Expat insurance in Spain: the hidden cost of going without
Why You Need Travel Insurance as an Expat in Spain
Christmas Security Tips: How to Protect Your Home in Spain
Christmas is a time of good cheer. Families get together, eat far too much and play games, and a big part of the season is giving and receiving gifts. Today many of those presents are high-value items like tablets, games consoles, smartphones and jewellery, and it’s natural to want to show them off, often by sharing photos on social media.
That’s the lovely side of the festive season. But there is a darker side too.
Christmas is also a busy time for thieves
Burglars have become far more sophisticated in choosing their targets. A post on Facebook or Instagram such as “Off to see the parents for Boxing Day, only a two-hour drive!” tells them that your home will be empty and for how long. By scrolling through your timeline they can often work out roughly where you live, and once they’re in your street, identifying your house isn’t difficult.
The rest, as they say, is history (along with your Christmas presents).
4 security tips to protect your home this Christmas
Nothing is completely failsafe, but these steps make your home a much less attractive target.
1. Check your home contents insurance is up to date. This is one of the most important steps. If the worst happens and you’re burgled, up-to-date home insurance in Spain means you can claim for many of the stolen items. Check that your contents cover reflects the value of any new gifts, especially jewellery and electronics.
2. Don’t announce your absence on social media. We all love sharing our lives online, but over Christmas, posting that you’re leaving home or spending a few days away can put you at risk. Share your photos once you’re back.
3. Use plug-in timers. Timers are inexpensive and easy to set up. Program a lamp or two to switch on when it gets dark so your home looks occupied.
4. Reinforce your physical security. Window locks, bars on ground-floor windows and a modern lock on your front door all make a real difference.
Travelling over the festive season?
If you’re heading abroad to visit family, protect the trip as well as the house. Read our article on why you need travel insurance as an expat in Spain before you go. And if Father Christmas brought you a new phone, it’s worth looking at mobile phone insurance too.
None of these measures guarantees you won’t be burgled, but together they help put thieves off choosing your home.
Need to review your cover before Christmas? Our multilingual team has been helping expats in Spain since 1999. Request a free home insurance quote or find out more in our definitive guide to insurance for expats in Spain.
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About Our TeamAt 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.
