You Might Want Insurance Before Your House Learns to Swim
Let’s Keep It Real...
It’s falling on homes.
Cars.
Dogs.
Barbecues.
And yep — your living room too.
Floods used to be a rare headline.
Now? They’re basically on the schedule.
Like, yesterday.
Spain’s Flood Zones: Where Stuff Gets Wet (Fast)
If you live in one of these spots, you’ve probably already seen water trying to break into your house:
- Valencia & Murcia – Mediterranean storms on speed
- Malaga & Seville – Beautiful weather until it floods
- Catalonia – Sea levels rising like your heating bill
- Basque Country – Urban floods just say "hola"
- Outskirts of Madrid – Surprise floods from tiny rivers with big moods
Even big cities like Barcelona, Alicante, and Bilbao are getting hit.
Moral of the story: The water’s not picky.
Why Flood Insurance Isn’t Just “Nice to Have” in 2025
✅ 1. Your Regular Home Insurance? Doesn’t Cover Floods
Yep. That “comprehensive” home policy?
It’s great for a stolen laptop... not so great when your fridge floats.
You need to add flood insurance or get a policy that includes it.
✅ 2. Flood Damage Is Expensive
Like, €20,000 and up expensive.
That’s a small car. Or six holidays. Or one grocery trip in Marbella.
✅ 3. Weather’s Only Getting Weirder
Floods in Spain are up 30 to 50 percent since 2010.
So unless your house is on stilts, the risk is growing faster than your neighbour’s lemon tree.
Does Spain Have a National Flood Insurance Program?
Short answer?
Nope.
This isn’t America. There’s no FEMA swooping in.
But Spain does have something called:
👉 Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros (CCS)
Say that three times fast.
The CCS is a government-backed fund that helps out only when something big happens — like massive floods, volcanoes, or chaos caused by football riots.
What You Need to Know:
- It only kicks in if the government declares it a “catastrophic event”
- For regular flooding? You’re on your own, mate — better have private cover
What Flood Insurance Actually Covers
✔️ Usually Covered:
- Structural damage (walls, floors, pipes, etc.)
- Furniture and personal items
- Appliances, tech, your prized air fryer
- Sewer backups caused by flooding
- Vehicles — if your car insurance includes it
❌ Usually NOT Covered:
- Water slowly sneaking in over months
- Mold from dodgy maintenance
- Outdoor stuff you forgot to move
- Temporary housing (unless your policy says so)
How Much Is Flood Insurance in Spain?
Flood insurance in Spain isn’t one price fits all.
It depends on:
- Your flood risk level
- Where your house sits (coastal, city, mountains)
- What type of property you’ve got
- How fancy it is
- How many times it’s already been flooded
Here’s a cheat sheet:
|
Risk Level |
Type of Property |
Annual Cost (€) |
|
Low Risk |
Apartment |
€100–€250 |
|
Moderate |
House |
€300–€600 |
|
High Risk |
Coastal Villa |
€600–€1,200 |
|
Flood-Prone City |
House |
€450–€950 |
🏡 Real Example:
3-bedroom house in Valencia’s soggy zone
- Pays around €700/year
- Covers damage, belongings, and a temporary place to stay
Floods? Bring it on.
How to Get a Flood Insurance Quote (Without Crying)
It’s easier than you think.
Here’s how to do it without needing wine and a spreadsheet.
Step-by-Step:
- Call your current insurer
Ask them if flood cover is included - Compare quotes from the big names
- Mapfre
- Allianz
- AXA
- Zurich
- Liberty Seguros
- Use an online comparison tool or speak to a broker
Because deals vary - Make sure CCS is included
You don’t want to find out later it’s missing
Does Renters Insurance Cover Flood Damage?
Good question.
Also: very misunderstood.
✅ Sometimes covered if:
- You added flood cover
- The government declares it a disaster and your policy includes CCS
❌ Usually NOT covered if:
- You have basic renters insurance
- The flood came from blocked drains or a burst something-or-other
Always ask. Never assume.
What Should Renters Ask?
- Is flood damage covered?
- Does my policy include CCS?
- How much cover do I get for my stuff?
If the answer is “we’re not sure” — run.
🧑💻 Real Story: Murcia, 2024
Big storm. Big flood.
One family with no flood cover:
- Lost €15,000 in repairs
- €5,000 in furniture
- Got zero CCS payout because their policy didn’t include it
Their neighbour?
Had proper cover. Paid €350.
Watched the same Netflix, stress-free.
🔐 Tips for People in Flood Zones
- Get proper insurance (don’t wait for the news to show your street underwater)
- Know your excess (some policies charge €300 to €1,000 before they pay)
- Act fast — CCS claims must be filed in 7 days
🌍 What About Expats?
If you own a home in:
- Costa del Sol
- Costa Blanca
- Canary Islands
You’re eligible.
Most companies speak English. Some even offer tea while you sign the papers.
📢 Don’t Wait for the Weather to Say “Told You So”
Floods in Spain are getting nastier.
Wetter.
More expensive.
If you live near the coast, a river, or anywhere with sketchy drains — get flood insurance.
You’ll thank yourself when your neighbour’s couch floats away and yours doesn’t.
✅ Your Flood Insurance Checklist
- ✅ Know your flood zone
- ✅ Ask your insurer about flood protection
- ✅ Make sure CCS is included
- ✅ Get quotes from at least 3 providers
- ✅ Actually read your policy (we know... but still)
💬 FAQs
- Does Spain have government flood insurance?
Not exactly. You’ve got the CCS, but only for big disasters. - How much does it cost?
Anywhere from €100 to €1,200 a year, depending on risk and property. - Does renters insurance cover floods?
Only if you added it or the flood was declared a catastrophe by the government. - How do I get a quote?
Call your insurer. Ask direct questions. Then compare deals.