Spanish premiums are among the lowest in Europe , so here you could really make a saving. Insurance in Spain , however, differs to the UK in more than cost; if a vehicle is written off, the insurers only pay a percentage of its value, even if the cover is fully comprehensive. The minimum requirement is third party, although a variety of cover is offered.
An international insurance card (or green card) is no longer a necessary; what is more, they often have a limited validity (30, 45, or 90 days depending on the insurer) and can be expensive. If you plan to drive your car for more than six months in Spain , it may be necessary to have a special European insurance policy, from either a Spanish Insurer or a British-based company in Spain . Note that since 1995, EU regulations require all vehicle insurance to correspond to the country in which the vehicle is registered. For instance, a car registered in the UK and driven in Spain must be insured by a UK-based insurer (although you can use a Spanish branch) and not with a Spanish company.
For more information on insurance, call ASEGURACE on 0034 902 120 441.
ITV ( the intervals for technical inspection) is an annual or semi-annual inspection of all on-road vehicles in Spain . Inspection points tend to be located near urban centres and there are over fifty ITV inspection points in Andalusia . A complete listing of all the ITV stations in Spain can be found at:
http://www.zalba-caldu.com/enppaaue.htm
Locations in Malaga:
ALGARROBO (Tlf: 952 550 862): Carretera Comarcal MA-103, KM. 109
ANTEQUERA (Tlf: 952 031 463): Autovía a Málaga, SALIDA ANTEQUERA
ESTEPONA (Tlf: 952 803 550): Polígono Industrial de Estepona; GRAHAM BELL, 15
MÁLAGA (Tlf: 952 171 547): Polígono Industrial de Guadalhorce; DIDEROT, 1
EL PALO (Tlf: 952 207 003): Calle Escritor Fuentes y Cerda, 2
RONDA (Tlf: 952 870 536): Polígono Industrial el Fuerte; C/ GUADALQUIVIR, 2
Locations in Almeria:
ALBOX (Tlf: 950 120 902): Polígono Industrial. de Albox (AREA DE SERVICIO)
BERJA (Tlf: 950 406 300): Carretera N-340 (CRUCE DE BALANEGRA)
HUERCAL DE ALMERIA (Tlf: 950 140 229): Paraje de la Cepa, s/n
HUERCAL DE ALMERIA (Tlf: 950 300 240): Paraje Zamarula, s/n Carretera N-340,
KM. 121
VERA (Tlf: 950 528 852): Autovía del Mediterráneo (ACCESO SUR A VERA)
The inspection assures that all vehicles are road worthy, have functioning lights, blinkers, horn and seat belts. Emissions are checked as are other features that effect public safety such as brakes and hazard lights.
Following are the year 2003 schedules for different types of vehicles:
Motorcycles
Up to five years old - exempt
Over five years - every two years
Private Vehicles
Up to four years old - exempt
Four to ten years - every two years
Over ten years - every year
Caravans
Up to six years - exempt
Over six years - every two years
If the traffic police catch you without a current ITV sticker you may receive a fine of 90 to 150 euros (minimum). Your license could also be confiscated until you produce proof of passing the ITV (with a 10 day time limitation.)
What to expect:
You arrive at the ITV station and put your vehicle in the queue. You enter the building with your car registration and ITV document, pay the fee in cash ( no credit cards accepted) and go back and wait in your vehicle. When it is your turn they will ask you to honk your horn, turn on your windscreen blades, clean the windshield. They will ask you to put on your seat belt, turn on your indicators, use your brake lights and will gauge your emissions by placing a tube in the escape pipe and they will ask you to accelerate. They check the quality of your oil.
Next you will be told to drive onto a platform where they will check to brakes and the alignment of the tyres. If your vehicle does not pass the test, they will tell you what you need to have remedied in order to successfully pass the test. When your vehicle passes the test you will be given a sticker to place on your windscreen and the ITV documentation will be returned to you with the date of the next inspection noted on the document.
Ask your mechanic to give your vehicle the once over before going to ITV- it can save you a second trip!
As not everybody has the time nor the inclination to go through the ITV inspection process, many mechanics offer this service (usually at a cost of 50-75 euros).