This is how you can file a claim with the Insurance Consortium if you are affected by the damage caused by the DANA in Spain

December 05 , 2024 // Specialty : Environmental liability

Published in https://www.businessinsider.es/economia/puedes-reclamar-consorcio-seguros-estas-afectado-danos-dana-espana-1419025

The DANA has wreaked havoc in a large part of Spain, especially in Valencia, but also in Aragon, eastern Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia, leaving several dead and missing, as well as incalculable material damage.

Among so much human misfortune, we must also take into account the material and what it covers. That is what insurance is for, and if you have been affected or if you will be in the future, you will want to know if insurance covers damage caused by the DANA or any catastrophic and natural phenomenon and above all how to claim for it.

Does your insurance cover all damages?
Insurance does not always cover damage caused by this type of phenomenon, especially when they are classified as adverse meteorological phenomena.

This is where the role of the Insurance Compensation Consortium comes into play, a public entity that can intervene in this type of situation, a state institution that receives a part of the premiums for each insurance that citizens pay annually. This entity is responsible for covering certain damages caused by extraordinary phenomena, as long as certain requirements are met.

What does the Insurance Consortium cover?
The CCS covers damages caused by natural phenomena classified as extraordinary, such as floods, cyclonic storms and earthquakes. In the case of DANA, the most frequent damages include:

- Flooding of homes and garages.
- Damage to vehicles.
- Losses in businesses or commercial premises.

What to do to claim damages from the Insurance Compensation Consortium?
If you have suffered damages due to DANA and you want to start a claim with the Insurance Compensation Consortium, the first thing to do is to gather the necessary documentation: it includes the insurance contract, the receipt of payment, the ID or NIE of the holder, and any proof of the damages caused (photos, videos, damage reports). In some cases, a weather report or flood report issued by the competent body may be included.

Once all the documentation has been submitted, the Consortium will analyze the case and issue a resolution within a variable period.

The Consortium will send an expert to assess the damage. It is important that you keep the damaged goods unmodified until the inspection is carried out. If you have already started urgent repairs, keep invoices and photos of the original damage.

What to do if the Consortium's assessment is not adequate?
You can request a review of the case or go to court if you consider that the compensation is insufficient.

Can you claim for personal injury?
Yes, the Consortium also covers personal injuries caused by extraordinary risks, provided that they are related to a life or accident insurance policy.

What if you do not have insurance?
If you do not have insurance for the home or vehicle affected by the DANA, there are other options, although they are limited. The main alternative is for the Government to declare the affected area as a "catastrophic area", a measure that allows special aid to be granted to affected people, including those who do not have insurance.

However, these grants are not automatic and must be requested by the affected autonomous communities or municipalities. Also, keep in mind that the time taken to resolve and deliver the grants may be extended, so having insurance remains the most advisable option to protect your assets against disasters such as DANA.