It’s best to spot an error in your first name, last name, or passport number right after you purchase the insurance, rather than waiting until you need the policy. Open the insurance document next to your passport or another document used during the purchase and compare the information character by character. The information on the policy should match the information in the document, ...that you are using in this particular case. If you notice a discrepancy, report it to the broker or the insurer and ask them to advise you on the proper course of action. However, do not assume in advance that every change will be free of charge, immediate, or possible in the same form. The rules depend on the specific contract, the type of error, and the stage of the contract’s execution.
Why It's Important to Check the Data Right Away
The policy is a document confirming the conclusion of the contract. The General Insurance Terms and Conditions of TUZ Ubezpieczenia from 2026 state that the contract is concluded based on the information provided in the application, including the policyholder’s details and the details of a third party, if the contract was concluded on that party’s behalf. The conclusion of the contract is then confirmed by an insurance policy. This is a good reason to compare the document you receive with the information you entered during the purchase.
Verifying the information right after purchase is also easier from a practical standpoint. You still remember what information was provided, you have the confirmation email on hand, and you can quickly determine whether the discrepancy is only on the policy or if it was already present in the application. Don't assume the error will correct itself nor that another person will interpret the inconsistent data in accordance with your intention.
However, simply noticing a typo does not necessarily determine the consequences for coverage. There is no basis for claiming that every error automatically invalidates the policy. On the other hand, it should not be taken lightly. Uniqa’s 2020 General Terms and Conditions link the duty to disclose to the circumstances about which the insurer inquired prior to the conclusion of the contract, and the consequences of a breach of this duty apply to undisclosed or false circumstances. Assessing a specific discrepancy therefore requires reference to the specific contract in question, rather than to a universal rule.
What to use as proof of identity
First, determine which document was used at the time of purchase. Use this exact document as a reference. If the form required passport information, compare the insurance policy with the passport, not with the spelling of the last name in another document, a commonly used transliteration, or an online profile.
Check the following one by one:
Next to the first and last name Check each letter, the order, and the spacing. Special attention should be paid to visually similar characters, different transliteration methods, and situations where the form separates the first and last names. Do not correct the spelling at your own discretion: the document used to enter into the contract should serve as the reference.
Passport number Compare the string character by character. Do not assume that the letter „O” and the number „0” or the letter „I” and the number „1” will be considered the same. Also, check your contract to see if your passport number should appear on the policy. If the number is not on the policy, check the other details required in your contract.
Please read the date of birth, the coverage period, and the parties' roles carefully. Treat the date of birth as a full date, not just one year. Also, make sure that the person listed as the insured is indeed the person who is to be covered by the policy, and that the buyer has not been mistakenly listed in their place.
A Typo vs. a Change in the Insured Person
Not every data request is the same. Data Correction This applies to situations where a document was intended from the outset to refer to the same person, but an error occurred in the record—for example, a transposed letter in the last name or an incorrectly transcribed character in the document number. The purpose of the report is then to correct the record to match the information for that same person.
It looks different change in the party covered by the contract. If a policy was issued for one person but is intended to cover someone else after purchase, this is not simply a matter of correcting a typo. Such a request may affect the contract itself and requires an individual assessment in accordance with its terms. Don't ask for a „name change”, if you actually want to change the insured person. State clearly that it is a different person so that the broker or insurer can process the application correctly.
The line may be less clear when there are multiple discrepancies at once. A different first name, last name, date of birth, and document number may suggest that the report does not involve a single error. Identifying the same person is a key criterion. Don't jump to the conclusion on your own that a few changes still constitute a simple correction; present the facts and wait for the assessment from the party administering the contract.
How to Submit a Request for Correction
Contact the broker through whom the contract was concluded, or contact the insurer directly using the channel specified in the policy documents. There is no single, universal procedure that applies to all contracts. However, you can prepare your claim in a way that clearly outlines the problem and the expected outcome.
In your application, please include:
If the entity handling your case requests a copy of a document or another form of verification, submit it only through the designated, appropriate channel. Do not post a photo of your passport in an open message or in a place accessible to outsiders. The recipient of your request should specify what materials are needed and how to submit them.
Describe the discrepancy precisely. Instead of simply stating, „The last name is incorrect,” specify exactly which character appears on the policy and which appears on the document. If the error concerns the passport number, indicate its location or note that the entire number is incorrect. A clear description reduces the risk of another mistake.
Compensa’s General Terms and Conditions of Insurance from 2026 stipulate that, during the term of the contract, the insured must immediately report any changes in the circumstances about which they were asked prior to the conclusion of the contract. This is not a universal guideline for adjusting all policies, but it illustrates why it is not advisable to delay filing such a report. Report any discrepancies as soon as you notice them, without waiting until you need the document.
If you don't understand the answers or the terms of your contract, read the guide, How to explain unclear policy terms. Do not interpret unclear information on your own as consent to the change.
What to Do After Submitting a Report
Save the shipping confirmation and a copy of the claim form. If you receive a case number, write it down along with your policy number. This will make it easier for you to track the correspondence and identify which discrepancy was in question.
Don't assume that simply sending the message changed the document. Ask for written confirmation of how the matter was handled, and after making the correction, also the document with the corrected information. Then compare the entire document again with your identification document. Check not only the corrected character, but also the other information, the coverage period, and the insured person’s identification number.
Don't expect a specific deadline or cost for the revision. Check your policy to see what procedure, deadline, and cost may apply to the adjustment. If time is of the essence for you, indicate this in your request and ask for information on what solution the policy’s terms provide for. A lack of response does not mean automatic approval of the change.
Until the matter is resolved Don't rush out and buy a second policy just because of a typo. First, determine whether the current document can be amended and what the consequences of the chosen solution will be. If the issue involves an actual change to the insured person or the entire contract, a guide on a smooth transition to new insurance coverage during your stay.
After receiving the new document Use the revised version of the policy and keep a record of previous correspondence. If you have already submitted a document regarding a specific matter, ask the appropriate recipient whether they need the revised version. Do not assume that the update will be automatically forwarded outside the insurer’s system.
Frequently asked questions
Does a typo in a last name automatically void the policy?
Such a universal rule cannot be applied. The significance of the error depends on the specific contract, the nature of the discrepancy, and the circumstances that were inquired about when the insurance policy was taken out. Don't ignore the error, but don't assume that your coverage has expired without confirmation. Report the discrepancy and request a review of your policy.
Does every insurance policy have to include a passport number?
Check the data requirements in your contract. The document may contain the information required for a specific process and contract, but you should not apply a single rule to all policies. If a passport number appears on your document, compare it carefully with your passport.
Is the correction always free and done right away?
No. There is no basis for a promise of a free or immediate correction. The procedure, deadline, and any conditions depend on the terms of the specific contract and the type of request. First, determine the type of discrepancy, and then ask for the information specific to your policy.
Can I change the insured person just like I would correct a typo?
These situations should not be treated as the same request. Correcting a person’s information is different from replacing that person with someone else. In the latter case, clearly describe the planned change and wait for confirmation as to whether—and under what conditions—it can be carried out.
What should I keep after filing a report?
Keep a copy of the message, the send confirmation, the case number, the reply, and the document you received after it was corrected. Keep your ticket history in one place, so that, if necessary, you can show when and how you described the problem.
After making a correction, is it enough to check just the one character that was changed?
No. Please review the entire document again: the insured person’s information, the policyholder’s information, the document number, the date of birth, the coverage period, and all other details listed on the policy. Correcting a single field does not exempt you from verifying the entire document.
The best way to handle an error in the data is to remain calm and be precise: compare the policy with the relevant document, distinguish between a mistake and a change in the person’s identity, report the discrepancy, and wait for formal confirmation. If you’re just starting to look for coverage for a foreign national, use the verified purchase form at insurancevisa.com.
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