DANA storms (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos — also known as cold drops or gota fría) are one of Spain's most destructive natural hazards. The catastrophic flooding in Valencia and the Costa Blanca in late 2024 caused billions of euros in damage and tragically claimed lives. If you own property in Spain, understanding how storm cover works is essential.
How DANA Storm Cover Works in Spain
Spain has a unique system for insuring against extraordinary natural events. The Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros is a state-backed insurance body that covers:
Extraordinary flooding (including DANA/gota fría)
Earthquakes
Volcanic eruptions (relevant for the Canary Islands — La Palma 2021)
Tsunamis
Terrorism
Atypical cyclonic storms
This cover is automatic and mandatory. Every Spanish home, car, and business insurance policy includes a small surcharge that funds the Consorcio. You do not need to buy separate flood or storm insurance.
What Does the Consorcio Cover?
Buildings damage — structural damage from flooding, mudslides, storm surge
Vehicle damage — cars submerged or damaged by floodwater (through your car insurance policy)
Business interruption — loss of income for businesses affected
Temporary accommodation — if your home becomes uninhabitable
What You Must Have in Place
The Consorcio ONLY pays claims through your existing insurance policy. This means:
You MUST have a valid, current home insurance policy — no policy means no Consorcio cover
The claim is filed through your insurer, who passes it to the Consorcio for extraordinary events
Your insurer handles the initial assessment and the Consorcio makes the final decision and payment
Regular Storm Damage vs Extraordinary Events
Not all storm damage qualifies for Consorcio cover. The Consorcio covers extraordinary events — events officially declared as such. Everyday storms (a tile blown off by wind, a tree branch breaking a window) are covered by your standard home insurance policy, not the Consorcio.
In practice, the distinction matters because:
Standard storm damage claims go through your insurer's normal process
Extraordinary events (like the 2024 Valencia floods) are handled by the Consorcio with government-backed funding
Both are covered as long as you have a valid policy
Are Certain Areas Higher Risk?
Yes. DANA storms most commonly affect:
Southern Costa Blanca — Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, La Zenia, Pilar de la Horadada
Valencia region — particularly low-lying areas and dry riverbeds (ramblas) that channel floodwater
Murcia — the Mar Menor area and Campo de Cartagena
Malaga and eastern Andalucía
If your property is in a DANA-prone area, your standard home insurance premium may not be higher (the Consorcio surcharge is the same everywhere), but you should pay extra attention to:
Car insurance with comprehensive cover — vehicles are often written off in floods
Emergency property management if you are a non-resident owner
What to Do If Your Property Is Flooded
Ensure safety first — do not enter a flooded property until authorities confirm it is safe
Document everything — photograph and video all damage before cleaning up
Contact your insurer immediately — or contact us and we will file the claim on your behalf
Keep receipts — for emergency expenses (hotel, food, emergency repairs) as these may be reimbursable
Do not discard damaged items — the assessor may need to see them
Want to check your cover?Send us your policy details and we will confirm you are properly protected against storm and flood damage — free, no obligation.
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The Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros automatically covers extraordinary events like DANA storms through a mandatory surcharge on all Spanish insurance policies—you do not need to buy separate flood insurance.
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You must have a valid, current home insurance policy to access Consorcio cover; claims are filed through your insurer, who passes them to the Consorcio for final assessment and payment.
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DANA storms most commonly affect southern Costa Blanca, Valencia, Murcia, and eastern Andalucía; residents in these areas should ensure adequate contents and car insurance coverage.
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The Consorcio covers buildings, contents, vehicles, business interruption, and temporary accommodation, but everyday storm damage (like wind-blown tiles) is covered by standard home insurance, not the Consorcio.
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If flooded, prioritize safety, document all damage with photos/video, contact your insurer immediately, keep receipts for emergency expenses, and do not discard damaged items before assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers on insurance in spain
No. All Spanish home, car, and business insurance policies automatically include coverage for extraordinary flooding through the Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros via a mandatory surcharge. You do not need to purchase separate flood insurance.
DANA storms most commonly affect the southern Costa Blanca (Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, La Zenia), Valencia region, Murcia (especially the Mar Menor area), and eastern Andalucía. Low-lying areas and dry riverbeds (ramblas) that channel floodwater are particularly vulnerable.
Yes, as long as you have a valid, current home insurance policy. The claim is filed through your insurer, who passes it to the Consorcio for extraordinary events like DANA storms; the Consorcio then makes the final decision and payment.
The Consorcio covers structural building damage, water-damaged contents (furniture, electronics, appliances), vehicle damage, business interruption losses, and temporary accommodation costs if your home becomes uninhabitable.
Ensure safety first and do not enter until authorities confirm it is safe. Then document all damage with photos and video, contact your insurer immediately, keep receipts for emergency expenses, and preserve damaged items for assessment.
