Delivery day, insurance and claims

It is for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain.

Start with "What to check and sign on delivery day". What you write on the delivery note when the goods arrive decides whether a later claim stands. Read it before the truck arrives, even if you have not yet thought about insurance.

From there, follow the order that fits your move:

• "Getting furniture into a Spanish building" helps you prepare lifts, stairs, parking and city permits.
• "Do you need insurance for your shipment?" helps you decide what to cover.
• "How to claim for damaged or missing belongings" explains how to file in time with the right evidence.
• "Your shipment is delayed, lost or the mover disappears" covers the serious failures, such as lost containers and unpaid destination fees.

Key rules

• Hidden damage notice: Damage you can see must be written on the delivery note when you receive the goods, and damage you only find later must be reported in writing within 7 days of delivery.
• Delay notice: If a road shipment arrives late, give written notice within 21 days of the goods being placed at your disposal.
• Signing: Never sign the delivery note clean; write specific, dated problems on it and get the driver to countersign.
• Visible damage: Damage you can see goes on the delivery note at the moment of delivery.
• Carrier cap: Carrier liability is set by weight or package, not by the value of your goods, so it is usually far below replacement cost.
• Owner-packed items: Items you pack yourself and fragile items are often excluded, so check before relying on any cover.

Delivery day, insurance and claims: the whole process, step by step

• Check the quote for who arranges the street permit, who pays the fee and who is liable for fines (Getting furniture into a Spanish building): before you book the move

• Decide whether to insure goods in transit and in storage, and confirm in writing how many days of storage are covered (Do you need insurance for your shipment?): before the goods are collected

• Request the street permit from the town hall if the quote leaves it to you (Getting furniture into a Spanish building): commonly 3 to 5 working days before the move; check your city's exact minimum

• Make sure no-parking signs are up so parked cars can be cleared: 24 to 48 hours before the move

• Get the inventory and packing list, then count and tick off every item as it arrives, writing missing or damaged items on the delivery note before signing (What to check and sign on delivery day): on delivery day

• Report damage you only find later in writing (What to check and sign on delivery day): within 7 days of delivery

• Give written notice if a road shipment arrives late (How to claim for damaged or missing belongings): within 21 days of the goods being placed at your disposal

• Send your written claim by a trackable method, with photos and documents (How to claim for damaged or missing belongings): inside the notice period

• Wait for the insurer or mover to settle: simple, well-documented claims often take one to three months; disputed ones can take six months to over a year

• Treat goods as lost and take further steps if they never arrive (Your shipment is delayed, lost or the mover disappears): for road shipments, 30 days after the agreed delivery time, or 60 days after pickup if none was agreed

• Start any court claim against the carrier (How to claim for damaged or missing belongings): road: usually within 1 year of delivery; air: within 2 years

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Photo ID of the person applying — Getting furniture into a Spanish building

The home and the lease

• Your moving contract and the quote — How to claim for damaged or missing belongings, Your shipment is delayed, lost or the mover disappears

Guarantees

• Your insurance policy and certificate — How to claim for damaged or missing belongings

Other documents

• Delivery note — What to check and sign on delivery day, How to claim for damaged or missing belongings
• Application form for the street permit — Getting furniture into a Spanish building
• Photos and video with timestamps — What to check and sign on delivery day
• The mover's quote and standard terms — Do you need insurance for your shipment?
• The transport document for your mode — How to claim for damaged or missing belongings
• The inventory or packing list with the condition notes made at packing — How to claim for damaged or missing belongings
• Photos or video of the damage and of the packaging — How to claim for damaged or missing belongings
• A list of damaged or missing items with their values — How to claim for damaged or missing belongings
• Your written claim notice — How to claim for damaged or missing belongings

Each article lists the other documents it asks for, where you need them.

Delivery day, insurance and claims: questions that cross several articles

Who gets the street permit for the moving truck, the mover or me?

Usually the removal company arranges the street permit and signs and passes the cost on to you, but some quotes leave it to you. Check the quote for who applies, who pays the fee and who is liable for fines if cars are not cleared. Read Getting furniture into a Spanish building for the steps.

How much does a street permit for a removal cost?

The fee is set by each city and usually depends on the space length, the days and hours, and the street zone. For a single day it is normally modest, from tens of euros, and may include signs or police service. Ask your town hall for its current tariff, and see Getting furniture into a Spanish building.

What should I write on the delivery note if boxes are damaged or missing?

Write specific reservations before signing, naming the item, the damage and the package numbers, for example that boxes 12 and 15 are missing, and ask the driver to countersign. Avoid vague wording like "subject to review" alone. What to check and sign on delivery day covers the wording, and How to claim for damaged or missing belongings covers what follows.

What happens to my claim if I sign the delivery note without reservations?

Signing without reservations is presumed to mean the goods arrived in the condition described, so the burden shifts to you to prove otherwise. You can still prove hidden damage if you report it in writing in time.

City permit rules and fees differ; confirm the current requirements and charges with your town hall.