The present disclosure is directed to an IV-catheter insertion device, which has a catheter hub at the proximal end of a tubular catheter, a protective barrel releasably joined to the catheter hub in a ready position, a needle hub with an attached hollow needle, the hollow needle extending through the catheter hub and the tubular catheter in the ready position such that the needle tip projects distally of the distal end of the tubular catheter, wherein the needle hub is displaceable in the protective barrel, and a spring clip as a needle guard element whose proximal rear wall is fixed at a distal end area of the protective barrel by means of holding members, wherein the protective barrel and the catheter hub are held by the spring clip in the ready position, and the spring clip is released from the catheter hub in a protected position in which the spring clip covers the needle tip.
