How to make a home insurance claim in Spain — what to do first, the documents you need, the loss adjuster, and how to claim in English.
How to make a home insurance claim in Spain — what to do first, the documents you need, the loss adjuster, and how to claim in English.
A claim is the moment your policy proves its worth — or doesn't. The Spanish process is straightforward once you know the steps, but it's almost always conducted in Spanish, which is where things go wrong for expat owners. Here's how to claim calmly and get paid properly.
Your first duty is to prevent further loss — turn off the water at the mains for a leak, make the property secure after a break-in. Insurers expect you to take reasonable steps, and failing to can affect the claim.
Spanish policies expect prompt notification, often within a set number of days. Report the claim as early as you can. If you're with us, you tell us in English and we open and manage it with the insurer on your behalf — see making a claim.
Take photographs and video before you clear up, keep damaged items where practical, and hold on to receipts, invoices and any repair quotes. For theft, you'll usually need a police report (denuncia). Good evidence is the difference between a smooth settlement and a disputed one.
For anything beyond a small claim, the insurer may appoint a loss adjuster (perito) to assess the damage. Be available, show them the evidence, and explain how the loss happened. This is the stage where speaking the language — or having someone who does — matters most.
If the damage came from an officially declared extraordinary event — a major flood or severe storm — the claim may go to the Consorcio rather than your insurer, using your policy's sums insured as the basis. And if your problem caused damage to a neighbour, your public liability cover is what responds.
The usual culprits are late notification, under-insurance, undeclared use of the property, or a security condition that wasn't met. We help you avoid all of those up front, and if you do need to claim, we handle the insurer and the perito in English so you're not negotiating a Spanish process alone. Get a quote.
General guidance only — not personal insurance advice. Cover, limits and exclusions vary by insurer and policy, so always check your policy terms. Last updated: May 2026.
Make the property safe, report the claim promptly, gather photos and receipts (and a police report for theft), and cooperate with the loss adjuster. We can open and manage the claim with the insurer in English.
Spanish policies usually require prompt notification within a set number of days. Report as early as you can — late notice can affect the claim.
Yes — we manage the claim and the loss adjuster with the insurer in English on your behalf.
Tell us about your property and we'll recommend the right cover — in plain English, with no pressure.
