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Volcano, earthquake or storm: who pays in the Canaries
Look at your home or car insurance bill and you will find a small line marked 'Consorcio'. Most people who move here have no idea what it is. Yet it is exactly what pays when something big happens: a volcanic eruption, an earthquake, an extraordinary flood or an extraordinary storm, for example with gusts above 120 km/h.
What the Consorcio is
The Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros is a Spanish public body that pays for so-called extraordinary risks. You do not buy it separately: it comes with your policy, and the surcharge on your bill is your contribution. When damage is caused by one of these risks, your insurer does not pay – the Consorcio does.
What it covers
Natural events: earthquakes and tsunamis, extraordinary floods (including those caused by the sea), volcanic eruptions, atypical cyclonic storms – which include gusts above 120 km/h and tornadoes – and falling meteorites. It also covers damage caused by terrorism, rebellion, riots and civil commotion, and by the armed forces or police in peacetime. Whether an event was extraordinary is certified by AEMET, the National Geographic Institute or other public bodies, not by you or your insurer.
What it does not cover – and why that matters here
Rockfalls, landslides and ground subsidence are excluded, unless they are caused by rainwater during an extraordinary flood and happen at the same time. On an island of ravines and steep slopes, that is worth knowing. Ordinary rain and wind are not included either – that is not a Consorcio matter. Whether your home policy pays for water coming through the roof depends on your cover; send us a WhatsApp and we will check your policy.
The condition: a policy in force and paid up
The Consorcio only pays if you hold a policy covering at least one ordinary risk – fire, theft, glass breakage or a combined home policy – and your premiums are paid. If the policy is suspended because of an unpaid bill, there is no Consorcio cover either. It pays on the same sums insured as your policy, so if your sum insured is too low, the Consorcio will not pay more either. And if you are taking out a new policy: for natural events, the Consorcio does not cover damage in the first seven days after the policy is issued or starts. If you switch insurer without a gap, that waiting period does not apply.
Excess: none on homes
When the damaged property is a home, a residential community of owners or a vehicle, the Consorcio applies no excess, even if your policy has one. For other property damage, such as a shop or warehouse, it deducts 7 % of the compensable loss.
How to report damage
As soon as possible. You can call 900 222 665 (from Spain) or +34 952 367 042, or report online at consorseguros.es; the phone line also works in English and French. Your insurer or agent can report it for you as well – that is us. Before repairing anything, take photos, keep the damaged items for the loss adjuster and stop the damage from getting worse. The Consorcio sends its own adjuster, who is not bound by your insurer's valuation. Payment is made by bank transfer.
What we learned on La Palma
In 2021, during the Cumbre Vieja eruption, we handled many of these claims with our clients on La Palma. What helped most was the simplest thing: a paid-up policy, knowing where it was, and photos of the house from before. If you would like us to check what you have and for how much, send us a WhatsApp on 636 47 02 07.
What this means for you
- You already pay for the Consorcio through your policy – there is nothing extra to buy.
- It only pays if your policy is in force and paid up.
- There is no Consorcio excess on homes.
- Rockfalls and landslides on their own are not covered.
- Keep up-to-date photos of your home and check that your sum insured is still right.
Source: Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros (opens in a new window) · 6 October 2026
Information without obligation. The policy and the Allianz information sheets are binding.