Making changes to your Spanish home this summer? Here’s what to consider
Summer often inspires home improvements, especially if you’re spending more time at your property or hosting family and friends. In Spain, it’s common to take advantage of the good weather by upgrading outdoor areas — whether that means installing a pergola for extra shade, adding a removable pool to cool off, or building a small storage shed to keep things organised.
These additions can certainly make your home more enjoyable during the hotter months. But if you’re not familiar with how home insurance works in Spain, you might not realise that certain upgrades can affect your cover — particularly if they aren’t declared.
Failing to notify your insurer about certain changes could result in unexpected complications when it comes time to make a claim. Here’s what you need to know before picking up those tools this summer.
Common summer additions… and whether they’re covered
Some of the most typical upgrades include:
- Removable or built-in swimming pools
- Pergolas, awnings, or shaded terraces
- Garden sheds, storage units or small outbuildings
- Outdoor kitchens or built-in barbecues
- Solar panels or roof structures
Even if these seem like small improvements, they can change the insured risk or increase the value of your property, which means your insurance might need to be updated.
What should be declared to your insurer?
You should always inform your insurer if your home improvements:
- Increase the property’s value
- Change its structure or use
- Involve electrical or plumbing installations
- Introduce new elements that may be vulnerable to damage or cause damage
Declaring these changes allows your insurance provider to adjust the policy accordingly, ensuring that you’re fully covered.
What if you don’t notify your insurer?
If you make improvements and don’t inform your insurer, you may find yourself partially or fully uncovered if something goes wrong.
Here are a few examples:
- A pergola is damaged in a summer storm.
- A leaking removable pool causes water damage to your neighbour’s property.
- An outdoor kitchen triggers an electrical fault or fire.
In these cases, the insurer might reduce or reject compensation if the risk wasn't correctly assessed due to missing information.
How to stay properly protected
- Ask your insurer before starting major changes.
- Check your policy documents to see what is and isn’t included.
- Outdoor spaces matter, too. For many expats in Spain, terraces and gardens are a key part of the home — often enjoyed year-round. If you’ve invested in outdoor features like pergolas, outdoor kitchens or garden furniture, it’s important to make sure your home insurance policy covers them adequately. If you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to contact your insurer to clarify what is included and whether you need to update your coverage.
- Consider optional add-ons or coverage adjustments if your home use is changing (e.g. spending more time there, or renting it out during the holidays).
Building comfort? Don’t forget peace of mind
If you’ve put time and effort in making your house in Spain a home, make sure your insurance keeps up. At Generali Expatriates, our standard home insurance already includes valuable cover such as garden furniture and garden reconstruction, refrigerated goods, aesthetic restoration, extended protection for jewellery and valuables and DIY service.
On top of this, you can personalise your policy with optional covers tailored to your specific needs — from pest control and home appliance repairs to extensive cover for holiday rentals, accidental damage, and legal defence against illegal occupation.
This flexibility means you only pay for what truly matters to you, while enjoying comprehensive protection that adapts as your home and lifestyle change. If you’re unsure about your current coverage or planning improvements, our expert agents and brokers are here to guide you to the right solution — so your peace of mind is always protected.
Feel free to get in touch with us today. Locate your nearest broker or agent here, or request a quote.