What your insurance covers in Spain — and how to cancel or not renew it
Before a problem hits, two things matter with a Spanish policy: what it actually covers (coberturas vs exclusiones, and any waiting periods / carencias) and how to get out of it when you want to switch — opposing the automatic renewal in time, the notice period and the withdrawal right for online contracts. This guide explains both, for home, car and health insurance.
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.
"Todo riesgo" does not mean everything: it still has exclusions, franquicias (excess) and conditions.
To leave a policy you usually oppose the tacit renewal (prórroga tácita) with the required notice, or use the withdrawal right (desistimiento) on 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.
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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 needs two months.
- 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.
- 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.
- Proof of sending the cancellation in writing (a formal notice (burofax) or certified means) with the date.
Cancel or not renew
- Read the conditions: coberturas, exclusiones, carencias and franquicia.
- 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.
- Send the opposition to the renewal / cancellation in writing, with the required notice.
- Use a formal notice (burofax) or certified means and keep the proof and date.
- Confirm there is no charge after the cancellation date.
- If you signed online or at a distance recently, you may use the withdrawal right: normally 14 calendar days, or 30 for life insurance.
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 decide it.
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Related guides
Coverage & cancellation FAQ
Does "todo riesgo" cover everything?
No — it still has exclusions, franquicias and conditions. Read the policy.
How do I stop my policy renewing?
Oppose the tacit renewal in writing before the renewal date, with the required notice.
What is a carencia?
A waiting period before a cover starts — common in health and decesos policies.
I signed online — can I withdraw?
For financial-services distance contracts, usually 14 calendar days from signing; life insurance has 30 calendar days.
Can I cancel mid-term?
Not automatically. If the insured asset is sold or the risk changes, notify the insurer and check the policy/Ley 50/1980 route for transfer, change, refund or cancellation.
How should I send the cancellation?
In writing with a date — a formal notice (burofax) or certified means is the safe way.
They charged me after cancelling — what now?
Complain to the insurer and dispute the charge; keep your proof of cancellation.
Where are the rules?
The Ley de Contrato de Seguro (50/1980) and the DGSFP — check the current text and your policy.
Official sources
- DGSFP — insurance regulator
- Ley de Contrato de Seguro (50/1980) — BOE
- Ley 22/2007 — distance financial services
- RDL 8/2004 — compulsory motor insurance
Informational guide, not legal advice. Coverage and cancellation rules are specific to each policy — check yours, the DGSFP and your case with NAVI.
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