Public Liability Insurance in Spain
for freelancers and SMEs
Immediate legal assistance and defence
Public liability and completed works cover
Employer's liability for staff accidents
What’s covered
Which situations does Allianz liability insurance cover?
Sectors
Good to know
Liability insurance in Spain: four things foreign freelancers and business owners should know
Find out which liability cover your business needs
Not every business faces the same risks. Use our interactive scenario explorer to see the real financial impact of a claim in your line of work, and which liability covers (public, employer’s, cross liability, completed works and more) you need to protect your business, without paying for cover you don’t use or leaving gaps.
FAQs
Public liability insurance: frequently asked questions
Is liability insurance compulsory for an SME or freelancer in Spain?
Not for every business by law, but in practice it's essential. Some sectors and professions require it, town halls may ask for it for your activity licence, and landlords and clients often demand a certificate. Without it, you'd pay any claim with your business's assets, or your own if you're self-employed.
What's the difference between public liability and employer's liability?
Public liability covers damage your activity causes to third parties, for example if your crane damages a client's car. Employer's liability covers claims from your own employees (or their families) after a serious workplace accident due to inadequate safety measures.
What is vicarious liability?
It's essential if you subcontract work. If a subcontractor causes damage to a third party and is insolvent or uninsured, the injured party will claim from you as the main contractor. Vicarious liability covers the compensation you're indirectly responsible for.
Will the insurer defend me against an unjustified claim?
Yes. Allianz liability insurance includes legal defence and bail. If you receive a civil claim, even an unfounded or excessive one, the insurer provides specialist lawyers and advances any civil bail the court requires.
Am I covered for defects that cause damage after I've delivered a product?
Yes, with product and completed works liability. If something you've made or installed fails after delivery and damages your client's property or injures someone, this cover pays the compensation.
What is cross liability on construction sites?
When several contractors and subcontractors work on the same site, cross liability covers damage or injury that one of your employees causes to an employee of another company on that site.
I rent my unit on an industrial estate. What liability cover do I need?
Tenant's liability. If a fire caused by your activity damages the building you rent, the landlord will claim the damage from you, and tenant's liability covers exactly that.
Who pays if my business has an accidental chemical spill?
With accidental pollution liability, Allianz pays for environmental damage, groundwater contamination or damage to neighbouring land caused accidentally, provided it's detected and reported within 120 hours of the event.
What does 'limit per victim' mean in employer's liability?
Your policy has a general limit per claim (for example €600,000) and a sub-limit per victim (for example €150,000). The insurer pays up to €150,000 to each injured worker, up to the €600,000 total for that incident.
My company already has multi-risk insurance. Doesn't it include liability?
Multi-risk policies include basic liability cover, which suits small shops and offices. For builders, manufacturers and industrial SMEs with complex risks, those limits fall short: a dedicated liability policy offers higher limits and technical covers such as cross liability, pollution and product recall.
AMB Seguros is an exclusive Allianz agency in the Region of Murcia specialising in liability insurance for freelancers (autónomos), SMEs, builders, tradespeople and hospitality businesses, including many run by expats. We review your activity in detail to avoid gaps in cover, with advice in English.