Natural disaster cover and state insurer (Consorcio)

It is for anyone thinking about, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. After reading, you will know which disasters your insurer covers and which the Consorcio covers, and how to claim after a catastrophe.

Start with "What the state insurer (Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros) covers". It sets out the basics the other pages build on. From there, the topic covers:

• how a Consorcio claim is decided and paid
• whether a property can be insured at all
• what happens if you have no policy or too little cover

Key rules

• Claim time limit: The right to claim from the Consorcio for property damage lapses two years after the damage, so claim as soon as possible.
• Waiting period: Cover has no waiting period for most risks, but a new property policy has a 7-day wait.
• Who decides: The Consorcio alone decides and pays its claims, and your insurer only passes the claim on.
• Surcharge: The Consorcio surcharge is mandatory on covered policies and appears as a separate line on your premium receipt.
• Ordinary storms: Ordinary storm, wind, hail or rain damage is paid by your own insurer, not the Consorcio.
• Ordinary events: Ordinary storm and fire damage goes to your private insurer, under your policy terms.

Natural disaster cover and state insurer (Consorcio): the whole process, step by step

• Check that your policy carries the Consorcio surcharge and the premium is paid (see: Can a property be insured against floods and other disasters?): before you need to claim; cover is suspended if the premium is unpaid when the loss happens

• Allow for the waiting period on a new policy (see: Can a property be insured against floods and other disasters?): a new property policy has a 7-day wait; most other risks have no waiting period

• Work out who pays for the event: your insurer or the Consorcio (see: Does your insurer or the state fund pay for storm or flood?): right after the damage, before you send any claim

• Report the loss to your insurer, who passes the claim on (see: How claims to the state disaster fund (Consorcio) are decided and paid): as soon as possible after the event

• Wait for the Consorcio's decision and payment (see: How claims to the state disaster fund (Consorcio) are decided and paid): insurers must pay the undisputed minimum within 40 days of the loss being notified; simple claims often settle in weeks to a few months, and large disasters take longer

• If the claim is refused or underpaid, ask for a review and challenge the decision (see: How claims to the state disaster fund (Consorcio) are decided and paid): an administrative appeal is typically due within 1 month, then court within 2 months

• Last day to claim from the Consorcio for property damage: two years after the damage

• If you have no policy or too little cover, see what is still payable (see: Disaster damage with no policy or too little cover): when you find the damage is not insured or the sum insured is too low

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Your ID — How claims to the state disaster fund (Consorcio) are decided and paid

Guarantees

• Your insurance policy details — How claims to the state disaster fund (Consorcio) are decided and paid
• Your home insurance policy — Can a property be insured against floods and other disasters?

Other documents

• Photographs or video of the damage — How claims to the state disaster fund (Consorcio) are decided and paid
• Your bank account details — How claims to the state disaster fund (Consorcio) are decided and paid

Natural disaster cover and state insurer (Consorcio): questions that cross several articles

Does the Consorcio pay for a storm that damages my home?

Only if the storm is an atypical cyclonic storm, such as gusts above 120 km/h, a tornado or rain above 40 litres per square metre in an hour. Ordinary storm, wind, hail or rain damage goes to your private insurer. Read "What the state insurer (Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros) covers" and "Does your insurer or the state fund pay for storm or flood?".

Who pays if my home floods?

It depends on the cause: ordinary local rain or a burst pipe or sewer goes to your private insurer, while river overflow and flash floods go to the Consorcio. See Does your insurer or the state fund pay for storm or flood?.

Who pays if fire damages my home?

Your private insurer pays for fire, including wildfire, if your policy covers fire. The Consorcio steps in only when the fire comes from an extraordinary event such as terrorism, tumult, an earthquake or a volcanic eruption, and your policy does not cover it. See "Does your insurer or the state fund pay for storm or flood?" and "Disaster damage with no policy or too little cover".

Does every type of insurance policy carry Consorcio cover?

No, it applies to property, land vehicle, life and accident policies with a private insurer, and to loss of profits where you have a damage policy. Liability, ship, aircraft, and credit and surety policies are generally not covered. Read "What the state insurer (Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros) covers" and "Can a property be insured against floods and other disasters?".

What damage does the Consorcio never pay?

It does not pay for damage you cause on purpose, gradual damage from poor maintenance or construction defects, nuclear events, or claims where the premium was unpaid and the policy had lapsed. Land and outdoor fences and installations are also excluded. Read "What the state insurer (Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros) covers" and "Disaster damage with no policy or too little cover".