Safe routes: the best road trips in Spain and how your car insurance protects you
Earthquake Insurance
UNESPA stands for “UNIÓN ESPAÑOLA DE ENTIDADES ASEGURADORAS Y REASEGURADORAS” which is the Spanish Union of Insurance and Reinsurance companies and represents the insurance sector in Spain before the government, regulators and public institutions and aids on key issues such as natural disasters and climate risk.
They have today due to the unprecedented fires in Spain published a FAQ list which is a great help for people affected by the fires:
UNESPA — Fire Insurance FAQ
Source: UNESPA (Spanish Insurance Business Association) Content attributed to “UNESPA spokespersons“
Who covers damage caused by fires?
Insurance companies cover fire damage to insured persons and property (buildings, vehicles, etc.).
Fires are not covered under the scope of the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros (CCS) — the Spanish Insurance Compensation Consortium.
Is fire covered by insurance?
Multi-risk insurance policies (home, homeowners’ association, commercial, and industrial) include coverage for:
- Fire and smoke damage
- Fire extinguishing costs
- Post-fire tasks such as removal of belongings, debris clearance, and replacement of destroyed official documents (deeds, national ID cards, etc.)
Which insurance policies apply in the event of a fire?
| Policy | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Home Insurance | Structure (walls, doors, windows) and contents (furniture, appliances, belongings) |
| Commercial Insurance | Premises structure and contents (furniture, stock, merchandise) |
| Homeowners’ Association Insurance | Building structure, common areas (entrance hall, stairs, lifts, gardens, pool) and their contents |
| Industrial Insurance | Industrial building structure and contents (machinery, stock) |
| Car Insurance | Fully comprehensive policies include fire cover; check your policy for partial cover |
| Agricultural Insurance | Insured crops and livestock are covered by Agroseguro |
| Life & Accident Insurance | Life policies pay out to named beneficiaries in the event of death; accident policies compensate the injured |
| Civil Liability Insurance | May apply in the future if an investigation determines responsibility for the fire’s cause or spread |
How do I find out which insurer I was with?
If you cannot remember who you are insured with you can:
- Contact your insurance broker or agent or bank
- Check your bank statements to identify which insurance company charged your premium to your account
How much will I be paid?
Insurers will compensate for damages incurred, but the amount paid will not exceed either:
- The actual value of the destroyed property, or
- The insured sum stated in the policy
What is the sum insured?
The insured sum is the maximum amount the insurer will pay for damages to an asset.
For buildings with multiple units, two separate sums must be considered:
- The insured sum under the homeowners’ association policy
- The insured sum under each individual home or commercial policy
I have lost my home — where will I live?
Home insurance policies may include uninhabitability cover. In such cases, the insurer will assist in finding temporary accommodation, usually for a limited number of days, subject to the conditions set out in the policy.
📌 Important: Keep all receipts for expenses incurred, as these will need to be submitted as proof when dealing with the claim
Is business interruption covered?
Commercial and industrial policies may include loss of profit cover due to fire-related business interruption, provided that:
- There is a direct material loss covered by the policy (i.e. the fire itself)
⚠️ A decision by authorities to confine or evacuate an area — causing a business to halt — would not be covered unless a specific clause exists for this, and only if there is no direct material damage covered by the policy.
Are crops and livestock covered?
Yes. Fire damage to agricultural and livestock operations is covered by Agroseguro (agricultural insurance), including:
- Damage to crops and plantations (trees, vineyards, etc.)
- Damage to insured livestock
- For cereal crops, coverage also extends to production affected by preventive firebreaks
Coverage applies regardless of the cause of the fire. If the fire is found to have been deliberately set and a responsible party is identified, insurers may pursue recovery of the compensation paid.
📌 No rush to file a claim — once the fire is extinguished and safe access to the affected property is possible, the farmer should contact their broker and notify Agroseguro.
I was renting out my property and have lost rental income — am I covered?
Property owners who were renting out their home, premises, or industrial unit, and had this specified in their insurance policy, may be entitled to compensation for lost rental income, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy.
About Our Team
At The Insurance Centre, we’ve been helping clients since 1999 with friendly, professional, and multilingual insurance services tailored especially for expatriates in Spain. We work with top-tier, reputable insurance providers and have proudly received awards for excellence in customer service and expat insurance for the past 10 years.
We are fully registered with the Dirección General de Seguros (DGS) and are members of the Colegio de Mediadores. Our team speaks English, Spanish, French, and Swedish, ensuring clear and confident communication with clients from around the world.
