Insurance
Pet insurance in Czechia
Pet insurance is a small but growing market. Around 10 percent of Czech dogs and far fewer cats are insured. Where it earns its keep is orthopaedic surgery, oncology and long-term chronic care, where a single case can pass 50,000 CZK.
Main insurers
- Slavia pojistovna — the most established veterinary line, health and third-party liability.
- UNIQA — packaged veterinary and travel cover.
- ERV Evropska — travel-focused with veterinary add-ons.
- PetExpert — subscription-style monthly cover growing in popularity with expats.
Typical policy structure
- Annual limit: 30,000 to 100,000 CZK.
- Co-payment: 10 to 20 percent of each claim.
- Waiting periods: 14 to 90 days depending on treatment type.
- Exclusions: pre-existing conditions, cosmetic procedures, breeding-related, and often dental unless bought as an add-on.
Premiums
Small dog under 5 years, basic cover: 300 to 500 CZK per month. Large breed or an older animal: 800 to 1,500 CZK per month. Cats are cheaper, usually 200 to 400 CZK per month.
Is it worth it?
For low-cost routine care, insurance rarely pays for itself. The economic case rests entirely on the low-probability, high-cost events: a cruciate ligament rupture (30,000 to 60,000 CZK), a lymphoma protocol (100,000 CZK plus), or a long ICU stay after trauma. If your pet is young and you would struggle to pay 50,000 CZK in a week, insurance is a rational bet.