
Home Insurance Quotes in Spain: How to Get an Accurate Price
How to request quotes that match your property, what affects pricing, and how to compare options without getting lost in small print
Key Takeaways
A 'cheap' quote can be expensive later if building/contents values are wrong or key risks are missing. The fastest way to better quotes is giving insurers accurate property facts.
- Prepare: address, m², build year, use, security, claims history
- Avoid underinsurance – don't pick lowest values just to save
- Compare by coverage (water, theft, liability, assistance), not just premium
- Second homes and rentals need different pricing assumptions
- A broker can help if you're unsure about policy wording
Home Insurance Costs by Region in Spain
Location significantly affects home insurance quotes. Coastal areas, flood-prone regions, and urban centres each carry different risk profiles. Here's what to expect across major regions:
| Region | Typical Annual Premium | Key Risk Factors | Notes for Expats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa del Sol (Málaga) | €180–€400/year | Coastal humidity, second-home vacancies, tourism-area theft | High expat population; English-speaking brokers readily available |
| Costa Blanca (Alicante) | €170–€380/year | Flash flooding (DANA events), coastal exposure, urbanisation density | Check water damage cover carefully; recent flooding claims affect pricing |
| Barcelona & Catalonia | €200–€450/year | Urban theft rates, older buildings, apartment living | Comunidad fees may include some building cover—check overlap |
| Madrid & Central Spain | €160–€350/year | Lower weather risk, urban density, apartment blocks | Generally moderate pricing; strong broker networks |
| Valencia Region | €175–€390/year | Flooding risk (especially Vega Baja), coastal humidity | Flood cover increasingly important; some postcodes have higher premiums |
| Balearic Islands | €220–€480/year | Island logistics, high property values, seasonal occupancy | Premium properties require higher cover limits; check seasonal terms |
| Canary Islands | €190–€420/year | Volcanic risk (low), humidity, tourism-related theft | Generally stable pricing; good English-speaking insurer options |
| Andalucía Interior | €140–€320/year | Rural properties, older buildings, limited emergency access | Lower premiums but check response times for emergency assistance |
Note: These are indicative ranges for a 100m² property with standard building (€150,000) and contents (€30,000) cover. Actual quotes depend on specific property details, security features, claims history, and exact location. Use these figures as a starting point for comparison, not as guaranteed prices.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Home Insurance Quotes in Spain
Follow this process to get accurate, comparable quotes without wasting time on back-and-forth clarifications.
Gather Your Property Documents
Before contacting insurers, collect the information they'll need to provide accurate quotes.
- • Escritura (property deed): Confirms exact size, build year, and property type
- • NIE or passport: Required for policy documentation
- • Spanish address and postcode: Location affects risk pricing
- • Bank details: Spanish IBAN for direct debit payments
- • Mortgage documents: If applicable, shows bank cover requirements
Calculate Realistic Cover Amounts
Underinsurance is the biggest cause of claim disputes. Estimate replacement costs carefully.
Building Cover (Continente)
- • Kitchen and bathroom fittings
- • Flooring and built-in wardrobes
- • Electrical and plumbing systems
- • Roof and structural elements
Tip: €1,000–€1,500/m² is typical for rebuilding costs
Contents Cover (Contenido)
- • Furniture and appliances
- • Electronics (TV, computers, phones)
- • Clothing and personal items
- • Valuables (jewellery, art, collections)
Tip: List big-ticket items and add 20% buffer
Document Security Features
Security measures can reduce premiums and affect claim outcomes. Be specific about what you have.
Alarm Systems
Monitored vs local-only
Door Security
Reinforced doors, deadlocks
Window Protection
Shutters, bars, security glass
Building Access
Concierge, entry systems
Safe
For valuables storage
CCTV
Recording systems
Request Multiple Quotes
Get at least 3 quotes to understand the market range and compare cover, not just price.
- • Direct from insurers: Mapfre, Zurich, Línea Directa, Liberty have online quote tools
- • Through a broker: Can compare multiple insurers and explain differences
- • Bank policies: If you have a mortgage, get their quote for comparison
Tip: Brokers specialising in expats can provide quotes in English and help with translation of terms.
Compare Quotes Using a Checklist
Don't just compare premiums. Use the same criteria for every quote to find the best value.
Quote Comparison Checklist:
What a "Home Insurance Quote" in Spain Usually Includes
Most quotes in Spain are built from the same building blocks. The names vary by insurer, but the structure is similar.
Building (Continente)
The structure—walls, floors, fixed installations, kitchens/bathrooms that are part of the property.
If you own the property, you usually want building cover.
Contents (Contenido)
Your belongings—furniture, electronics, clothing, personal items.
If you rent, contents + liability is often the starting point.
Liability Cover
Often included or offered as an add-on. It matters if your home causes damage to others (for example, a leak affecting a neighbour). For expats, liability is one of the most common "I'm glad I had it" parts of the policy.
Excess and Limits
Quotes include an excess (deductible) and limits per type of damage. Two quotes with the same premium can be very different if one has a low excess and higher limits for common risks like water damage.
Optional Add-ons
Depending on your home and area, insurers may offer extras like emergency home assistance (locksmith, plumbing callouts), glass cover, theft outside the home, or legal assistance.
Understanding Coverage Tiers in Spanish Home Insurance
Most insurers offer tiered policies. Understanding what each tier includes helps you choose based on your actual needs, not just price.
€120–€200/year
Essential cover only
- Fire and explosion
- Storm damage
- Basic water damage
- Basic liability (€150k)
- Limited theft cover
- No emergency assistance
Best for: Budget-conscious, low-risk properties
€200–€350/year
Balanced protection
- All basic perils
- Full water damage cover
- Theft with forced entry
- Liability (€300k)
- Emergency assistance
- Glass breakage
Best for: Most expat homeowners
€350–€500/year
Comprehensive cover
- All standard perils
- Full theft (no forced entry req.)
- Liability (€600k+)
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Legal protection
- Valuables cover (higher limits)
Best for: Higher-value properties, second homes
What Affects the Price the Most
Insurers price risk. The details you provide change the risk picture quickly.
How the Property Is Used
Is it your main residence, a second home, or rented out? A second home that sits empty for long periods can be priced differently because small leaks can go unnoticed longer. Rental use can also change how insurers assess claims frequency and responsibility.
Property Type, Age, and Construction
An apartment, townhouse, and detached villa don't carry the same exposure. Older plumbing, flat roofs, or older electrical systems can influence the quote. Some insurers ask about renovations; others don't—but the risk is still there in how claims are handled.
Security and Prevention
Alarm systems, reinforced doors, shutters, and building access controls can matter. Even if the premium change is small, these details can influence how the insurer views a theft claim.
Location and Prior Claims
Coastal humidity, storm exposure, or areas with higher theft rates can influence pricing. Some insurers also ask about previous claims—answer honestly. A mismatch here can become a problem at claim time.
How to Request Quotes Without Wasting Time
The easiest way to get "bad" quotes is to guess the details. The easiest way to get better quotes is to be specific.
Information You Should Prepare
- • Address and postcode in Spain
- • Property type (apartment/villa), size (m²), and approximate build year
- • Primary residence vs second home vs rental use
- • Building cover amount (structure) and contents cover amount (belongings)
- • Security features (alarm, shutters, reinforced door, building concierge/access)
- • Whether there have been prior water damage or theft incidents (if asked)
How to Avoid Underinsurance
A quote looks cheaper when the insured amounts are lower. But if you insure €25k of contents while your actual contents are closer to €60k, you've created a gap. The same goes for building cover—especially when kitchens, bathrooms, and fixed installations are expensive to replace.
A practical approach: list the big-ticket items and fixed features (kitchen, built-in wardrobes, flooring type) and choose a level that would realistically replace them.
Comparing Quotes: What to Check Line by Line
Premium is only one piece. If your goal is "less hassle when something happens," compare the parts that drive real claims.
Water Damage Terms
Water-related claims are among the most common. Look for differences in:
- • Coverage for leaks vs damage caused by leaks
- • Any exclusions for gradual leaks or lack of maintenance
- • Emergency assistance for plumbing callouts
Even if two policies both say "water damage covered," the limits and exclusions can be very different.
Theft and Burglary Conditions
- • Whether theft is included by default or only in higher tiers
- • Whether forced entry must be proven
- • Whether valuables need to be declared separately
- • Whether there are security requirements (certain locks, shutters when away)
Emergency Assistance and Repair Networks
Some policies include strong home assistance; others are "reimbursement only." If you want fast help (especially as a non-native speaker), this can matter more than a small price difference.
Getting Quotes as an Expat: Common Pitfalls
Expats often run into the same issues when getting home insurance quotes:
Confusing building vs contents
Especially in furnished rentals where ownership of fixtures is unclear
Name/account mismatch
Policyholder name doesn't match bank account for direct debit
Language gaps
Missing a key exclusion due to translation or technical terms
Second-home risk not stated
Property use not declared correctly, affecting claim validity
Underestimating rebuild costs
Using purchase price instead of replacement cost for building cover
Ignoring comunidad cover
Not checking what building insurance your community already provides
If you're not confident about policy wording, using a broker can save time and reduce misunderstandings.
What Happens When You Need to Claim?
Understanding the claims process helps you evaluate which quotes offer genuine value beyond the premium price.
Report
Call insurer or broker immediately
Document
Photos, videos, receipts
Submit
Complete claim form
Assess
Insurer reviews claim
Settle
Payment or repair arranged
When comparing quotes, ask: Does this policy include 24/7 English-language claims support? Does it have a network of approved contractors, or is it reimbursement-only? How quickly are claims typically processed? These factors can be worth more than a €30 premium difference.
Broker vs Going Direct: Which Is Better for Quotes?
Going Direct
Can be fine if you know exactly what you need and you're comfortable reading Spanish policy terms.
- Sometimes slightly lower premiums
- Direct relationship with insurer
- Limited comparison options
- Less support with policy wording
Using a Broker
Can help when you need guidance or have a non-standard situation:
- Compare multiple insurers quickly
- English-language support throughout
- Help with second homes, rentals, older properties
- Claims assistance when you need it
Ready to Get Accurate Home Insurance Quotes?
Our team specialises in home insurance for expats in Spain. We'll compare multiple insurers, explain the differences in plain English, and help you find cover that actually protects your property.

Expert reviewed
Written and reviewed by licensed insurance agents Maya Kallio and Marco Elsinger, who have helped over 15,000 expats in Spain since 2012.
Maya Kallio
Licensed Insurance Agent
Since 2012
Marco Elsinger
Licensed Insurance Agent
10+ years
Languages: English, Finnish, Spanish, German
Frequently asked questions
Still have questions? Check these answers or get in touch.
How quickly can I get a home insurance quote in Spain?
Often the first quote can be generated quickly once the insurer has the basic property details. The real time saver is preparing accurate information upfront—property use, size, build year, and realistic building/contents amounts. If anything is unclear (for example, second-home use or recent renovations), a broker or insurer may ask follow-up questions to avoid pricing the policy incorrectly. Getting it right is worth it, because a "fast" quote that's built on guesses can lead to coverage gaps later.
Why do home insurance quotes vary so much between insurers?
Quotes differ because insurers weigh risks differently and include different things by default. One may include strong water-damage cover and emergency assistance as standard; another may price lower but add those features only in higher tiers. Excess amounts, limits, and exclusions also shift the real value of the policy. That's why the best comparison is not "cheapest premium," but "what risks are covered and under what conditions." If you're comparing several, use one checklist and apply it to every quote.
What should I do if I'm not sure about building and contents values?
Don't guess low just to reduce the premium. A better approach is to estimate replacement cost realistically: fixed features for building cover (kitchen, bathrooms, flooring) and big-ticket belongings for contents (electronics, furniture). If you underinsure, claims can become messy because payouts may be reduced or won't cover real replacement costs. If you're unsure, ask for help setting reasonable insured amounts and make sure the quote reflects how you actually use the property.
Can I get a quote for a second home or a rental property?
Yes, but you should be clear about the property use because it affects pricing and claim assumptions. Second homes can have higher risk if they sit empty, and rentals can change responsibility between owner and tenant. When requesting quotes, state the situation correctly and ask what is covered for water damage, theft, and liability. If you're renting out the property, it's also worth checking whether you need additional liability or landlord-specific terms, depending on the policy type and insurer.
Do I need a Spanish bank account to get home insurance quotes?
Most Spanish insurers require a Spanish IBAN for direct debit payments. Some brokers working with international clients may offer alternatives, but this is less common. If you're still setting up your Spanish bank account, you can still request quotes—just be aware that finalising the policy will typically require Spanish payment details. Credit card payments are sometimes possible for the first year, but ongoing renewals usually default to direct debit.
What documents do I need to get an accurate home insurance quote?
You'll need your NIE or passport number, Spanish address, property details (size in m², year built, property type), and information about security features. If you're buying with a mortgage, the bank may require specific cover amounts for the building. Having your escritura (property deed) handy can help confirm exact details. For rental properties, you should also have information about tenant arrangements and how the property will be managed.
Is it cheaper to get home insurance through my Spanish bank?
Bank policies can be convenient, especially when bundled with a mortgage, but they're not always cheaper or more comprehensive. Bank policies often include basic cover that meets their lending requirements but may lack features like strong contents protection or emergency assistance. Independent quotes allow you to compare cover quality, not just price. If your bank requires insurance for a mortgage, you still have the right to choose an external provider—just make sure it meets their minimum requirements.
How often should I update my home insurance quote or policy?
Review your policy annually at renewal time, or whenever your situation changes significantly—renovations, major purchases, change from primary residence to rental, or if you acquire valuable items. Inflation affects rebuilding costs, so building cover amounts should be reviewed periodically. Most insurers will re-quote at renewal, giving you an opportunity to adjust cover levels or switch providers if the terms no longer suit your needs.
Can I get home insurance quotes in English?
Yes, several insurers and brokers offer English-language service, which is especially valuable for expats. Getting quotes in English helps avoid misunderstandings about what's covered. Brokers specialising in expat clients can also help translate policy terms and explain differences between Spanish and UK/EU policies. Even if the formal policy document is in Spanish, having English support during the quote and claims process makes a significant difference.
What happens if I underinsure my property on the quote?
Underinsurance can trigger proportional claim reductions. If you insure contents for €30,000 but they're worth €60,000, the insurer may only pay 50% of any claim—even for smaller losses. This 'average clause' (regla proporcional) is standard in Spanish policies. It's better to get an accurate quote based on realistic replacement values than to save a few euros on premium by underestimating. A broker can help assess appropriate cover levels.
Are online home insurance quotes in Spain accurate?
Online quote tools give indicative prices, but final quotes often require verification of property details. Automated quotes may not capture nuances like second-home use, older properties, or prior claims. They're useful for getting a ballpark figure, but the actual premium and terms may change once an underwriter reviews the full application. For expats with non-standard situations, speaking with a broker usually provides more accurate initial quotes.
What's the difference between replacement value and market value for quotes?
Replacement value (valor de reposición) is what it costs to rebuild or replace items at today's prices. Market value considers depreciation and current resale value. Most home insurance in Spain works on replacement value basis, which is better for the policyholder. When getting quotes, confirm the basis of cover—especially for contents. New-for-old (nuevo por viejo) replacement means you get current replacement cost without deduction for wear and tear.
Ready to get covered?
When you're ready, compare real insurance options in Spain and request a personalised quote in English.