Buying a home in Spain is a responsible step and a serious investment, so it is not surprising that every property owner seeks to protect his home from all sorts of problems, among which property damage, theft and «okupas» are the most worrying.
Today, there are many ways to keep your home in Spain secure, but which ones are the most reliable? In this article, we will look at the most popular ways to protect your Spanish property in various situations: when the owners live directly in their home in Spain, or when the property is vacant for a certain period of time or season.
We will also tell you about the use of security systems and alarms offered in Spain, as well as how property insurance can help you to protect your home.
Option 1: The Owners Live Permanently in Their House in Spain
Living in your home in Spain all year round, you can take the following steps to keep it safe:
1. Alarm Systems Installing. Installation of alarms is one of the most popular home security measures in Spain. Typically, the alarm consists of several sensors motion-activated, and triggered by opening doors and windows. Sound and light alarm is also provided, which notifies the owner of a possible break-in into the house. Installing such an alarm system is an effective way to protect your home from unlawful entry.
2. Installation of Surveillance Cameras. Set-up of surveillance cameras is also a reliable way to ensure the safety and security of your home in Spain. Cameras can be installed both inside and outside the dwelling. They allow to watch online what is happening around your house, and their presence on the exterior facade may scare off potential criminals.
3. Installation of Additional Locks. Additional locks installing can also be a good element of protecting your home. These locks can be installed on entrance doors, windows, as well as wickets and gates. In addition, smart door locks with a combination lock or biometric fingerprint scanner can be used. Such measures make it more difficult for criminals to enter your housing.
4. Security Service. If you want to be sure that your home in Spain is completely safe, you can hire a security guard. This can be either an individual with the appropriate license or an employee of the company providing this type of services.
Option 2: The Owners Live Seasonally in Their House in Spain
In this case, in addition to the above measures with alarms, cameras and locks, a few more security arrangements can be added:
1. Hire a management company or a reliable person (neighbor, friend, acquaintance) who could look after the house in your absence. Their task is this: to occasionally check your property in order to exclude unauthorized living on your territory.
2. Install protective bars on windows and doors. Another way to protect your home. This can be an effective method of preventing intruders from entering a house while it is temporarily vacant.
3. Fill up doors and windows with bricks or stone blocks. Some homeowners go to such extreme measures. This, of course, has its effect, because breaking a window or a door bricked up is impossible imperceptible to others. However, this method is chosen rather by those who plan to leave their house for a very long period. Please note that in such cases, it will not be possible just come for a weekend or vacation without immersing yourself in demolition works.
Property Insurance in Spain
Property insurance is a very important aspect of protecting your property in Spain. Insurance can help secure your house from many potential risks, such as theft, neighbors damages, fires, floods, and other natural disasters. Next, we will tell you about what services a property insurance policy can include in Spain, as well as we name a few major insurance companies in force on the territory of Spain in 2023.
So what can your home insurance cover in Spain?
An insurance policy in Spain can have various types of coverage, including the following:
1. Theft Insurance. Its coverage will help you to protect your home from break-in and theft. It can cover damage to your property, and also, reimburse you for the cost of stolen items replacing.
2. Fire Insurance. Such insurance can cover damage to your home, as well as the cost of housing reconstruction and affected properties.
3. Disaster Insurance. This coverage protects your house from scourges such as floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters.
4. Civil Liability Insurance. It is intended to protect you if someone is injured on your property. Such insurance may cover the costs of legal aid, medical services, and other costs associated with a possible civil claim for damages.
5. Household Contents Insurance. Its coverage aims to protect your personal possessions, appliances, and furniture in your house. It may cover the cost of replacing of damaged, stolen, or lost items.
6. Insurance Against Technical Accidents. This insurance can help out by unexpected accidents in your house, such as burst pipes, flooding and other troubles of this type.
Which Insurance Companies Operate Throughout Spain in 2023?
Home insurance is a popular service in Spain, and in the case of a mortgage, it is a necessary one. The cost of such policies can vary significantly depending on many factors, such as size, location, type of property, degree of protection, and so on. In addition, different insurance companies offer various prices, range of services and coverage conditions. Often new customers are attracted by better offers, so it will always be useful to inquire about current promotions in the selected company.
The following insurance companies are good known in Spain:
Mapfre
This is one of the biggest insurance companies in Spain, which offers extensive insurance services, including for real estate. As a rule, the policy covers the risks of damage, theft, fire, floods and some others.
The cost of a home insurance policy from Mapfre depends on the number of parameters, including the type of housing, location, area and property value. On average, in 2023, the cost of such insurance at Mapfre starts from 150 euros per year and may increase depending on the choice of coverage level and the emergence of new risk factors.
In addition to the basic options, Mapfre also offers additional services such as third party liability insurance, rental risk insurance and legal fees compensation. The cost of these services may vary and is calculated individually for each client.
Allianz
It is an international insurance company that also offers property insurance in Spain. As always, the cost of the policy may depend on the set of parameters, but on average, it can be the amount of 200-300 euros per year.
Allianz offers home insurance against damage, theft, fire, flood and other risks. There are also additional services, such as insurance for pets and houseplants, online counseling.
AXA
Another major international insurance company that offers home insurance in Spain. In addition to standard services, its plans can include protecting your home from okupas, as well as assistance for tenants in the event of an unforeseen search for a new housing.
Zurich
This insurance company is also widely known in the market and has a wide range of services for properties in Spain. Here you can insure your home under various conditions, depending on the type of your housing: main, second home (for vacation) or your property intended for rental.
Catalana Occidente
One of the advantages of the policy from Catalana Occident is that its coverage even extends to assistance with breakdowns in the house that are not related to any accident. The company provides a lot of services, ranging from initial online consultations to free legal advice. There are also medical and veterinary consultations, including by phone.
The company «Alegria» has been successfully represented in the real estate market for many years and can provide its clients a wide spectrum of related services. If you are interested in the selection of a suitable insurance for your home or obtaining the residence in Spain, our experts will be happy to assist you.
