OC Policy Transfer When Selling and Buying a Car
Selling or buying a used car is one of the most common situations where questions about the OC policy arise. Polish compulsory insurance law clearly regulates what happens with the policy after a change of owner: it does not expire automatically but transfers to the buyer along with the car. This creates specific obligations for both parties and gives the buyer a special right to terminate at any time.
What to hand over to the buyer
The seller is obliged to hand over to the buyer: the original OC policy valid on the date of sale, copy of payment confirmation, contact details of the insurer. In practice, giving the buyer a photo or PDF of the policy is enough — most policies today are in electronic form. Most important: the policy remains active, the buyer is immediately covered by OC and can legally drive the car from the day of signing the sale contract.
Seller's obligations after sale
Within 14 days of sale, the seller must report the disposal of the vehicle to the registration office and to the insurance company. Reporting to the insurer can be done online, by e-mail or letter (scan of sale contract + buyer's data: name, PESEL, address). Delay with this obligation risks a fine up to 100 PLN, but most importantly — if the buyer causes damage and you don't report the disposal, the insurer can demand regress from you (return of paid compensation).
Buyer's rights — termination under art. 31
The buyer has the right to terminate the previous owner's policy at any moment until the end of the insurance period (art. 31 of the law of 22.05.2003). After termination the policy expires — the buyer must then immediately conclude their own. Benefit: you can choose a policy with a better price and package (e.g. add AC). An untermianted policy continues until the period ends and does not renew automatically for the buyer — the buyer is not the legal party to it, so the company has no basis for automatic renewal.
Does the seller get partial premium back
Yes, if the buyer terminates the policy. The insurer returns to the seller a proportional part of the premium for the unused insurance period, less handling costs (usually 5–10% of the premium value). The refund goes to the seller's bank account within 14–30 days from when the buyer's termination is registered by the company. If the buyer continues the policy — no refund is due to the seller.
Most common transaction mistakes
Seller: doesn't report disposal at the company and later gets reminders to pay another premium for a car they no longer own. Buyer: drives without termination, and after a year the policy expires without warning (because it doesn't auto-renew for the buyer) — creating a gap in OC continuity, for which UFG imposes a fine. Best practice: within the first 7–14 days after purchase decide — continue the policy or terminate and choose your own.
When selling a car, keep a copy of the sale contract and confirmation of disposal report to the company. This is the only proof that you are no longer liable for damages caused by the new owner.
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