Insurance History Certificate: How to Obtain and When Certified Translation is Needed

An insurance history certificate, often called a claims history record, is a crucial document for any driver wanting to obtain favorable car insurance terms. It becomes particularly important when changing insurers or planning to insure a vehicle abroad. In such situations, certified translation of this document may be required. In this article, we'll explain what an insurance history certificate is, how to obtain it, and when its translation is essential.

What is an insurance history certificate?

An insurance history certificate is a document issued by an insurance company that confirms a client's insurance history, particularly regarding motor insurance (liability and comprehensive coverage). It contains information about the duration of policies and, most importantly, about the number and type of reported motor claims. For drivers with a claim-free history, this document is the basis for obtaining discounts when concluding new insurance contracts.

The amount of insurance premium depends on many factors, such as driver's age, driving experience, car model and age, and precisely the claims history. Therefore, having a positive insurance history certificate can significantly reduce policy costs. This is particularly important when changing insurers or wanting to purchase a policy in another country, where your previous history is not automatically known.

How to obtain an insurance history certificate?

To obtain an insurance history certificate, you need to apply to your current (or previous) insurer. Insurance companies are obligated to issue such a document upon client request, even if the policy expired several years earlier (they usually keep data for up to several years).

The application can be submitted in several ways:

• By email: A completed and signed application (often available on the insurer's website) is sent to the specified email address.
• Online: Some insurance companies provide special forms on their websites or in customer panels.
• In person at a branch: In many cases, the certificate can be received immediately. You can also authorize another person to do this.
• By phone: Sometimes it's possible to order the document through a helpline, which will be sent by mail.

Waiting time for the document in case of email or postal application is usually from several to several days. As a rule, companies do not charge fees for issuing a standard insurance history certificate.

What data does the certificate application contain?

Application forms for issuing insurance history certificates may differ depending on the company. However, they usually contain the following data:

• Applicant data (policy owner): name and surname, personal identification number, residential and correspondence address, phone number.
• Name and address data of the insurance company to which the application is directed.
• Data regarding the insured vehicle: registration number.
• Number and series of the last insurance policy (or insurance periods, if there were more).
• Scope of requested information (e.g., only liability, or liability and comprehensive).
• Date of application submission and applicant's signature.

Sometimes a copy of the last policy or scan of identity document should be attached to the application. In case of companies, instead of personal data, business data is provided.

When is certified translation of insurance history certificate needed?

Certified translation of insurance history certificate is most often required in the following situations:

• Insuring a car abroad: If you want to transfer your Polish no-claims discounts to another country, the foreign insurer will require presenting an official translation of your claims history into the official language of that country or into English. This applies to both people emigrating permanently and those working or studying abroad for a longer period.
• Returning to Poland after a period abroad: If you have foreign insurance and want your claim-free driving abroad to be considered by a Polish insurer, you will need to present a certificate translated into Polish from the foreign insurer.
• Formalities related to long-term vehicle rental abroad: Some rental companies may request such a document.

Although some international insurance companies may accept certificates in English, in many cases, especially when dealing with local, smaller insurers, certified translation into the official language of the country where you want to purchase a policy will be required (e.g., into German, French, Spanish). For such a document to have legal force, it must be translated and certified by a sworn translator.

Where to efficiently order certified translation online?

An insurance history certificate is an important financial document, so its translation should be performed reliably and with attention to detail. The Sworny.com platform offers quick and convenient access to professional sworn translator services specializing in various languages.

The translation ordering process at Sworny.com is simple:

1. Prepare a scan or clear photo of your insurance history certificate.
2. Send the file through the secure form on Sworny.com, specifying the source and target language of translation.
3. You will quickly receive offers from available sworn translators along with quotes.
4. Choose the offer that suits you best and make a secure online payment.
5. The translator will start work, and you'll receive the finished, authenticated translation in electronic form (scan) and, upon request, the original will be sent by mail or courier.

Thanks to Sworny.com, you can be sure that your translation will be performed by an experienced specialist, ensuring its acceptance by foreign insurance companies and other institutions. In addition to insurance history certificates, we also translate other automotive documents and many other types of papers.