Legal Insurance Spain
Legal insurance, also known as legal protection insurance or legal expenses insurance, is just as important as private health insurance. That is, by providing legal coverage and protection, as well as making available the appropriate professionals for your legal issue. Tax issues, marriage conflicts, civil issues such as inheritances, consumer disputes, claims, problems in the neighborhood community, issues with online shopping, contract signing, and so on are among the most common legal issues in Spain.
A Legal Insurance Protects You In Legal Cases
Over 3.2 million Spaniards have obtained legal insurance. Although this is a big number, it is still far below the number of car insurance (25 million) and home insurance (25 million) (19 million).
Why Taking Out A Legal Protection Insurance
The primary reason for purchasing legal insurance is to avoid dealing with courts, judges, and the legal system on your own. Fortunately, legal matters that end up in court are in the minority, but it is still stressful to engage in such procedures while being unaware of the situation.
Having a large pool of legal professionals ready to assist you at a low cost can make your life easier. A legal insurance policy will also cover the costs of any legal, arbitration, or administrative proceedings brought against you.
Customized Legal Insurance
Each matter and group has its own legal insurance. Families, individuals, drivers, businesses, freelancers, and even owners and communities of neighbors can obtain these insurances. Hiring legal protection insurance protects you from situations in which you need to claim damages or seek legal advice when your rights are violated.
Hiring more than one legal insurance policy is not incompatible.
Basic Coverages For A Legal Protection Insurance
When purchasing legal insurance, you should look into the following basic coverages:
- Criminal defense: Legal, judicial, and extrajudicial assistance, as well as payment of expenses for the criminal defense procedure for errors, are all available.
- Damage claim: Legal, judicial, and extrajudicial assistance, as well as payment of legal fees for claims of third-party damage to your personal property or pets.
- Consumer defense: Protection against personal property or pet damage, as well as breach of contract by doctors, hospitals, veterinarians, travel agencies, or online purchases, among others.
- Legal protection as a tenant: As a home lessee, you have the right to defend and make a claim in court.
Extended Coverages
Other coverages that could be added to your legal protection insurance policy include the following:
- Buying and selling houses
- Refinancing, consumer/creditor problems
- Tax questions
- Adoption
- Single parent legal issues and questions
- Help with contracts and legal documents.
- Preparing legal documents or letters
- Protecting your rights as a tenant
- Preparing a will or living will
- Estate planning
- Home improvement or contractor issues
- Consumer protection
- Traffic tickets
Choosing Your Legal Insurance Company
Some of the best legal insurance companies in Spain are listed below.
Tier 1
Hogan Lovells International LLP
Hogan Lovells International LLP is praised for its ‘excellent training and great experience’ in the insurance industry. With the retirement of its former practice head in 2020 and the arrival of Pablo Muelas from Gómez-Acebo & Pombo in June 2021, the department underwent significant changes in 2020 and 2021. Muelas, an ‘outstanding professional,’ is known for his ‘360o global vision of the processes,’ which he gained while working at the DGSFP (Directorate-General for Insurance and Pension Funds) and other public-sector positions. As a result, the firm is a popular choice for insurance and reinsurance regulatory matters, as well as corporate and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). On the contentious side, the team is involved in professional liability claims and product liability litigation and has recently been especially involved in Covid-19 cases. Litigator Gonzalo Ardila stands out, as do senior associates Margarita Morales and Felipe Vázquez, who was promoted to counsel in January 2022.
Practice Head(s)
Pablo Muelas
Other Key Lawyers
Felipe Vázquez; Margarita Morales; Gonzalo Ardila
Kennedys
In the Spanish insurance market, Kennedys stands out for its specialized and dedicated team, which excels in insurance litigation in particular. The firm is a famous choice among multinational corporations because it is part of an international firm with a well-established reputation in the sector and is prepared to handle a variety of domestic and cross-border cases. Kennedys IQ, a platform that uses intelligent tools to help clients manage their claims portfolios, was launched in early 2020.
- Olivia Delagrange is an expert in the field who is qualified in Spain, Belgium, England, and Wales.
- Isidoro Ugena, who specializes in D&O, commercial crime, and professional indemnity claims, among other areas;
- Alfonso de Ramos has 15+ years of international claims handling experience, with a focus on professional indemnity, medical malpractice, environmental, energy, property, and casualty.
Senior associates to watch include Marta Parrondo, Alicia Fole, and Javier Montero.
Practice Head(s)
Olivia Delagrange; Isidoro Ugena; Alfonso de Ramos
Other Key Lawyers
Susana Martinez Cabrera; Javier Montero; Marta Parrondo; Alicia Fole
Pérez-Llorca
With the hiring of highly regarded insurance expert Joaquin Ruiz Echauri from Hogan Lovells International LLP in September 2020, Pérez-Llorca quickly established an impressive insurance practice. This was quickly followed by the hiring of Swiss Re counsel Rafael Fernández in October 2020. The dedicated insurance department has also grown at the associate level, with recent hires including Fátima Eizaguirre Carrancio, Jess Almarcha, and Juan Pablo Nieto. The firm has a diverse practice that includes litigation, corporate, and regulatory matters, with a focus on warranty and indemnity (W&I) insurance. On the contentious front, the team has recently been working on loss-of-profits claims stemming from Covid-19, among other things.
Practice Head(s)
Joaquín Ruiz Echauri
Other Key Lawyers
Luis María González; Rafael Fernández; Fátima Eizaguirre Carrancio; Jesús Almarcha; Juan Pablo Nieto
Tier 2
Ashurst LLP
The insurance and reinsurance department at Ashurst LLP is praised for its ‘deep knowledge of the sector and great dedication to the client’. The department is known for its expertise in corporate and commercial transactions in the sector, and it has been busy advising on W&I insurance with large M&A transactions. The full-service firm can also deploy litigation, finance, and competition specialists to assist with insurance-related matters; for example, litigator and former state lawyer José Antonio Rodrguez is a key contact for contentious matters. Practice head Mara José Menéndez, counsel Francisco de León, and senior associate Camilo Luna are singled out for special recognition.
Practice Head(s)
Maria José Menéndez
Other Key Lawyers
Paloma Sánchez-Fayos; José Antonio Rodríguez; Francisco de León; Camilo Luna
Azsure Abogados SLP
Clients of the specialized insurance firm Azsure Abogados SLP highlight the team’s ‘excellent market knowledge and insights’. The firm rebranded and has been operating under its current name since 2021, but it has a long history and track record in the market, and its clients include leading international insurers. The team specializes in insurance claims, but it also handles non-contentious regulatory matters. In recent developments, the team established the international firm network INSULAW International, which brings together specialized insurance firms from Europe, Latin America, and North America. Jess Vélez, dubbed “one of the best-known lawyers in the insurance world,” leads the team and has extensive experience advising local and international insurers and reinsurers on coverage issues involving significant losses. Jose Mara Araz, Javier Goizueta, and senior associates Ilse-Marie Dames and Jaime Mascaras are also notable.
Practice Head(s)
Jesús Vélez
Other Key Lawyers
Inés Ponce; Jose María Araúz; Javier Goizueta; Ilse-Marie Dames; Jaime Mascareñas;
Clifford Chance
Through its involvement in high-value and high-profile transactions in the sector, Clifford Chance has established a prominent insurance and reinsurance practice. Jaime Velázquez led the team that advised CaixaBank, Bankia, and Abanca on the sale of a controlling interest in Spanish insurer CASER through a competitive auction process. The team also advises on cross-border transactions on a regular basis, collaborating with colleagues in other offices in the firm’s international network as needed. Fernando Irurzun, a dispute resolution expert, and his associate Juan Valcárcel are also important contacts.
Practice Head(s)
Miguel Barredo; Jaime Velázquez; Fernando Irurzun; Fernando Giménez-Alvear
Other Key Lawyers
Miguel Barredo; Juan Valcárcel; Fernando Giménez-Alvear
DAC Beachcroft LLP
DAC Beachcroft LLP has a very good team of lawyers with excellent qualifications and sector knowledge; in 2020, it added ASJUSA Abogados to its already extensive insurance offering, particularly in healthcare and medical malpractice. Pablo Guillén, formerly of Clyde & Co LLP, will join the firm in April 2021 to lead the D&O and financial institutions department. The team specializes in insurance claims and can help with professional indemnity, product liability, and recall cases, to name a few. In addition, the firm is a founding member of Legalign Global, an alliance of law firms that represent insurers and brokers in cross-border matters. ‘Persuasive, sharp, and a very effective negotiator,’ says José Mara Pimentel. Marisol Lana and José Mara lvarez-Cienfuegos are also mentioned.
Practice Head(s)
Iñigo Cid-Luna; José María Pimentel; José María Álvarez-Cienfuegos; Pilar Rodriguez; Eduardo Asensi; Julio Albi
Other Key Lawyers
Marisol Lanal; Pablo Guillen
Garrigues
Garrigues’ insurance team, known for its ‘great dedication,’ excels in insurance-sector M&A, where it has a notable track record and a strong client portfolio. The firm is known for its expertise in bancassurance joint venture projects involving banks and insurance companies. Clients benefit from the firm’s technological and AI tools as well, such as Contract Express, automation software that efficiently creates first draughts of contracts and other written documents. Félix Ferreo was promoted to partner in January 2021, and Luis Covarrubias left the team in November 2020 to take a position in-house. The practice is led by corporate and M&A experts Alvaro López-Jorrn and Mónica Martin de Vidales, with the highly regarded Mara Fernández-Picazo also a key contact.
Practice Head(s)
Mónica Martín de Vidales; Álvaro López-Jorrín
Other Key Lawyers
Félix Ferreño; María Fernández-Picazo; Juan González Ortega; Arnau Tapias Monné
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP is a law firm specializing in matters of high legal complexity. They have professionals of recognized prestige in the field of insurance and reinsurance,’ and have established a strong reputation in the Spanish market, with a particular forte in insurance litigation. It represents a diverse range of clients in this market, including insurers and reinsurers, corporate policyholders, and brokers. Clients on the policyholder side include Ibex 35 and major multinational corporations. ‘Excellent lawyer’ Paulino Fajardo heads the department, which can also provide non-contentious regulatory advice. Alejandra Galdos, of counsel, and associates Joaqun Fernández, Milagros Sanz, and Wojtek Zaluska are also mentioned.
Practice Head(s)
Paulino Fajardo
Other Key Lawyers
Wojtek Zaluska; Leopoldo González-Echenique; Alejandra Galdos; Francisco Montiano; Consuelo Puerta; Joaquín Fernández; Milagros Sanz;
Uría Menéndez
Highly reputable corporate and insurance expert Guillermo San Pedro leads the insurance practice at Uría Menéndez, which clients appreciate for its ‘extraordinary practical knowledge’ and ‘great involvement in projects’. The firm frequently advises on the largest and most high-profile M&A transactions in the Spanish insurance market, including those with a cross-border component. A recent example was their advice to Helvetia on the €800 million acquisition of 70% of Caser’s share capital. In addition, the firm has established itself as one of the leading law firms in Spain for bancassurance transactions. Jaime del Fraile, the senior associate, is frequently involved in the firm’s major transactions and is well-liked by clients. At the council level, Julio Iglesias is a name to remember.
Practice Head(s)
Guillermo San Pedro
Other Key Lawyers
Guillermo del Río; Julio Iglesias; Patricia Vidal; Jaime del Fraile
Tier 3
Bird & Bird
With the arrival of Virginia Martnez and Luis Alfonso Fernández from Hogan Lovells International LLP in March 2021, Bird & Bird launched an insurance practice. The pair stand out for their analysis and knowledge in regulatory matters and have hit the ground running at the firm. They advise new and existing clients on a variety of non-contentious and contentious matters in the insurance, reinsurance, and insurance sectors.
Practice Head(s)
Luis Alfonso Fernández
Other Key Lawyers
Teresa Repullo; Virginia Martínez; Virginia Domínguez; Ignacio Felipe
Blanco & Asociados Abogados
Blanco & Asociados Abogados’ highly specialized insurance lawyers are ‘always up to date with legislative changes’ and provide ‘excellent service’. The team is well-positioned to handle a variety of domestic and cross-border matters as a member of GILC (Global Insurance Law Connect), a network of firms that specializes in insurance and civil liability. Its clients include insurance, reinsurance, and brokerage firms, as well as multinational corporations active in a variety of other industries. Fernando Blanco Giraldo, a ‘brilliant lawyer,’ leads the team, which also includes Fernando Blanco Gamella and Adrián Martnez de Velasco González.
Practice Head(s)
Fernando Blanco Giraldo
Other Key Lawyers
Fernando Blanco Gamella; Santiago Martín Gil; Adrián Martínez de Velasco González
CMS Albiñana & Suárez de Lezo
CMS Albiana y Suárez de Lezo’s “smart and detail-oriented” team stands out for its knowledge of the insurance sector. They have extensive experience advising insurers on the submission of innovation projects to the regulatory sandbox. Aside from insurance, the firm can advise insurance clients on a variety of regulatory, transactional, and contentious issues. On a broader level, the firm continues to invest in technology and innovation, providing its clients with a variety of legal tech tools and online platforms and providing analysis and news on financial services regulation through its RegZone platform. Jaime Bofill is the department’s leader, and Rafael Sáez is a key member of the team. Macarena Sanz González departed the company in January 2022.
Practice Head(s)
Jaime Bofill
Other Key Lawyers
Rafael Sáez; Jorge Etreros
Cuatrecasas
Cuatrecasas has extensive experience in the insurance industry, particularly in large M&A transactions. Clients also seek its assistance in regulatory matters, as well as advice on innovation and the development of new insurance products. As a full-service firm, it can form multidisciplinary teams to provide advice on a variety of tax, corporate, and labor issues. Clients can also benefit from the firm’s shipping and international trade expertise in the context of cargo claims and cargo insurance matters. Rebeca Rodrguez stands out in the insurance sector for her expertise in tax, finance, and corporate transactions; she co-leads the practice with Eduardo Ramrez. Counsel Carlos Bonhome provides regulatory and commercial advice to financial institutions, including insurance companies. Ruth Duque arrived in October 2022 as a newcomer.
Practice Head(s)
Rebeca Rodríguez; Eduardo Ramírez
Other Key Lawyers
Ruth Duque; Adolfo Rovira; Carlos Ferrer; Íñigo Quintana; Carlos Bonhome
DWF-RCD
Clients of DWF-RCD appreciate the ‘extensive experience’ and ‘positive and proactive attitude in the search for solutions’. Amara Oderiz, a senior associate, is mentioned. Ruth Duque has left the firm since the article was published.
Other Key Lawyers
Amara Odériz; Celia Zafra
Muñoz Arribas Abogados S.L.P.
‘A highly specialized and reputable firm in the insurance sector,’ Muñoz Arribas Abogados S.L.P. ‘knows the market situation well and knows how to take advantage of relevant knowledge to provide the best service’. The team has a strong track record in litigation and is also becoming more involved in non-contentious regulatory matters. Domestic and cross-border claims involving workplace accidents, professional civil liability, D&O, and property damage are the department’s mainstays, which are led by highly regarded tort, civil liability and insurance, and medical malpractice expert Jose Antonio Munoz Villarreal. Alberto Munoz, Bernardo Ybarra, Francisco Javier Muoz Villarreal, Ismael Valera Bonet, and Ana Candelaria Baragao Alvarez are among the other key practitioners.
Practice Head(s)
Jose Antonio Muñoz
Other Key Lawyers
Federico Guirado; Alberto Muñoz; Bernardo Ybarra; Francisco Javier Muñoz Villarreal; Ismael Valera Bonet; Ana Candelaria Baragaño Alvarez; Sophie Savestre; Rafael Iglesias Rojas; Elena Ros Navarro;
Conclusion
Anyone needs legal protection because there are numerous everyday situations in which you may become involved in a dispute or need to assert your rights and interests. However, expats and foreigners living in Spain are more vulnerable to problems because they are unfamiliar with the system or how companies and entities operating in Spain, and we recommend that they obtain legal protection insurance.
Keep in mind that some multi-risk policies, such as home or business insurance, already include legal protection coverage. This can be activated if the claim is covered by the insurance scope; however, most of these covers are limited (for example, up to a maximum of 3,000 euros) and cover a limited number of claims. It is, therefore, advisable to obtain additional legal protection insurance to assist you in dealing with unexpected legal expenses.