Compulsory liability
Personal injury and property damage to others, up to the legal minimum limits.
Car and motorbike insurance: drive with peace of mind.
Vehicle insurance is mandatory, but choosing it well makes all the difference the day you have a bump, break down on the road or crack your windscreen. I’ll explain the options without jargon.
Car & motorbike insurance
What is it?
In Spain every motor vehicle must have, at minimum, compulsory third-party liability insurance. It covers the personal injury and property damage you cause to others with your vehicle.
From there you can add protection: damage to your own car, theft, glass, roadside assistance, legal defence or a replacement vehicle. Each extra makes sense depending on the vehicle’s value, how much you use it and how much risk you’d rather carry yourself.
Prices depend on many factors: the vehicle, the driver’s age and experience, claims history, where it’s parked and the mileage. That’s why comparing several insurers often gives very different results.
Common cover
Voluntary liability
Raises the compulsory limits so you’re covered for larger claims.
Legal defence
Lawyers and paperwork to claim or defend yourself after an accident.
Roadside assistance
Towing, on-the-spot repairs, transport and accommodation if you’re stranded, often from your doorstep.
Glass
Repair or replacement of windscreen, rear window and side windows.
Theft and fire
Total or partial theft of the vehicle and fire damage.
Own damage
Repairs to your vehicle even if the accident was your fault, on fully comprehensive plans.
Exact cover, limits and conditions depend on each insurer and policy. I’ll explain them before you sign.
Types of cover
Basic third-party
The compulsory cover plus legal defence and assistance. For low-value or rarely used vehicles.
Extended third-party
Adds glass, theft and fire. The most popular balance for cars a few years old.
Comprehensive with excess
Also covers damage to your car, but you pay a fixed part of each repair. A sharper premium.
Comprehensive, no excess
Maximum protection: the insurer pays the full repair. Ideal for new vehicles.
Real-life examples
Illustrative examples of how this insurance works day to day.
A scrape in a car park
Someone scratches your car and drives off. Third-party cover wouldn’t pay; with comprehensive, your insurer pays for the repair.
Breakdown on the way to the beach
Your car stops on the motorway in the middle of August. Roadside assistance sends a tow truck and helps you reach your destination.
A stone in the windscreen
A stone cracks the windscreen on your daily commute. With glass cover the replacement costs you nothing and, with many insurers, doesn’t affect your discounts.
It’s for you if…
- You have a car, motorbike or van, for personal or business use.
- You’ve just bought a new or second-hand vehicle.
- You think you’re paying too much for your current policy.
- You need to insure a young or inexperienced driver.
Before you sign, check this
- 01
The excess
A higher excess lowers the premium, but you pay more per claim. Choose one you can comfortably afford.
- 02
Named drivers
If someone else drives your car, especially a young driver, they should be on the policy.
- 03
Vehicle value
Check whether a write-off pays the new value, the market value or something in between.
- 04
Your history
Claim-free years mean discounts. When you switch insurers, your history comes with you.
Key terms to know
- Excess (franquicia)
- The part of each repair you pay yourself on comprehensive cover with an excess.
- No-claims discount
- The discount you build up for years without claims.
- Occasional driver
- Someone who drives your vehicle from time to time and must be declared on some policies.
- Accident report (parte amistoso)
- The form drivers fill in after an accident to notify their insurers.
Frequently asked questions
Is car insurance mandatory in Spain?
Yes. Every motor vehicle driven or parked on public roads must have at least compulsory third-party liability insurance.
Can I switch before renewal?
Switching usually happens at the annual renewal, with notice. I’ll help you plan it so you’re never uncovered.
What if someone else drives my car?
It depends on the policy. Some cover any driver and others only named drivers. Worth checking.
Does my driving history from another country count?
Some insurers take foreign driving experience into account with a certificate. We check case by case.
How we do it together
- 1
Tell me what you need
A short call or a quick form. No obligation.
- 2
I prepare your comparison
Several options side by side, with what each one covers.
- 3
You choose, calmly
I answer your questions and handle the paperwork.
Your advisor · Gabmel Contreras
Shall we compare your car insurance?
With the registration, your driver details and your current policy, I’ll put together a comparison quickly.
Articles
Car insurance in Spain for foreign driversMoving to Spain with a car or buying one here? Mandatory cover, licence validity, using your driving history from abroad, and the types of car insurance explained in English.Read article →Comprehensive car insurance with or without excess (franquicia): when each pays offAn excess (franquicia) lowers the price of comprehensive cover, but you pay part of every repair. How to work out if it’s worth it, which excess to choose and when to switch to extended third-party.Read article →