16/10/2026
💛💛Happy Friday💛💛
🚗 Your car is in the garage. Will your insurance keep you moving?
“Courtesy car included” sounds reassuring… but not all cover works the same way!
When comparing a standard Spanish car policy with an expat-focused option, the important difference is in the details — not simply the language of your policy.
🔧 A garage courtesy car is not the same as replacement-car insurance
A courtesy car may be linked to using an insurer’s selected repairer, whereas replacement-car cover is a separate policy benefit with its own conditions.
📅 How long can you keep it?
A few days can disappear quickly while your car is being repaired! Some mainstream Spanish policies offer replacement-car cover as an optional extra with a set allowance — MAPFRE, for example, lists options of 5, 7, 10 or 15 days, depending on the product.
🌍 Where an expat-focused option can offer more
Some products marketed to expats offer more generous replacement-vehicle benefits. One example provides optional cover for up to 35 days per claim, subject to financial limits and conditions, with specified cover for breakdown, accident, fire, theft and total-loss situations.
🚘 But remember: a courtesy car does NOT automatically mean “like for like”!
Driving a large SUV, premium car or seven-seater does not automatically entitle you to an equivalent replacement. The vehicle supplied depends on the category covered by your policy and availability. For example, the 35-day option mentioned above specifies a Category C vehicle when arranged by the insurer — not a vehicle matched to your own.
Think temporary transport to keep you moving, rather than a promise to replace your car’s size, specification or comfort.
✅ Before choosing your policy, check:
How many days of replacement-car cover are included.
Whether breakdown, theft and write-off are covered.
When the benefit starts.
Whether you must use a particular repairer.
What vehicle category is provided — especially if you need an automatic or extra seats.
At Sam Campbell Insurance, we help you look beyond the headline benefits and understand what your cover actually provides.
📩 Get in touch before your next renewal — and avoid a surprise when you need your insurance most.
** Expat-focused does not automatically mean wider cover. Benefits depend on the insurer and product selected; policy limits, eligibility, availability and exclusions apply.**
📲 0034 613 044 000
💻 [email protected]
🏢 Av Maria Zambrano 1, B3, Lc 6, Mijas 29651
🌍 www.samcampbellinsurance.com
