UFG — When It Pays Compensation and How to File a Claim
The Insurance Guarantee Fund (UFG) is a state institution that pays compensation to victims of road accidents when it can't be obtained directly from the at-fault driver's insurer. It's the "last resort" in four specific situations: unknown perpetrator, no valid OC at the at-fault party, insurer's bankruptcy, or when damage was caused by a vehicle registered abroad without a Green Card. It operates under the law of 22 May 2003 on compulsory insurance, UFG and PBUK.
4 situations when UFG pays compensation
First: unknown at-fault party — e.g. hit-and-run. UFG pays only for personal injury (treatment, pension), without property damage. Second: at-fault party without valid OC. UFG pays full compensation but then pursues regress from the at-fault party — recovering the paid amount directly from the guilty person. Third: bankruptcy or liquidation of the insurer. UFG takes over payment if the company has no funds. Fourth: foreign vehicle without a Green Card on Polish territory.
How to file a claim with UFG
The claim can be filed via three channels: in person at UFG headquarters (Warsaw), by post (UFG, ul. Płocka 9/11, 01-231 Warszawa) or electronically via the ufg.pl portal. Required documents: police report or accident statement, medical documentation (for personal injury), invoices and repair estimates (for property damage), victim's registration document and driving licence, bank details for payment. UFG has 30 days to decide from receiving the complete documentation.
Amount of UFG payment
UFG pays compensation up to the same limit as a regular OC policy: EUR 5,210,000 for personal injury and EUR 1,050,000 for property damage (per single incident, 2026 figures). Payment covers: medical treatment costs, rehabilitation, lost income, pension, compensation for harm, vehicle repair or its value reimbursement. In case of unknown perpetrator, the maximum payment per person is lower — up to 5 million PLN, and only for health damage.
UFG regress against an at-fault party without OC
If a driver causes an accident without a valid OC policy, UFG will pay victims full compensation and then file a regress claim against the at-fault party. This means the person responsible for damage must return to UFG the entire paid amount — often 50,000 – 500,000 PLN, and in extreme cases (death or permanent disability of victim) even several million zlotys. Regress is enforced through bailiff and can last the perpetrator's entire life.
How long does UFG payment take
The standard term is 30 days from a complete claim. In practice, for simple cases payment occurs in 4–8 weeks, for complex ones (e.g. personal injury requiring expert assessment) it can take 6–12 months. If UFG refuses payment or grants an underestimated amount, you can file an appeal to the Financial Ombudsman and a civil lawsuit in court within 3 years of the decision.
UFG is the guarantee that the victim will receive compensation even if the at-fault party had no OC or fled. But for the at-fault party without a policy, it means a lifelong debt — UFG doesn't give up regress.
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