havarijní

Havarijní is a Czech adjective derived from havarije, meaning an accident or emergency. In general use, it describes conditions, events or measures connected with a serious incident or urgent situation. The term appears in various compound terms, most notably in the insurance field as havarijní pojištění, also called havarijní pojistka.

In the context of motor insurance, havarijní pojištění is voluntary and protects the insured vehicle against damage not caused by another party’s fault. The scope of coverage varies by policy and insurer, but typical inclusions are damage from fire, theft, vandalism, natural phenomena, weather-related events, falling objects, and collisions with animals, as well as damage to vehicle components such as the glass. Most policies apply a deductible (spoluúčast), and many offer add-ons such as roadside assistance or replacement vehicle costs during repairs. Havarijní pojištění complements povinné ručení (mandatory third-party liability insurance) by protecting the owner’s own vehicle rather than third-party liability.

Outside insurance, havarijní can describe emergency-related conditions or services, for example havarijní služba (emergency service) or havarijní stav (emergency or hazardous state), used in public administration, transport or infrastructure contexts to denote urgent or dangerous situations.

Etymology: the term comes from havarie/havarie and entered Czech with meanings tied to accidents or major faults. The usage is neutral and common in formal and everyday language when referring to accidents or emergency-related topics.