Dear Leader Reader,
I am writing this as a caveat to anyone encountering officialdom in Spain without the correct paperwork and Motor Insurance. I am the owner of an Information and Advocacy service in Ireland, FIOS Consultants, but I was surprised by what I learned!
On Holy Thursday, Jueves Santo, the 2nd of April, I visited Elche to see the street spectacular, the Passion of Christ. After 30 minutes of searching, I found a parking space. I didn’t question the miracle of finding a parking space on a local Día Festivo. So at midnight I returned to the car, and as the joke has it ” there it was, gone “! I had been in a restricted space.
The Polícia National directed me to the Deposito de Vehicúlos. And that’s when sugar got serious. I produced my licence and the insurance which stipulated it was a rented car, “Alquilar,sin Conductor “( Rented, without Chauffeur). I was asked for the Rental Agreement which was never a thing for me. When I said that I didn’t have it, I was told that the Insurance Policy wasn’t effective without it.
I contacted the Lessor of the car and with quite a bit of difficulty we drafted a Rental Agreement that met the bureaucratic requirements. I made it back home by 6.00 am, with my bank account lighter by €161.69!
Since then, and with my professional curiosity aroused , I decided to research into the requirements for car rental and insurance for holidaymakers in Spain.
Like many people I might have availed of a Lessors personal Car Insurance in the past. Friends are friends after all.
However, if you encounter the bureaucratic system and they find out that you don’t have the appropriate Motor Insurance it can be very problematic! Particularly if you have infringed any of the many laws in Spain.
If you don’t have appropriate Motor Insurance then you are breaking the law with all that entails.
In addition, under the Fourth Motor Insurance Directive [ 2000/26/EC] your own Insurance Policy at home will be invoked. This is a useful Directive allowing people to use their own Policy within the EU for up to 90 days per year, depending on the Policy. But it’s a two edged sword, like a lot of things. The Directive is in effect for EU Member States, EEA States, and the UK ( with restrictions depending on Policy).
It’s very easy to fall foul of the system in Spain. I strongly recommend that you ensure you have checked the Lessor is registered, Contract entered into and you have a signed copy, and Insurance with the magic words, ” Alquilar, sin Conductor ” on it.
I wish you all a wonderful holiday,
Yours Sincerely,
Séagh Mac Siúrdáin
