Direct Claims Settlement in Poland: How BLS Works

Were you in a road accident in Poland and you hold comprehensive cover (AC, autocasco) with the same insurer as the at-fault driver? Or with a partner insurer? If so, you may be able to use Direct Claims Settlement (BLS — Bezpośrednia Likwidacja Szkód): a fast-track process in which your own insurer handles the claim first, then settles up with the at-fault driver's insurer behind the scenes. Here's how it works.

Disclaimer: This guide is general legal information, not legal advice. How the rules apply depends on your policy wording and individual circumstances. The matter should be assessed by a qualified Polish lawyer or an insurance claims specialist. Twoja Sprawa helps you organise the documents for that assessment.

What is BLS (direct claims settlement)?

The principle

BLS is a process where you report the claim to your own insurer (not to the at-fault driver's third-party liability insurer), and your insurer then: 1. Assesses and repairs the damage quickly (as if it were a comprehensive/AC claim), 2. Provides you with a courtesy car (if that's part of your policy), 3. Recovers the cost afterwards from the at-fault driver's insurer (an assignment of claims, known in Poland as regres).

Why it's worth using: - ✅ Faster — your own insurer already knows you and your policy. - ✅ Courtesy car — often granted more quickly than through the other driver's insurer. - ✅ Less paperwork — you only deal with one insurer, not two.

When is BLS available?

BLS typically applies in four scenarios:

Scenario 1: Both vehicles are comprehensively insured with the same insurer

• You hold AC cover with Allianz.
• The at-fault driver also holds AC with Allianz.
• Outcome: Allianz settles the matter internally — the simplest case.

Scenario 2: Both vehicles are insured, but with different insurers (partner network)

• You hold AC cover with Generali.
• The at-fault driver holds third-party liability (OC) with Pekao.
• Condition: Generali and Pekao must have a BLS partnership agreement.
• Outcome: The two insurers cooperate directly — a quicker settlement for you.

Scenario 3: Two vehicles collide and both drivers hold AC cover

• The ideal setup for BLS.
• Each driver reports to their own insurer.
• The insurers then settle between themselves via assignment of the claim.

Scenario 4: The at-fault driver's vehicle is foreign-registered (Green Card)

• ⚠️ BLS may still be possible, but it runs through the international National Bureaux system.
• This route is generally harder — it's usually better to claim directly against the at-fault driver's insurer or via the PBUK (Polish Motor Insurers' Bureau, Polskie Biuro Ubezpieczycieli Komunikacyjnych).

When is BLS NOT available?

• You don't hold AC cover — you can only claim against the at-fault driver's third-party liability (OC) insurer.
• The at-fault driver has no insurance — you must claim from the UFG (Insurance Guarantee Fund, Ubezpieczeniowy Fundusz Gwarancyjny).
• The at-fault driver is unidentified (hit-and-run) — again, the UFG.
• The at-fault driver's insurer isn't part of the BLS network — you'll need to negotiate directly instead.
• The accident happened abroad and the Green Card system doesn't apply (post-Brexit, outside the EU) — special procedures apply; see below.

The BLS process, step by step

1. Notify your insurer

Call or email your own insurer (not the at-fault driver's).

"I am reporting a claim from a road traffic accident. Please process this under direct
claims settlement (BLS):
— My policy number: [number]
— Date of accident: [date]
— Other party's details: [name, third-party policy number or vehicle registration]
— Location: [place]"

2. Loss adjuster visit

Your insurer will send an assessor to inspect the damage, typically within 3–5 days.

3. Courtesy car

• If your policy includes a courtesy car under BLS, you should get one straight away.
• If it doesn't, you'll pay for one yourself (this may later be reimbursed as part of the settlement).

4. Repair

• Your insurer will usually direct you to a partner garage (though you can often push for an independent one).
• Repairs typically take 2–4 weeks.

5. Settlement between the insurers

• Your insurer then recovers the cost from the at-fault driver's insurer via the assignment of your claim.
• You are not involved in this stage — it's a matter between the two insurers.
• The at-fault driver's insurer picks up the cost (in full or in part, depending on how fault is apportioned).

6. Your policy and premiums

• Your comprehensive (AC) policy may carry an excess (typically 10–20% of the cost) if you claimed under AC.
• Your premium may increase slightly (though not always — it depends on your policy terms).

BLS and the law: who ultimately pays?

The right of subrogation (assignment of the claim)

When your insurer pays out your claim, it automatically takes over your right to claim against the at-fault driver. This is known as an assignment (cesja) — your right to sue passes to your insurer.

In practice: - Your insurer pursues the at-fault driver's insurer directly (assignment of claims, Articles 500–511 of the Polish Civil Code). - The at-fault driver's insurer is liable to pay (where liability is established). - You receive your full settlement without having to wait for the two insurers to sort things out between themselves.

What if the at-fault driver's insurer disputes liability?

The two insurers may end up in a dispute — but that's between them. You still receive your settlement from your own insurer, because you hold AC cover.

Comparison: BLS vs claiming directly against the at-fault driver's insurer

Bottom line: BLS is generally faster and more convenient, but it may cost you an excess. Claiming directly against the at-fault driver's insurer is free, but slower.

Does using BLS affect my premium?

It might, but the effect is usually marginal.

• If the accident wasn't your fault — your insurer should not increase your premium (a no-fault claim should usually preserve your no-claims discount).
• If the accident was partly your fault — your premium may rise (typically 1–5% a year, depending on the policy).
• Some policies offer BLS with no impact on your premium — check your OWU (Ogólne Warunki Ubezpieczenia, the General Insurance Terms and Conditions) to find out.

BLS for a Pole based in the UK: does it work remotely?

In theory, yes — in practice, with limitations.

⚠️ **** BLS across borders (where you hold AC with a Polish insurer but are based in the UK):

• If the accident happens in the UK, your Polish insurer typically won't be able to support you (it works with Polish repair networks, not UK ones).
• If the accident happens in Poland while you're based in the UK, you can generally still use BLS — your insurer will send an assessor to Poland.

Practical tip: always check your policy to see whether BLS covers accidents that happen abroad. If it doesn't, you're better off claiming directly against the at-fault driver's insurer.

What to document for a BLS claim

Essential:

• ✅ Your comprehensive (AC) policy number.
• ✅ Date and location of the accident.
• ✅ The at-fault driver's details (name, third-party policy number or vehicle registration).
• ✅ Photos of the damage (ideally with a measuring tape or similar reference visible).
• ✅ A police report, if one was made.

Helpful extras (these speed things up):

• ✅ Medical certificates, if there were any injuries.
• ✅ Witness details (names and phone numbers).
• ✅ A note of what happened, written at the scene.

FAQ

Is BLS compulsory? No. If you hold AC cover, you can choose between BLS and claiming directly against the at-fault driver's insurer. BLS is usually the quicker option, though.

What happens if BLS falls through (the at-fault driver's insurer refuses to pay)? Your own insurer still pays you, because you hold AC cover. It then pursues the at-fault driver's insurer separately, via the assignment of your claim. You don't have to wait — you already have your money.

Can I choose my own garage? Usually not — BLS tends to direct you to a partner garage, which is quicker and cheaper for the insurer. You can often negotiate this, though, especially if an independent garage offers a better price.

Does BLS reduce my compensation? No. Only an excess (where you hold AC cover) reduces the amount you receive, and that's set out in your policy terms. The value of the claim itself stays the same.

Does BLS work abroad? ⚠️ It depends. Within the EU, it often does, if the insurers involved cooperate (via the Green Card system). Outside the EU, it generally doesn't. Always check your policy.

Links and resources

• Your insurer — check their helpline (usually available 24/7).
• OWU (General Insurance Terms and Conditions) — always read the BLS section so you know exactly what your policy covers.
• Rzecznik Finansowy (Polish Financial Ombudsman): https://rf.gov.pl — useful if your insurer refuses BLS without giving a proper reason.

Summary

BLS is the fast-track route when you hold comprehensive (AC) cover and the at-fault driver is also insured. It can work out cheaper overall thanks to quicker access to a courtesy car, but you need to factor in a possible excess.

Before using BLS, always: 1. Check your policy (does it include BLS and a courtesy car?). 2. Call your insurer to confirm they support BLS for your claim. 3. Gather your documents (photos, any police report, the other driver's details).

If BLS isn't available in your case, you can claim directly against the at-fault driver's insurer instead (see our other guides on this site).

Final disclaimer: This material is for general information only. If you have questions about how BLS applies to your specific policy, contact your insurer or a claims specialist directly.

Last verified: 27 June 2026.