Ubezpieczeni

Ubezpieczeni is a Polish term used in insurance law to designate the persons whose life, health, or property is protected by an insurance contract. The insured may be the policyholder or a third party named in the policy, and there can be multiple insured persons under a single contract, such as family or group policies. In everyday language, the term contrasts with the insurer (the company providing coverage) and the beneficiary (who receives benefits).

In a contract of insurance, the insurer undertakes to provide benefits when a defined risk occurs, in exchange for premium payments by the policyholder. The insured’s rights typically include receiving indemnities or services specified in the policy, requesting clarification of terms, and reporting events that trigger coverage. Obligations commonly include truthful disclosure of relevant facts, paying premiums on time, and cooperating with the insurer during a claim. Polish civil law regulates these agreements under the umbrella of the umowa ubezpieczenia (insurance contract), with distinctions among different lines of insurance such as life insurance, health insurance, property insurance, and liability insurance.

Types of coverage include life and health insurance, which protect individuals against risks to life and health; property and casualty insurance, which cover damage to buildings or other property; motor insurance for vehicles; and travel or liability policies. Benefits can take the form of indemnities, replacement costs, medical services, or agreed payments, depending on policy terms.

In the Polish social security context, the term ubezpieczeni also refers to individuals covered by public insurance schemes (such as health and pension systems) who contribute to and are protected by ZUS and related institutions. This broader use highlights the role of insured persons within both private insurance markets and public social protection systems.