Powszechny Zakład Ubezpieczeń Spółka Akcyjna
PZU Auto OC
PZU Auto OC is a motor third-party liability insurance for the Poland market with online purchase and 24/7 assistance.
Direct payment
PZU offers Bezpośrednia Likwidacja Szkody (BLS – Direct Claims Settlement): if the policyholder has OC with PZU and is the victim of an accident, they may settle the claim directly with PZU without contacting the at-fault driver's insurer.
Geographic scope
Poland and countries covered by the Multilateral Agreement (Green Card system), including all EU member states, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia and Switzerland
PZU Auto OC is valid in Poland and in countries covered by the Multilateral Agreement. Border OC (OC graniczne) is valid in countries of the European Economic Area and Switzerland.
Unique selling points
- PZU was the first insurer in Poland to introduce Bezpośrednia Likwidacja Szkody (BLS – Direct Claims Settlement), allowing OC policyholders to settle third-party claims directly with PZU without contacting the at-fault driver's insurer.
- PZU operates one of the largest repair networks (Sieć Naprawcza PZU) in Poland, offering direct billing with partner workshops so policyholders and third parties do not pay out of pocket for covered repairs.
- PZU offers an optional discount-protection add-on (ochrona zniżek) that prevents the first at-fault OC claim from increasing the renewal premium, protecting the policyholder's accumulated no-claims discount.
- PZU enables fully online OC purchase and management through the mojePZU portal, including instant digital policy issuance and instalment payment in up to 4 instalments.
- PZU introduced sign language support at selected branches and online, making OC accessible for the hearing-impaired – a first among Polish insurers.
Coverage limits
Bodily injury liability (statutory guarantee sum)
Covered
PZU covers bodily injury liability (death, personal injury, health disorder) up to guarantee sums not lower than those specified in the Polish Compulsory Insurance Act. The IPID states coverage applies up to statutory sums without specifying the exact figure; the statutory minimum is set by law and applies uniformly across all insurers.
Property damage liability (statutory guarantee sum)
Covered
PZU covers property damage liability (loss, destruction or damage to third-party property) up to guarantee sums not lower than those specified in the Polish Compulsory Insurance Act. The IPID states coverage applies up to statutory sums without specifying the exact figure; the statutory minimum is set by law and applies uniformly across all insurers.
Legal defence
Excluded
Legal defence costs are not included in the PZU Auto OC policy. They may be covered separately under the PZU Auto Ochrona Prawna (PAOP) product, which is a separate optional insurance.
Green Card (PZU Auto Zielona Karta)
Optional
Only in PZU Auto Zielona Karta (ZK)
The International Motor Insurance Certificate (Green Card) is available as a separate optional product – PZU Auto Zielona Karta (ZK). It covers civil liability of the vehicle holder or driver in countries that are members of the Green Card system but are not signatories to the Multilateral Agreement (countries where OC is not recognised). The guarantee sum equals the sum stated in the OC policy for the same vehicle. The ZK premium is included in the OC premium when both are taken together.
Roadside assistance (PZU Pomoc w Drodze)
Optional
Only in PZU Pomoc w Drodze Mini, PZU Pomoc w Drodze Super PL, PZU Pomoc w Drodze Super PL+EU, PZU Pomoc w Drodze Komfort Truck, PZU Pomoc w Drodze Super Truck
Roadside assistance is not included in the core OC policy but is available as a separately purchased optional product – PZU Pomoc w Drodze (PWD). The current 2026 OWU (UZ/5/2026) no longer provides for automatic attachment of PWD Komfort when OC is purchased. Available variants: Mini (Poland only, accident-based), Super PL (Poland only, extended perils), Super PL+EU (Europe-wide), Komfort Truck and Super Truck.
Driver accident (at-fault driver's own injury)
Excluded
OC (MTPL) by definition covers third-party liability only. The at-fault driver's own bodily injury is explicitly excluded from OC coverage. Coverage for the driver's own injury is available as a separate optional product – PZU Auto NNW (accident insurance for the driver and passengers).
Passenger accident (third-party passengers covered as injured parties)
Covered
Passengers injured in an accident caused by the insured driver are covered as third parties under the bodily injury liability component of the OC policy. The OC covers death, personal injury and health disorder caused to third parties, including passengers, up to the statutory guarantee sums. There is no separate per-passenger accident sum – it is subsumed within the bodily injury liability coverage. Voluntary personal accident insurance for driver and passengers is available separately as PZU Auto NNW.
Key conditions
Territorial scope
PZU Auto OC is valid in Poland and in all countries covered by the Multilateral Agreement (i.e., EU member states, Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland). Border OC (OC graniczne) is valid in countries of the European Economic Area and Switzerland. Coverage does not extend as core OC to countries that are members of the Green Card system but not signatories to the Multilateral Agreement – those require a separate PZU Auto Zielona Karta (ZK) policy.
Green card rules
A separate PZU Auto Zielona Karta (ZK) policy is required for travel to Green Card member countries that do not participate in the Multilateral Agreement (countries where the OC is not recognised). The Green Card guarantee sum equals the sum in the OC policy for the same vehicle. The ZK premium is included in the OC premium when both are contracted together. The ZK contract requires an active OC contract for the same vehicle.
Driver restrictions
PZU has a right of recourse against the driver who caused the damage if: the driver caused damage intentionally, was under the influence of alcohol or narcotic substances, came into possession of the vehicle by committing a crime, did not have required driving licence (except when acting to save lives or property, or in immediate pursuit of a criminal), or fled the scene of the accident.
Claim notification deadline
In the event of an accident the insured must: use available means to ensure safety at the scene and prevent damage from increasing; notify the police immediately if anyone was injured or if criminal circumstances are suspected; provide contact details to other parties; notify PZU as soon as possible. In the case of a vehicle sale, the seller must notify PZU within 14 days of the sale and provide the buyer's details.
Bonus-malus rules
PZU applies its own bonus-malus system based on claims history. Discounts accrue for each accident-free year of insurance. In the event of an at-fault claim, the policyholder moves up in the malus scale (losing discounts). PZU offers an optional paid discount-protection (ochrona zniżek / wykluczenie szkody) service which, for the first at-fault claim under the policy, prevents the loss of discounts when renewing the OC contract with PZU.
Documents
PZU Auto OC – Product Information Document (IPID)
IPID
PZU Auto – General Terms and Conditions of Motor Insurance (OWU UZ/59/2024, effective 19 March 2024)
Terms & conditions
PZU Auto – General Terms and Conditions (OWU UZ/5/2026, effective 20 January 2026, applicable from 21 March 2026)
Terms & conditions
Policy specifics
Territorial scope of coverage
Coverage applies in Poland, other EU countries, and countries covered by the Multilateral Agreement (Green Card system)
SourceStatutory guarantee sums
Minimum guarantee sums required by Polish law for motor third party liability insurance
SourceFirst damage excluded from claims history
Optional benefit where the first claim does not increase premium in next policy
SourceStatutory basis for mandatory insurance
The insurance is mandatory under Polish law and its terms are primarily governed by the Insurance Act
Source