Línea Directa launches the first complete insurance against squatters for 10 euros a year

2023-06-12 13:05:36

Direct line has presented today Monday a new complete insurance against the illegal squatting of the houseas well as against all the consequences that the entry of squatters may entail.

The insurer has stressed that it is the first insurance in Spain that protects against squatting in a complete way, covering Loss of rent, supplies, damage to your home, or legal fees of the procedure, among other options. In addition, the policy can be applied both in cases of burglary and usurpation, and can be contracted exclusively by owners. “There is no product right now in Spain that covers what Línea Directa covers,” they say, although the company itself acknowledges Free market who hope their competition will follow suit and end up launching similar products.

Línea Directa already brought forward the launch of this product last week, presenting it as a response to the growing problem of squatting, which in 2022 resulted in more than 16,700 complaints, or more than 45 per day, they warned. Already today Monday, in a press conference held on Madrid’s Gran Vía, the commercial director of the insurer, Diego Ferreiro added that the new Housing Law approved by the Executive could make it even more difficult to expel squatters and “extend recovery time by requiring additional procedures.”

So, to contribute to the protection of owners in cases of squatting, Línea Directa has detailed that its new safe that covers up to a total of 33,900 euros. The coverage includes, first of all, the eviction management and legal procedure, which includes initial telephone assistance, advice through a lawyer of free choice and the claim of the house through friendly or judicial channels. In total, the legal expenses related to the lawyer, solicitor, notaries, experts and court fees amount to 10.000 euros coverage.

And, secondly, the insurance also covers the economic compensations. In this sense, it includes qualification expenses after the damage suffered, such as changing the lock, cleaning or emptying furniture, plumbing, glasswork, masonry, electrician or parquet without limit of amount, provided that the services are left in the hands of Línea Directa professionals. In the event that the client is the one who contracts these repairs, the compensation will be up to 5,000 euros. Likewise, the insurance also covers the invoices of water, gas and electricity of the habitual residence, up to a maximum of 300 euros during 6 monthsin addition to compensation for alternative lease during squatting of up to 800 euros for 6 months. In the same way, the rents that the owner stops entering due to not being able to rent his home are compensated, also for 800 euros for 6 months. And finally, it covers the owner’s liability up to 7,500 euros for the damages that are attributed to him and have been caused by the squatters, for example, to the neighbors.

The price of the new anti-squatting insurance, presented under the slogan “if they squat you, we take care of everything”, is 10 euros a year, and is offered to customers who hire a home insurance with Línea Directa or who already have one. In this regard, as explained by the company to Free market, the average cost of a home policy is around 200 euros per year. In addition, they also confirm that the coverage may not be extended in case the squatting lasts for more than 6 months. And in this sense, they suggest that the average period for the expulsion of squatters is between 6 and 9 months.