Community Insurance Policies
Community insurance policies in Spain—known as “seguro de comunidad”—are designed to protect the shared spaces and responsibilities within residential buildings or urbanisations. Here's a breakdown of what they typically cover and how they work:
🏢 What Is Community Insurance?
Community insurance covers common areas of a building or residential complex, such as:
- Hallways, staircases, elevators
- Roofs, façades, and foundations
- Gardens, swimming pools, and shared aerials
- Civil liability for accidents in communal areas (e.g., someone slipping on a wet staircase)
It’s meant to ensure habitability and comfort for all residents by protecting against risks like fire, flooding, vandalism, and structural damage.
📜 Is It Mandatory?
- Not compulsory nationally, but highly recommended.
- Some regions have local regulations that require minimum coverage.
- The Horizontal Property Law (Ley de Propiedad Horizontal) encourages communities to maintain a reserve fund for repairs and insurance.
💧 What Does It Cover?
Typical coverage includes:
- Civil liability (e.g., falling tiles injuring someone)
- Material damage (fire, explosion, lightning)
- Water damage from mains (coverage for private pipes is optional)
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- Legal protection and claims for damages
- Accidents involving community employees
🏠 Does It Cover Individual Apartments?
No. Community insurance does not cover damage inside your private apartment or your personal belongings. For that, you need a separate home insurance policy.
👥 For Expats and Residents
Expats often find that community policies don’t meet their needs, as many communities try to keep premiums low by limiting coverage. It’s wise to:
- Request a copy of your community’s policy
- Review it carefully (many are available in English)
- Consider additional private insurance for full protection