Can I get OC insurance refund after I sell the car in Poland?

In Poland, if you have already paid for your OC (third-party liability) insurance and then sell your car, you are entitled to a refund of the unused portion of your insurance premium. This right is guaranteed under the Polish Insurance Act (Ustawa o ubezpieczeniach obowiązkowych, Art. 41), and it applies regardless of which insurer issued the policy — PZU, Warta, Hestia, Allianz, or any other company operating in Poland.

However, the refund process has specific rules you need to follow. This guide walks you through every step — including what to write in your sales contract, how to notify the insurer, a sample termination letter, and a real refund calculation example.

 

How OC insurance works when you sell a car in Poland

The key thing to understand is that OC insurance in Poland is attached to the vehicle, not the owner. When you sell your car, the existing OC policy automatically transfers to the new owner. The buyer inherits the remaining coverage period and can legally drive the car from the moment of purchase.

Here is what happens next:

• The new owner decides whether to keep the current OC policy or terminate it and buy their own.
• If the new owner terminates the inherited policy, the insurer calculates a refund for the unused days and pays it to you (the seller who originally paid the premium).
• If the new owner keeps the policy, it runs until its original expiry date but does not renew automatically — the new owner must actively purchase a new policy before it expires.

As the seller, you cannot cancel the OC policy yourself. Only the new owner has the right to terminate the transferred policy. This is a common point of confusion, so make sure you and the buyer are on the same page before the sale is finalized.

 

Step-by-step: How to get your OC refund after selling a car

Follow these steps to make sure you receive your refund as quickly as possible:

 

Step 1: Include a clause in the sales contract

In your vehicle sales contract (umowa kupna-sprzedaży), include a clear statement about the OC insurance. You should specify:

• The name of the insurer and the policy number.
• That the buyer is aware of the existing OC policy and their right to terminate it.
• Whether the buyer intends to keep or terminate the current policy.

A typical clause in English might read: "The Buyer acknowledges that the vehicle is covered by OC policy no. [POLICY NUMBER] issued by [INSURER NAME], valid until [DATE]. The Buyer declares their intention to terminate / continue this policy."

 

Step 2: Notify your insurer about the sale

You are legally required to inform your insurance company about the sale within 14 days. You can do this by:

• Visiting a local branch or agent (such as Magro Ubezpieczenia in Łódź — we handle this for our clients).
• Sending a written notification by registered mail (list polecony).
• Submitting a form through the insurer's online portal, if available.

Attach a copy of the sales contract (umowa kupna-sprzedaży) as proof of the transaction. Some insurers may also ask for a copy of the vehicle registration document (dowód rejestracyjny).

Important: Even if the new owner plans to keep the policy, you should still notify the insurer. Failing to do so can complicate future claims and may affect your insurance history.

 

Step 3: The new owner terminates the policy

The new owner submits a written termination notice (wypowiedzenie umowy OC) to the insurer. They can do this at any time — there is no waiting period. The policy ends on the day the insurer receives the termination letter.

Once terminated, the new owner must immediately purchase their own OC policy. Driving without valid OC insurance in Poland carries severe fines — over 7,900 zł for a full calendar year gap in 2025.

 

Step 4: Receive your refund

After the insurer processes the termination, they calculate the refund and pay it to the original policyholder — that's you, the seller. The refund is typically transferred to your bank account within 14 days, though some insurers process it faster.

 

OC refund calculation — how much will you get back?

The refund formula is straightforward. Polish insurers use a daily rate:

 

Refund = (Annual premium ÷ 365) × Number of unused days

 

Let's walk through a real-world example:

• Annual OC premium paid: 1,200 zł
• Policy start date: 1 January 2025
• Car sold: 15 July 2025 (day 196 of the policy)
• New owner terminates the policy: 20 July 2025 (day 201)
• Unused days: 365 − 201 = 164 days

Refund calculation:

1,200 zł ÷ 365 = 3.29 zł per day
3.29 zł × 164 days = 539.56 zł refund

Note: The unused days are counted from the date the insurer receives the termination notice — not from the date you sold the car. This is why it's important for the new owner to act quickly if they intend to terminate.

 

Sample termination letter (for the new owner)

The new owner needs to submit this letter to the insurer. Here is a bilingual template — the Polish version is what the insurer will accept, and we've added an English translation for your reference:

 

Polish version (submit this):

[Imię i nazwisko nowego właściciela]
[Adres]
[Telefon / e-mail]

[Nazwa towarzystwa ubezpieczeniowego]
[Adres towarzystwa]

Dotyczy: Wypowiedzenie umowy ubezpieczenia OC posiadaczy pojazdów mechanicznych
Numer polisy: [NUMER POLISY]
Numer rejestracyjny pojazdu: [NR REJESTRACYJNY]

Na podstawie art. 31 ust. 1 Ustawy z dnia 22 maja 2003 r. o ubezpieczeniach obowiązkowych, Ubezpieczeniowym Funduszu Gwarancyjnym i Polskim Biurze Ubezpieczycieli Komunikacyjnych, jako nowy właściciel ww. pojazdu, niniejszym wypowiadam umowę ubezpieczenia OC, nr polisy [NUMER POLISY].

Pojazd nabyłem/nabyłam na podstawie umowy kupna-sprzedaży z dnia [DATA ZAKUPU].

W załączeniu: kopia umowy kupna-sprzedaży pojazdu.

[Miejscowość, data]
[Podpis nowego właściciela]

 

English translation (for your reference only):

[Full name of the new owner]
[Address]
[Phone / e-mail]

[Insurance company name]
[Insurance company address]

Re: Termination of OC motor third-party liability insurance policy
Policy number: [POLICY NUMBER]
Vehicle registration number: [REG. NUMBER]

Pursuant to Art. 31(1) of the Act of 22 May 2003 on Compulsory Insurance, the Insurance Guarantee Fund and the Polish Motor Insurers' Bureau, as the new owner of the above vehicle, I hereby terminate the OC insurance policy no. [POLICY NUMBER].

I acquired the vehicle under a sales contract dated [DATE OF PURCHASE].

Enclosed: copy of the vehicle sales contract.

[City, date]
[Signature of the new owner]

 

What about AC (autocasco) insurance?

Unlike OC, AC (autocasco) insurance does not transfer to the new owner when you sell the car. AC policies are tied to the policyholder, not the vehicle. This means:

• Your AC policy terminates automatically on the date of sale.
• You can request a refund for the unused AC premium directly — no need for the buyer to be involved.
• The new owner must purchase their own AC policy if they want comprehensive coverage.

The same applies to NNW (personal accident) add-ons — these typically end with the sale and are refundable for the unused period.

 

Common mistakes to avoid

• Not notifying the insurer within 14 days. You could face complications with your no-claims history and future premiums.
• Assuming you can cancel the OC yourself. Only the new owner can terminate the transferred policy. You can only notify the insurer of the sale.
• Forgetting to coordinate with the buyer. If the buyer doesn't terminate the policy and doesn't pay the premium, the insurer may come after you for the remaining amount.
• Not keeping copies of documents. Always keep a copy of the sales contract, the notification letter, and any correspondence with the insurer.
• Delaying the process. Every day between the sale and the termination notice is a day you won't get refunded for.

 

How long does the refund take?

Most Polish insurers process OC refunds within 14 days of receiving the termination notice from the new owner. In practice:

• PZU, Warta, Ergo Hestia — typically 7–14 business days.
• Smaller insurers or online-only providers — may take up to 30 days in some cases.
• If you purchased through an agent like Magro Ubezpieczenia, we can follow up with the insurer on your behalf to speed things up.

The refund is paid to the bank account of the original policyholder. Make sure the insurer has your current account details on file.

 

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

 

Can I get a refund if the new owner keeps the OC policy?

No. The refund is only issued when the policy is terminated. If the new owner decides to keep the existing OC coverage until it expires, no refund is generated. You can, however, negotiate with the buyer to reimburse you for the remaining premium as part of the sale price.

 

What if I sell the car to a dealer or a company?

The same rules apply. The OC policy transfers to the new owner — whether that's a private individual, a dealership, or a company with a vehicle fleet. The new owner retains the right to terminate the policy.

 

Do I need to deregister the car to get the refund?

No. Deregistering the vehicle (wyrejestrowanie) is a separate process and is not required for the OC refund. However, you should notify the local Wydział Komunikacji about the change of ownership. If you're a foreigner, our guide on registering a car in Poland covers the administrative side in detail.

 

What happens if I don't notify the insurer about the sale?

If you fail to notify the insurer, you may be held jointly liable with the new owner for the premium. The insurer could also pursue you for payment if the new owner causes an accident and hasn't arranged their own coverage. Always notify in writing within 14 days.

 

Can the insurer refuse the refund?

In standard situations, no — the refund is your legal right under Polish law. However, the insurer may deduct any outstanding claims or administrative fees. If you believe your refund has been unfairly denied, you can file a complaint with the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) or the Insurance Ombudsman (Rzecznik Finansowy).

 

Is the refund taxable?

No. An OC premium refund is a return of an overpayment, not income. You do not need to declare it on your tax return in Poland.

 

I bought the car and inherited an OC policy — can I switch to a cheaper one?

Yes. As the new owner, you can terminate the inherited policy at any time and purchase your own OC insurance. In fact, this is often a good idea — inherited policies may carry the previous owner's premium, which could be higher or lower than what you'd pay based on your own driving history.

 

Need help with your OC refund? Magro can handle it for you

Magro Ubezpieczenia has been helping drivers in Poland with car insurance for over 30 years. If you've recently sold a vehicle and need help recovering your OC refund — or if you're buying a car and need to arrange your own policy — we can take care of the paperwork for you.

We work with all major Polish insurers, speak English, and can guide you through the entire process from notification to refund. Get a free quote or contact us today — we'll make sure you get every złoty you're owed.