We have recently been asked if fully comprehensive insurance exists here, as there are several companies attempting to scare potential customers away from their existing insurer with tales of incorrect deals offered.  

In Spain there are three types of cover as in the UK, Todo Riesgo (All Risk/Fully Comprehensive); Terceros, robo e incendio (Third party, fire and theft) and Terceros (Third Party). Most insurance companies cover windscreens and/or all glass as standard although with some it is an optional extra. You can then add additional cover such as breakdown and legal assistance, protected no claims, age restrictions, named drivers, etc.  
 
Todo Riesgo:  This is the Spanish equivalent of fully comprehensive insurance; literally translated it means all risk. The aim of the all risk insurance is to insure your car and a third party i.e. another vehicle involved in an accident or incident. If you have an accident that is not your fault then your insurance company can repair your car. Normally you would need to pay your insurance excess even if the accident was not your fault and await reimbursement of this at a later date from the third party insurers once the claim is finally settled. If you have an accident that is your fault then your insurance company can pay out for the car that you hit and pay for the repair on your car or if it is deemed by a perito (engineer) a write off they will pay you a percentage of the value.
 This type of cover is normally only valid until the car is 15 years old or by special agreement of the insurance company for classic cars etc. Some Spanish Insurers will require a peritos report before agreeing to this cover. Most insurance companies prefer you to have a fully comprehensive policy as the time period for a third party pay out can be extremely long , as thus the fully comprehensive allows you them to repair your car and get you back on the road.
Generally most insurance companies adhere to the following guidelines for values;
1-    During the first two years from the date of 1st registration the insured amount is the replacement value as long as the cost of the repair covered by the policy exceeds 60% of the price of the vehicle when it was purchased including taxes.  
2-    The market value is valid for period of 5 years between two and seven from the date of 1st registration.
3-     The venal value from the 7th year.
 
Terceros, robo e incendio: If you take out third party, fire and theft insurance then your car is only covered for fire and theft but not for accidental damage. There is usually an applicable excess to the fire and theft part of the policy. There is generally very little price difference between third party, fire and theft and fully comprehensive.  The cover is also for attempted theft.
 
Terceros: Third party is the most basic type of cover that you can get. It only covers the car that you might hit and not your car. In this case you would have to pay for all repairs to your car or if it was not your fault wait for the other party's insurer to agree a claim and authorize repairs.
All of the above insurances come with medical cover as standard and death or permanent and total invalidity (although amounts may vary) as well as European Union compulsory cover and the coverage of extraordinary risks by the consorcio de compensación de seguros.  
 
Breakdown and legal assistance cover: Breakdown cover is applicable to the insured vehicle and it covers breakdown, accident damage, punctures, flat batteries, etc although not the cost of the breakdown just recovery to your home or garage or place of your choice.. The legal assistance will fight a claim for you or try and recover costs for the consorcio arising from an accident with an uninsured vehicle.  
 
Protected no claims bonus: It covers your no claims bonus form being reduced due to a claim, up to a maximum of three claims in any one policy term. With most companies a glass claim does not affect the no claims bonus.
 
Named driver restrictions: Having named drivers on your policy can reduce your premium but the problem is that if you fall ill whilst out your friend cannot drive the car home, if you take your car to a mechanic for repairs the mechanic cannot test drive it, etc.  
 
Mileage restrictions: As before having mileage restrictions can reduce your premium but again you could underestimate what mileage you plan on driving and your car may not be insured.
 
Young drivers: Young drivers can considerable increase the premium, so if you are only insuring them on a temporary basis why not ask if you can add them for a week or so when they are here, you will find that this can considerably reduce your premium.  
Always check that the insurance you are being sold is what you want. If you want fully comprehensive cover and the company you choose cannot offer it go elsewhere, DON'T settle for second best and always make sure that you know exactly what is covered or isn't covered.  
 
Q.  My daughter is having a problem with her car and I am hoping that you can help. The car is a Ford Fiesta 1.2 year 2006 and it has recently developed a problem that I haven't come across before. The gear change action has suddenly become very stiff but the gears themselves are operating normally. The oil level is normal and the clutch pedal clearance has not changed at 3 inches from the floor. Any ideas?
A. The problem is the gear linkages. You need to change the linkages that go from the gear stick to the gear box. Once you have done that the problem should cease.
 
Q.  I have a Nissan Micra, 1.0, year 1995 automatic. The car sometimes fails to start the engine, the car turns over and the battery is fine as I have changed it thinking it was that. I've checked the car in parking mode and it is also fine. Every time I have it towed to the garage it is fine as soon as it arrives which is driving me mad! Do you any recommendations?  
A. I would suspect the crank sensor is faulty, I recommended changing it for a new one.They are not overly expensive.  
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