# Polish — Transport and Insurance Sub-Lexicon

Combines Polish-language transport and insurance vocabulary. Part 1 covers maritime, road, rail, air and multimodal transport: carriage contracts, bills of lading, charterparties, freight forwarding, carrier liability. Part 2 covers insurance contracts, life and non-life lines, reinsurance, brokers, claims handling and regulatory framework. Marine/transport insurance (cargo, hull, P&I, carrier liability) sits at the intersection.

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## Part 1 — Transport and Shipping

Maps Polish shipping, maritime, road, rail and air transport vocabulary to
correct English equivalents. Covers carriage contracts, liability regimes,
multimodal transport, freight forwarding and transport regulatory framework.

## Regulatory Framework

| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| Kodeks morski | Maritime Code |
| Prawo przewozowe | Transport Law Act |
| ustawa o transporcie drogowym | Road Transport Act |
| ustawa o transporcie kolejowym | Rail Transport Act |
| Prawo lotnicze | Aviation Law |
| ustawa o żegludze śródlądowej | Inland Waterways Navigation Act |
| Urząd Transportu Kolejowego (UTK) | Railway Transport Office |
| Urząd Lotnictwa Cywilnego (ULC) | Civil Aviation Authority |
| Urząd Morski | Maritime Office |
| Główny Inspektorat Transportu Drogowego (GITD) | Chief Road Transport Inspectorate |
| Inspekcja Transportu Drogowego (ITD) | Road Transport Inspection |

## Parties and Actors

| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| przewoźnik | carrier |
| nadawca / załadowca | consignor / shipper |
| odbiorca | consignee |
| spedytor | freight forwarder |
| agent morski | shipping agent |
| makler morski | ship broker |
| armator | shipowner (operator) |
| właściciel statku | owner of the vessel |
| czarterujący | charterer |
| kapitan | master (captain) |
| załoga | crew |
| pilot morski | maritime pilot |
| holownik | tug |
| port | port |
| zarządca portu | port authority |

## Road Transport

| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| umowa przewozu drogowego towarów | road carriage contract (goods) |
| umowa przewozu osób | passenger carriage contract |
| list przewozowy | consignment note |
| list przewozowy CMR | CMR consignment note |
| Konwencja CMR | CMR Convention |
| licencja transportowa | transport licence |
| zezwolenie na wykonywanie zawodu przewoźnika | road transport operator authorisation |
| tachograf | tachograph |
| czas pracy kierowców | drivers' working time |
| pakiet mobilności | Mobility Package |
| ADR (przewóz towarów niebezpiecznych) | ADR (dangerous goods transport) |
| kabotaż | cabotage |
| opłata drogowa / e-TOLL | road toll / e-TOLL |
| odszkodowanie za opóźnienie przewozu | compensation for delay |

## Rail Transport

| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| umowa przewozu kolejowego | rail carriage contract |
| Konwencja COTIF / CIM / CIV | COTIF / CIM / CIV Convention |
| list przewozowy CIM | CIM consignment note |
| bilet kolejowy | rail ticket |
| dostęp do infrastruktury kolejowej | access to rail infrastructure |
| opłata za dostęp do torów | track access charge |
| PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe | PKP Polish Rail Lines (infrastructure manager) |
| przewoźnik kolejowy | rail carrier |
| aplikant o przydział trasy | applicant for path allocation |
| PLK IRN (regulamin sieci) | Network Statement |

## Maritime Transport

| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| umowa przewozu morzem | contract of carriage by sea |
| konosament (bill of lading) | bill of lading |
| konosament imienny / na zlecenie / na okaziciela | straight / order / bearer bill of lading |
| konosament morski (ocean B/L) | ocean bill of lading |
| konosament kombinowany | combined transport bill of lading |
| list przewozowy morski (sea waybill) | sea waybill |
| czarter | charter |
| czarter na czas (time charter) | time charter |
| czarter na podróż (voyage charter) | voyage charter |
| czarter bareboat | bareboat charter |
| czarterpartia | charterparty |
| reguły hasko-visbijskie | Hague-Visby Rules |
| Reguły Hamburskie | Hamburg Rules |
| Reguły Rotterdamskie | Rotterdam Rules |
| ograniczenie odpowiedzialności armatora | shipowner's limitation of liability |
| Konwencja LLMC | LLMC Convention |
| awaria wspólna | general average |
| zastaw na ładunku | lien on cargo |
| demurrage / despatch | demurrage / despatch |
| laytime | laytime |
| Incoterms | Incoterms |
| FOB / CIF / CFR / DAP / DDP | FOB / CIF / CFR / DAP / DDP |
| rejestr okrętowy | ship register |
| bandera / flaga | flag |

## Freight Forwarding

| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| umowa spedycji | freight forwarding contract |
| zlecenie spedycyjne | forwarding order |
| potwierdzenie przyjęcia zlecenia | confirmation of acceptance |
| FBL (FIATA Bill of Lading) | FBL (FIATA Bill of Lading) |
| FCR (Forwarder's Certificate of Receipt) | FCR |
| OPWS (Ogólne Polskie Warunki Spedycyjne) | General Polish Forwarding Conditions |
| NVOCC | non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) |
| operator logistyczny | logistics operator |
| magazynowanie / cross-docking | warehousing / cross-docking |

## Multimodal and Intermodal

| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| przewóz multimodalny / kombinowany | multimodal / combined transport |
| operator transportu multimodalnego (MTO) | multimodal transport operator (MTO) |
| kontener | container |
| jednostka transportowa | loading unit |
| terminal intermodalny | intermodal terminal |
| transport drobnicowy / masowy | break-bulk / bulk transport |
| konwencje unimodalne | unimodal conventions |

## Air Transport

| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| umowa przewozu lotniczego | air carriage contract |
| Konwencja Montrealska | Montreal Convention |
| Konwencja Warszawska | Warsaw Convention |
| lotniczy list przewozowy (AWB) | airway bill (AWB) |
| master AWB / house AWB | MAWB / HAWB |
| rozporządzenie 261/2004 (prawa pasażerów) | Regulation 261/2004 (passenger rights) |
| odszkodowanie za odwołanie / opóźnienie lotu | flight-cancellation / delay compensation |
| IATA | IATA |

## Liability and Insurance

| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| odpowiedzialność przewoźnika | carrier's liability |
| ograniczenie kwotowe odpowiedzialności | monetary limitation of liability |
| SDR (specjalne prawo ciągnienia) | SDR (Special Drawing Rights) |
| zwłoka przewoźnika | carrier's default |
| reklamacja | claim notification |
| ubezpieczenie OC przewoźnika drogowego | road carrier's liability insurance |
| ubezpieczenie OC spedytora | forwarder's liability insurance |
| ubezpieczenie cargo | cargo insurance |
| klauzule instytutowe (ICC A/B/C) | Institute Cargo Clauses (A/B/C) |
| P&I Club | P&I Club (protection and indemnity) |

## Notes

- **Kodeks morski**: Act of 18 September 2001. Comprehensive maritime statute governing
  vessels, shipowner liability, carriage of goods and passengers by sea, salvage, general
  average, maritime liens and mortgages, and maritime claims. Extensive transposition of
  international conventions (COLREG, SOLAS, MARPOL, LLMC, CLC, HNS). References to
  "kodeks morski" should be translated as "Maritime Code".
- **Prawo przewozowe (Transport Law Act)**: Act of 15 November 1984, extensively amended.
  Governs domestic road, rail and inland water carriage. International carriage is
  governed by international conventions (CMR for road, COTIF/CIM for rail). The
  Transport Law Act provides general rules for domestic transport; international
  conventions prevail for international transport.
- **CMR Convention**: International carriage of goods by road is governed by the CMR
  (Geneva, 1956). Polish courts apply CMR directly. Limitation of liability is 8.33 SDR
  per kg of gross weight lost (art. 23 § 3). Claim-notification periods and
  time-bars (1 year general, 3 years for wilful misconduct — art. 32) are strict.
  Flag consistently in claims correspondence.
- **Mobility Package**: EU Regulations 2020/1054 and 2020/1055 substantially reform road
  transport operator rules (driving/rest times, cabotage restrictions, posting of
  drivers). Poland has actively litigated these rules at CJEU. Operational impact on
  Polish carriers is significant.
- **Bills of lading**: The bill of lading (konosament) remains the central maritime
  document of title under Polish law. Three types: imienny (straight — named consignee
  only), na zlecenie (order — transferable by endorsement), na okaziciela (bearer —
  transferable by delivery). Electronic bills of lading (e-B/L) are developing but not
  yet fully integrated into Polish law.
- **Charterparties**: Polish practice follows international standard forms (BIMCO,
  GENCON, NYPE, SHELLTIME, etc.) typically drafted in English. Translation usually
  involves ancillary Polish documents (invoices, agency instructions) rather than the
  charterparty itself. Flag demurrage and laytime calculations carefully.
- **Konwencja LLMC**: Polish law (Maritime Code chapter 9) incorporates the LLMC
  (Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976 as amended by the
  1996 Protocol). Shipowners may limit liability by reference to vessel tonnage. Limits
  were raised in 2015 to current SDR amounts.
- **Freight forwarding — umowa spedycji**: Distinct civil-law contract type under KC
  arts. 794–804, separate from carriage. The forwarder undertakes to arrange carriage
  (not to carry). However, where the forwarder performs or represents it performs the
  carriage, it becomes liable as a carrier. Boundaries are frequently litigated —
  translate consistently.
- **OPWS (General Polish Forwarding Conditions)**: Industry-standard general terms
  promulgated by the Polish International Freight Forwarders Association (PISiL).
  Widely incorporated in Polish forwarding contracts by reference. Include monetary
  limitations of liability. Highlight when flagged in contracts.
- **Aviation — Regulation 261/2004**: EU air passenger rights regulation with
  substantial litigation track record. Polish courts actively apply. ULC (Civil Aviation
  Authority) maintains a complaints procedure. Fixed compensation tiers (EUR 250/400/600)
  depending on route length.
- **Rail access — IRN (Network Statement)**: PKP Polish Rail Lines publishes the annual
  Network Statement (Regulamin Sieci) setting conditions for rail-infrastructure
  access. Charges are subject to UTK oversight. Applicants include licensed rail
  undertakings, non-operator applicants (shippers), and infrastructure managers.
- **Dangerous goods — ADR / RID / IMDG**: International regimes transposed in Poland via
  the Act on Carriage of Dangerous Goods of 19 August 2011. Separate certification,
  training and labelling requirements apply. Flag in shipping documents for hazmat
  cargoes.
- **Incoterms**: Polish commercial practice routinely uses Incoterms 2020 (most recent
  revision). Translate Incoterms codes unchanged; explanatory text may need translation
  adjustment. Link with import VAT, customs and insurance structuring.

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## Part 2 — Insurance and Reinsurance

Maps Polish insurance vocabulary to correct English equivalents.
Covers insurance contracts under k.c. and the Insurance Activity Act, life and
non-life lines, reinsurance, brokers and regulatory framework.

## Parties and Contract Structure

| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| umowa ubezpieczenia | insurance contract |
| polisa ubezpieczeniowa | insurance policy |
| ogólne warunki ubezpieczenia (OWU) | general terms and conditions of insurance |
| szczególne warunki ubezpieczenia | special terms and conditions |
| ubezpieczyciel / zakład ubezpieczeń | insurer / insurance undertaking |
| ubezpieczający | policyholder |
| ubezpieczony | insured person |
| uposażony (life insurance) | beneficiary |
| uprawniony | entitled person |
| agent ubezpieczeniowy | insurance agent |
| agent wyłączny / multiagent | tied agent / multi-agent |
| broker ubezpieczeniowy | insurance broker |
| likwidator szkód | claims adjuster |
| pośrednik ubezpieczeniowy | insurance intermediary |
| rekomendacja brokerska | broker's recommendation |

## Risk, Sum Insured and Premium

| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| ryzyko ubezpieczeniowe | insurance risk |
| przedmiot ubezpieczenia | subject matter of insurance |
| zakres ubezpieczenia | scope of cover |
| suma ubezpieczenia | sum insured |
| suma gwarancyjna | sum guaranteed (liability line) |
| limit odpowiedzialności | limit of liability |
| udział własny / franszyza | deductible / excess |
| franszyza integralna | integral deductible |
| składka ubezpieczeniowa | insurance premium |
| składka jednorazowa / okresowa | single / periodic premium |
| stawka składki | premium rate |
| karencja | waiting period |
| okres ubezpieczenia | period of insurance |
| okres ochrony | coverage period |
| klauzula automatycznego przedłużenia | automatic renewal clause |

## Coverage Concepts

| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| zdarzenie ubezpieczeniowe / wypadek ubezpieczeniowy | insured event |
| szkoda | loss |
| szkoda całkowita / częściowa | total / partial loss |
| szkoda rzeczowa | property damage |
| szkoda osobowa | bodily injury |
| szkoda pośrednia / następcza | consequential loss |
| szkoda spowodowana winą umyślną | wilful misconduct loss |
| wyłączenie odpowiedzialności / wyłączenie ochrony | exclusion |
| wyłączenia OWU | policy exclusions |
| klauzula dodatkowa / rozszerzenie ochrony | additional clause / coverage extension |
| trigger (claims-made / occurrence / losses-discovered) | trigger |
| retroaktywność ochrony | retroactive date |
| tail cover / period | tail cover |

## Non-Life Lines

| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| ubezpieczenie odpowiedzialności cywilnej (OC) | third-party liability insurance |
| OC ogólne / deliktowe | general / delictual liability |
| OC kontraktowe | contractual liability |
| OC pracodawcy | employer's liability |
| OC zawodowe | professional indemnity insurance |
| OC członków zarządu (D&O) | directors and officers liability (D&O) |
| OC produktu | product liability |
| OC przewoźnika | carrier's liability |
| OC spedytora | freight forwarder's liability |
| cyberubezpieczenie | cyber insurance |
| ubezpieczenie majątku / mienia | property insurance |
| ubezpieczenie all-risk / od ryzyk nazwanych | all-risks / named-perils |
| ubezpieczenie CAR / EAR | contractor's all risks / erection all risks |
| ubezpieczenie techniczne | engineering insurance |
| ubezpieczenie maszyn od awarii (MB) | machinery breakdown |
| ubezpieczenie utraty zysku (BI) | business interruption |
| ubezpieczenie cargo / transportowe | cargo / marine transport insurance |
| ubezpieczenie autocasco (AC) | motor own-damage |
| OC posiadaczy pojazdów | compulsory third-party motor liability |
| zielona karta | Green Card |
| ubezpieczenie turystyczne | travel insurance |
| ubezpieczenie kredytu | credit insurance |
| ubezpieczenie należności | trade credit insurance |
| gwarancja ubezpieczeniowa | insurance guarantee |

## Life and Health

| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| ubezpieczenie na życie | life insurance |
| ubezpieczenie na życie i dożycie | endowment insurance |
| ubezpieczenie terminowe | term life insurance |
| ubezpieczenie z UFK (unit-linked) | unit-linked life insurance |
| ubezpieczenie grupowe | group insurance |
| ubezpieczenie zdrowotne | health insurance |
| ubezpieczenie następstw nieszczęśliwych wypadków (NNW) | personal accident insurance |
| ubezpieczenie chorobowe | sickness insurance |
| ubezpieczenie kapitałowe | endowment / with-profit |
| świadczenie | benefit (payment) |
| wykup polisy | policy surrender |
| wartość wykupu | surrender value |

## Reinsurance

| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| reasekuracja | reinsurance |
| umowa reasekuracyjna | reinsurance treaty |
| reasekuracja proporcjonalna / nieproporcjonalna | proportional / non-proportional reinsurance |
| kwota / ekcedent (quota share / surplus) | quota share / surplus |
| stop-loss / excess of loss | stop-loss / excess of loss |
| fakultatywna / obligatoryjna | facultative / treaty |
| cedent | cedent (ceding insurer) |
| reasekurator | reinsurer |
| cession limit / cession percentage | cession limit / percentage |

## Claims and Litigation

| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| zgłoszenie szkody | claim notification |
| postępowanie likwidacyjne | claims handling / adjustment |
| likwidacja szkody | claims settlement |
| odszkodowanie | indemnity / compensation |
| wypłata świadczenia | payment of benefit |
| regres | subrogation / recourse |
| roszczenie regresowe | subrogation claim |
| ugoda (settlement agreement) | settlement agreement |
| roszczenie bezsporne / sporne | undisputed / disputed claim |
| roszczenie przedawnione | time-barred claim |
| przedawnienie roszczeń z umowy ubezpieczenia (k.c. art. 819) | limitation of insurance claims |

## Regulators and Framework

| Polish | English |
|---|---|
| Komisja Nadzoru Finansowego (KNF) | Polish Financial Supervision Authority |
| Rzecznik Finansowy | Financial Ombudsman |
| Ubezpieczeniowy Fundusz Gwarancyjny (UFG) | Insurance Guarantee Fund |
| Polskie Biuro Ubezpieczycieli Komunikacyjnych (PBUK) | Polish Motor Insurers' Bureau |
| Polska Izba Ubezpieczeń (PIU) | Polish Chamber of Insurance |
| ustawa o działalności ubezpieczeniowej i reasekuracyjnej | Insurance and Reinsurance Activity Act |
| ustawa o dystrybucji ubezpieczeń | Insurance Distribution Act (IDD implementation) |
| ustawa o ubezpieczeniach obowiązkowych | Compulsory Insurance Act |
| Solvency II | Solvency II |
| PRIIP / IDD | PRIIP / IDD |
| ustawa o działalności Ubezpieczeniowego Funduszu Gwarancyjnego | Insurance Guarantee Fund Act |

## Notes

- **Polish insurance contract law**: Governed by k.c. arts. 805–834 (general rules) and
  the Insurance and Reinsurance Activity Act of 11 September 2015 (prudential and
  regulatory framework). Special lines have dedicated provisions (e.g., motor,
  agricultural, life). The Insurance Distribution Act of 15 December 2017 implements the
  IDD Directive.
- **Limitation of claims (art. 819 k.c.)**: Claims under an insurance contract are
  time-barred after 3 years. For third-party liability claims, the limitation period
  matches the limitation for the underlying claim. Reporting a claim to the insurer
  suspends the limitation period until the insurer delivers a decision. Highlight in
  translations — this is a key operational rule.
- **"Obligatoryjne ubezpieczenie OC"**: Polish law mandates third-party liability
  insurance for specific activities (motor vehicle owners, farmers, various professions
  including advocates, notaries, auditors, architects, brokers, real-estate agents).
  Minimum sums are set by regulation — check current figures.
- **UFG (Insurance Guarantee Fund)**: Covers claims against uninsured/unidentified motor
  liabilities and insolvent insurers for motor and farming lines. Funded by insurer
  contributions. Polish equivalent of motor-vehicle compensation funds elsewhere.
- **D&O insurance — Polish specifics**: Covers civil liability of directors and officers
  under k.s.h. arts. 293 (sp. z o.o.) and 483 (S.A.) and tax liability under Tax
  Ordinance art. 116. Standard exclusions for wilful misconduct apply; regulatory fines
  (e.g., UOKiK, KNF) have specific treatment. Flag in corporate translations.
- **"Klauzula pro rata temporis" and premium adjustment**: Polish practice typically
  provides for pro-rata-temporis premium adjustments on early termination. For compulsory
  motor insurance, specific statutory rules apply on policy transfer upon vehicle sale
  (art. 31 Compulsory Insurance Act).
- **KNF supervision**: Insurance undertakings require KNF authorisation. Branches of
  EEA insurers operate under freedom of establishment/services with home-state
  supervision. Cross-border activity notifications are mandatory.
- **PRIIP / IDD disclosure**: Pre-contractual disclosure obligations under the PRIIP
  Regulation and IDD require standardised Key Information Documents (KIDs) for
  investment-based insurance products (typically unit-linked). Polish translation of KID
  is mandatory.
- **Insurance distribution — tied vs multi-agents**: A tied agent (agent wyłączny) may
  act only for one insurer in a given line; multi-agents (multiagent) can represent
  several insurers in the same line. Distinguish in translations.
- **Reinsurance from/to Polish insurers**: No special authorisation required for EEA
  reinsurers. Non-EEA reinsurers may be subject to KNF notification and collateral
  requirements. Flag in cross-border reinsurance contracts.
- **"Rzecznik Finansowy" (Financial Ombudsman)**: Independent office handling consumer
  complaints against financial market operators including insurers. Mediation role;
  non-binding recommendations. Translate as "Financial Ombudsman".
