PZU

territorial_scope

Cover applies in Poland and all EU member states, plus Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia, and Switzerland. The Green Card (Zielona Karta) is issued at no extra cost and extends proof of cover to non-multilateral Green Card member states (e.g. Morocco, Tunisia, Iran). The separate PZU Auto Zielona Karta (ZK) product covers civil liability in countries that are members of the Green Card system but are not signatories to the Multilateral Agreement and where the insured event is therefore not covered by the standard OC. Direct Claims Settlement (BLS) applies only to incidents occurring in Poland.

green_card_rules

The Green Card (Międzynarodowa Karta Ubezpieczenia Samochodowego) is issued by PZU upon the policyholder's request as part of the OC policy at no additional premium (§ 55 OWU). A separate PZU Auto Zielona Karta (ZK) policy must be purchased for countries that are Green Card system members but not signatories to the Multilateral Agreement (i.e. countries where the insured event is not covered by standard OC). The ZK guarantee sum equals the OC guarantee sum for the same vehicle. ZK premium is included in the OC premium when both are concluded for the same vehicle (§ 55 OWU). A ZK policy requires a valid OC for the same vehicle (§ 66 para. 12 OWU) and has a minimum duration of 15 days.

driver_restrictions

Any person authorised to drive the vehicle is covered under the OC. Excluded from cover (with right of recourse against the driver) are cases where the driver: caused damage intentionally or while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; obtained possession of the vehicle by committing a crime; did not have the required driving licence (except to save life or property or in pursuit of a criminal); or fled the scene of the accident. The OC covers third-party claims regardless of which authorised driver was behind the wheel.

claim_notification_deadline

For OC claims there is no specific contractual deadline for the injured third party to notify PZU; the statutory limitation period under art. 819 of the Civil Code is 3 years from the date the claimant learned of the damage and the party liable (extended to 20 years if the event resulted in personal injury or death). PZU must pay compensation within 30 days of receiving notification of the insured event; if clarification of circumstances is required, within 14 days of when those circumstances could reasonably have been clarified (§ 88 OWU). The policyholder/insured must promptly notify PZU of the event and provide all necessary information and documents.

bonus_malus_rules

PZU applies its own proprietary bonus-malus (BM) tariff table to determine the OC premium based on the policyholder's claim history. The insurer accesses the policyholder's loss history via the UFG (Motor Insurance Guarantee Fund) database in real time upon policy inception using the owner's PESEL/REGON number. Claim-free years reduce the premium; at-fault claims increase the next year's premium. PZU also honours no-claims history accumulated in other EU member states from 24 July 2025 pursuant to EU Implementing Regulation 2024/1855, provided the policyholder submits the standardised EU claims-history certificate. An optional paid add-on (protection of discounts / ochrona zniżek) allows the policyholder to protect earned discounts against the first at-fault loss within a policy year at an additional premium of approximately 20 PLN for OC.

Direct Claims Settlement

PZU offers direct damage settlement (BLS) where policyholders can claim compensation through PZU regardless of the perpetrator's insurer

Assistance Komfort (Comfort Roadside Assistance)

Free roadside assistance package included with OC, offering towing up to 150 km, vehicle replacement, overnight accommodation, and child care

Mandatory Insurance Status

PZU Auto OC is mandatory third-party liability insurance for all vehicle owners under Polish law

Standard Policy Duration

OC policies are typically issued for 12-month periods; shorter durations available in specific cases