The entry into force of the state of alarm to stop the spread of COVID-19 has raised doubts among drivers and has fueled hoaxes about the Insurance that we want to deny. It is important that all Auto Insurance clients in Spain know that the insurer maintains vehicle coverage during the state of alarm , in the same conditions as always.

The health crisis caused by the coronavirus has caused the Government to decree the state of alarm and impose restrictions on mobility that affect all citizens.

But this exceptional and temporary situation does not modify the protections offered by Automobile Insurance , both in its Third Party Insurance modality and in the other guarantees.

 

A situation as exceptional as the one we live in does not affect the coverage of Third Party Insurance. If we have a blow with another car and we are responsible for the incident, the insurer will respond with the Compulsory Civil Liability coverage in the same conditions as before the state of alarm.

Furthermore, the Mandatory Insurance does not exclude its coverage if the incident occurs outside the cases provided for in the Royal Decree in which the state of alarm is declared .

In other words, the insurer will cover the incident, even if it occurs when the insured driver is responsible for a claim that occurs in a displacement outside the cases authorized by the Alarm State Decree . This is not among the exclusions of the Mandatory Insurance .

In that case, Car Insurance covers the incident; but what the insured will not get rid of is the penalty that may be imposed for driving on the road outside the cases of need established in the state of alarm.

And beware, non-compliance with the state of alarm carries significant penalties ranging from fines of 100 to 600,000 euros or imprisonment of three months to one year , depending on the severity of the infraction. Come on, it's not to be taken as a joke.

 

In the rest of the Auto Insurance coverage, the guarantees are maintained with the same effectiveness as when there was no health crisis or a state of alarm to stop the coronavirus.

It is important to keep this in mind, because on days like these there are many hoaxes in the networks that claim that Insurance does not cover car accidents during the pandemic.

So much so, that the employers of the UNESPA insurers have had to deny it in the media and on their social networks: Car Insurance covers their policyholders during the state of alarm.

In short, if we have a problem on the road during these difficult days, we can count on the support of our Auto Insurance .

Even in this situation of sanitary emergency due to the coronavirus, the insurer maintains the contracted coverage under the conditions established by the policy, whether we have to call the crane and provide Travel Assistance , or if we must notify the Insurance for Damages Own or give a report for any other incident .

And as we pointed out before with the Mandatory Insurance, the claims that occur in violation of the measures adopted by the Government, although they may be subject to administrative sanction, do not exempt from compliance with the obligations assumed by the insurer in the Insurance contracts, as established in the policy conditions.

If something happens to us when driving the car in alarm, the Insurance protects us as always.

 

First of all, we must all understand the seriousness of the situation and the reasons why these restrictions have been imposed on people's mobility.

The economic and social consequences of measures like this are enormous, but it is essential that we all be responsible and strive to comply with them in order to stop as soon as possible the coronavirus pandemic that threatens the health of all and our economy.

The sooner we can stop the propagation curve of COVID-19 , the sooner we will return to normal. So, if it is not absolutely essential to get the car, it is best to stay at home.

However, many drivers find themselves in a need to get around, even in full alarm. If this is your case, you should know that the situations in which citizens can go out and circulate have been limited.

The State Decree of Alarm lists the situations in which it is allowed to circulate in private vehicles on public roads:

  • Acquisition of food, pharmaceuticals and basic necessities.
  • Assistance to health centers, services and establishments.
  • Travel to the workplace to carry out their work, professional or business provision.
  • Return to the habitual place of residence.
  • Assistance and care for the elderly, minors, dependents, people with disabilities or especially vulnerable people.
  • Displacement to financial and insurance entities.
  • Due to force majeure or need situation.
  • To refuel at gas stations or service stations.

In addition, it establishes that when we go out into the street to carry out any of these activities, we must do it individually, unless we take people with some type of disability or for other just cause in the vehicle.

For example, if we have to take a sick child to the pediatrician or we have to bring an older person in the car to receive some medical treatment, nobody will fine us.

There are situations in which we have no choice but to take the car, it is true. But if you can avoid it, if you can avoid going outside, you will be doing a favor to all of society. Stay home for the good of all.