Recent weeks have brought a wave of legislative proposals that are set to significantly affect the daily lives of Poles – from increased security of personal data, to greater flexibility in dealing with insurers, to modern features in the mCitizen app. Below are the most important proposed changes that the government is currently working on. These are not only legislative adjustments, but also reflect a broader trend: the drive to simplify procedures, digitalise the state and increase consumer protection in an increasingly digital reality.
Safeguarding against the conclusion of third-party liability contracts with stolen data
One of the most eagerly awaited draft amendments is the amendment of the Act on Compulsory Insurance and the Act on Population Registration, which aims to increase the protection of citizens against fraudulent motor insurance policies. This is because it is becoming increasingly common for criminals to use stolen data – including PESEL numbers – to conclude third-party liability contracts. The current legislation does not give insurance companies any possibility to verify whether the customer’s PESEL has been previously restricted, which exposes citizens to long-term legal and financial problems. The proposed law envisages granting insurers the right to verify whether the PESEL number has been restricted – and if so, allowing them to refuse to conclude a contract. Importantly, the catalogue of institutions with access to data on PESEL reservations will be expanded – the Insurance Guarantee Fund will also join insurance companies. The draft, although still at the opinion stage, is gaining wide support as an important step towards real personal data protection.
Electronic communication with the insurer throughout the life of the contract
In an era of increasing digitalisation and consumer habits to handle matters online, another draft amendment to the Mandatory Insurance Act meets customer expectations. The new provisions are intended to allow policyholders to consent to electronic communication with the insurer not only when concluding a contract, but also at any time during the term of the contract. Currently, many customers face unnecessary restrictions – if they do not mark their consent electronically at the beginning, they can no longer switch to the convenient form of online contact later. The project addresses three key areas: motor vehicle third party liability, farmers’ third party liability and compulsory insurance for buildings forming part of farms. In practice, this means less paper, more convenience for customers and a faster flow of information. The planned amendment is expected to be adopted later this quarter, and its implementation could significantly improve insurance service processes – especially for rural residents and sole traders.
New features in mObywatel: mStłuczka, e-signature and AI-assistant
One of the most innovative projects is the amendment to the mObywatel app law, which opens up new possibilities for millions of Poles using public services via their smartphone. The app, which has already become an integral part of many citizens’ lives, will gain new functionalities such as mStłuczka – a tool for reporting a road collision quickly and safely. An intelligent assistant, based on artificial intelligence technology, will also be introduced to help users deal with official matters or use public services. What is more, the application will allow documents to be signed with a personal signature – without the need for external tools. Teachers will gain the ability to use mLegitymacja and students will gain the ability to use digital school ID cards. The project fulfils the government’s deregulatory goals, and its adoption by the Sejm and referral to the Senate and the President means that the new features could be coming soon. This is a milestone towards the full digitalisation of the state and the facilitation of citizens’ everyday affairs.
Easier termination of a third-party liability contract after the purchase of a vehicle
Another bill addresses a real problem faced by people buying used vehicles – the automatic transfer of the third party liability contract to the new owner. The amendment gives the vehicle owner the possibility to terminate the OC contract at a date indicated by him/her, as long as it is not earlier than the date of the declaration. The previous provisions were inflexible on this point and often resulted in purchasers having to pay premiums they did not use. The proposed changes not only increase transparency, but also make it easier to manage insurance obligations after the purchase of a car. This is particularly important in the context of the dynamic used vehicle market in Poland, where hundreds of thousands of such transactions take place annually. The project is part of the government’s deregulation efforts and can significantly simplify the daily lives of drivers.
REGON and PESEL together in the system – better risk assessment
Another bill focuses on improving the efficiency of the insurance risk assessment system. The Insurance Guarantee Fund, as a central information centre, is to be given the right to collect in its registers not only the REGON number, but also the PESEL number of natural persons conducting business. Such data will allow insurance companies to identify customers more effectively and to better assess insurance risks. Currently, the lack of a PESEL number in the register makes it difficult to unambiguously attribute information to a specific person, which can lead to errors in assessment and decisions on policy terms. The new rules benefit both insurers – who will be able to better calculate risks – and customers, who can expect more relevant offers. The draft is currently in the opinion stage.
Financial penalty? Only when necessary
Finally, an important change concerning the mechanism for imposing fines on insurance companies. Until now, in the case of untimely payment of compensation, failure to comply with information obligations or delays in handling foreign claims, the supervisory authority was obliged to impose a penalty. The amendment introduces the principle of optionality – supervision will be able, but not obliged, to impose sanctions. This is a significant change in supervisory philosophy – from automatism towards an analysis of the specific situation. This will allow for a more flexible approach that takes into account the specifics of the case, such as the reasons for the delay or the corrective action taken by the insurer. This project is part of a deregulatory and pro-development approach to business law, promoting accountability rather than rigid punishment.
The above drafts show a clear direction of legislative change: greater protection of personal data, digitisation of public services, simplification for citizens and entrepreneurs and more rational control of the insurance market. All indications are that the coming months will bring concrete improvements that we will feel in our daily lives – whether as drivers, entrepreneurs or mobile app users. The legislator is not only responding to social needs, but is also anticipating threats by introducing modern, systemic solutions.