Knowledge centre
UAE car insurance questions, answered
34 questions UAE drivers actually ask, each answered directly in the first paragraph and then explained in full. Where a rule depends on the insurer rather than on UAE law, the answer says so.
General
- What is car insurance in the UAE?Car insurance in the UAE is a contract between a vehicle owner and an insurer licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE. It is mandatory: a ve…
- What is the difference between third-party and comprehensive insurance?Third party liability pays for damage and injury you cause to others and nothing towards your own vehicle. Comprehensive includes that same …
- How much does car insurance cost in the UAE?There is no fixed price. UAE motor insurance is individually rated, so the premium depends on the vehicle, the driver and the cover selected…
- How is a car insurance premium calculated in the UAE?An insurer prices a motor policy by assessing how likely a claim is and how expensive it would be. That assessment combines the vehicle's va…
- What documents are required for car insurance in the UAE?For most policies an insurer asks for your Emirates ID, your UAE driving licence, and the vehicle registration card (Mulkiya). A no-claim ce…
- Can I buy car insurance online in the UAE?Yes. Motor insurance can be arranged online in the UAE, and the certificate is issued electronically by the insurer. You do not normally nee…
- How can I compare car insurance quotes in the UAE?Compare quotations on the whole set of terms, not the premium alone. The figures that change your real cost after an accident are the excess…
- What is NCD (no-claim discount) and how does it affect my insurance?A no-claim discount is a reduction in premium given for a period of insurance completed without a claim. In the UAE it is evidenced by a no-…
Third Party
- Is third-party car insurance mandatory in the UAE?Yes. Third party liability motor cover is the legal minimum in the UAE, and a valid certificate is required before a vehicle can be register…
- What does third-party car insurance cover?Third party liability covers your legal responsibility for bodily injury and property damage caused to other people. It does not pay for any…
Comprehensive
- What is comprehensive car insurance?Comprehensive car insurance includes the mandatory third party liability cover and adds cover for damage to your own vehicle, subject to the…
- What is agency repair in UAE car insurance?Agency repair means that, after a covered claim, your vehicle is repaired at the manufacturer's authorised workshop rather than at the insur…
- What is an insurance excess or deductible?The excess, also called the deductible, is the amount you contribute towards each own-damage claim before the insurer pays the rest. It appl…
- What does comprehensive car insurance cover in the UAE?A UAE comprehensive policy normally covers third party liability plus accidental damage to your own vehicle. Fire and theft are commonly inc…
Renewal
- How can I renew car insurance in Dubai?Renew by arranging a new policy before your current one expires, then use the new certificate for vehicle registration renewal. You are free…
- Why did my car insurance renewal price increase?A renewal can increase even when nothing about your driving changed, because insurers re-rate the risk each year. The most common individual…
- Can I change insurer when renewing my policy?Yes. At renewal you are free to move to any insurer that will accept your vehicle and driver profile. There is no requirement to stay with y…
Claims
- What happens after a car accident in the UAE?Make the scene safe, check for injuries and report the accident to the police. In the UAE the police report is the document that records the…
- How do I make a car insurance claim in the UAE?Report the incident to the police and obtain the report, notify your insurer, present the vehicle for inspection, wait for repair approval, …
- Does car insurance cover theft in the UAE?Theft of the vehicle is normally covered under a comprehensive policy and is never covered by third party liability. A police report is requ…
- Does car insurance cover fire damage?Fire damage to your own vehicle is normally covered under comprehensive policies and is not covered by third party liability. The insurer wi…
- Does car insurance cover flood or natural disaster damage in the UAE?Not automatically. Damage from flooding, storms and other natural events is a product-specific benefit in the UAE: some comprehensive polici…
- What happens if my car is a total loss?A vehicle is treated as a total loss when the assessed repair cost reaches a proportion of its market value set by the insurer, or when it c…
Non-GCC & Imported
- Can I insure an imported car in the UAE?Yes, imported vehicles are insured in the UAE every day, but acceptance is decided case by case. Fewer insurers consider imported specificat…
- Can I insure a Non-GCC car in the UAE?Yes. A Non-GCC specification vehicle that is properly imported and registered in the UAE can be insured, but the number of insurers willing …
- Can I insure an American-spec car in the UAE?Yes, American-specification vehicles are insured in the UAE, provided the car has been legally imported, cleared and registered. Insurer acc…
- Can I insure a Japanese-spec car in the UAE?Yes. Japanese-specification imports are insurable in the UAE once registered. As with other imports, acceptance and cover level are decided …
- Can I insure a Canadian-spec car in the UAE?Yes. Canadian-specification vehicles are treated as Non-GCC imports in the UAE and can be insured once legally imported and registered, subj…
- Why can Non-GCC car insurance cost more?Non-GCC vehicles are often rated differently because the insurer's expected cost of a claim is harder to predict. Parts sourcing, repair net…
- Can I get comprehensive insurance for a Non-GCC vehicle?Often yes, but not from every insurer. Comprehensive cover on a Non-GCC vehicle is offered selectively, and where it is offered the excess a…
Longer reading
Important: The information on this page is general guidance about motor insurance in the UAE and is not a policy document or a guarantee of cover. Cover, benefits, exclusions, excess amounts and pricing differ between insurers and depend on your vehicle, driver profile and the policy wording issued to you. Always read the policy schedule and terms issued by the insurer before purchasing.
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