Transferring your no-claims history to a Spanish insurer

Key rules

• Acceptance: Spanish insurers decide for themselves whether to credit foreign claim-free years, so ask each one first.
• Certificate age: Get the certificate close to when you apply, because insurers usually want it issued within the last 30 to 90 days.
• Translation: A sworn translation is not generally required; a simple one is enough if the insurer asks.
• Your request: Give your previous insurer the policy number, vehicle and period covered.

Acceptance, credited years and turnaround vary by insurer, so confirm them with your Spanish insurer or broker and your previous insurer.

Will a Spanish insurer accept it?

Maybe. No law forces a Spanish insurer to credit your foreign record. Some give partial or full credit for your claim-free years, and some give none. Certificates from EU insurers, in Spanish or English and showing no at-fault claims, are the most likely to be accepted. How many years count and what discount you get depends on the insurer, so ask each one before you buy.

How to get the certificate

1. Ask the Spanish insurer or broker what they accept. Ask about the certificate's age and language.
2. Contact your previous insurer by customer portal, email, phone or letter. Ask for a claims-history or no-claims discount letter. Give your policy number, the vehicle and the period covered. The letter template below can help.
3. Wait for it. Many insurers send it within a few days to two weeks, and some issue it instantly online.
4. Give it to the Spanish insurer or broker. They use your claim-free years and any claims to set your starting bonus-malus level (the discount or surcharge scale) and your premium.

What the certificate should show

It should be on the previous insurer's letterhead. Insurers usually expect your name and date of birth, the vehicle, the policy number, the exact cover dates, the number and type of claims (or a statement of no claims), and any no-claims discount level. It should also show the insurer's contact details, an issue date, and a signature or stamp. The documents list below has the full detail.

Age and language

Insurers usually want a claims-history certificate issued within the last 30 to 90 days. Time your request so it is fresh when you apply. If you ask too early, it may expire before you use it.

No general rule requires a sworn translation. Spanish insurers usually accept English, and often French, German or Portuguese, without translation. If one asks, a simple translation is normally enough.

If the insurer will not credit it

You can still buy a policy, but you may start at the standard level. Ask other insurers, as their policies differ. A broker can compare several for you.

Timeline and deadlines

• Ask your Spanish insurer or broker what certificate age and language it accepts: before you request the certificate

• Ask your previous insurer for the certificate, giving policy number, vehicle and period covered: as soon as you know the age the Spanish insurer wants

• Give the certificate to the Spanish insurer or broker: within 30 to 90 days of the certificate's issue date

Documents you need

• Claims-history certificate from your previous insurer, on its letterhead, showing your full name and date of birth, the car's make, model and registration plate, and the policy number.

• The same certificate must show the exact start and end dates of cover, the number and type of claims (at-fault or not) or a statement of no claims, and your no-claims discount level if you had one.

• The certificate must give the insurer's name, address and contact details, plus a date of issue and a signature or stamp. It should be issued within the last 30 to 90 days.

• Simple translation of the certificate into Spanish or English, only if your Spanish insurer asks for one. A sworn translation is not generally required.

Checklist

• Ask each Spanish insurer whether it credits foreign claims history and how many claim-free years and what discount it would give.

• Check the certificate shows your full name, date of birth, vehicle, policy number, cover dates, claims and the insurer's details.

• Check the certificate is signed or stamped and issued within the last 30 to 90 days.

• Ask the Spanish insurer whether it wants a translation, and get a simple one if it does.

• Give the certificate to the Spanish insurer or broker so it can set your starting level and premium.

Letter asking your old insurer for a claims-history certificate

Subject: Request for a claims-history certificate

Dear [insurer name] Customer Service team,

I am moving to Spain and need a certificate of my claims history to give to a Spanish insurer. Please send me a signed certificate on your company letterhead, in English or Spanish, with the details below.

My details

• Full name: [your full name]
• Date of birth: [DD/MM/YYYY]
• Address on the policy: [address]
• Policy number: [policy number]

Vehicle

• Make and model: [make and model]
• Registration plate: [plate number]

What the certificate should show

• The exact start and end dates of my cover: from [start date] to [end date, or "still current"]
• The number and type of claims in that period, saying whether each was at fault or not. If there were none, a clear statement that no claims were made.
• My no-claims discount level or number of no-claims years, if you use one
• Your company name, address and contact details
• The date of issue, with a signature or company stamp

Please issue the certificate on the date you send it, not earlier.

If you can send it by email as a PDF, that is the fastest way for me. My email address is [your email]. If you can only send it by post, please use: [postal address].

If you need me to confirm my identity or fill in a form, please tell me what to send.

Thank you for your help.

Kind regards,

[your full name] [phone number]

Frequently asked questions

Does a Spanish insurer have to accept my foreign claims history?

No, a Spanish insurer does not have to accept your foreign claims history, because no law forces it to. Some insurers give partial or full credit for your claim-free years, and the number of years and the discount vary.

Which foreign certificates are most likely to be accepted?

Certificates from EU insurers are accepted most often, especially in Spanish or English and showing years without at-fault claims. A certificate that shows a clean record in the period gives you the best chance of credit.

Do I need a sworn translation of my certificate?

No, you do not need a sworn translation, because no general rule requires one. Insurers usually accept English, and often French, German or Portuguese, without translation. If an insurer asks for a translation, a simple one is usually enough.

How long does my old insurer take to issue the certificate?

Many insurers issue the certificate within a few days to two weeks, and some do it instantly online. Ask early so it is ready when you need it.