Home Insurance in Spain for Expats
↓ Jump to Frequently Asked QuestionsHome insurance in Spain (seguro de hogar) from Generali — buildings (continente), contents (contenido), civil liability and optional extras for expats in Javea and the Costa Blanca. Holiday homes, rental properties and primary residences all covered. English-speaking agents and claims staff.
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Home Insurance in Spain — Key Points
- Buildings, contents and all-risks cover for villas, apartments and townhouses.
- Holiday-home and landlord options, including cover during unoccupied periods.
- 24-hour emergency assistance and accurate rebuild-value calculation to avoid underinsurance.
- Public-liability cover included; English documents and claims handled in English.
- Authorised Generali agents — free, no-obligation quote, same business day.
Home Insurance in Spain. Key Facts, Limits & Exclusions
The legal framework, waiting periods, exclusions and sources every buyer should know. We link the sources inline to the BOE (Boletín Oficial del Estado) and the Spanish regulators.
Legal framework
Home insurance in Spain is governed by Ley 50/1980 Articles 45–82 (general property and Seguros Multirriesgo). It is not legally mandatory for owner-occupiers. Spanish mortgage law (Ley Hipotecaria) does effectively require buildings cover (continente) for any mortgaged property. Apartments in a Comunidad de Propietarios are also indirectly affected by Ley 49/1960 LPH, which covers communal areas. Buildings cover for the individual flat is still your own responsibility.
Buildings vs contents — what each covers
Continente (buildings) covers the structure of the property:
- Walls, roof and floors
- Fixed installations — plumbing, electrics and fitted kitchens
- Pool, perimeter walls and outbuildings
Contenido (contents) covers everything that would fall out if you turned the property upside down:
- Furniture and electronics
- Clothing
- Jewellery (usually up to 20% of the contents sum)
The most common error is to insure at market value instead of rebuild cost. Rebuild cost is typically 50–70% of market value on the Costa Blanca, because land value is excluded. Under-insuring triggers the proportional rule (regla proporcional) under Ley 50/1980 Article 30. This reduces every claim payment by the same proportion you under-insured.
Extraordinary risks: the Consorcio
In Spain, your home insurer does not pay for extraordinary risks. These include flooding (inundación extraordinaria), earthquakes, severe windstorms (over 120 km/h), terrorism, riots and falling celestial bodies.
Instead, they are paid by the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros. This is a public body funded by a small charge added to every Spanish home and car policy. The Consorcio lists the events it has declared, such as the DANA Valencia floods of October 2024. It then pays the insured directly. Claim within seven days at consorseguros.es.
Standard exclusions
The Consorcio handles extraordinary risks. Beyond those, home policies usually exclude:
- Gradual wear and tear (desgaste)
- Damp and mould from long-term humidity, rather than a sudden incident
- Damage caused by pets
- Damage by tenants on a rented property, unless you hold landlord cover
- Jewellery left visible outside a safe
- Properties undergoing major structural works (obras mayores) are ineligible for cover entirely — the policy cannot be taken out or maintained while major structural work is under way. Minor or cosmetic works (obras menores) are acceptable and civil liability for those works is included.
Holiday homes, rentals and unoccupancy
Holiday homes are accepted by Generali Hogar Premium, but the unoccupancy rules are property-type specific and must be declared at inception:
- Standard / permanent-residence property: vacant periods up to 30 consecutive days are covered in full.
- Declared holiday home: vacancy of up to 180 consecutive days is permitted.
In both cases, there is a requirement to maintain installations to a reasonable standard. Properties undergoing major structural works (obras mayores) are not eligible for cover. The policy must be suspended for the duration and reinstated once the works are complete. Minor or cosmetic works are unaffected.
For rented homes, a Seguro de Hogar para arrendatarios covers tenant contents and liability. Landlords need a separate landlord policy with rent-loss cover. Short-term holiday lets need a dedicated tourist rental (VUT) policy with the compulsory guest liability the licence requires. You can also add squatter (okupa) legal-expenses cover up to €6,000. This matters because eviction under Real Decreto-ley 7/2019 can take 12–24 months.
Expat Home Insurance Spain — Cover That Works for Your Situation
Expat home insurance in Spain works differently from UK cover in several important ways. This is true whether you call it house insurance or home insurance. Properties on the Costa Blanca face risks that UK policies have never heard of: DANA flooding, Consorcio claims procedures, the regla proporcional under-insurance rule, and the squatter (okupa) problem. A locally-issued Spanish policy from Generali, arranged in English by our Javea-based team, covers all of these. It also resolves claims in Spain rather than from a UK call centre. Here is what changes for expat homeowners:
| Issue | UK home policy (kept after moving) | Spanish policy (Generali Hogar) |
|---|---|---|
| DANA / catastrophic flooding | Not covered — UK policies don't know what the Consorcio is | Automatically triggers Consorcio de Compensación — paid by state guarantee |
| Squatter (okupa) legal cover | Not a feature of UK policies | Standard on Generali Hogar — legal costs up to €6,000 for eviction |
| Holiday-home unoccupancy | UK policies typically void cover after 30 days unoccupied | Up to 180 days vacancy accepted — essential for seasonal Costa Blanca properties |
| Claims handling language | UK insurer, UK call centre — no Spanish adjuster on site | We manage the claim in English; Generali's Spanish peritos attend in person |
| Mortgage lender requirement | Spanish banks will not accept a UK policy | Accepted by all Spanish lenders — issued with bank assignment clause |
We arrange expat home insurance in Spain for British, Irish, Dutch, Norwegian and other European residents throughout the Costa Blanca and across Spain. Generali Hogar policies from €200/year, all documentation in English, and 24-hour emergency cover included. Get a free home insurance quote →
Key Points
- 24-hour home emergency — plumbers, builders, electricians, carpenters, locksmiths
- Optional full accidental damage cover for building and contents
- Automatic cover for jewellery up to 20% of contents sum insured
- Cover for excess water consumption up to €1,000 — even with no damage caused
- Cover for blocked pipes even if no damage caused
- Full cover for electrical damages and power surges
- Not limited to 1 claim per year
- Optional: jewellery and valuables outside the home
- Alternative accommodation if property is uninhabitable
- Landlord liability and tenant contents cover available
Buildings Insurance Spain — Including Holiday Home Cover
Buildings insurance Spain (seguro de continente) covers the rebuild cost of the entire property: walls, roof, fixed fittings, pool, perimeter walls, terraces and outbuildings. For apartments, community insurance does not cover from your front door inwards. Our buildings policy fills that gap. Civil liability up to €1,000,000 included. Buildings insurance in Spain must be set at rebuild value, not market value. Insuring at the wrong figure triggers the regla proporcional underinsurance penalty. We calculate the correct rebuild value for free when preparing your quote.
Contents Cover
Covers everything inside your property including fitted kitchen. Cover is new-for-old — we pay the full replacement cost as new today, not a depreciated value. Includes fire, smoke, power surge, flooding, theft and vandalism.
Get Insurance for Your Home in Spain. Quick Quote
- 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.
Home Insurance Cover Levels
| Cover level | What is included | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Buildings only | Structure, walls, roof, fixed fittings and outbuildings — no contents | Buy-to-let investors and landlords |
| Buildings + Contents | All Buildings cover plus furniture, appliances, clothing and personal items | Main residence owners |
| All-risks | Buildings, contents, plus jewellery, art, valuables and accidental damage | High-value properties and second homes |
| Holiday home | Up to 150 days unoccupied cover, buildings and contents, weather damage | Second homes and holiday properties on the Costa Blanca |
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Insurance for Your Home in Spain. Compare Tiers
Our home insurance product is Generali Hogar Premium. It was formerly Liberty Hogar, now fully under the Generali brand following the 2024 acquisition. It comes in two escalating tiers. Pick the level that matches your property value, contents and the way you use the home.
| Cover & benefit | PlusMost popular | PremiumAll-risks |
|---|---|---|
| Buildings cover (continente) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Contents cover (contenido) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fire, smoke, lightning & explosion | ✓ | ✓ |
| Storm, flood & weather damage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Water damage & pipe leaks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Theft inside the home | ✓ | ✓ |
| Civil liability (RC familiar) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Legal defence (defensa jurídica) | ✓ | ✓ |
| 24/7 home emergency assistance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Locksmith, plumber & electrician callouts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Glass, mirrors & sanitary ware | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electrical surge / appliance damage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Garden furniture & outdoor plants | ✓ | ✓ |
| Theft outside the home (contents away) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accidental damage (clumsy / DIY) (optional on both) | ADD-ON | ADD-ON |
| Bicycles outside the home (civil liability only — bike not insured away from home) | — | — |
| IT equipment & portable electronics | ADD-ON | ✓ |
| Jewellery & valuables (20% of contents sum insured, standard on both) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Holiday home / extended absence cover | ADD-ON | ✓ |
| Loss of rental income (landlord) | ADD-ON | ADD-ON |
| Pest control / vermin damage | ADD-ON | ✓ |
⚠️ Indicative comparison only. Generali completed its acquisition of Liberty Seguros in January 2024 and finalised the legal integration in November 2025 — both ranges now operate under Generali España de Seguros y Reaseguros. Specific limits, excesses and add-on availability vary by policy, vehicle, property and individual circumstance. Contact our team for a tailored quote and the latest schedule of cover.
Approximate Home Insurance Pricing
Annual premiums for a Costa Blanca residence with full continente + contenido cover:
- €100,000 buildings sum
- €30,000 contents
- Family liability €150,000
- Squatter (okupas) cover
- Defensa Jurídica included
- €300,000 buildings rebuild value
- €60,000 contents
- Pool & garden cover
- Family liability €600,000
- Holiday home options available
- €500,000+ buildings rebuild value
- €100,000+ contents
- High-value items scheduled
- Family liability €1m+
- Survey may be required
Prices shown are typical Spanish market starting points and depend on age, area, cover level and your individual circumstances. Contact us for a free personalised quote. Insurance must be on rebuild value (not purchase price) to avoid the regla proporcional underinsurance penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions. Home Insurance in Spain
These are the most common questions we receive.
Home insurance in Spain has features that surprise many British, Irish and Dutch owners — particularly around community insurance, squatter cover, the consorcio, and how the rebuild value differs from the purchase price. Here are the questions we are asked most often.
Best Home Insurance in Spain for Expats. Cost and Options
The best home insurance in Spain for expats covers buildings, contents and liability in a single policy. It also comes with English-language documentation and an English-speaking claims process. The best home insurance companies in Spain for English-speaking residents include Generali, Mapfre, Axa and Mutua Madrileña.
As authorised Generali agents, Turner Insurance arranges home insurance for expats in Spain, expat insurance for homes in Spain, across the Costa Blanca. Compare home insurance in Spain options with a free quote — 966 461 625.
Cost of Home Insurance in Spain
The cost of home insurance in Spain depends on the rebuild value of the property, contents value, location and cover level. How much is home insurance in Spain on average:
- Apartment (€80,000 rebuild): €180–€280/year — cheap home insurance in Spain for smaller properties
- Townhouse (€140,000 rebuild): €260–€380/year
- Villa (€220,000 rebuild): €350–€550/year
- Second home / holiday home: add 15–25% for unoccupancy cover
- Home contents insurance in Spain only: €120–€200/year
Home insurance in Spain for expats costs the same as for Spanish nationals. No nationality loading applies. Insurance for holiday homes in Spain and second home insurance in Spain is slightly higher, due to extended unoccupancy. Mobile home insurance in Spain is available as a separate specialist product. See our static caravan insurance page.
More questions? Contact us for free English-speaking advice — or call 966 461 625.
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 Home Insurance for Expats vs AXA Hogar
Generali's home insurance arranged through Turner Insurance offers English-speaking claims, holiday-home cover and the broadest unoccupancy allowances. Here is how it compares to the alternatives most commonly suggested to expats.
| Feature | Generali Hogar Premium | AXA Hogar Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday / second home accepted | Yes — main, holiday or rental | Yes (with surcharge) |
| Maximum unoccupied period | 30 days (standard) / 180 days (declared holiday home) | 90 days/year |
| Squatters / okupas legal cover | Optional add-on, up to €6,000 | Optional add-on, up to €3,000 |
| Excess water consumption cover | Up to €1,000 — even with no damage | Up to €500 |
| Jewellery automatic cover | 20% of contents sum | 15% of contents sum |
| 24-hour home emergency | Plumbers, locksmiths, electricians, glaziers | Plumbers, locksmiths, electricians |
| Liability cover | Up to €1,000,000 | €600,000 standard |
| English-speaking claims handling | Yes via Turner Insurance | Limited |
| Premium 100m² Marina Alta home | ~€280–€420/year | ~€310–€460/year |
Generali Home Insurance vs Mapfre Hogar and Mutua Madrileña
How Generali's home insurance compares against Mapfre and Mutua Madrileña, two of the largest Spanish home insurers by market share.
| Feature | Generali Hogar Premium | Mapfre Hogar Plus | Mutua Madrileña Hogar Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buildings + contents combined | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| New-for-old contents settlement | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Liability cover | Up to €1,000,000 | €600,000 (€1M optional) | €600,000 |
| Annual claim cap | Unlimited (subject to policy sum) | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Holiday/second-home rates | Same as main home | +15% surcharge | +10% surcharge |
| 24-hour emergency response time | <60 min target | <90 min target | <90 min target |
| Premium 120m² standard home | ~€340/year | ~€370/year | ~€380/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.
- Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros. Extraordinary risks. Covers losses from extraordinary natural events (flooding, earthquakes, severe storms) that ordinary home insurance excludes.
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COMPETITIVE PRICES · ENGLISH POLICIES · ENGLISH CLAIMS HANDLING
Cancellation rights. Annual contracts auto-renew under Ley 50/1980 Article 22. Cancellation requires at least one month's written notice before renewal.