Wildfire and Home Insurance on the Costa del Sol: What You Need to Know

With the rise in wildfires in southern Spain this summer, homeowners along the Costa del Sol and nearby areas need to be clear on what their home insurance covers in the event of fire damage.

According to the Spanish Union of Insurance and Reinsurance Entities (UNESPA), firefighters in Spain extinguish a domestic fire roughly every three and a half minutes. While the Costa del Sol is a highly populated region with many urban and suburban areas, properties on the outskirts or in the countryside remain at risk from seasonal wildfires.

Fortunately, most Spanish home insurance policies include fire coverage. Articles 45 to 49 of the Insurance Contract Law make it clear that insurers must compensate for fire damage to insured properties, within the limits established by law and the policy itself. Fire, in this context, is defined as the uncontrolled combustion of objects that were not meant to be burned at that time or place.

Why Fire Coverage Is Essential

Home insurance with fire coverage is mandatory for securing a mortgage in Spain. Even if you don’t have a mortgage, fire coverage provides critical peace of mind, especially in wildfire-prone areas like Málaga, Marbella, Estepona, and the surrounding inland towns.

Most insurance policies in Spain—Costa del Sol included—share several common features for fire coverage:

Material damage caused by fire (check whether this includes the building, contents, or both)
Costs for demolition and debris removal
Temporary accommodation if your home becomes uninhabitable
Reconstruction of the property and any annexes

It’s important to note that insurers typically only cover accidental fires, such as those caused by lightning strikes, kitchen incidents, or explosions. Claims may be denied if the fire was started intentionally.

Certain high-value items may not be covered unless explicitly specified in your policy, including:

Furniture
Cash and legal tender
Precious stones and metals
Artworks
Other objects of special value

For renters on the Costa del Sol, content insurance is highly recommended. Even if your landlord has a policy, it may not cover your personal belongings.

Wildfire Risk in the Costa del Sol Region

Properties on the outskirts of towns like Mijas, Benahavís, and Ronda, or in rural areas surrounding the coast, are increasingly vulnerable to wildfires during the dry summer months. If your home is affected, contact your insurance company immediately and report the incident to 112 to create an official record.

Insurance provider Mapfre highlights the key elements you should confirm in your policy for wildfire protection:

Coverage for flame damage
Temporary accommodation while repairs are carried out
Firefighting costs
Reconstruction of the property and gardens

As with domestic fires, insurers generally cover only accidental fires, so documentation from local fire services may be necessary to prove that the wildfire was not started intentionally.

Fire Safety at Home

According to UNESPA’s report Fuego!, seven out of ten fires occur in the home. On the Costa del Sol, the most common causes include:

Electrical faults – Regularly check cables, plugs, and avoid overloading sockets.
Kitchen fires – Never leave pots or pans unattended on the stove.
Irons – Ensure irons are turned off and safely stored when not in use.
Fireplaces – Use guards and avoid drying clothes or placing flammable materials nearby.
Cigarettes – Extinguish completely; never smoke while drowsy.
Candles – Supervise burning candles and keep them away from curtains or flammable materials.
Children – Educate children on fire safety and the dangers of playing with fire.

Installing smoke detectors is a simple but highly effective safety measure. While Spanish regulations for smoke detectors vary by region and are less strict than in countries like the UK or US, they are highly recommended for homes along the Costa del Sol, particularly in wildfire-prone areas.