How do you manage your insurance policy if you don't speak Polish?

A lack of fluency in Polish does not have to prevent a foreign national from purchasing or later managing a medical expense insurance policy. However, it does require proper preparation. Before signing the contract, it’s a good idea to check the language used by the hotline, emergency center, forms, and documents, and before reporting an incident, gather the information necessary to identify the policy and the insured person’s situation. If a family member or interpreter is to assist with communication, you should agree in advance with the insurer on the terms of their involvement and the process for relaying information. The availability of a specific language should not be assumed in advance — It may depend on the product you choose, the contact channel, and the time of your inquiry. A few simple steps taken before making a purchase can help you avoid having to improvise when you need immediate assistance.

How to Check the Language of the User Interface Before Purchasing

Check the language information separately for each method of contact. A multilingual sales website does not determine the language of subsequent communication with the emergency call center. The consultant assisting with the purchase does not have to speak the same languages as the person receiving the incident report.

Before purchasing, ask about:

Your question should be specific: „In what language can I report an incident and receive instructions?” Next, check whether the answer refers to a phone call, a form, or another channel specified in the documents. If you receive it in writing, Keep the response along with the policy. Be sure to also note the date you checked this and the product name. Do not treat this information as a guarantee that the rules will never change.

UNIQA’s 2020 General Terms and Conditions state that information from the emergency call center is provided in Polish. This is an example that illustrates why one should not apply the terms of a single policy to all products. Before making an urgent contact, always use the current information provided in your own policy documents.

If you're still having trouble understanding the terms and conditions, check out What to Do When the Policy Terms Are Unclear.

Help from a trusted person or an interpreter

A trusted person can help you understand the questions, sort out the facts, and interpret the conversation. However, their presence does not mean that the insurer will automatically share information about the policy or your health status with them. First, establish the rules for representing the insured person.

Before the conversation, ask:

UNIQA’s General Terms and Conditions of Insurance from 2020 require the provision of a phone number at which the emergency call center can contact the insured or their representative, as well as the option to grant the necessary powers of attorney. This is not a promise that an interpreter will be provided. Rather, it shows that Consent and a power of attorney may be required depending on how the case is handled.

Before contacting us, please also make sure to scope of data provided. The person assisting does not need to know the entire story if their role is limited to interpreting the current conversation. Discuss what information they may share and whether they should respond on behalf of the insured person. This clarification minimizes the risk that, under time pressure, information unrelated to the purpose of the conversation will be disclosed.

Additional formalities may apply in the case of medical information. For example, Compensa’s General Insurance Terms and Conditions (OWU) from 2026 provide for the possibility of requesting written consent to obtain information from service providers when necessary to assess a claim. Please check your policy documentation for the exact requirements.

What to Prepare Before Contacting Your Insurance Company

A brief, well-organized note reduces the risk that important information will be lost during translation. It should contain only the facts necessary to identify the policy, the situation, and the expected assistance.

Prepare:

This procedure is in accordance with the information set forth in the 2020 UNIQA General Terms and Conditions. When contacting the emergency call center, you should explain the circumstances, specify the assistance needed, and provide the basic details of the insurance policy and the insured person.

In your description, include the following in this order: what happened, when and where the incident occurred, what assistance is needed, and the phone number to contact the insured person or their representative. Do not include any assumptions. If you are using an interpreter, you can prepare the same brief note in Polish and in a language you are fluent in.

If you file a claim at a later date, you may need to provide a description of the circumstances, medical records, invoices, receipts, and proof of payment. Keep your documents from the start of the case, but don't assume that the same list applies to every policy. The exact set depends on the product and the occasion and should be based on the terms of your own policy and the insurer's instructions.

Before submitting the form, check the spelling of your last name and policy number. If a field is unclear, ask for an explanation of what it means. Do not guess the answers regarding the incident or the documentation.

Comparison of KLC Policy Prices for 12 Months

Prices are taken from the retailers’ online calculators and were retrieved on October 26, 2026. The specified policyholder profiles were compared; in each case, Polisarium was the least expensive among the offers retrieved. The offer cards will appear directly below this paragraph.

How to Conduct an Interview, Step by Step

Start by Determining the language and the role of the helper. Let them know that the insured person is present but needs language assistance. Ask how you can verify their identity and confirm their consent to have another person participate in the conversation. Do not share any data through a third party without first agreeing on the terms.

Next, provide your policy number, first and last name, and phone number. Briefly describe the circumstances and the type of assistance you need. If the consultant’s question is unclear, ask them to repeat it in simpler terms. The interpreter should translate what is said, not fill in the gaps with their own assumptions.

Finally, make a note of the instructions you receive. Repeat them in your own words and ask for confirmation that you have understood them correctly. Write down which documents need to be submitted, through which channel, and whether any additional consent or power of attorney is required. Keep the insurer's instructions separate from your own notes.

A practical outline for the conversation:

1. determining the available language;
2. verification of the insured person's identity;
3. arranging for an interpreter or representative to be present;
4. providing the policy information and a description of the situation;
5. Save the instructions and the list of required documents.

Frequently asked questions

The process of managing a policy without a good command of Polish begins even before you purchase it. First, check the language and contact guidelines with the insurer, then prepare the necessary policy information, a description of the situation, and identify a person who will assist with communication—after first agreeing with the insurer on the terms of their involvement and the sharing of information. If you are looking for a medical expense insurance policy for a foreign national, use the verified purchase form available on insurancevisa.com.