Car insurance in Spain: how to keep your no-claims bonus from the UK or abroad

You've driven for twenty years without a single claim, you ask for a quote in Spain and the price comes back as if you'd just passed your test. It's one of the most common frustrations we hear from expats in Murcia, and it usually has a simple cause: the insurer hasn't recognised your driving history from abroad.

Why your history "disappears" when you move

Spanish insurers check your record in a shared Spanish database. A driver who has never been insured in Spain simply doesn't appear there, so the system treats you as a new driver. Some companies will look at a foreign no-claims certificate; many won't, or will only give a partial discount.

The result: experienced drivers paying new-driver prices, sometimes for years, until they build up a Spanish history.

How we handle it

At our agency, the key advantage for expats is that we apply the maximum no-claims bonus we can by recognising your claims history with your insurer abroad. Instead of starting from zero, we price your policy according to the years you've actually driven without claims. You can see how it works on our car insurance for expats page.

What you need to bring

Ask your current or last insurer for a no-claims certificate (sometimes called a claims experience letter) before you cancel your policy. It should include:

1. Your full name, as it appears on your passport or NIE.

2. The policy period(s) covered, with start and end dates.

3. The number of years without claims, or the list of any claims and their dates.

4. The insurer's name and contact details, on letterhead or with a reference number.

A certificate issued in English is usually fine for us to review. Try to keep the gap between your last foreign policy and the new Spanish one as short as possible: a long break without insurance can make it harder to recognise the history.

Tips to lower your premium in Spain

• Choose the right level of cover. Third party, third party fire and theft, or comprehensive with or without excess: an older car rarely needs full comprehensive cover.

• Declare where the car sleeps. A garage or private parking in Murcia usually costs less than street parking in the city centre.

• Add a named, experienced second driver rather than leaving the policy open.

• Ask about electric and hybrid cars. If you've switched to an EV, see our electric and hybrid car insurance.

Foreign plates? Sort the registration first

If you brought your car from abroad, remember that once you're resident in Spain you'll need to register it here and insure it with a Spanish policy. We explain the steps in driving in Spain on foreign plates.

How we can help

Send us your no-claims certificate by WhatsApp or email and we'll prepare a quote in English, without you having to leave home. If you'd rather talk it through, come and see us at our office in central Murcia with your documents and we'll sort it out in one visit.

Get a quote that respects your driving record

Ask for your car insurance quote and tell us how many years you've driven without claims. We'll show you the difference.