Car Accident in Poland — How to Claim on the At-Fault Driver's Insurance from the UK

Were you involved in a car accident in Poland but you live in the UK? Wondering how to report the claim without flying back? Here's the good news: processing a claim on the at-fault driver's OC (mandatory third-party liability) insurance doesn't require you to be there in person — the whole thing can be handled remotely, including through a pełnomocnik (a legal representative acting under a power of attorney). The insurer has to respond regardless of where you're currently living — what matters is that the accident happened in Poland and a Polish insurer is liable for it. Below we explain what you'll need, how the remote process works, the deadlines involved, and what the insurer legally cannot refuse you.

This guide is general legal information, not legal advice. How the rules apply depends on your individual circumstances, so the matter should be assessed by a qualified Polish lawyer. Twoja Sprawa helps you organise the documents for that assessment.

What to gather before you report the claim

To report the collision smoothly and make the insurer's job easier, prepare the following documents and information in advance. The sooner you have them ready, the faster the process moves.

Details of the incident: - the exact location of the collision (address, junction, road number), - date and time of the accident, - the at-fault driver's full name, address and PESEL number (the Polish national ID number), if available, - the at-fault driver's vehicle registration number, - the at-fault driver's OC policy number (if you have it — the police may hold this), - witness names and phone numbers, - your full contact details (email, phone number, UK address).

Vehicle documentation: - vehicle registration document (dowód rejestracyjny), - your OC/AC (comprehensive) policy, - a repair invoice or quote (if you already have one).

Photos and evidence: - photos of the vehicle damage from several angles, - photos of the accident scene, road signs, lighting conditions, - the at-fault driver's OC policy document, if you can get it (sometimes the driver will show it to you), - if the police attended — the report/reference number from their notes.

European Accident Statement (in Poland known as KUKA): If both parties were present at the scene and agreed on the account of events, it's worth completing a European Accident Statement (known in Poland as the KUKA/CEE form) together. This is a standard document included with most OC policies, recording both drivers' details, a sketch of the damage, and both signatures. Having one significantly speeds up the claims process. (⚠️ Both vehicles need to be roadworthy and both parties need to agree to fill it in; if a vehicle isn't driveable, involve the police first.)

Reporting online vs. through a legal representative — how to choose

You have a few options for reporting the claim while based in the UK. Each has its pros and cons.

Option 1: Report online or by email yourself

Most large Polish insurers (Allianz, PZU, Generali, Warta, AXA) accept claims: - through an online portal (if you have access), - by email to their claims helpline, - via an online claim form on the insurer's website.

Pros: - quick, free, doable from home, - no middleman involved.

Cons: - everything is in Polish, which can be a barrier if your Polish isn't strong, - if the insurer has follow-up questions or wants extra documents, you'll need to respond in Polish, which takes time, - you're negotiating directly — if the insurer tries to lowball you, it's easier to feel pressured into accepting under stress.

Option 2: Through a legal representative (a Polish radca prawny or adwokat)

You grant a power of attorney to a Polish lawyer, who then handles all communication with the insurer on your behalf.

Pros: - professional representation — the lawyer knows the going rate for compensation in similar cases, - the lawyer negotiates face to face rather than under email pressure, - they attend any vehicle inspection and gather medical documentation if there's an injury element, - it lowers the risk of the case ending up in court, because you start from a stronger negotiating position, - if the accident also involved an injury (neck pain, headaches), the lawyer can refer you to a doctor and collate the medical records.

Cons: - the lawyer's fee (usually a percentage of the compensation, roughly 10–20%, or a flat fee for the whole process), - extra time needed to prepare the power of attorney.

Recommendation: If the accident is "clean" (both parties agree on fault, damage is minor), an email claim on your own is usually enough. If there's a dispute over fault, there are injuries involved, or the insurer opens with a lowball offer, it's worth instructing a legal representative.

Platforms such as Twoja Sprawa can match you with a suitable lawyer if you need one.

What the insurer cannot refuse you

The law is clear — the insurer is liable for the damage if its policyholder (the at-fault driver) is at fault. There are a few things the insurer cannot refuse you without a valid reason:

1. Payment within 30 days. Article 14 of the Polish Act on Compulsory Insurance states that the insurer has 30 days to pay out once the claim is undisputed. If it needs more time, it must explain why and what further information it needs.

2. Reimbursement of reasonable documentation costs. If you need to move the vehicle to a garage, take photographs, or obtain documents from the police, reasonable costs connected with reporting the claim are reimbursable (provided they're justified).

3. The right to be involved in the vehicle assessment. If the insurer commissions an independent assessment of the vehicle, you have the right to be present (remotely or in person) and observe the process — or to commission your own assessment if you believe the valuation is too low.

4. A reasoned explanation for any refusal or underpayment. If the insurer refuses to pay the full claim, it must put this in writing and explain its reasons. It cannot simply say "no" without justification.

Timeline — from claim to payout

A typical claims process runs roughly as follows:

⚠️ If there are complications (dispute over fault, missing documents, injuries requiring a medical opinion), the process can extend to 60–90 days.

Step by step — the remote claims process

If you want to handle the process yourself (without a legal representative), here are the concrete steps:

1. Gather all your documents — scan or photograph everything listed above.

2. Identify the at-fault driver's insurer — if you don't have the policy number, you can get it by calling the police (they'll have it on file) or by asking the driver directly, if they've been in touch.

3. Draft your claim letter. For example:

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am reporting a property damage claim arising from a car accident on [DATE] at [TIME] on [ADDRESS], Poland.

At-fault driver's vehicle: [make, model, registration] At-fault driver's OC policy number: [policy number, if known]

Enclosed with this claim: - police report (reference number: [number]) - photographs of the vehicle damage - scan of my vehicle registration document - scan of my OC insurance policy

Estimated repair cost: [amount, if you have a quote]

Please confirm receipt of this claim and provide a claim reference number.

Yours faithfully, [Your details]

4. Send the claim — by recorded post or by email to the insurer's claims helpline.

5. Wait for confirmation — the insurer should send confirmation, a claim reference number, and the contact details of the claims handler within 2–3 days.

6. Keep supplying documents promptly — if the insurer asks for anything further, respond quickly.

7. Respond to the settlement offer — once the insurer proposes an amount, you have several options: accept it if you consider it fair; appeal it (under Article 819 of the Polish Civil Code) if you believe it's too low; or propose mediation.

FAQ — frequently asked questions

Can I report the claim by email only, without any paperwork? You can, but it's better to attach copies of your documents (scans or photos). The insurer will want to see your vehicle registration document, photos of the damage, and ideally the police report reference. An email with no attachments may be bounced back or simply not taken seriously.

How much does a legal representative for a car accident claim cost? The fee is usually 10–20% of the compensation awarded (if they handle the whole case for you), or a flat fee of PLN 500–2,000 for the whole process. It's worth asking about terms before you instruct anyone.

Can the insurer force me to repair the car at their preferred garage? No, they cannot force you, but they can propose one. You choose the garage, and the insurer pays within the agreed valuation. If you use a different garage, you may end up out of pocket for the difference if it's more expensive.

Can I handle the case in English? Officially, no — all the procedural documents are in Polish, since it's a claim against a Polish insurer. However, a legal representative can translate the correspondence for you and respond on your behalf in English.

What if the insurer refuses to pay? You can appeal (under Article 819 of the Polish Civil Code) — this is an internal appeal letter to the insurer. If that doesn't work, you can escalate to the Rzecznik Finansowy (the Polish Financial Ombudsman, which offers free mediation) or take the insurer to court. For more detail, see: Insurer refused to pay out — what to do.