Insurance
What each type of cover actually does, what the law requires, what it typically costs around the Mar Menor and how to claim when something goes wrong.
Two parts: continente (the building — walls, fitted kitchen, bathrooms, built-in wardrobes) and contenido (furniture and belongings). Not legally required for cash buyers, but every Spanish lender makes continente cover a condition of the mortgage. Standard policies include fire, storm, water damage, theft and third-party liability (responsabilidad civil), which matters on the coast where escapes of water between apartments are the most common claim.
Third-party cover (seguro a terceros) is compulsory by law for every vehicle registered in Spain, even when it is off the road, unless it is formally declared baja temporal. Options step up through terceros ampliado (adds fire, theft and glass) to todo riesgo (fully comprehensive, with or without excess). Spanish insurers rate on the vehicle, the province and your no-claims history — a certificate of your UK/Irish no-claims bonus is usually accepted.
Spain's public system covers people paying social security, pensioners with an S1, and residents on the convenio especial. Everyone else — including most non-lucrative visa applicants — needs full private cover with no co-payments and no waiting periods to obtain residency. Typical policies are either cuadro médico (use the insurer's network of clinics) or reembolso (any doctor, you claim back a percentage).
The EHIC/GHIC covers state emergency treatment only, never repatriation, private clinics or lost baggage. Owners who let family and friends use the property should check that their home policy's liability section extends to guests, and annual multi-trip travel policies are usually cheaper than insuring each visit.
Spanish banks routinely offer a lower mortgage rate if you take life cover with them (a bonificación). It is legal to insure elsewhere, but the rate discount may be withdrawn. Life policies are also used for inheritance planning, since Spanish succession tax is paid by the beneficiary and payouts can fund the bill.
Under the Ley de Propiedad Horizontal, the community insures the common elements — roofs, façades, lifts, pools and communal liability. Your own policy should cover from your front door inwards. Ask the administrador for the community policy schedule so you are not paying twice, and check the excess that would be charged back to you after a leak.
Since the 2023 animal welfare law, third-party liability insurance is required for dogs in Spain. Many home policies already include it — confirm in writing before buying a separate policy. Veterinary-expense cover is optional and normally sold as an add-on.
Bars, shops and salons need civil liability cover, and Murcia's tourist-rental registration (VFT/VUT) expects liability cover for guests. A standard residential home policy will not respond to a claim from a paying guest — declare the letting use to your insurer.
A small levy on every Spanish policy funds the state Consorcio, which pays claims for floods, earthquakes, extraordinary storms, terrorism and civil unrest. After a DANA-type flood event, the claim goes to the Consorcio, not directly to your insurer.
Spanish contracts auto-renew each year. To cancel, insurers must be notified in writing — one month before renewal for the client (Ley 50/1980, art. 22), two months for the insurer.
You must notify the insurer within seven days of becoming aware of a loss. Photograph damage, keep invoices and get a police denuncia for any theft.
Most policies pay for the water damage but not for locating and repairing the broken pipe unless localización y reparación de averías is included. On older Mar Menor apartments this is worth adding.
The legally binding version is always the Spanish text. An English translation is a courtesy — check the Spanish conditions particulares for sums insured and excesses.
Complain first to the insurer's Defensor del Cliente. If unresolved within two months, escalate free of charge to the Dirección General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones (DGSFP).
Guide figures only — premiums depend on the property, the vehicle, your age and your claims history.
Our insurance partner
We are finalising a collaboration with a Spanish insurance broker so you can compare home, car and health cover in English. In the meantime, contact us and we will point you in the right direction.