Penalty for not having third-party liability insurance in 2026 – how much is it and how can you avoid it?
Failing to have third-party liability insurance is one of the most serious offences a vehicle owner can commit. In 2026, the penalty system is automatic, uncompromising and costly. Even if your car is sitting in the garage and you haven’t driven it for months – the fine will still come. In this article, we’ll explain how much they amount to penalties for failure to Third-party liability insurance: who it applies to and how to effectively avoid this costly trap.
What is the penalty for not having third-party liability insurance, and who does it apply to?
The obligation to hold third-party liability insurance
Every vehicle registered in Poland must have valid third-party liability insurance – regardless of whether you drive it every day or it’s just sitting in the garage. This obligation stems from the Compulsory Insurance Act and applies to:
- Passenger cars and vans
- Motorcycles and mopeds
- Tractors and agricultural machinery
- Quads and scooters
- Trailers (over 750 kg GVW)
Exceptions: Vehicles that have been taken off the road (deregistered) or whose registration has been temporarily suspended are not required to have third-party liability insurance.
Automatic control system
The Insurance Guarantee Fund (UFG) operates automatic checks on the continuity of insurance cover. The system checks every vehicle registered in Poland and detects even a day's break in insurance. It doesn’t matter whether you drive or not – no policy = automatic punishment.
How much is the fine for not having third-party liability insurance in 2026?
Penalty amounts – table
The penalty is calculated for each day without insurance and is based on the minimum wage:
Formula: Penalty = (number of days without compulsory motor insurance) × (1/365 of the national minimum wage)
Minimum wage in 2026: approximately 4,666 PLN gross
Penalty for one day: approximately 12.78 zł
Examples:
- 7 days without third-party liability insurance: ~89 zł
- 30 days (one month): ~383 zł
- 90 days (quarter): ~1,150 zł
- 365 days (a year): ~4,666 PLN
Maximum penalty: Up to 9,332 zł (twice the minimum annual wage) for a period of more than 2 years.
Penalties for different types of vehicles
Passenger cars and vans: Full rate (as above)
Motorcycles, mopeds, scooters: Full penalty – the same as for cars
Agricultural tractors: Full rate (if registered and used on public roads)
Trailers: 50% basic rate
When does the UFG impose a penalty automatically?
Any gap in cover
The UFG detects every break, even a one-day trip:
- The policy expired on 31 December; you took out a new one on 2 January = 1 day’s suspension = penalty
- You forgot to renew on time = a penalty for each day’s delay
- You changed your insurer and there was a ‘gap’ between the policies = punishment
The car is in the garage
It doesn’t matter whether you drive or not! As long as the vehicle is registered, must have third-party liability insurance. Even if:
- You haven’t used your car for a year
- It is out of order and awaiting repair
- It’s in the garage ‘for the winter’
Output: Deregister the vehicle or temporarily suspend its registration (in which case third-party liability insurance is not required).
Sale of a vehicle
Watch out for the trap! After selling the car you are still the owner on paper, until the buyer has made to re-register the vehicle in one’s own name. If the new owner delays re-registration and does not have third-party liability insurance – You’ll have to pay the fine!
Solution: Ensure that the car is re-registered or deregistered within 30 days of the sale (purchase and sale agreement).
The consequences of not having third-party liability insurance – more than just a fine
No insurance cover
If you have caused an accident without valid third-party liability insurance:
- The UFG compensates those who have suffered losses (their cars, medical treatment)
- The UFG is issuing a recourse claim against you – you must return it THE ENTIRE amount paid to the victims
- The setbacks go back as far as tens or hundreds of thousands of zlotys
Example: A collision in which you damaged three cars = damage amounting to 80,000 zł. The UFG compensates the victims, but You must repay 80,000 zł plus the costs of the proceedings.
Roadside check
During a roadside check, the police check the validity of the third-party liability insurance in the system. No third-party liability insurance = retention of the vehicle registration certificate and you’re not allowed to carry on driving. The car stays where it is, and you take a taxi back.
Problems with deregistration
Do you want to deregister your old car or take it to the scrapyard? Unless the fine for not having third-party liability insurance is paid, the transport department will not deregister the vehicle. You must first pay all outstanding amounts.
How can you avoid a fine for not having third-party liability insurance?
1. Enable automatic policy renewal
Most insurers offer auto-renewal – The policy is automatically renewed before it expires. That’s the best protection before an unexpected break.
2. Set reminders
Add to calendar (mobile, Google Calendar) a reminder 14 days before the policy expires. This will give you time to compare quotes and take out a new policy without any stress.
3. Take out a new policy with a few days’ ‘lead time’
Instead of taking out a new policy from 1 January (when the old one expires on 31 December), Available from 30 December. A day or two’s print run costs a dozen or so zlotys, but ensures continuity even if something goes wrong.
4. Deregister any vehicles you do not use
Do you have an old car in your garage that you haven’t driven for a year? Temporarily deregister them. This removes the need for third-party liability insurance and saves money.
5. Monitor re-registration upon sale
Have you sold your car? Check on CEPiK after 2–3 days (online), whether the new owner has re-registered the vehicle. If not, let them know that After 30 days, you will deregister the vehicle (you have the right to do so).
6. Keep an eye on your email and trusted profile
The UFG sends out penalty notices by registered post and on trusted profile. Check your postbox (both your letterbox and your email inbox!) regularly.
Appealing against a penalty – is it worth it?
When is it worth appealing?
An appeal is justified when:
- The UFG made a mistake (e.g. it did not include your policy in the system)
- You had a policy, but due to an error on the part of the insurer, it was not reported to the UFG
- The vehicle had been deregistered, and the UFG imposed a penalty for that period
- Do you have documents confirming that your insurance cover has been continuous?
An appeal makes NO sense when:
- You did indeed forget to renew your policy
- The car was in the garage (that’s no excuse!)
- ‘I didn’t know’ (ignorance of the law is no excuse)
How do I appeal?
- Lodge an appeal with the UFG within 14 days of receiving the decision
- Please attach the evidence (polisa, dokumenty rejestracyjne, wyrejestowanie)
- Czekaj na odpowiedź UFG (30 dni)
- Jeśli odmowa – możesz wnieść skargę do sądu administracyjnego (to już kosztowne i czasochłonne)
Important: Odwołanie nie wstrzymuje obowiązku zapłaty. Musisz zapłacić w terminie, a jeśli wygrasz – UFG zwróci pieniądze.
Summary – how can you avoid a fine for not having third-party liability insurance?
✓ Włącz auto-renewal w swojej polisie ✓ Ustaw przypomnienia 14 dni przed wygaśnięciem ✓ Kupuj nową polisę z nakładem (dzień-dwa wcześniej) ✓ Wyrejestruj pojazdy nieużywane – eliminujesz obowiązek OC ✓ Kontroluj przerejestowanie przy sprzedaży auta ✓ Regularnie sprawdzaj pocztę (papierową i profil zaufany) ✓ Nie odkładaj zakupu OC – nawet jeden dzień przerwy = kara
Pamiętaj: brak OC to nie tylko mandat – to ryzyko dziesiątek tysięcy złotych regresu w razie wypadku!
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
How much is the fine for not having third-party liability insurance in 2026? Około 12,78 zł za każdy dzień braku ubezpieczenia. Maksymalna kara to około 9332 zł (dwukrotność minimalnej płacy rocznej).
Czy dostanę karę, jeśli auto stoi w garażu? Tak! Dopóki pojazd jest zarejestrowany, musi mieć OC – niezależnie od tego, czy nim jeździsz.
Co zrobić, gdy nie stać mnie na OC? Wyrejestruj pojazd lub zawieś czasowo rejestrację. Wtedy nie potrzebujesz OC i nie płacisz kar.
Czy mogę uniknąć kary, jeśli kupiłem OC dzień po wygaśnięciu? Nie, UFG naliczy karę za ten jeden dzień przerwy. Warto kupować polisę z 1-2 dniowym nakładem.
Co się stanie, jeśli nie zapłacę kary? UFG wszczyna postępowanie egzekucyjne przez komornika. Dodatkowo nie wyrejestrujesz pojazdu do czasu uregulowania zaległości.
Czy za brak OC motocykla kara jest niższa? Nie, kara dla motocykla jest identyczna jak dla car passenger car.
Jak sprawdzić, czy moje OC jest aktywne? Sprawdź w systemie CEPiK (cepik.gov.pl) lub zadzwoń do ubezpieczyciela.
Co jeśli sprzedałem auto, a nowy właściciel nie dokona przerejestowania? Po 30 dniach masz prawo wyrejestrować pojazd. Wcześniej uprzedź kupującego, że to zrobisz.
Disclaimer
Uwaga prawna:
Informacje zawarte w tym artykule mają charakter wyłącznie edukacyjny i informacyjny. Nie stanowią one porady prawnej, finansowej ani ubezpieczeniowej. Wysokości kar, przepisy i procedury mogą ulec zmianie – zawsze sprawdzaj aktualne regulacje na stronie Ubezpieczeniowego Funduszu Gwarancyjnego (UFG) lub konsultuj się z profesjonalnym doradcą ubezpieczeniowym.
Slawa Rent nie ponosi odpowiedzialności za jakiekolwiek decyzje podjęte na podstawie treści tego artykułu. W sprawach prawnych i ubezpieczeniowych zawsze kieruj się oficjalnymi źródłami prawa oraz konsultuj się ze specjalistami.
Artykuł został przygotowany na podstawie stanu prawnego obowiązującego w marcu 2026 roku.
Planujesz wyjazd i nie chcesz obciążać własnego auta? Wynajmij w Slawa Rent – wszystkie nasze pojazdy mają pełne, aktualne ubezpieczenie OC i AC!
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