Limity pojištění: Co to znamená a jak se vyhnout překvapením

When you buy insurance, you expect protection—not surprises. But too many people learn the hard way that limity pojištění, hodnoty, které určují maximální částku, kterou pojišťovna vyplatí při škodě. Also known as pojistné limity, these are the invisible walls that can leave you paying thousands out of pocket—even if you’re fully insured. It’s not about how much you pay monthly. It’s about what happens when something actually breaks, burns, or gets stolen.

One of the most misunderstood parts of any policy is karence, čekací doba, během které pojišťovna nevyplácí plnění, i když došlo k škodě. This isn’t a trick—it’s a risk-control tool. For example, if you get fire insurance and your roof collapses two weeks after signing, the insurer might say: "Sorry, the karence is 90 days." Same goes for theft coverage on new electronics or water damage after moving into a new home. Many don’t read the fine print until it’s too late. And when they do, they’re shocked.

These limits aren’t just about money. They’re about timing, documentation, and trust. If your home insurance has a pojistné plnění, výše, kterou pojišťovna vyplatí při škodě, často omezenou na konkrétní typ škody nebo hodnotu majetku. Also known as výše plnění, it can be lower than you think. Your TV might be covered up to 15,000 Kč—but if it’s a 50,000 Kč OLED, you’re left with a big gap. Same with older appliances, custom furniture, or renovation upgrades. If you didn’t declare them when signing the policy, they’re not protected.

And here’s the thing: most people assume their home insurance covers everything. It doesn’t. It covers what’s listed. Not what’s implied. Not what you thought. The difference between getting paid and getting denied often comes down to three things: the limit, the karence, and whether you kept receipts. One client in Brno had water damage from a leaking pipe. His policy had a 500,000 Kč limit—but only if the leak was caused by sudden, accidental damage. The insurer claimed it was gradual wear. He lost. No receipts. No inspection report. No proof.

That’s why you need to know your policy like your phone password. Not just the premium. Not just the name of the company. The exact numbers. The exact timeframes. The exact conditions. A čekací doba, období, po které pojištění začíná platit, často 30 až 90 dní u nových smluv. Also known as čekací lhůta, it’s there to stop people from buying insurance right before a known problem happens. But if you’re moving into a new house, installing a new boiler, or adding a sauna to your bathroom—you need to plan ahead. Don’t wait until the pipe bursts.

Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve been there. How one family saved 80,000 Kč by reading their policy before renovating. How another lost everything because they didn’t know their karence applied to theft. How a simple receipt kept someone from paying for a new kitchen out of pocket. These aren’t theoretical cases. These are Czech households. These are your neighbors. And the lessons? They’re practical. They’re urgent. And they’re waiting for you to read them.