Registration for the most significant insurance event in Poland is open until 24 April. The Congress of the Polish Chamber of Insurance (PIU) will, traditionally, be held at the Sheraton Hotel in Sopot; this year immediately following the May long weekend, on 6–7 May.
The title of the 14th Congress, “When change becomes the norm”, captures the spirit of the transformations we are witnessing within the industry and in the wider economy. The world is racing ahead and shows no sign of slowing down. Technology, the market, regulations and client expectations are changing faster than ever before. Adaptation, innovation and flexibility are no longer optional — they are the new reality.
On 6 and 7 May, as soon as the May long weekend ends, the Sheraton Hotel in Sopot will become a venue for discussing changes, exploring ideas on how to harness the changes and turn them into success. Each day of the Congress will abound in inspiring debates.
Registration for the Congress will be open from 2 March to 24 April 2026 at https://kongres-piu.pl/. Don’t miss your chance to partake in the industry’s most momentous event. The number of places is limited. Employees of insurance undertakings will be given priority admission.
The following discussion topics are scheduled for the first day of the Congress:
- Insurance in the new-speed economy?
The titular “new speed” is not so much about a faster pace of change, but above all a shift in the direction of development in the economy, geopolitics and infrastructure. This is reflected in the acceleration of energy, technology and infrastructure investments, driven by the need to ensure security and resilience of the state. Against this backdrop, insurers come to the fore – both as providers of insurance cover against new, increasingly more complex and capital-intensive types of risk, and as long-term institutional investors generating a flow of stable investment capital.
This raises the question: how can the insurance sector actively combine increased risk exposure with its role as a long-term provider of capital and become one of the pillars of financing for key projects?
- Artificial future
The Polish insurance industry is entering a new phase of digitisation, where AI is no longer just a buzzword but is becoming a practical tool for process optimisation, fraud detection, offer personalisation and risk management. Insurers are more and more confident about investing in AI technology to enhance various aspects of their businesses. However, to fully tap into AI-related opportunities, they must overcome a host of challenges and make a number of changes. Legal and regulatory frameworks, including those set out in the AI Act and DORA, require that insurers’ AI systems comply with applicable standards. The development of artificial intelligence raises employee concerns about job automation, which can affect team morale. Another challenge is the need to manually verify AI-generated outputs to ensure proper oversight.
- Digital hygiene
Digital threats are in fact very real: hate speech, fake news, toxic influencers, emotion-manipulating algorithms, AI-induced dehumanisation of relationships, scams, phishing, financial fraud and extortion. However, technology itself is not inherently evil. Instead of fearing it, we should learn to use it wisely. We need to be able to set boundaries, efficiently manage the time spent online, protect our privacy and think critically about online content. This is what you call “digital hygiene” – the ability to use technology consciously, so as to avoid information overload, algorithmic manipulation and toxic content.
The day will conclude with a gala dinner, providing an opportunity for participants to engage in inspiring conversations and rub shoulders with industry experts and leaders.
The second day of the Congress features panels devoted to health, the automotive market and life insurance:
- Health – systemic challenges and the role of insurers
The growing demand for healthcare services, coupled with an ageing population and a decline in the working-age cohort, poses a major challenge to the healthcare system. The several-billion budget gap and the ever-stretching time of waiting for treatment (especially in specialist outpatient care) are calling the current funding model into question.
During the panel, experts will discuss the economics of healthcare in Poland, the impact of health on the economy, the growing role of private healthcare and the potential synergies that additional health insurance may bring about. They will reflect on how additional health insurance can work alongside the public sector to improve access to services and enhance the system’s financial stability.
- New mobility: chińskie marki, auta elektryczne i ich wpływ na ubezpieczenia i likwidację szkód
The automotive market is evolving at breakneck speed, driven by the growing share of electric vehicles, the rapid expansion of Chinese brands and wide-spread digitisation, which is turning cars into “rolling computers”. These developments have direct implications for insurance undertakings, affecting the manner of claims adjustment and setting the rates of premium.
The panel aims to highlight the practical impact of new mobility trends (in particular electric vehicles and Chinese brands) on the insurance market. The discussion will focus on the nature and cost of motor claims, the technologies used and the organisation of claims adjustment processes in the evolving automotive sector.
- Life insurance – how to rebuild growth potential?
The life insurance market in Poland has been operating under heavy regulatory pressure for several years, resulting in a sharp decline in gross written premium and a slowdown in the sector’s growth momentum. These challenges are exacerbated by sweeping social and market changes.
All of this means that providers and distributors of life insurance must redefine their business models, product design approach, and client relationships.
The panel will provide a forum for discussing whether and how the life insurance market can return to a growth trajectory, by reconciling the regulator’s expectations, clients’ actual needs and business goals of market participants.
The programme and all the details are available on the Congress website: www.kongres-piu.pl
