KASKO in Slovakia: How It Differs from PZP and When It Makes Sense

PZP is compulsory by law in Slovakia; KASKO is not. The first protects not you but the people you have harmed. The second protects your car. Here is how they differ, when KASKO pays for itself and when it is money thrown away.

PZP: pays for damage to others

Povinné zmluvné poistenie covers damage you cause to other people: their smashed car, treatment for the injured, a damaged fence. Every owner of a registered vehicle is obliged to have it — you cannot drive without it, and going without a policy carries a fine.

The key point: PZP does not cover your own car. If you drive into a lamp post, or someone damages your car and drives off, you pay for the repair yourself.

KASKO: pays for your car

Havarijné poistenie is voluntary insurance for your own car. The standard set of risks:

an accident that is your fault;
theft of the car or of parts of it;
vandalism;
natural disasters — hail, flooding, a fallen tree;
collision with an animal;
damage to the glass.

Individual risks can be bought separately. If full KASKO seems expensive, it often makes sense to take only glass cover or only protection against collision with an animal — that is noticeably cheaper, and these are exactly the cases that happen most often in Slovakia.

When KASKO pays for itself

A sensible rule of thumb: KASKO makes sense if suddenly losing the car would be a financial problem for you. In practice that means:

the car is new or fairly new;
the car was bought on credit or leased — in which case insurance is usually required by the contract anyway;
the car is worth a substantial part of your savings;
you drive a lot, especially on motorways or to other countries;
you park on the street in a large city.

And the other way round: for a fifteen-year-old car worth one and a half thousand euros, a year of KASKO usually makes no economic sense at all.

No-claims bonus

The price of both policies depends on your driving history. Years without accidents earn a discount (bonus), accidents bring a surcharge (malus). When you switch companies, your history is confirmed by a certificate from your previous insurer, so it is worth asking for one every time you change policy.

A separate issue for people who have moved here: Slovak companies usually do not recognise a no-claims record from another country, so your first policy in Slovakia is almost always more expensive. After a couple of years without accidents the price drops noticeably.

What affects the price

engine size and power, and the weight of the car;
the driver’s age and years of driving experience;
the region of registration;
annual mileage;
the size of the excess — with KASKO usually from 5 percent of the damage.

To see what KASKO would cost for your particular car, the easiest way is to compare quotes from several companies: compare offers on Netfinancie.

Affiliate link: if you take out a policy, we receive a commission from the insurance company. This does not affect the price you pay.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do straight after an accident?

Fill in the European accident statement (správa o nehode) together with the other party. The police are called if there are injuries, significant damage, a dispute over who is at fault, or if one of those involved has no documents. Always take photographs of the scene.

Can I change company in the middle of the year?

PZP is normally cancelled with effect from the contract anniversary, at least six weeks beforehand. There are other grounds too — selling the car, for example.

Is Slovak PZP valid abroad?

In EU countries and a number of neighbouring states, yes. For Ukraine you will need a green card.

I have bought a car. When should I arrange PZP?

The policy must be in force from the moment you become the owner and the car is allowed on the road. Do not put it off until the re-registration.

This information is for guidance only

This article describes the general rules in force in 2026 and is meant as a rough guide. The exact terms depend on the company you choose and on your situation, so read the conditions before signing a contract and consult a specialist if you need to.

Still have questions? Write to us

Describe your situation — we will try to answer and point you to the right place.