Home Insurance in Tenerife: What's Covered and What's Not

Home Insurance in Tenerife: What Expats Need to Know

Home insurance (seguro del hogar) in Tenerife is not legally required for homeowners, but it's essential — especially when hiring tradespeople for repairs and renovations.

Types of Home Insurance

What's Typically Covered

• Water damage — burst pipes, leaks (most common claim in Spain)
• Fire and smoke damage
• Theft and vandalism
• Storm damage — including the calima (Saharan dust storms)
• Electrical damage — power surges
• Liability — if someone is injured on your property
• Emergency repairs — 24-hour assistance for urgent plumbing/electrical/locksmith

What's NOT Covered

• Work done without permits — if you renovate without a licencia de obra and something goes wrong, your claim may be denied
• Work by unregistered tradespeople — damage caused by unlicensed workers
• Pre-existing defects — problems that existed before the policy started
• Wear and tear — gradual deterioration is not covered
• Swimming pool damage — often requires additional coverage
• Squatter damage — a growing issue in Spain, check your policy carefully

Insurance and Tradespeople

When hiring a tradesperson, check:

1. Their liability insurance — covers damage they cause to your property
2. Your own policy — does it cover work being done on your property?
3. Community insurance — if you live in a complex, the comunidad should have building insurance

Filing a Claim After Bad Work

If a tradesperson damages your property:

1. Document everything — photos, videos, written descriptions
2. Notify your insurer within 7 days
3. Get an independent assessment — your insurer will send a perito (assessor)
4. Keep the tradesperson's invoice and details — your insurer may pursue them for costs

Tips

1. Compare quotes — use comparison sites like Rastreator.com or Acierto.com
2. Read the fine print — especially exclusions and deductibles (franquicia)
3. Update your policy — after renovations, inform your insurer of increased property value
4. Keep an inventory — photograph valuables and keep receipts for contents insurance
5. Check for multi-policy discounts — combining home, car, and life insurance saves money