Zurich Insurance Group’s move into Poland is set to expand capacity in the country’s commercial insurance market, targeting corporate clients and multinational programmes through a broker-led model.
Zurich has entered Poland through a branch established by Zurich Austria, positioning itself to serve domestic firms and multinational clients. The insurer will work with Polish brokers and operate as an insurer, co-insurer and reinsurer.
The entry comes in a market characterised by concentration and scale. According to ResearchAndMarkets, Poland’s insurance sector is projected to exceed PLN 90 billion (€21.6 billion) in premiums in 2025, with non-life business accounting for PLN 66 billion (€15.84 billion). The country represents around 39% of the Central and Eastern Europe insurance market by premium volume.
Despite its size, the market remains underpenetrated relative to the EU, with annual premiums per capita estimated at about €325, roughly one-sixth of the European average, based on industry data. This gap has supported continued interest from international insurers.
Zurich’s arrival adds to a competitive landscape dominated by established groups. PZU retains leading positions in both life and non-life segments, while companies including Warta and Uniqa have reported higher premium growth, according to market disclosures cited by the Polish Financial Supervision Authority and the Polish Chamber of Insurance.
Sector results for 2025 show total premiums of PLN 90.6 billion (€21.74 billion), up 5.7% year on year, with non-life lines accounting for more than 72% of the total. Net profit reached PLN 12.47 billion (€2.99 billion), supported by underwriting and investment income. However, profitability in some lines, including motor third-party liability, remains limited despite returning to positive technical results.
These dynamics point to a market where scale, underwriting discipline and distribution access continue to influence competition.
Zurich said it will concentrate on corporate insurance, offering structured solutions aligned with international programme standards. The company indicated that cooperation with brokers will form part of its distribution approach.
“The entry of Zurich into the commercial insurance business in Poland marks another strategic milestone for us. Poland, as one of the largest economies in Europe with a dynamically growing corporate sector, offers excellent opportunities. With our international expertise and many years of experience, we are creating real added value for Polish companies,” said Luciano Cirinà, CEO Commercial Insurance International at Zurich Insurance Group.
The insurer stated that its objective includes supporting companies in assessing and managing risk exposures alongside providing insurance coverage.
The Warsaw-based branch will be led by Rafał Tokarz, who has more than 30 years of experience in underwriting and broker engagement. His previous roles included working with corporate and multinational clients in Poland.
“I’m excited that Zurich has taken a bold step to enter the Polish market,” said Tokarz. “Zurich is a carrier with genuine commercial insurance expertise, as well as a track record of delivering tailored program solutions on a global scale. Together with our highly qualified and experienced team – including underwriters, risk engineers and claims handlers – we will bring this proficiency and capability to the market. Quality matters, and corporate clients and brokers in Poland deserve access to the same solutions available to their international counterparts, enabling them to realize their growth potential and expand beyond the domestic market.”
Zurich said the local team combines domestic market knowledge with the group’s international capabilities.
The Polish branch will operate under Zurich Austria, with oversight from Kurt Möller, head of commercial insurance Austria and Central and Eastern Europe and a member of the Zurich Austria board.
"We’re delighted to bring Zurich’s industry-leading expertise and innovative solutions to clients across Central and Eastern Europe, starting with Poland. Our aim is to support local businesses by providing smart, reliable risk management that helps them seize new opportunities and grow confidently. We look forward to working together, helping the business thrive in a changing world,” said Möller.
Zurich indicated that the Polish operation forms part of its Central and Eastern Europe activities, with coordination managed through its Austrian entity.
