HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

Linea Directa is to introduce Spain’s first insurance product specifically designed to combat the growing problem of squatting in vacant homes.

Known as ‘anti-okupación’ home insurance, the coverage aims to protect homeowners from the increasing phenomenon of squatters taking over unoccupied properties in Spain. It will be the ‘first complete insurance’ against illegal squatting in Spain, offering ‘total protection’.

In 2022 alone, there were approximately 16,700 complaints about squatters, referred to as ‘okupas’ in Spanish, which translates to an alarming average of 45 cases reported every day. Linea Directa recognises the urgency of addressing this issue and has developed comprehensive coverage to address the various challenges homeowners face when dealing with squatters.

Because of these figures, a spokesperson from the company said "It is a great social problem that has become one of the biggest concerns of the owners. Aware of this, Línea Directa Aseguradora has created the first complete 'anti-squatting' insurance, which offers total protection against the serious consequences of this phenomenon."

The insurance coverage will encompass a range of aspects, including loss of income, alternative accommodation for the property owner, essential supplies, property damages, and legal expenses. This last component is particularly crucial as removing squatters from a property in Spain can be a protracted and complex legal process.

According to the General Council of the Judiciary (CGPJ) in Spain, it typically takes up to 18 months to successfully evict squatters from a property, even if the owner has rightful legal ownership. In 2021, the average waiting period for property owners was 18.1 months, according to official data. The Victims of Occupation Platform, a homeowners group, estimates that approximately 100,000 properties across Spain are affected by illegal occupation.

The official launch and presentation of the new anti-occupation insurance coverage will take place on Monday, June 12th, with the press conference being led by Linea Directa's commercial director, Diego Ferreiro, who will provide detailed information about the coverage and its benefits.

The issue of squatting has sparked controversy in Spain, with various motivations behind these illegal occupations. While some cases involve long-term tenants struggling to afford rent, opportunistic squatters taking advantage of vacant properties are also prevalent.

Advocates for the okupa movement often cite the vast number of empty properties in Spain, which surpasses three million, along with the high cost of living as reasons for understanding the circumstances leading to rent payment difficulties.

However, the okupa movement in Spain often extends beyond genuine cases of hardship. There are instances where organisations exploit legal loopholes or individuals who own their own properties but rent them out, while occupying properties that do not belong to them.

Statistics from the INE's Population and Housing Census revealed that between 2001 and 2011, the number of vacant homes in Spain surged by 336,943, representing a 10.8 percent increase, bringing the total to 3.4 million. Moreover, according to data from the interior ministry, over 10,000 homes have been illegally occupied each year since 2015. This highlights the pressing need for comprehensive solutions to address the problem of squatting in Spain.

Further reading:

Okupas: Squatters In Spain
Spanish Police Warn Of New Trick Burglars And Squatters Are Using To Identify Vacant Properties
How To Secure Your Property In Spain
How To Report A Burglary Or Theft In Spain

Sources

https://www.thelocal.es/20230607/anti-squatter-home-insurance-launches-in-spain
https://www.larazon.es/economia/linea-directa-adelanta-lanza-primer-seguro-completo-antiokupas_20230606647f1350a7fe8d0001d7b21a.html