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Home insurance in Madeira
For villas, quintas and apartments in Funchal and across the island: the cover that matters in Madeira, independently compared and explained in English.
✅ For homes across Madeira: office in Almancil, Algarve
✅ Independent broker: several insurers compared
✅ Advice in English: also in German and Portuguese
Free and with no obligation · reply usually within 24 hours (working days)
We compare offers from these insurers
What is different about home insurance in Madeira
Madeira is steep. Many homes sit on the hillsides above Funchal, Câmara de Lobos or Santa Cruz, often with terraces, retaining walls and gardens on several levels. There are also apartments in town, holiday homes that are lived in for part of the year and many properties let to holiday guests.
Water and fire are among the biggest threats to homes on the island. In the storm of 20 February 2010, flash floods carrying mud and debris hit Funchal and Ribeira Brava in particular. In the wildfires of August 2016, around 300 buildings in Funchal were damaged or destroyed, according to press reports.
For your policy this means that flood and landslip are separate sections in many policies, which you have to include explicitly. How the Portuguese multirisk policy (combined buildings and contents cover) works in general is explained on our page House insurance in Portugal. This page covers what Madeira adds to it.
Home insurance in Madeira: the cover you need
The basis is a multirisk policy. In Madeira, these four sections matter most:
Buildings at rebuild value
Walls, roof, fixed installations, pool and outdoor areas. What counts is the cost of rebuilding, not the purchase price. Check whether retaining walls and boundary walls are included, as they often have their own limits and exclusions.
Contents and valuables
Furniture, electronics and personal belongings against burglary, fire and water damage. Jewellery, art and other valuable items have their own limits, which you should know.
Heavy rain, flood and landslip
Flood (inundações) and landslip (aluimento de terras) are separate, optional sections in many policies; storm cover alone does not include them. More in our guide Storm damage in Portugal.
Fire and wildfire
Fire is at the core of every multirisk policy. For homes near woodland or on a large plot, make sure the sum also covers outbuildings, outdoor areas and equipment such as solar panels or water tanks.
Depending on the property, liability, glass breakage, damage caused by the sea for homes right on the coast and assistance services can be added. We build the policy around your home rather than selling a standard package.
Does your policy cover landslip and flood?
We review it and obtain comparison quotes.
Main home, second home or holiday let
In Madeira we mainly see four situations, and each needs slightly different cover:
Main residence
Living on the island all year
Buildings, contents and liability in one policy. If the property is financed, the bank will usually require buildings cover.
Second home
Empty for part of the year
Many policies restrict cover when a house is unoccupied for longer, for example for burglary or escape of water. Time limits and conditions differ by insurer. More in our guide Holiday home insurance in Portugal.
Holiday letting
Alojamento Local (AL)
According to Turismo de Portugal, the Portuguese rules for Alojamento Local (AL) also apply in Madeira. They require liability insurance of at least 75,000 euros per claim; a private home policy alone is usually not enough. More on insurance for holiday letting.
Condomínio
Apartment in Funchal
For property in a condominium, the law requires fire insurance covering the individual units and the common areas, often arranged as a block policy through the building administrator. Check what it covers; your own policy adds contents, liability and the fittings of your apartment.
We clarify which situation applies to your home and explain the Portuguese policy terms in English before you sign.
Local risks: slopes, water and fire
The regional government rates landslips on slopes and flash floods as likely hazards on the island. A rough guide:
| Risk | What it means for your home | What we look at |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy rain and flash floods | Water and mud run down the valleys, as in Funchal and Ribeira Brava on 20 February 2010. | Include flood as a separate section. |
| Landslip | Homes, terraces and retaining walls on slopes. | Landslip cover and the limits for walls and outdoor areas. |
| Wildfire | Homes near woodland and in the hills above the towns, as in Funchal in August 2016. | Fire cover with a sufficient sum for everything on the property. |
| Storm and sea | Roofs, windows and gardens; waves on the coast. | Storm and damage caused by the sea are separate sections. See Storm damage in Portugal. |
| Earthquake | According to IPMA, the seismic hazard in Madeira is lower than on the mainland and in the Azores, but not zero. | Earthquake is a separate section; we help you decide whether it is worth it. See Earthquakes in Portugal. |
This is a general guide and does not replace a review of your property.
Insurers we compare
We compare offers from several insurers in Portugal. Which of them insure your home in Madeira on suitable terms is part of the comparison. C1 Broker is not tied to any insurer.
Allianz
International
An international insurance group with a brand familiar to expats.
Hiscox
SPECIALIST INSURER
A specialist insurer with an international profile.
Innovarisk
INSURANCE SOLUTIONS FOR EXPATS
Insurance solutions for international clients and property owners in Portugal.
Zurich
International
A well-established international insurer.
Victoria
ESTABLISHED IN PORTUGAL
A long-standing insurer with a strong presence in the Portuguese market.
Generali
LEADING EUROPEAN INSURER
One of Europe’s largest insurance groups.
This overview is neutral and not a ranking. We identify the most suitable insurer and policy by comparing your property, its location and how it is used.
Compare insurers with independent advice
We obtain suitable quotations and explain the differences in clear English.
Your English-speaking Insurance Broker in Portugal
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Personal advice from the Algarve
C1 Broker · Almancil office, Algarve
“We support homeowners in Madeira from choosing the right policy to settling a claim, personally and in your language. You deal with the same people at our office in Almancil.”
- Phone: +351 289 392 452
- Email: [email protected]
- Office: Av. Duarte Pacheco 13 R/C, 8135-104 Almancil (Quinta do Lago), Algarve
- Languages: English, German and Portuguese
Related insurance & guides
House insurance in Portugal
How a multirisk policy works and which insurers are available.
Health insurance in Madeira
Private health insurance for residents in Funchal and across the island.
Holiday home insurance in Portugal
What applies to second homes and houses that stand empty.
Frequently asked questions about home insurance in Madeira
Is home insurance compulsory in Madeira?
Fire insurance for the building is compulsory for apartments in a condominium (condomínio), and banks usually require buildings cover for a mortgage. Beyond that there is no obligation, but a multirisk policy is strongly recommended for homeowners.
Are flood and landslip covered?
Not automatically. In many policies, flood (inundações) and landslip (aluimento de terras) are separate sections that you have to choose. Walls, boundary walls and outdoor areas often have their own exclusions. We check what your policy says.
Is my house covered if it stands empty for months?
Not automatically. Many policies restrict cover after a certain period without occupants or set conditions such as regular checks. Time limits differ by insurer. For second homes we make sure the terms match how you use the property.
How high should the buildings sum insured be?
As high as the cost of rebuilding the house in the same size and quality, including pool, retaining walls and outdoor areas. The purchase price and land value are not the benchmark. If the sum is too low, the insurer will normally only pay part of a claim (underinsurance).
Do I need earthquake cover in Madeira?
That is your decision. According to IPMA, the seismic hazard in Madeira is lower than on the mainland and in the Azores, but an earthquake cannot be ruled out. Earthquake cover (fenómenos sísmicos) has to be added explicitly and usually has a higher excess. We show you what it costs for your home.
What do I need to consider when letting to holiday guests?
According to Turismo de Portugal, the rules for Alojamento Local (AL) also apply in Madeira; they require liability insurance of at least 75,000 euros per claim. Without it, the registration can be cancelled. Your buildings and contents policy should also include letting. We align both.
Where is your office and which languages do you speak?
Our office is at Av. Duarte Pacheco 13 R/C, 8135-104 Almancil in the Algarve. We advise homeowners in Madeira in English, German and Portuguese, by phone on +351 289 392 452 or by email at [email protected].
How much does home insurance in Madeira cost?
The premium depends on the sum insured, construction, location, chosen cover such as flood, landslip or earthquake, use of the property and the excess. A reliable flat price is therefore not possible. We prepare a free comparison quote for your home.
Home insurance in Madeira: request your free quote
Advice in English · independent comparison of several insurers · reply usually within 24 hours (working days)