Towing from At-Fault Insurance (OC) – Complete Guide

Towing from At-Fault Insurance (OC) — Your Rights Explained

A road accident is stressful, but here's something most drivers in Poland don't realise: if you're not at fault, you have the right to free towing covered by the other driver's liability insurance (OC). We deal with OC towing claims every single week, and the number of people who pay out of pocket when they don't have to is shocking.

Here's exactly how the process works.

What Is OC Insurance and What Does It Cover?

OC (civil liability insurance) is mandatory insurance for every vehicle registered in Poland. When a driver causes an accident or collision, their OC policy covers damages to the injured party, including:

• Repair of the damaged vehicle
• Towing costs for the injured party's vehicle
• Replacement vehicle
• Compensation for loss of vehicle value
• Medical costs for injured persons

The Key Principle

If your car was damaged by another driver and can't be driven, you have the right to towing at the insurer's expense. You don't have to pay out of pocket.

How to Get Towing from OC Insurance — Step by Step

Step 1: Secure the Scene

First and foremost, ensure safety:

• Turn on hazard lights
• Place a warning triangle (50 m in built-up areas, 100 m outside)
• Put on a reflective vest
• If there are injuries — call 112

Step 2: Document the Incident

This step makes or breaks your claim:

• Take photos — of damage to both vehicles, the scene, positions of vehicles, road signs
• Record the at-fault driver's details — name, ID number, registration number, insurer name, OC policy number
• Write a statement — a joint accident statement (it's worth keeping blank forms in your car)
• Find witnesses — note their contact information

Step 3: Call the Police (If Necessary)

You must call the police when:

• There are injured persons
• The at-fault driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• The at-fault driver refuses to provide details or flees the scene
• You can't establish who is at fault

For minor collisions (no injuries, the at-fault driver admits responsibility), a joint statement is sufficient.

Step 4: Call for Roadside Assistance

You have two options:

Option A: Call the at-fault driver's insurer directly

• Provide the at-fault driver's OC policy number
• The insurer will send a tow truck at their expense
• Waiting time: usually 1–3 hours

Option B: Order towing yourself (recommended)

• Call a trusted roadside assistance company — like us at +48 571 426 225
• You'll get faster help (often 30–60 minutes)
• Keep the invoice — the insurer will reimburse the costs

The insurer is legally obligated to reimburse reasonable towing costs. Use companies with transparent pricing.

Step 5: Report the Claim to the Insurer

You report the claim to the at-fault driver's insurer (not yours!). You can do this:

• By phone (insurer's hotline)
• Online (form on the insurer's website)
• At the insurer's office
• Through a claims adjuster

Step 6: Attach Documents

Include with your claim:

• The at-fault driver's statement or police report
• Photos from the scene
• Towing invoice (if you ordered it yourself)
• Vehicle documents (registration certificate)
• Bank account number for payment

What Costs Does OC Insurance Cover?

From the at-fault driver's OC, you can get reimbursement for:

• Vehicle towing to a repair shop or your home
• Secure parking — if the vehicle must wait for inspection
• Replacement car — for the duration of repairs
• Vehicle repair — up to the full value of the car
• Loss of market value — if the vehicle lost value after repair

Mistakes We See Every Week

Mistake 1: Paying for Towing Without Seeking Reimbursement

Many drivers pay out of pocket and never apply for reimbursement. Always keep invoices and report costs to the insurer. We had a customer on the S86 in Katowice who paid PLN 900 for a tow and didn't know he could claim it back — don't be that person.

Mistake 2: Waiting Too Long for the Insurer's Tow Truck

Insurers don't always send help quickly. If you're in a dangerous location — a motorway hard shoulder, a busy junction — order towing yourself and apply for reimbursement later.

Mistake 3: Lack of Documentation

Without photos, the at-fault driver's statement, and a towing invoice, recovering costs can be difficult or impossible.

Mistake 4: Reporting to Your Own Insurer Instead of the At-Fault Driver's

Always report the claim to the at-fault driver's insurer. Reporting to your own OC doesn't help because your OC protects others, not you.

Your Rights as the Injured Party

As the injured party, you have the right to:

1. Choose your repair shop — the insurer can't force you to use a specific one
2. Towing to your chosen workshop — even if it's not the nearest
3. A replacement car — for the entire repair period
4. Full compensation — the insurer can't undervalue costs
5. Appeal the insurer's decision

What This All Means

Towing from the at-fault driver's OC insurance is your legal right as an injured driver. You don't have to pay for transporting your damaged vehicle if the accident was caused by another person. Document everything, keep invoices, and don't be afraid to assert your rights.

Need immediate towing after an accident? Call +48 571 426 225 — we operate 24/7 across Poland. We'll also help you with the formalities related to the at-fault driver's insurance. Check our services in Katowice, Krakow, Wroclaw, and Warsaw.