.
- Latvian consumers have rated BALTA as the most honest insurer for over 20 consecutive years in independent surveys.
Coverage limits
Bodily injury liability
Covered
Maximum compensation for bodily injury to third parties in Latvia: up to 6,450,000 EUR regardless of the number of injured persons. Outside Latvia, limits are set by the laws of the respective country.
Property damage liability
Covered
Maximum compensation for damage to movable property in Latvia: up to 1,300,000 EUR regardless of the number of third parties. Outside Latvia, limits are set by the laws of the respective country.
Legal defence
Not offered
Legal defence coverage is not offered as part of the standard BALTA OCTA product. No reference to legal defence cover found in any official source.
Green Card (international MTPL)
Optional
The Green Card is a separate international insurance contract for vehicles registered in Latvia travelling in Green Card system member states not covered by the standard contract (e.g. Albania, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Moldova, Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine). Can be purchased in-person or remotely.
Roadside assistance (Palīdzība uz ceļa)
Optional
Optional supplementary coverage providing 24/7 roadside assistance. The insured sum per event cannot exceed 500 EUR. Different sub-limits and service distance limits apply depending on event location and type of service chosen. Available as 'Palīdzība uz ceļa MINI' (Latvia only), 'Transportēšana' (Latvia only), or 'Palīdzība uz ceļa' (full EEA + Switzerland, Serbia, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, UK). Governed by terms Nr. 2103.103.
Driver accident insurance
Optional
Optional supplementary coverage providing medical expense compensation and compensation for disability or death of the vehicle driver resulting from a road traffic accident. Governed by terms Nr. 4303.01. Not included in the base OCTA policy.
Passenger accident insurance
Excluded
Separate passenger accident insurance is not listed as an add-on option for the BALTA OCTA product. The driver accident add-on (Nr. 4303.01) covers the driver only. Bodily injury to passengers caused by a third party at fault is covered under bodily injury liability.
Key conditions
territorial_scope
The standard MTPL contract is valid in Latvia, EEA countries, Switzerland, Serbia, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Montenegro. For travel to Albania, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Moldova, Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, or Ukraine, a separate Green Card must be purchased. Outside Latvia, coverage limits are governed by the laws of the respective country.
green_card_rules
The Green Card is a separate international insurance contract concluded for vehicles registered in Latvia for travel in Green Card system member states not covered by the standard contract. It can be purchased in-person or remotely. The Green Card policy takes effect the day after payment. If purchased with a future start date, it takes effect at 00:00 on the stated start date. In case of an accident in a Green Card member state outside the EEA, the road police and that country's Green Card bureau must be notified.
driver_restrictions
No specific driver age or licence restrictions are stated in the BALTA OCTA product sources beyond standard regulatory requirements. The policy is tied to the registered vehicle owner or holder. Any driver of the insured vehicle is covered for third-party liability purposes under the standard OCTA law.
claim_notification_deadline
Upon occurrence of an insured event, the insurer must be notified as soon as possible. The agreed notification (saskaņotais paziņojums) must be submitted to the insurer within 10 days of the accident date. Claims can be reported 24/7 via the website, mobile app, or by phone at +371 67533375.
bonus_malus_rules
Latvia uses a centralised insurance history system (replacing the previous Bonus-Malus class system from 1 August 2024). Historically, 17 BM classes applied: classes 1-5 (high risk/malus surcharges), class 6 (base/neutral), classes 7-17 (low risk/bonus discounts). Class is recalculated annually on 15 September based on the last 11 years of insurance history. To advance a class, the vehicle must be insured for at least 275 days per year with no at-fault accidents. BALTA uses more than 40 individual risk factors in premium calculation. The insured history transfers between insurers; switching insurer does not reset the risk class.
Documents
Sauszemes transporta apdrošināšanas noteikumi Nr. 2101.03 (Ground Transportation Insurance Terms)
terms_and_conditions
Atlīdzība pie sava apdrošinātāja – APID (Compensation from Own Insurer IPID)
ipid
Palīdzība uz ceļa – APID (Roadside Assistance IPID)
ipid
Zaļā karte – APID (Green Card IPID)
ipid
Policy specifics
Liability limit for property damage
Maximum compensation for damage to movable property within Latvia: up to 1,300,000 euros
Liability limit for personal injury
Maximum compensation for damage to persons within Latvia: up to 6,450,000 euros
Theft and hijacking coverage
Optional supplementary coverage providing compensation if vehicle is stolen or hijacked. Sum insured is actual vehicle value at time of event, up to maximum 7,000 euros
Policy term options
MTPL policy can be purchased for 1, 3, 6, 9, or 12 months
Accident insurance for driver and passengers
Optional supplementary coverage providing medical expense coverage and compensation for disability or death resulting from traffic accident not covered by civil liability law
Territorial validity
Standard MTPL contract is valid in Latvia, EEA countries, Switzerland, Serbia, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Montenegro
Repair network coverage
Balta offers partnership with over 200 car repair contractors ensuring quality repairs and appropriate costs
Compensation from own insurer option
Optional service allowing damaged party to claim compensation directly from Balta instead of from at-fault party's insurer, enabling faster claim processing within Latvia
24/7 road assistance
Optional supplementary service providing 24/7 roadside assistance for flat tires, incorrect fuel, minor incidents, and similar events. Support includes repair attempts on site and transportation to destination
Standard contract types
Three main contract types: Standard contract (1-12 months) for vehicles registered in Latvia; 30-day imported vehicle contract; and Green Card for international travel
Available discounts
Statutory discounts: 40% for groups I-II disabled persons with mobility restrictions; 30% for farmers and agricultural workers. Additionally, online purchase discounts typically available