Adhere to local rules when driving in Spain, including driving on the right side of the road. Equally important is the legal requirement for car insurance in Spain, which provides essential protection. So, before you leave home, ensure you’re covered.
In Spain, all motor vehicles, including cars, RVs, motorbikes, trucks, and scooters, must be insured to a minimum third-party liability level. Bicycles are exempt from this requirement. Driving any of these vehicles without insurance can result in fines from the Spanish police.
The first step in obtaining car insurance in Spain is registering your vehicle. While you can drive international cars for a limited period without Spanish registration, you must have at least third-party insurance. It’s worth noting that all vehicles, even those parked or inactive, are required to be insured, although insurers typically only cover roadworthy cars.
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Motorcycle Insurance
Anybody who drives a motorcycle or scooter in Spain needs third-party liability insurance at a minimum. You can also obtain extended policies that protect you from theft, roadside support, and more based on the categorization of your car. To buy protection, you require an authentic driving certification in Spain.
Using Your Car Insurance From Another Nation In Spain
You can use your existing insurance guidelines if you relocate to Spain from another EU nation. Hence, you must check with your insurer that you have foreign protection.
Nationals from non-EU nations may be able to utilize insurance from their home nation for a restricted duration (3-6 months). Still, if you are migrating to Spain from a non-EU country, you will be required to enroll your vehicle and purchase car insurance in Spain once this duration ends.
Types Of Car Insurance In Spain
There are three primary kinds of car insurance in Spain which include:
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- Third-party liability: This protects all destruction and expenses acquired by third parties, including car damage, private injuries, and lawful expenses. Hence, a standard policy will not protect any of your costs.
- Third-party fire and theft: This protects standard third-party assertions and will also protect a specific sum of harm to your car. This naturally comprises fire damage, storm damage, natural disasters, accidents, theft, and vandalism.
- Comprehensive insurance protects all expenses acquired by yourself and third parties, even if you caused the accident. It is beneficial if you have a costly vehicle that will cost too much money to fix.
Additional Forms Of Car Insurance In Spain
Apart from standard third-party and comprehensive guidelines, many firms provide additional protection. Below are some of the most general kinds:
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- Breakdown support
- No-claims coverage
- Legal costs insurance
- Personal accident insurance
Car Insurance Bonuses And Penalties In Spain
Spain runs a no-claims bonus system where drivers can decrease their dividends annually if they do not file any claims. Each firm will have its no-claims booking. Naturally, you will get a 5 percent discount for each no-claim year. The highest discount is about 65%.
Spain’s insurance system is designed to be flexible and accommodating. For instance, if you can provide evidence of a no-claims record, you can transfer your no-claims duration from one insurer to another when changing providers. This system is designed to work in your favor.
Making An Application For Car Insurance In Spain
Most car insurance companies in Spain now offer the convenience of online applications, making the process quick and easy. Some smaller firms also provide these options if you prefer to apply over the phone or by email.
A lot of insurers will request the following as a minimum condition:
- Spanish driving license or license that can be utilized in Spain.
- NIE number
- Address of Spanish policyholder
- Account information of Spanish bank
When the insurance firm processes your request, you are required to get your insurance license, EU accident statement form, and green card if you use your Spanish car insurance abroad. Carrying your vehicle insurance documents in your car is no longer a lawful condition, even though it is worth possessing a copy handy when you must demonstrate evidence of insurance at any time.