Driving in Spain is a unique experience, with its own set of rules and regulations to follow. In order to ensure the safety of yourself and others I would recommend that you  familiarise yourself with these rules before driving, especially before any long trip to roads that you have never been on. Below is a comprehensive guide to the rules for motor vehicles in Spain.

Where must you keep documents in motor vehicle

You must keep your original driving license on you when you are driving your car in Spain as well as the original ownership documents, ITV certificate, insurance policy and insurance premium receipt.If you do not have the current receipt of the policy in the vehicle, the Guardia Civil and local Police now use the “FIVA” Insured Vehicle Computer Database to check if your vehicle is insured.We would recommend you take copies of all documentation to keep at home but ensure the originals are in the car whilst using it.

Road and Safety Rules for Cars in Spain

SeatbealtsYou must wear seat belts in the front of the car at all times. Seat belts must be worn in the back seats as well.

Children under 12 years of age: Children under 12 are not permitted to sit in the front seats. They must use appropriate child restraints or seat belts, depending on their weight and height. It is the responsibility of the driver to ensure that all passengers are wearing their seat belts or in the correct restraints.

Warning Triangles: It is also a legal requirement to carry two warning triangles in the vehicle in case you breakdown, as well as a fluorescent jacket which must be reachable from inside the vehicle.

Speed Limits:The speed limit on Spanish roads varies depending on the type of road and weather conditions. In urban areas, the speed limit is usually 50 km/h, while on highways it can be up to 120 km/h. It is important to pay attention to road signs and adjust your speed accordingly.

Drunk Driving: In Spain, the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l. It is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol and you will face severe penalties if caught. It is worth pointing out that if you are involved in an accident and you are over the limit, your insurance policy will be void.

Mobile Phones: The use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited unless they are used with hands-free devices.

Headlights: It is mandatory to have your headlights turned on when day driving in Spain. This is to increase visibility on the road and make it easier for other drivers to see you.

Emergencies: In the event of a breakdown or accident, it is recommended that you pull over to the side of the road and call for assistance. Your insurance contact will provide you with a breakdown card for numbers to call for assistance when inside Spain and abroad. If you are involved in a road accident, it is important to remain calm and wait for the authorities to arrive.

Mandatory items to keep in vehicle

It is mandatory to keep the following equipment in your vehicle:– Two red warning triangles officially approved by the Internal Ministry (Ministerio de Interior)– Spare tyre and tools necessary to replace it or a run flat kit. – A fluorescent jacket which you must be able to put on before leaving the carHelmets are compulsory on all bikes in Spain at all times. 

What licenses are recognised in Spain

All EU driving licenses are recognised. If you are European Union citizen then you may drive in Spain using your existing license.

Other rules

Tolls: Many highways in Spain are subject to tolls, which can be paid in cash or with a credit card.

Parking: Parking in Spain is strictly regulated, and you should always pay attention to road signs and parking restrictions. In many cities, there are designated parking areas and it is illegal to park on the pavement or in front of someone’s home.

In regards insurance if you hit an illegally parked car you will be responsible for the damages caused. Any vehicle that is stationary is subject to a fine if they are caught, but it does not mean that any damage you cause to this vehicle is not covered. So it will always be best to slow down when facd with a car that is parked illegally and make slow manoeuvrers to avoid any collision.

An Insurance Broker will always put the customer first before anything else. You will get independant and qualified advice backed up with experience of knowing the Insurance Market.

The Key Benefits of using an Insurance Broker is they put the customer first providing independant advice

Below are just some of the key benefits to using an Insurance Broker

Insurance Broker will provide Expert Advice and Knowledge of the Insurance Market in Spain:

Insurance brokers are qualified professionals that know the market and all the complexities. The process to become a qualified broker is quite extensive. This being the case, you are getting the best advice and guidance possible.

All Insurance Brokers require their own professional liability cover so you can rest assured any recommendations are always backed up. Their recommendations always will relate to the whole market and are non biased.

Access to multiple insurance companies:

Insurance brokers as mentioned work with many insurance companies. The companies chosen are ones which they will have a relationship with and are regarded as the top companies in the insurance sector. The added benefit is if you have different types of vehicles and sizes of homes then an insurance company can always be found to match the risk, whether that be price focused or a certain level of cover needed.

Hassle-free claims process:

Claims can be complicated and having an expert team and broker guide you and take control of the process, can never be underestimated. With the many years experience brokers will make sure the claim is handled quickly and fairly.

For example Consorcio (natural disasters claims) are quite complex and brokers will take all the stress away from the situation. Usually these types of claims can be quite large in terms of damage caused; having an experienced broker on hand will be a godsend and make the process a whole lot smoother.

– The consorcio is a government organization in Spain that covers natural claims such as major flooding, burst river banks and major fires.

Getting updates on claims is a priority for any broker. When you compare this to having to deal with a company directly, you will get treated as a number and it will be very unlikley you have a contact to deal with directly. It is not unheard of for online companies (I will not mention any names!) to provide a number to call which you have to pay extortionate rates for.

A good example of a claim we see where clients deal directly with some insurers is the following. Car insurance accidents where it may be a little unclear who is at fault, the insurer will tend to want to solve the claim quickly and so will say the claims is a “Knock for Knock”. Therefore, no party is to blame and since you have had a claim, your no claims bonus is affected. Unlike working with a Broker who will fight your corner and make sure your no claims is not affected if the accident is not your fault.

– When dealing with online companies directly they charge a substantial amount for “no claims protection” on policies. Whereas when using a broker, the policy can include this as standard with no fee added. ‘No claims protection’ is important since if you have one motor accident your no claims bonus is protected, so your premium will remain the same the following year.

Personalised service:

Insurance brokers work directly with you to understand your unique needs and personal circumstances. A broker will always provide personalised recommendations to meet your specific insurance requirements.

Long-term relationship:

An insurance broker can provide ongoing support, helping you with policy renewals and updates, and providing advice as your needs change over time. At Bsure we are thankful to have clients stay with us for over 20 plus years. Feel free to see our Testimonials to see what they say about us!

People tend to think Insurance covers everything. This of course is not the case and especially in the case of home Insurance policies. The policy will typically have exclusions, limits, and deductibles. 

Some of the myths of cover and misconceptions are outlined below so you do not fall in any pitfalls with any claim.

Common Home Insurance Myths 

Home insurance is optional

This in most cases is true but if you have a mortgage on the property the bank may require homeowners to cover their loan and rebuild of the building in event of a total loss on the property. It is also recommended as a way to protect what will likely be your biggest asset and all your belongings.

Home insurance only covers the home’s rebuild

Although this is not a common misconception it is worth pointing out that Home insurance also covers many other things such as contents, liability, and additional living expenses in case of displacement from the home.

Acts of god are not covered in Spain

This is thankfully not true! Acts of good such as earthquakes and major floods are covered under a government fund called the Consorcio. Each policy on renewal pays a very small percent into the fund and this goes towards any claim which is considered an act of god. Online insurance companies do not tend to help the client when these claims occur, but brokers and insurance agents will always manage this type of claim for you.

Home Insurance Myths related to security and your valuable items

My valuable items are insured without naming them on the policy

This is a myth since if items are over a certain amount then they should be named on the policy. The amount varies but I would recommend any valauble item over 3000 euros you should name on the policy.

Below is list of valuable items that you should be naming on your policy.

• Watches
• Jewellery
• Collections
• Antiques

My valuable items do not need to be in a safe

If the value of the item is low, which I would consider to be under 3000 euros as mentioned previously, then this is fine but any item which you value highly needs to go into a safe. If you do not have a safe always check that this is accepted by the insurer.

I did not put my alarm on but will still be covered for theft

I am afraid if you have stated you have an alarm this will mean it always has to be connected when you leave the property. In some instances if allowed by the insurer you can state no alarm even if you do have one. This is recommended if you rent out the property.

Other Home Insurance Myths

Family members Medical expenses are covered in case of injury

Under a home policy if your guests or anyone visiting you gets hurt you will be covered for any liability. However, it will not cover you or a family member in case they get injured while at home, only third parties not related to you.

You are covered for accidental damage

Accidental damage protects against unintentional one-off incidents and is not standard cover- it has to be specifically requested. It is important to check in your policy if it is included.

If I am away from the property for an extended period I do not have to inform my insurer

Your policy will have a time frame of occupancy. If your policy states up to 30 days and you are away for over this period you will not have cover in event of a claim. Always check your policy and call your broker if you need to extend the period of days you will be away.

Home insurance premiums do not increase

Premiums can change over time, due to factors such as inflation, changes in the home’s value, and updates to the policy coverage. All policies that we offer are new for old, therefore with the annual increase in the capital amounts insured this will slightly increase the price of the policy.

Not only do security measures provide peace of mind, they also can provide good discounts on your home insurance policy. In this blog we will look at which measures to consider installing in your home.

Home Insurance Discounts for Secuirty Measures

Secure access points

Make sure each access point such as windows and doors, have a secure lock with a key. To get the best discount the front door should have a metal sheet through the middle and latches at each corner of the door that lock in once the key is turned.

Metal bars or “rejas” on windows are advisable if you live in a detached home. If you prefer to have an undeterred view, security shutters are an excellent alternative.

If you live in a ground floor apartment it is advisable to have metal bars or shutters, as there is a much higher risk of break in than if you are above the ground floor.

There is good discount for having the above measures in place. Security locks on windows may be a requirement if the contents value is over a certain amount.

Have an Alarm installed connected to a security center

An alarm which is connected to a security center is always a better option than an alarm that simply notifies you of a break in. The reason why is because the security center can send an urgent visit to the property from either their staff or the police.

Your activity and times you are at home and how long you are away is usually known by the intruders. Having an alarm installed means that the time you personally are away from home becomes less of a factor. Also if you are on holiday having a connected alarm will be a great deterrent.

Time is a key factor when a break in occurs, as the burglars usually know the time frames until they are interrupted. Contracting a reputable alarm company will let the burglars know they have to keep to the time frame. If you go with a lesser alarm company, the burglars will be more lax and the more time they are in the property the more items that will be stolen. However, there is no larger discount if you contract one alarm company or another.

The overall discount by having an alarm installed varies with each insurer. Some companies have a requirement to have an alarm installed for relatively low values of contents. Other companies have high limits of contents until an alarm is required. Your broker will be able to provide a quote from the most suitable insurer. 

Rentals with high value contents

You may rent your property and have a high overall value of contents but are not worried about a robbery as there are no valuable items likely to be stolen. In this instance we would recommend an insurer that does not require an alarm since tenants usually are not very good at putting the alarm on when they leave the property.

Occupancy of the property

On the home policy you will have to state how many consecutive days you will be away from the property during the year. There are good discounts available if you have someone check on your property once a month.

Where the price of the policy will increase significantly is if you personally are away from the property for over 6 months. Some insurers put a smaller surcharge in these cases so it will be advisable to always compare each quote.

Two top tips

1. A top tip if you are away from your home for a long period is always to turn off the water at the mains. This will avoid a leak while you are away, and coming back to major damage.
2. Another tip not related to gaining a discount is being careful on Mondays! You would think robberies happen most on the weekend, but according to a study done by AXA, Monday is the day of the week in which more robberies occur.

Having a top quality safe installed

This will only be a requirement and give a good discount on the policy if you have items of jewellery or watches of high value that need to be kept in a safe.

An extra measure will be having a vibration alert if the safe is moved from its position, where the signal of the movement is sent to the security company.

Security measures that do not give a discounts but should be considered

Unfortunately, not all security installations will give a discount. This does not mean that you should not install them.

The below are measure you should consider as deterrents:

• Video surveillance systems is a top recommendation, as although you will not save anything on your policy, it will allow the security company to instantly assess the risk and send the relevant staff quicker. If you do not have video installed they usually call you first to see if the alarm was a mistake, which loses precious time.
• Fire Alarms: Installing smoke and fire alarms help lower the risk of fire damage to your home.
• Outdoor Lighting: Installing outdoor lighting, such as motion-sensor lights, can help deter burglars.
• Security Gates or Fences: Installing security gates or fences around the property will make it more secure.

If you need to make a Home Insurance claim it can be dificult to know the first steps, options and how to start the process. 

Various Options available to you on How to make a Home Insurance Claim

1. First point of call is to ring the 24hr home Assistance number
2. If the damages can not be repaired immediately then an assessor can be arrganged to view damages
3. In the event of a robbery it is essential to contact your insurance broker and to make a police report

24 Home Assitance for water damages and robbery

The most common claim are water damages. A leak will require you to turn off the water at the mains and to call the home assistance number on your policy. A plumber will then come to your property to fix the problem. If it is a major flood then they will be at your property usually within 3 hrs. If not urgent then an appointment can be arranged when is convenient for you. 

A robbery will also usually require home assistance to come a fix any locks or windows which were broken when the burgulars entered the property. 

Other times assitance can be called is for electricity issues such as a power surge that damages the protection of the home such as the garage door. 

When to arrange an Assessor 

You will have to call your insurance broker to arrange an assessor visit. An assessor will not be able to view your home on the same day, unlike home assistance, but usually the following day. 

Unknown source of water leak

If damages are not repairable easily then assessor is required. An example of a claim where an assessor is required is a water leak where you do not know the source. An assessor would have to view the damages to authorise a sonar machine to locate the source. This can be expensive if you have to pay for this machine yourself but through the home policy it is completly free after taking into account your excess on the policy. 

Robbery

An assessor is required for all robberies. To view the location of entry and take details of what happended. A police report will also be required. 

On many occasions you only notice after a few days items which were stolen that you did not mention in the police report. Do not worry thou, since you can always add these to the police report. It is in most cases easier to go in person to make the report at the police station. During covid this was not possible and there is a phone number that you are able to call to start the process and gain a reference number to at least start the process. 

Other times an assessor is required

Water, electricity claims and Robberies are the usual type of claims when an assessor is needed. Other types of claims when they will be required are fire claims and damage to the building. These types of claims are usually more serious and the time frame to finalise these claims will depend on the level of damage. 

What is the time scale for repair

As mentioned above water leaks will be quick repairs. Where as fire or damage to the building may take longer to solve. For example a major fire in the home could take well over a month until repairs are agreed and carried out.

How to make a Home Insurance claim if I do not agree with assessor report

On many occasions the compensation that will be reported by the assessor will be lower than you are prepared to accept. When this happens it is essential that you have an independant insurance broker to work on your behalf to negociate with insurance company. 

If you do not agree after extensive negociation with the insurer on the compensation of a claim, the last resort is the ombudsman. However, this is a very long process and involves costs such as contracting an independant assessor which will be out of your pocket. Your insurance broker will be able to advise in these cases and give as much help as possible.