Insurers Have Expanded Coverage for Ukraine Shipments
Exporters can now mitigate war-related logistics risks, easing access to financing for shipments into Ukraine.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in International Trade
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PZU has reintroduced insurance coverage for commercial shipments bound for Ukraine. This move follows broader market adjustments as insurers like KUKE begin pricing war-related risks for export credit insurance.
Why it matters
Insurers are responding to geopolitical instability that has become the primary operational concern for the majority of companies. Increased access to this coverage helps operators secure contracts and necessary external financing.
Companies cited geopolitical risk as their top concern in a survey of 65% of the market. In 2025, businesses spent PLN 1 billion on credit insurance to cover PLN 1 billion in turnover.
The players
PZU
A major Polish insurance and financial group that manages significant underwriting volume across regional markets.
KUKE
The Polish export credit agency that provides trade insurance and specializes in underwriting complex geopolitical and sovereign risks.
The details
Premiums for these policies are determined by the specific destination of the shipment and the underlying risk level, typically ranging from fractions of a per mille to several per mille of the insured value. By transferring these risks, businesses can more easily satisfy the requirements of banks and other lenders, effectively unlocking capital that would otherwise be tied up by the volatility of operating in a conflict zone.
Timeline
Businesses spent PLN 1 billion on credit insurance during 2025.
Market Landscape
This move follows the 2025 surge in corporate geopolitical risk sensitivity that has forced underwriters to redefine their risk appetites. It reflects a broader effort to normalize trade finance in conflict-affected regions where traditional coverage had previously stalled.
Operators shipping to volatile regions should re-evaluate their current insurance policies to see if war-risk carve-outs have been updated. Ensure your finance team reconciles these new premium costs against contract margins before committing to new export cycles.
The takeaway
Securing war-risk coverage is now a vital step in maintaining access to essential trade financing. Review your current export contracts to determine if existing credit insurance gaps can be filled by these updated underwriting options.
Further reading
For more on navigating global logistics risks, visit the International Trade section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Warsaw Business Journal Online Daily.
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