Community Insurance Spain. Comunidades de Propietarios

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Multi-risk community insurance for apartment communities, residential buildings and car parks. Generali Comunidad — civil liability up to €1,000,000, 24-hour assistance, fully tailored to your community.

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By Andrew Turner · In insurance since 2001, exclusive Generali agent since 2007 · DGS Registry C0467B54657010 · Last reviewed May 2026

Quick Answer. Community of Owners Insurance in Spain

Mandatory?Effectively yes (Ley 49/1960 LPH)

Typical premium€200–€1,500+ / year

Civil liability€1M–€3M typical

Pool coverAvailable — public liability

ProviderGenerali Comunidad

Spanish Insurance Law: Community of Owners Insurance. Key Facts, Limits & Exclusions

The legal framework, specific waiting periods, exclusions and citations every prospective policyholder should know. Sources are linked inline to the BOE (Boletín Oficial del Estado) and Spanish regulators.

Legal framework

Communities of Owners (Comunidades de Propietarios) are governed by Ley 49/1960 de Propiedad Horizontal (LPH). Article 9.f recommends but does not strictly mandate community insurance under national law. However, several autonomous communities — most notably Catalonia (Llei 5/2015) and Galicia — have made it legally mandatory. In Valencia and the rest of Spain, the community statutes typically require it, and most municipalities require proof of cover for communal pool licensing.

What community insurance covers

A community policy covers communal areas only:

Roof
Façades
Foundations
Lift
Communal staircase and corridors
Communal pool and garden
Electrical and plumbing mains
The building's structural envelope. Critically
It does NOT cover individual flat interiors — each owner needs personal home insurance for everything inside their door. Civil liability cover (typically €1
000–€3
000) protects the community against claims by visitors
Contractors and third parties injured in communal areas

Decision-making and majority rules

Under LPH Article 17, taking out, switching or changing community insurance requires a simple majority of owners present at a properly-convened junta. Major changes (raising the sum insured significantly, adding new cover types) follow the same rule. The president and administrator are legally responsible for ensuring continuous cover; a lapse exposes the community to direct liability.

Lift insurance and the IPE

Lifts (ascensores) are subject to specific regulation under Real Decreto 88/2013 and require periodic Inspección Periódica (every 2 years in standard residential, every 4 years in low-traffic). A current lift maintenance contract and IPE certificate are typically required by the insurer. Most community policies bundle lift cover with general civil liability — verify this on your policy schedule, otherwise a separate lift policy is needed.

Pool, garden and the okupa risk

Communal pools require specific civil liability (typically up to €600,000–€1,000,000) with conditions: a qualified lifeguard during opening hours (regional rules vary. Valencia under Decreto 84/2018), depth markings, safety equipment. The community is liable for injuries from non-compliance. Squatters (okupas) in a vacant flat can affect the community in two ways: damage to communal areas during/after eviction, and increased risk for the building generally. Specific okupa cover is available as an add-on.

Community Insurance Spain. Generali Comunidad

Community insurance Spain (Seguro de Comunidades de Propietarios) is a multi-risk policy that protects the shared assets of an apartment community. The building's common areas, communal installations, lifts, communal gardens, car parks and shared facilities. Generali Comunidad is a comprehensive, flexible policy used by apartment communities across the Costa Blanca and throughout Spain. It protects both the community itself and individual owners against the most common risks affecting residential buildings.

Is community insurance compulsory in Spain? Under the Ley de Propiedad Horizontal (Horizontal Property Law), it is strongly recommended and in many autonomous communities effectively required for residential communities. Individual lenders also require evidence of community insurance before approving mortgages on apartments within the building. Get a community quote →

What Generali Comunidad Covers. Standard Covers

Fire, explosion and lightning: Full rebuild cost of all common areas damaged by fire, explosion, smoke or lightning strike
Water damage from communal pipes: Damage caused by leaks or bursts in communal water supply and drainage systems — including the cost of locating and repairing the source pipe
Civil liability — community: Compensation to third parties for bodily injury or property damage caused by the common areas — up to €1,000,000 per claim
Board members' liability: Civil liability of the community president, vice-president and other board members arising from their duties — included as standard (not offered by all Spanish insurers)
Employer's liability: Cover for injury or damage sustained by employees of the community (concierge, cleaners, gardeners) while working in the building
24-hour emergency assistance: Immediate dispatch of plumbers, electricians, glaziers, carpenters and locksmiths for emergencies affecting communal services (water supply, electricity, access, security)
Legal assistance: Phone legal advice; legal claims against third parties for rights relating to the building; claims against owners for non-payment of community fees; defence in municipal administrative matters
Urgent plumbing without damage: Emergency repair of communal plumbing and drainage even where no material damage has resulted — unique to Generali, not standard in most policies

Optional Extras. Community Insurance Spain

Weather damage: Rain, wind (gusts above 80 km/h), hail, snow — roof damage, facade damage, flooding from exterior causes
Water damage extension: Expanded coverage including roof leaks, infiltrations and external flooding; extended limits on pipe localisation and repair costs
Breakage in common areas: Repair or replacement of glass, mirrors, plexiglass, sanitary ware, marble countertops and solar panels in communal areas
Theft from common areas: Theft of communal furniture, equipment and fittings from gardens, patios and terraces. Minimum cover for petty theft also included
Machinery breakdown: Mechanical and electrical failure of communal installations — lifts, communal boilers, pumps, intercom systems, automated gates
Pool, garden and sports facilities: Specialist cover for communal swimming pool, garden furniture and fixtures, and shared sports courts or facilities
Pest control: Professional pest control services for communal areas — cockroaches, ants, rodents and other infestations
Malversation of community funds: Financial protection against fraudulent misappropriation of community funds by officials — up to €3,000 per year
Aesthetic restoration: Restoration of aesthetic damage to communal furnishings and fixtures following an insured event, beyond simple structural repair
Exclusive Community Pack: Enhanced assistance including maintenance help (small repairs, plumbing, painting, locksmith) and additional premium communal services — available for larger residential communities
Liability for water leaks from private pipes: Optional extension covering the community's liability for damage to other owners' properties caused by leaks from private (individual apartment) pipes

Who Needs Community Insurance?

Many expats in Spain benefit from this cover.

Residential apartment communities (Comunidades de Propietarios) of all sizes
Mixed residential and commercial buildings (community areas can be insured separately from commercial units)
Urbanisations with shared communal areas, gardens, pools and roads
Rows of terraced houses constituted as a community (adosados)
Underground communal car parks and private parking areas
Community presidents and administrators who want comprehensive protection for their board responsibilities

How to Get a Quote

We make getting a quote simple and fast.

Call or email us — ring 966 461 625 or email info@turnerinsurance.es. Our English-speaking team is available Monday to Friday, 09:30–15:00.
Tell us your situation — we will ask a few quick questions about what you need to cover, your age, location, and any existing policies you hold.
We compare options — as authorised Generali agents, we present the plans that match your needs and budget. No pressure, no obligation.
Your policy is set up — once you are happy, we arrange everything and send your certificate and English-language policy documents promptly.

Community Insurance Cover Levels

Cover level	What is included	Best for
Básico	Building structure, civil liability €300,000 — meets legal minimum for communities	Small communities of up to 10 properties
Estándar	Full building, common areas, civil liability €600,000, water damage, fire	Medium urbanisations of 10–50 properties
Plus	All Estándar risks plus civil liability €1,000,000, subsidence, glass, garden	Large complexes with pools, lifts and gardens
Premium	All-risks cover, civil liability €3,000,000, loss of rent, equipment breakdown	High-value communities and luxury developments

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Approximate Community Insurance Pricing

Annual premiums for residents' communities (comunidades de propietarios) on the Costa Blanca:

Small community (8-20 units)

from €450/yr

Communal areas insured
RC up to €600,000
Lift cover
Defensa Jurídica included
Emergency repair service

Frequently Asked Questions. Community Insurance in Spain

These are the most common questions we receive.

Community of owners (comunidad de propietarios) insurance covers the shared parts of a Spanish residential complex — building structure, communal areas, lifts, pools and gardens. These are the common questions from community presidents and administrators.

Not strictly mandatory by Spanish national law, but mandatory in practice: most Spanish autonomous communities require it indirectly through Ley 49/1960 (Horizontal Property Law), and almost all mortgage lenders require buildings cover for the building. The community AGM must vote in favour annually. Without cover, individual owners can be personally liable for shared-area incidents.

Four main areas: the building structure itself (roof, exterior walls, foundations, communal pipes/cables); communal areas (corridors, stairs, lifts, garages, gardens, pools, sports facilities, security systems); communal civil liability (third parties injured/damaged in communal areas); and defensa jurídica for community legal disputes. It does NOT cover the inside of individual flats — owners need their own home policies.

All owners share the premium according to the cuota (ownership share) recorded in the building's deed. Cuota usually relates to the apartment's surface area and any usage rights (parking, terrace). The premium is included in the monthly community fee (cuota de comunidad) paid to the administrator who manages the insurance contract.

Buildings sum should equal the rebuild cost (valor de reconstrucción) — the cost to fully rebuild the structure if it were demolished. This excludes land value. For Costa Blanca communities, rebuild costs are typically €800-€1,400 per square metre of total covered area. Insurance valuations every 3-5 years are recommended; many communities are significantly under-insured because rebuild costs have risen.

Spanish law makes the apartment owner whose pipes leaked responsible for damage caused. Their personal home insurance pays. The community insurance covers leaks originating in COMMUNAL pipes (rising mains, drains in walls between flats). It is essential that all owners hold personal home insurance — a single uninsured neighbour creates a financial mess for everyone affected.

Yes — lifts are a key part of community insurance. Cover includes lift damage, breakdown, accident liability if a person is injured in/by the lift, and increasingly cyber-attack on smart lift systems. Spanish law requires twice-yearly maintenance on residential lifts plus an annual inspection — keeping these current is a condition of insurance cover.

Yes — pool damage from storms, vandalism or accidental damage is covered. Personal injury at the pool (slip on tiles, drowning, diving injuries) is covered under communal liability. Pool cover requires compliance with Spanish pool safety regulations: lifeguard if mandatory, signage, depth markings, water testing logs. Non-compliant pools may have liability voided at claim time.

Increasingly yes — many modern Spanish community policies include 'cobertura de okupación' for empty/abandoned units in the community where squatters move in and create damage and liability for the wider community. Legal expenses for forced eviction are typically up to €15,000-€30,000. The policy doesn't cover individual unit owners' issues — that's their personal home insurance.

Catastrophic natural events (atypical storms, DANA floods, earthquakes) are covered by the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros via the community policy at no extra premium. Routine storm damage (broken roof tiles in normal weather, garden debris) is covered by the standard community policy. The Consorcio paid out billions for the November 2024 Valencia DANA, including community claims.

Three parties: the community president and/or administrator initiate the claim, the insurer assesses, and the loss adjuster (perito) visits and evaluates. The community administrator typically deals with day-to-day claims on the community's behalf. Major claims need community AGM approval for repair works and reconstruction methods. We support administrators throughout.

No — claims for communal damage must be made by the community as a whole, through the administrator/president. Individual owners cannot bypass this and claim directly. Internal damage to an owner's flat from a communal failure (leaking communal pipe damaging your flat) is paid by the community to you, then any community deductible/excess is borne collectively.

Defensa jurídica cover funds legal assessment, expert witnesses and proceedings to determine cause and liability. This is one of the most useful community insurance features. For example: a leak that could be from communal pipes or from a specific flat — the legal cover funds an expert assessment to determine which, and pursues the responsible party.

Yes — entry gates (electric, manual, pedestrian), CCTV systems, intercoms, lighting and security barriers are all within the standard cover. Damage from accidents and vandalism, breakdown of automated systems, and theft of removable equipment are all included. Cyber-attack on smart security systems is increasingly an insurable peril on modern policies.

Annually at the AGM. The community president presents the renewal terms; owners vote. Premium changes, claims experience, and recommended cover updates (e.g. higher liability limits, additional perils) are debated. We attend AGMs by request to present renewal terms and answer owner questions in English.

Community insurance is a collective contract — single uniform cover terms. Individual owners with concerns about specific items can either take additional personal cover for items they consider undervalued, raise the matter at AGM for community vote, or in extreme cases propose a special assessment for specific upgrades. We advise individual owners on personal top-up cover as needed.

More questions? Visit our complete FAQ centre with 90+ detailed guides, or contact us for free English-speaking advice.

How This Compares to the Competition

Honest comparisons help you make an informed choice. These figures are typical Spanish-market starting points and depend on age, area, cover level and individual circumstances.

Generali Comunidad vs Mapfre Comunidades and Mutua de Propietarios

How Generali's Comunidades de Propietarios insurance compares to the specialist Mutua de Propietarios and Mapfre.

Feature	Generali Comunidad	Mapfre Comunidades	Mutua de Propietarios
Civil liability standard	€1,000,000 (€3M optional)	€600,000 (€3M optional)	€600,000 (€3M optional)
Pool / garden cover	Optional add-on	Optional add-on	Optional add-on
Lift insurance integration	Yes — combined policy	Yes — combined policy	Yes — combined policy
Board / president liability	Optional add-on €100,000	Optional add-on €100,000	Specialist cover up to €300,000
24-hour emergency response	Yes. Generali home assistance	Yes. Mapfre Asistencia	Yes
Building reconstruction cost basis	Yes — at insured value	Yes — at insured value	Yes — at insured value
Premium per door (12 dwellings)	~€140–€180/year	~€160–€200/year	~€150–€190/year

Comparisons are based on publicly available product literature and our experience placing policies across the Spanish market. Premium estimates assume a healthy applicant on the Costa Blanca with no significant claims history. Contact us for a personalised, like-for-like quote.

Sources & References

This page references the following official Spanish regulatory and legal sources. These are the authoritative bodies and laws governing insurance products in Spain:

Dirección General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones (DGS). Spanish insurance regulator. Confirms registration of insurance brokers (Andrew Turner: Registry C0467B54657010) and authorises all insurance products distributed in Spain.
Ley 50/1980. Ley de Contrato de Seguro (BOE). Spanish Insurance Contract Law. The primary legal framework governing all insurance contracts in Spain — defines duties, claims, cancellation rights and disclosure obligations.
Ley 49/1960, de 21 de julio, sobre Propiedad Horizontal (BOE). Spanish Horizontal Property Law (LPH). Governs Comunidades de Propietarios obligations and insurance requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

These are the most common questions we receive.

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