Explained: Liability Insurance In Spain [2023 English Guide]

Getting insurance in a new country can be a slightly intimidating experience. Coupled with an unfamiliar language, it can be a hassle to get through the process. This guide will explain why getting private liability insurance is important in Spain and the options available to you.

Quick Comparison Of The Best Personal Liability Insurance In Spain

There are numerous companies in Spain that offer liability insurance. In most cases, this will simply be a part of the home insurance package. As you will see below, for the most part the kind of packages and coverage offered will be similar. However, you can benefit from some cost effective offers and add-ons in some cases.

Overall, AXA is a great option for expats since it offers customer support in any language of your choice for a seamless experience. Moreover, the coverage is more extensive, you can take advantage of discounts and can enjoy global coverage.

What Is Private Liability Insurance In Spain?

Private liability insurance is also known as personal liability insurance and covers any damages caused by you to the person or property of third parties. This does not cover damages to your own property. 

In Spain, this is usually included in the building and home insurance, so all members of the household or family are automatically insured against any damages they might cause to third parties. The family members for whom the policy gives coverage will be defined in your contract. You also have the option to get liability insurance separately for each person. This is useful for people who will not be living in Spain for very long and therefore will not be getting home insurance.

The maximum amount for liability coverage is around 300,000 euros for basic plans whereas all-risk plans offer coverage between 1 million and 5 million euros too.

Why Do You Need Liability Insurance In Spain?

Private liability insurance will cover all damage compensation claims that might be made against you. These include any involuntary incidents which might take place.

There are two kinds of consequences for any incident: criminal and civil. Criminal consequences occur when someone’s actions result in damages which are listed as offences under the criminal code. Civil consequences on the other hand are not listed as criminal offences under the legal system. And it is civil consequences for which the person responsible will need to pay compensation. Getting personal liability insurance will protect you to some degree against sudden financial costs. While in some cases you might feel that you can pay for damages out of your own pocket, in other cases like medical treatments, the costs can quickly skyrocket and become overwhelming. And in case you refuse to pay the damages or are not insured, the third party can even sue you in court.

Example For Having Liability Insurance In Spain

Suppose a guest comes to your home to stay during the vacations. While they are walking through your kitchen, they slip on the wet floor. The guest falls down and injures their back in the process. Moreover, they might even be unable to perform their job as a result of this injury which means a loss of income. They then sue you for damages, claiming that you failed to make sure that the area was safe. The damages can go up to several thousand euros! And you will be responsible for paying all of these costs. 

This is where personal insurance will be useful for you. It will cover medical bills as well as any legal defense fees if needed, up to the limit of your coverage. This will allow you to cover the damages without getting bankrupt. Furthermore, you can even get personal liability insurance for any incidents that occur outside your home. You never know when you might need it.

What Does Liability Insurance In Spain Cover?

Liability insurance covers all material damage that you might cause accidentally. For instance, while opening your umbrella you poke someone in the eye, if you damage a car with your shopping cart or if you break someone’s window while playing with a ball. The following items are included:

• Physical damage to someone’s property
• Any physical and mental damage to a person
• Financial losses incurred by the third party
• Any lawsuits you face in case of an accident

What Does Personal Liability Insurance In Spain Not Cover?

There are certain things that are not covered under private liability insurance. These include:

• Damages caused by you when you are driving your car (this is typically covered under car insurance)
• Any damages (physical or financial) caused intentionally by you
• Damages caused by your pet to another person or their property (this is covered under pet insurance)
• Damages caused to your own property or family members by your actions (you will have to pay these out of your own pocket)
• Work-related damages or claims related to your business activity (these will be covered under public or freelance liability insurance)

Which Is The Best Personal Liability Insurance In Spain?

AXA

AXA is a French multinational company, offering insurance, investment management and other financial services. It is a well-established group that was founded in 1816. The company has its headquarters in Paris, with operations all across Western Europe, North America, the Middle East and some presence in the India Pacific region and Africa. It also supports various artistic and philanthropic initiatives globally.

In Spain alone, the company has a powerful distribution network and more than 3300 exclusive agents. Their private liability insurance offers the following benefits:

• Private liability insurance for the policyholder which also extends to the spouse and children living in the same household
• Liability for amateur sports like cycling and golf
• Legal fees incurred are covered
• Homeowner, property and rental liability
• Global coverage for residents of Spain
• Quick customer support in the event of a claim
• Get discounts if you also purchase household contents insurance and cyber insurance alongside private liability cover
• You can increase the minimum cover depending on your needs

Caser Expat Insurance

The Caser insurance group was founded more than 75 years ago. It is owned by the Helvetia group which is a global insurance giant with more than 160 years of experience in Europe. In Spain, Caser began by offering services to the Agricultural Association and expanded their work from that starting point. Over the years they have developed a specialty in handling insurance and in the last 20 years they have even expanded into other areas like hospitals, retirement homes and other facility management.

Their extensive nationwide network helps to deliver among the best services and support. Their private liability insurance offers the following benefits:

• Damages caused by pets are covered under the policy
• Coverage all over the European Union (as long as your length of stay does not exceed three months)
• Protection for household employees if they have an accident while on your property
• Associated legal costs like those relating to sentencing, court fees etc. are covered. The company will also bear the cost of getting legal representation if required
• Any belongings left by the third party in your possession are not covered e.g. if someone leaves their laptop with you and you drop it, you will have to cover the costs yourself

Liberty Seguros

The Liberty Mutual group is one of the largest financial services groups in the world and has had a global presence for the last 100 years. It has millions of customers in five continents. In Spain, it has been operating since 2001 and serves 100,000 international clients in the country. The company has also transitioned to a branchless model over time, and deals with its agents and customers through numerous service centers in the country.

Liberty Seguros has established itself particularly well in the areas if motor and household insurance. For private liability insurance, they offer the following benefits to their customers:

• A standard 300,000 euros of public liability coverage per claim. You may set out slightly different amounts in your schedule depending on your needs
• Public liability from performing any repairs, extension and refurbishment is also included as long as the work does not affect the home’s basic structure
• Damages caused by the performance of any commercial activities in the home are not covered
• Public liability as a tenant is also covered if the lease term or period of stay is less than 3 months
• Cost of legal representation is covered (whenever needed)
• 24/7 customer support in the language you prefer

Allianz Insurance

The Allianz Group was founded in 1890 and has its headquarters in Munich, Germany. The company is one of the largest financial services and insurance providers in the world. It has a presence in more than 70 countries worldwide and serves around 100 million customers presently.

In Spain too, the Allianz Group serves around 4.5 million customers. Its recent commitment to digitization has meant that it offers its insurance products completely online to its customers. For private civil liability insurance, the company offers the following benefits:

• Coverage levels start from a minimum of 150,000 euros and can go up to 1.5 million euros depending on the package you opt for
• Legal defense and cover for all related fees, except in cases where the damage is deliberately caused or the person has engaged in fraud
• Liability cover is also given for pollution in single-family homes

Luko

Luko is a French setup founded in 2018. It is an insurance technology company and the first one to offer digital home insurance in Spain. Their primary focus is on providing a home insurance solution that integrates sustainability, which they do by making homes safer and reducing electricity bills. Therefore, their services involve maintenance and repair in addition to insurance. Over time, their product variety has expended to include vehicle insurance as well.

When it comes to private insurance, you will see that there are a number of features that stand out:

• The entire process can take place online, saving you from all the paperwork
• The website and support is in English and available round the clock
• Compared to other bigger insurance companies, you can save around 40% on costs
• Global coverage up to 5 years
• Coverage also includes pets like cats and birds among others
• The company also offers legal defense against unjustified claims and release from liability for all justified obligations to pay as well

Conclusion

When it comes to insurance, your safest bet is to never assume that you are covered, but always actively check with your provider if that is the case. After all, it is better to be safe than stuck in a situation where the alternative is a hefty financial cost. Now that you know what is covered typically under private liability insurance, be sure to find the option that suits you best and subscribe to it. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry!