Having the right motor insurance is part of road safety, as you must protect yourself, your passengers, your vehicle and any third party by possessing the right level of cover.
What you need to know:
The law: Under the UAE law it is required, that every vehicle on the road is insured. Vehicle insurance provides you with security and financial protection against third party liability claims in case of an accident. With Comprehensive Insurance, you will also be protected against loss or damage to your own vehicle. While the registration period of your car is 12 months, there is a 1 month grace period, hence insurances run for 13 months.
Third Party Liability (TPL) insurance: It is the most basic and most affordable form of insurance. You will be insured against all sums you may be liable for against any third party, such as loss of life, bodily injury, damages to vehicles or property caused by the use of your vehicle. TPL does not cover the cost of damage to your own vehicle. TPL will be the only option available to you, if your car is 7 years or older.
Comprehensive Insurance: It includes TPL cover plus the cost of repairs or replacement to your own vehicle, whether you are at fault or not. You will also be covered against damages to your car due to accidental collision, overturning, fire, external explosion, self-ignition, burglary, theft, or malicious acts of third parties. Agency repair is included for cars up to the age of 1 or 2 years, depending on the insurer. Comprehensive cover is available for vehicles up to the age of 7 years, depending on the vehicle and the insurance company.
Excess (Deductible): Is only applicable for Comprehensive Insurance. It refers to the amount the insurer will deduct from any compensation to you in the event of a non-recoverable claim due to an accident. The minimum excess will be stipulated under the insurance policy and can differ from insurer to insurer and from vehicle to vehicle.
Additional cover: Besides the standard cover you can also choose from a number of additional options like:
- Personal Accident Cover for the driver and passengers
- Roadside Assistance or recovery breakdown
- Rental or Alternative Vehicle Cover
- Geographical area extension Cover (for example Qatar, Kuwait)
- Off-road cover
- And many more
In the event of an accident / a claim:
- Make sure you and your passengers are OK. Move as far off the roadway as possible but stay at the scene of the accident. Warn oncoming traffic by activating your hazard warning lights and/or setting flares.
- Call the police and report the accident. The police will make a police report including names, contact details and registration numbers of people involved.
- You must obtain the police report and ensure that all details are correct.
- Contact the insurance company as soon as you can. Inform them of the accident and damages to your vehicle. They will inform you where to bring the original police report, copy of your driving license and copy of the registration card, which workshop to go to and what to do next.
- Send your car to the workshop/garage giving details of claim reference number and documents as advised by the insurance company. The workshop/garage should give you a repair estimate. After approval by the insurance company the vehicle will be repaired. The workshop/garage will inform you when your car is ready for pick up.
