Insurance in Poland

CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang Posniak i Bejm sp.k.

CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang Posniak i Bejm sp.k.‘s offering spans the entire spectrum of insurance mandates, including contentious and non-contentious work. On the contentious side, the practice provides advice on regulatory and compliance mandates, and on the non-contentious side, the group supports clients with a range of insurance policies, including W&I, D&O, product liability, and cyber insurance policies. Clients in both the life and non-life insurance sectors make up the team’s client base, as well as financial institutions, which it advises on insurer protection issues. With a strong presence across the CEE region, the group is well placed to handle cross-border insurance-related projects. Paweł Wajda spearheads the team with expertise in regulatory and compliance issues, and counsel Adam Jodkowski is adept at handling insurance-related disputes. Counsel Ewa Świderska is also noted.

Practice head(s):

Paweł Wajda


Other key lawyers:

Adam Jodkowski; Patrycja Sikorska-Tuğcu; Ewa Świderska


Testimonials

‘The advantages are diversity and high competence in insurance.’

‘What I value the most is the cooperation with Paweł Wajda. Always available, immediately responds to a request for contact, open to discussion, understanding like no other advisor of the client’s needs.’

‘The firm openly informs about the chance in the case. High substantive competence, the problem is analysed in depth and broadly.’

‘Very good cooperation, quick contact with lawyers, high competence in administrative procedures and procedures before administrative courts.’

‘Paweł Wajda has very good cooperation, quick contact, very high commitment and professionalism in advice and preparation of documents.’

Key clients

Polska Izba Ubezpieczeń


Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń Wzajemnych


InterRisk Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń S.A.


Link4 Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń S.A.


Warta Życie


OpenLife S.A.


TUnŻ Europa S.A.


Uniqa S.A.


Compensa S.A.


Work highlights


  • Advised the Polish Insurance Association on drafting legislation and regulations for the insurance market.
  • Represented a number of insurance companies, including OpenLife, TUnŻ Europa, PZU, Link4 and Compensa, in administrative court proceedings.

DLA Piper Giziński Kycia sp.k.

DLA Piper Giziński Kycia sp.k.‘s insurance group provides a comprehensive service, encompassing regulatory, corporate, litigation and tax work on behalf of domestic and multinational insurance companies and intermediaries. The firm's competences includes support with distribution models, the sale of insurance companies, and representation before the Polish Financial Supervision Authority and the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection. Singled out by one client as ‘the best insurance lawyer in Poland’, Beata Mrozowska-Bartkiewicz sits at the helm of the practice and is additionally praised for being ‘truly skilled in combining her theoretical knowledge with market experience’. Senior associate Dominika Wolf-Jezierska is another key member of the practice, and is well equipped to handle regulatory and contentious mandates.

Practice head(s):

Beata Mrozowska-Bartkiewicz


Other key lawyers:

Dominika Wolf-Jezierska


Testimonials

‘Very experienced with great knowledge of the market and its problems as well as understanding of the clients’ needs and expectations.’

‘Dominika Wolf-Jezierska is client-orientated and her approach meets the very demanding law and regulatory requirements. Always ready to assist in difficult cases and provide advice and service on the highest level.’

‘The team of insurance lawyers is first and foremost extremely competent. In addition, great interdisciplinary cooperation and great responsiveness.’

‘I work with Beata Mrozowska-Bartkiewicz and she is in my opinion the best insurance lawyer in Poland. The highest thing I appreciate in her is competence, responsiveness and an open mind.’

‘Very high competence in the area of law and the insurance market. Good with documentation, opinions and pleadings.’

‘Beata Mrozowska-Bartkiewicz has very extensive experience in the insurance sector.’

‘What I appreciate most are great communication skills, quick response to the needs of the clients, as well as the wide range of knowledge and experience of the people I work with.’

‘I work mostly with Beata Mrozowska-Bartkiewicz, a very knowledgeable and understanding individual, who strives to address client needs in the most effective way. It is also worth highlighting that Beata is truly skilled in combining her theoretical knowledge with market experience.’

Key clients

Allianz


AmTrust International Underwriters DAC


ARAG


Colonnade


Europa


Generali Group


Open Life


PKO Ubezpieczenia


Premfina


PZU Group


Polski Gaz TUW


TUW Polski Zakład Ubezpieczeń Wzajemnych


TUZ TUW


Ubezpieczeniowy Fundusz Gwarancyjny


Zavarovalnica Triglav


American International Group


Aspen Insurance UK Ltd


Zurich Insurance plc


Icen Risks Limited


Hogan Lovells (Warszawa) LLP

Hogan Lovells (Warszawa) LLP‘s impressive client roster covers the entirety of the insurance industry, and spans life and non-life insurers and reinsurers, financial institutions, banks, and intermediaries. The practice offers clients advice on a vast range of mandates, from product work and distribution, financing, and outsourcing, to M&A transactions, reorganisations, insurance business transfers, and reinsurance, as well as handling regulatory mandates. Jointly leading the group are managing partner Beata Balas-Noszczyk, head of the corporate and finance group, and counsel Bartosz Romanowski, chair of the financial institutions and insurance sector department. According to one client, Balas-Noszczyk ‘has exceptional knowledge of the financial market and especially the insurance sector’. Senior associate Karol Ruszkowski is notable for his work on the legal aspects of co-operations between insurers and banks.

Practice head(s):

Beata Balas-Noszczyk; Bartosz Romanowski


Other key lawyers:

Karol Ruszkowski; Dorota Walerjan


Testimonials

‘Deep knowledge of the industry. Very effective communication, quick decision making and recommendations.’

‘Beata Balas-Noszczyk has exceptional knowledge of the financial market and especially the insurance sector; ability to assess matters in a very broad perspective and propose a variety of business solutions. Very transparent communication.’

‘Very good business understanding, very solution oriented and always understand what the client is looking for.’

‘The team is always involved in the case they are working on – from the beginning of the notification and confirmation of the start of work to establishing that we have received what we expected. The support we receive is always at a very high level. Meetings organised at the beginning of work give us the opportunity to determine what we are asking for.’

‘Bartosz Romanowski is always 100% committed to the matter, has knowledge and extensive experience in the field of insurance and solutions related to the consortium model. He is the best insurance legal advisor we have ever worked with. The material received is always of the highest quality and on time. He was able to properly support us in the negotiations with insurance companies.’

‘Excellent legal skills and the best knowledge about the regulatory framework.’

‘Dorota Walerjan is the best advisor we have ever worked with; thanks to her commitment, experience and knowledge, we always receive the highest support.’

‘Excellent knowledge of the insurance and banking sector, high ability to translate legal and regulatory requirements into business efficient solutions combined with transparent and clear communication.’

Key clients

Nationale-Nederlanden Group


Wefox Insurance AG


Digital Care Sp. z o.o.


mBank S.A.


Credit Agricole Group


Bank Millennium S.A.


PSA Finance Polska Sp. z o.o.


CACI Life dac, CACI Non-Life dac


Lloyd’s Group


Stellantis Assurance


D.A.S. Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń Ochrony Prawnej S.A.


Work highlights


  • Advised Bank Millennium S.A. on a strategic bancassurance partnership and on the sale of shares in Millennium Financial Services sp. z o.o.
  • Advised the Nationale-Nederlanden Group on issues connected to the reverse merger process of heavily regulated and supervised life insurance companies.
  • Advised Digital Care Group on the process of obtaining a license to pursue insurance activities.

WKB Lawyers

WKB Lawyers boasts ‘excellent understanding of market practice and trends in insurance and reinsurance areas’, and frequently undertakes M&A transactions in the sector, as well as representing clients in disputes and relevant competition law cases. Domestic and foreign insurers form a significant part of the team’s client roster, in addition to brokers and distributors. Business insurance specialist Jakub Pokrzywniak, who is praised by one client as ‘the best insurance lawyer in Poland’, solely leads the team following previous co-head Tomasz Kwieciński ’s retirement in December 2022. Managing associate Marek Prętki is another notable member of the team, with significant expertise in the non-life insurance sector, and he often advises clients on regulatory matters.

Practice head(s):

Jakub Pokrzywniak


Other key lawyers:

Marek Prętki; Anna Urbańczyk


Testimonials

‘Great market knowledge, extensive insurance experience, attention to detail, and responsiveness.’

‘Great team of outstanding insurance and competition lawyers. They can perfecly combine theoretical background with commercial awareness.’

‘Jakub Pokrzywniak is the best insurance lawyer in Poland. He perfectly combines deep legal knowledge with commercial awareness. He is extremely responsive.’

‘A well-built team of lawyers from various areas of law. High professionalism and knowledge of the market and business.’

‘Jakub Pokrzywniak is a very good and professional lawyer. Open to business relations. Active support in finding the best solutions for clients. High involvement in the market. The highest ethical level.’

‘Excellent understanding of market practice and trends in insurance and reinsurance areas. Looking for and finding solutions, connecting legal requirements with daily insurance and reinsurance business.’

‘Very deep knowledge of insurance and reinsurance rules and practice. Excellent experience in areas of corporate, energy and public procurement legal regulations. The best personal example of this is Jakub Pokrzywniak.’

Key clients

Baloise Vie Luxemburg S.A


Chubb European Group SE Branch in Poland


ČSOB Pojišťovna, a. s.


Generali Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń S.A.


InterRisk TU S.A. VIG


Korporacja Ubezpieczeń Kredytów Eksportowych S.A.


Open Life TU Życie S.A.


Polska Izba Ubezpieczeń


Powszechny Zakład Ubezpieczeń S.A.


Powszechny Zakład Ubezpieczeń na Życie S.A.


PZU Pomoc S.A.


PWS Konstanta S.A.


Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń i Reasekuracji Allianz Polska S.A.


Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń Allianz Życie Polska S.A.


Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń na Życie Europa S.A


Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń Europa S. A.


Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń i Reasekuracji Warta SA


TUW Polski Zakład Ubezpieczeń Wzajemnych


Vienna Life Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń na Życie S.A.


Work highlights


  • Advised Tu Europa S.A. and TUnŻ Europa S.A. on a strategic bancassurance transaction involving the acquisition of 80% of the shares in Millennium Financial Services by two Talanx Group companies of Bank Millennium.
  • Advised Chubb European Group SE Branch in Poland on the adaptation of several common law general terms of insurance to the requirements of Polish law and market practice.
  • Acted on behalf of Uniqa TU S.A. in lodging a cassation appeal to the Supreme Court regarding MTPL insurance.

Baker McKenzie Krzyzowski i Wspólnicy Sp.k.

Baker McKenzie Krzyżowski i Wspólnicy Sp.k. handles a wide range of insurance-related matters, including reinsurance claims, policy drafting, regulatory mandates, corporate matters, and compliance issues, as well as relevant acquisitions and investments. Its client roster includes international and local insurers and reinsurers, captives, insurance intermediaries, and self-regulatory bodies. Sebastian Pabian oversees the team with extensive experience in litigation and arbitration matters. Jerzy Bombczyński joined the team at the end of 2022 from the Polish Development Fund, and he now leads the financial services regulatory and investment funds practice in Warsaw.

Practice head(s):

Sebastian Pabian


Other key lawyers:

Jerzy Bombczyńsk


Testimonials

‘Very experienced with great knowledge of the market and its problems.’

‘Sebastian Pabian presents a client-orientated approach which meets the very demanding law and regulatory requirements.’

Key clients

TUiR Allianz Polska S.A.


Colonnade Insurance S.A. Branch in Poland


AIG Europe S.A.


Meiji Yasuda


Link4 Towarzystwo Ubezpieczeń S.A.


Generali T.U. S.A.


Work highlights


  • Represented TUiR Allianz Polska, Colonnade Insurance S.A. Branch in Poland and AIG Europe S.A. in both loss-adjustment and court proceedings regarding insurance claims under D&O, PI, and BBB insurance policies.
  • Advised Meiji Yasuda on Polish legislation and its recent changes concerning the operation of the insurance company.
  • Represented TUiR Allianz Polska S.A. in a PLN30m court dispute relating to a D&O insurance policy issued by Allianz to Optigis S.A.

Czublun and Associates Law Office

Piotr Czublun and Agnieszka Wesołowska jointly head up the practice at Czublun and Associates Law Office, which advises a range of clients, including insurance companies and intermediaries, banks, and leasing companies. Key areas of work for the practice include developing distribution models for insurance products, establishing insurance companies, and providing representation before the Polish Financial Supervision Authority.

Practice head(s):

Piotr Czublun; Agnieszka Wesołowska


Other key lawyers:

Julita Nowak; Justyna Nerko


Testimonials

‘Exceptional knowledge of the finance industry. Feeling of being taken care of whenever it is needed. Understandable, tailored and to-the-point advice. Great project management skills.’

‘Agnieszka Wesołowska, Julita Nowak, and Piotr Czublun are always professional, able to provide 360 degree advice that is understandable and easy to implement. Regulatory, finance and insurance support is exceptional. Reliable partners for our finance business.’

Work highlights


  • Advised a client on all insurance-related aspects in a project regarding the development of a new pan-European model of insurance distribution within a group of EU-based leasing and financing companies, including but not limited to establishing an agency company in Poland for compliance regulatory requirements under the Act on insurance distribution.
  • Advised a client on the establishment of a digital platform for the distribution of various products.
  • Representing a client in two court cases in relation to settlements with a network of partner branches of a major bank in Poland in connection with the sale of group insurance policies.

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka

Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka‘s clientele includes insurers, insurance brokers, policyholders, and public bodies, and sectors of note for the group are the manufacturing, construction, financial, and commerce industries. Its offering encompasses regulatory advice, support with taking-out policies, and representation in insurance claims, especially those concerning D&O, W&I, product liability, and property insurance. Julita Zimoch-Tuchołka oversees the department with expertise in cross-border insurance mandates. Joanna Schubel departed in July 2023 to join Tomczykowski Tomczykowska Sp. z o.o..

Practice head(s):

Julita Zimoch-Tuchołka


Testimonials

‘Domanski Zakrzewski Palinka provides clear, readily accessible advice, often on very tight deadlines. They have been consistently excellent throughout this time and are our go-to firm in Poland.’

‘Julita Zimoch-Tuchołka has been a pleasure to work with. She has been consistently excellent in insurance and regulatory topics and always available on short notice, turning things around quickly.’

Key clients

Renomia


Port Authority of Gdynia


Aon


Greenval Insurance


Acquis Insurance


Gartenbau


Port Authority of the Port of Gdynia


TAURON S.A.


Tokio Marine Europe HCC


BACH LANGHEID DALLMAYR


EPRO Sp. Z o.o.


YIT Polska


WKI Isoliertechnik


Turka


Work highlights


  • Advised RENOMIA on the acquisition of 65% of the shareholding in Alfa Brokers sp. z o.o.
  • Advising Aon, a leading international insurance broker, on various matters, including compliance, AML, and whistleblowing regulations.

DWF Poland Jamka Sp.k

DWF Poland Jamka Sp.k counts insurance companies and insurance distributors among its client base, and its offering encompasses claims management, advice on coverage, support with M&A transactions, and assistance with regulatory and compliance issues. The team is led by Paweł Stykowski and frequently advises clients on entering the Polish market. Stykowski is ably supported by corporate lawyer Anna Wietrzyńska-Ciołkowska, who is active in relevant transactional and restructuring mandates.

Practice head(s):

Paweł Stykowski


Other key lawyers:

Anna Wietrzyńska-Ciołkowska


Testimonials

‘Unique experience and in-depth knowledge of the market, clear and business-oriented advice, and responsiveness.’

‘Paweł Stykowski is a notable insurance practitioner. He has exceptional knowledge about the insurance market, knows the business processes and products, and liaises with regulators on a daily basis. Always provides tailored solutions that are to the point and in line with business needs.’

‘DWF Poland has a very good team with competent people. They are fast and flexible.’

Key clients

PZU S.A.


PZU Życie S.A.


Polish Insurance Association


Teufelberger GmbH


Ryan Specialty Group


Alta Signa


Work highlights


  • Supporting the Polish Insurance Association with drafting a report on how insurance regulators in several European countries consult their draft guidelines.
  • Advised the Unitrailer group’s shareholder on obtaining the title policy in the course of the sale of the Temared Group.
  • Advised Teufelberger on obtaining the W&I and title policies related to the joint acquisition of 100% of the shares in Marflex – M.J. Maillis Poland Sp. z o.o., a part of the Maillis Group, together with a US based co-investor, Sigma Plastics Group.