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Date Published: 16/09/2022

How to claim compensation if your car is flooded in Spain

In general, insurance companies in Spain don’t cover natural disasters such as floods or storms

The Spanish weather has been more than a little unpredictable of late, and prolonged days of heat have been interspersed with torrential rain and hail showers. Winter is now fast approaching and some weather gurus have warned that intense storms are just over the horizon, conditions which make driving treacherous.

Each year the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) publishes warnings against driving in adverse conditions, and the authorities provide clear and useful guidance on what to do if you do find yourself stuck behind the wheel when the weather turns.

But anyone who spends time in Spain knows that the skies can darken in a split second and the disturbing news for motorists is that, if you’re caught in a flash flood or similar extreme natural weather phenomenon, insurance companies will usually refuse to take care of the repairs. Essentially, natural disasters or unforeseen and unlikely situations aren’t covered, so insurers don’t have to pay out.

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Insurance Compensation Consortium

Luckily though, there is an answer, although it’s not quite as simple as submitting a claim with your insurance company. Drivers whose vehicles have been damaged by flood water, debris from a storm or other weather-related drama will need to appeal to the Insurance Compensation Consortium, a public body that’s part of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation in Spain.

Under Royal Decree 300/2004, once you file the paperwork the Consortium will be responsible for any repairs and compensation due as a result of any extraordinary event of this kind.

Conditions

The Consortium will only take care of the matter if the owner of the car has a valid insurance policy with civil liability at a minimum and all payments are up date. To avoid any dodgy dealings, the insurance must have been taken out before the damage was suffered.

The amount of compensation offered will depend on the vehicle’s insurance policy and the conditions attached: aspects such as the amount of insured capital, the conditions and limits of the insurance etc. are all taken into account.

The authorities recommend applying for compensation as soon as possible after the incident has occurred, although the law states that drivers have two years to make a claim for material damage and up to five in the case of personal injury.

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