What your insurance covers in Spain — and how to cancel or not renew it

Coverage vs exclusions

A policy covers what its conditions say — the coberturas — and excludes the rest. The exclusiones and any carencias (waiting periods, common in health/decesos) are where most surprises live.

Check my policy

"Todo riesgo" does not mean everything: it still has exclusions, franquicias (excess) and conditions.

To end a policy, you usually oppose the tacit renewal (prórroga tácita) with the required notice or use the withdrawal right (desistimiento) for contracts signed at a distance / online.

Who it affects

• Anyone with a home, car, health or life policy who wants to know what is actually covered.
• Those who want to switch insurer or stop a policy they no longer need.
• People who sold the car or the home and need to notify the insurer and check the transfer/cancellation route.
• Anyone whose policy auto-renewed because they missed the notice window.

Your rights

• You are entitled to clear information on coverage, exclusions and carencias before and during the contract.
• You can oppose the automatic renewal by giving written notice at least one month before the current insurance period ends; the insurer must give two months’ notice.
• For financial-services contracts signed at a distance / online there is a withdrawal right: generally 14 calendar days, or 30 calendar days for life insurance.
• The withdrawal right under Ley 22/2007 (art. 10) belongs to consumers and does not apply, among others, to insurance taken out to meet a legal obligation to be insured (for example compulsory motor liability cover), to travel or luggage policies lasting less than one month, or to policies where you bear the investment risk.
• Selling the insured asset does not automatically cancel the policy: notify the insurer in writing and check the transfer, change or refund route under the policy and Ley 50/1980.

What you need

• The policy and its conditions (coberturas, exclusiones, carencias, franquicia).
• The renewal notice and the renewal date.
• Dated proof that the cancellation was sent in writing, such as a formal notice (burofax) or another certified method.

Cancel or not renew

1. Read the conditions: coberturas, exclusiones, carencias and franquicia.
2. If the asset was sold or the risk changed, notify the insurer and check whether the policy allows cancellation, transfer, change or refund; otherwise plan not to renew.
3. Send the notice of non-renewal or cancellation in writing within the required notice period.
4. Use a formal notice (burofax) or certified means and keep the proof and date.
5. Confirm there is no charge after the cancellation date.
6. If you signed online or at a distance recently, you may use the withdrawal right: normally 14 calendar days, or 30 for life insurance.

A real case: the policy clause dating the loss was not highlighted, so the insurer could not rely on it

Common mistakes

• Assuming "todo riesgo" covers everything — it has exclusions and franquicias.
• Missing the notice window, so the policy auto-renews (prórroga tácita).
• Cancelling verbally — without written, dated proof it is hard to enforce.
• Cancelling car insurance and driving uninsured (fine of €601–€3,005).

If they keep charging

• If they charge after a valid cancellation, complain to the insurer’s customer service (see the denial guide) and dispute the bank charge.
• Keep the formal notice (burofax), certified proof and dates — they can determine the outcome.

Related guides

Coverage & cancellation FAQ

Official sources