Building Insurance Policy What it Covers and What you Should Cover
Guadalupe Hills Comunidad de Propietarios
Important Information About Our Building Insurance Policy (2026–2027)
Dear fellow owners,
The Guadalupe Hills Comunidad de Propietarios has arranged a building insurance policy with MAPFRE covering the period 23 March 2026 to 12 March 2027. This document provides a clear, plain-English summary of that policy so that all owners understand what is covered, what is not covered, and – most importantly – what each owner remains personally responsible for.
Please read this carefully. The most common and costly misunderstanding is assuming that the Comunidad’s policy protects you against accidents inside your own home. It does not. The final section of this summary explains your personal liability and why every owner needs their own individual home insurance.
For full legal details, refer to the original policy document held by the Comunidad de Propietarios.
⚠️ LEGAL DISCLAIMER (Valid under Spanish Law – Ley 50/1980 de Contrato de Seguro)
This document is an unofficial summary prepared by the Comunidad de Propietarios for general information purposes only. It does not constitute a legal document and does not replace, amend, or supplement the original insurance policy issued by MAPFRE. In the event of any discrepancy between this summary and the General, Particular, or Special Conditions of the official policy, the original policy documents shall prevail.
Neither the Comunidad de Propietarios, its administrators, nor the author of this summary accept any liability for decisions made or actions taken solely on the basis of this information. For any matter relating to coverage, exclusions, limits, or claims handling, you must refer directly to the original policy or seek independent professional advice.
This summary does not modify, extend, or reduce the contracted guarantees. In the event of a claim, the only binding terms shall be those set out in the signed policy and applicable Spanish insurance law (Ley 50/1980, de 8 de octubre, de Contrato de Seguro).
Guadalupe Hills – Building Insurance Summary (2026–2027)
What’s insured & for how much?
- The building structure (continente): €9,985,547
- Shared furniture & fittings (e.g., lobby furniture, mailboxes): €3,685
The complex has 127 co-owners, 3 floors, built in 2006.
Main coverages included
| Coverage | What it means in plain English |
|---|---|
| Fire and other damage | Fire, explosion, smoke damage |
| Atmospheric phenomena | Storms, wind, hail, snow, heavy rain |
| Electrical damage | Power surges or short circuits affecting building electrics |
| Water damage (partial) | Burst communal pipes, leaks from common installations |
| Breakage (partial) | Broken glass, mirrors, sinks, or ceramic hobs in common areas |
| Theft with violence | Forced entry theft in common areas |
| Public liability (Comunidad) | If the Comunidad is sued because someone is injured in a common area (e.g., slip on wet floor) |
| Co-owner third-party liability | Protects individual owners for accidents you may cause in common areas (e.g., leaving a hazard) |
| Legal defence | Pays for lawyers if the Comunidad goes to court over a covered incident |
| Vehicles in garage | Damage to cars parked in the communal garage from fire, lightning, or explosion |
| Extraordinary risks (Consorcio) | Floods, earthquakes, terrorism, riots – covered by the state-backed Insurance Compensation Consortium |
Important limits you should know
- Blockages (e.g., blocked communal drain causing damage): max €737 per claim and per year
- Aesthetic damage (e.g., a scratch that doesn’t affect function): max €1,500 per home or commercial unit
- Occupational accident liability (see employee section below): max €184,280 per injured person
What is NOT covered?
- Temporary disability (no monthly payment if someone cannot work)
- Healthcare expenses
Why does the policy mention «employee accidents» or «occupational accidents»?
Most Comunidad policies include this as a standard template because some Comunidades hire staff (cleaners, gardeners, maintenance, security). Even if you have no employees, the clause remains in the document by default. It costs nothing extra unless you actually hire someone. If you later hire staff, that cover becomes useful – otherwise, simply ignore it.
Total annual premium
€4,455.86
Paid in two instalments (March & September) by direct debit.
What you must know as an owner
- The Comunidad confirmed all information given to the insurer is true.
- If any information was false or hidden, MAPFRE can refuse to pay a claim.
- If the policy wording differs from what was agreed, the Comunidad has 1 month from receipt to ask for a correction – after that, the policy stands as written.
🔴 CRITICAL SECTION: YOUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AS AN OWNER
The Comunidad’s building insurance does NOT cover damage originating from inside your private apartment.
What happens if your boiler, washing machine, or a pipe bursts?
Let’s use a real example:
«What if a boiler bursts in my apartment and damages the whole block?»
Here is exactly what happens, step by step:
| Damage to… | Who pays? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Your own apartment (floors, walls, furniture, your boiler) | YOU – from your own pocket or your personal home insurance | The Comunidad policy only covers common areas, not your private home. |
| Common areas (hallways, lobby, elevator, garage) | MAPFRE (Comunidad policy) pays first – then bills YOU personally | This is called «right of subrogation.» The insurer recovers the cost from the person who caused the damage. |
| Another owner’s apartment | MAPFRE (Comunidad policy) pays first – then bills YOU personally | Same principle: you caused the damage, so you are liable. |
The bottom line
If you do not have your own individual home insurance (Seguro de Hogar), a single accident – like a burst boiler – could leave you personally liable for tens of thousands of euros in repairs to common areas and neighbors’ homes.
What your own home insurance should include
| Coverage | Why you need it |
|---|---|
| Contents / belongings | Replaces your furniture, appliances, clothes, electronics after fire, flood, or theft |
| Liability coverage (responsabilidad civil) | This is the most important. It pays for damage your boiler, washing machine, pipes, or appliances cause to the building or your neighbors. Without this, MAPFRE will come after you personally. |
| Alternative accommodation | Pays for a hotel or rental if your apartment becomes uninhabitable after a fire or flood |
✅ Final note for all owners
This Comunidad policy covers the building structure and common areas – that is its job.
But it will not protect you if something goes wrong inside your own home and damages others.
Every owner is strongly advised to have their own individual Home Insurance policy (Seguro de Hogar) that includes adequate liability coverage.
Failure to do so could leave you personally responsible for repair bills that run into the tens of thousands of euros.
This summary was prepared for the benefit of all owners at Guadalupe Hills. For any questions, please refer to the original policy documents or consult a professional insurance advisor.