Home Insurance: What Does the "Building" Really Cover and Why Does It Affect You?
Published on May 11, 2026 ·
When you take out home insurance, the words "Building" (Continente) and "Contents" (Contenido) appear in bold letters. Almost everyone knows that the contents are their furniture, but the Building is the great misunderstood element and, often, the reason why the insurance doesn't pay what you expect after a serious claim.
1. What Exactly is the Building (Continente)?
Imagine you could take your house, turn it upside down, and shake it. Everything that does not fall out is the building: walls, ceilings, floors, water and electricity installations, and even the moldings and paint.
2. The "Purchase Value" vs. "Reconstruction Value" Error
This is the most costly mistake in 2026. Many users insure the building for the price they paid for the house.
- Error: If your house cost €300,000 (including the land), you should not insure it for that value.
- Reality: The land does not burn down, nor is it washed away by a flood. You must insure the reconstruction cost. If you over-insure, you are throwing money away; if you under-insure (under-insurance), the company will only pay a proportional part of the damage.
3. What Your Home Insurance Covers (And You Might Not Know)
In 2026, building policies have evolved. Many now include:
- Water damage to neighbors: Not just your pipes, but the liability if yours breaks and damages the neighbor below.
- Garden reconstruction: If a storm destroys your perimeter wall or trees.
- Excess water consumption: Some policies cover the shock of the bill after an invisible leak.
Are you properly covered? Don't guess. At MIS SEGUROS, our AI analyzes your address and the land registry (catastro) to tell you if the building value you have in your current policy is correct or if you are at risk.