How do I make a third party insurance claim in Dubai for car repairs?

If you want to file a third party insurance claim in Dubai, you must follow a specific set of instructions; these are included in the Motor Claims Framework or MCF. Since 2008, it’s obligatory to report all, even minor motor accidents in Dubai – that’s in addition to having a valid third party insurance policy in place to drive a vehicle in Dubai legally. In this article, we’ll present you with information on all obligatory regulations, and tips on how to make a third party insurance claim in Dubai for a car repair.

What is third party insurance?

Third party insurance is the most basic type of insurance that all car owners in Dubai must possess. It covers the driver’s liability in the event that his/her fault in the accident is confirmed, and covers the costs of third party bodily injury and property damage. You can find detailed information about third party insurance in Dubai by visiting its dedicated page on our website here.

What is the Motor Claims Framework (MCF)

The MCF is a set of procedures that drivers should follow when reporting motor accidents in Dubai. In a nutshell, after a crash, you should collect information from other drivers involved in the accident, take photographs of the event, then call an insurer to report the accident. The last step is to bring the car to one of the insurer’s authorized repair workshop for car inspection – no matter if any damage to the vehicle has taken place or not. The MCF also implies that all accidents must be reported, and by not complying with those rules, you risk being fined. To find out more about the MCF, click here to view an infographic about this scheme.

How do I make a third party insurance claim in Dubai?

Before making any third party insurance claim in Dubai, or actually anywhere in the world, make sure that the third party’s fault is confirmed by the police report. You can still send your car for repair even if the third party’s liability has not yet been confirmed, but you will have to pay for the repairs upfront. The following mini-guide will show you step-by-step how to make a third party insurance claim in Dubai:

Step 1: Obtain all relevant information

After the accident, exchange particulars of involved parties including:

• Full Name
• NRIC / FIN
• Telephone number
• Address
• The Insurer and the policy number

You’ll need this information for the report and to file a claim to the third party’s insurer. Step 2: Photograph everything

Collect as many pieces of evidence as possible to support your claim. Take photographs of your car’s damage, other vehicles involved in the accident, and the accident surroundings. You may also take video footage and try to obtain witness testimonies.  

Step 3: Report the accident to your insurer

In Dubai, you are lawfully obliged to report ALL motor accidents within 24 hours of its occurrence or the next working day. Even accidents with minor or no car damage, or situations where you want to settle without making a third party insurance claim, must be reported. Call your insurer to send you a towing truck if necessary, and ask any further questions you may have. There’s no excuse for not reporting a car crash, as it is now obligatory for every motor insurance company in Dubai to have a 24 hours hotline available. You can also report an accident in one of the insurer’s Approved Reporting Centers.   

Not reporting the accident may result in:  

• Loss of your No Claims Discount upon your policy’s renewal time.
• The insurer declining/ cancelling your policy renewal.
• The insurer refusing to reimburse your claim on the grounds that you have breached a policy condition by failing to report the accident. That means you would have to pay out of pocket for your own car repair expenses and any additional third party claims.

Step 4: Arrange with the third party’s insurer for pre-repair inspection

Contact the third party’s insurer and let them inspect your car’s damage before sending it for repair. The third party’s insurer has two working days to perform the pre-repair inspection after you have contacted them. You cannot start your car’s repair process until the pre-repair inspection is complete, or until the third party insurer has waived the right to the investigation. Learn more about pre-repair inspection requirements here.

Depending on whether the fault of the other driver is already confirmed or not, you may choose two different options for filling the claim.

If the other driver’s fault is established, you can bring your car to the third party insurer’s Approved Reporting Center / Authorized Workshop and make the necessary repairs there.

If the liability for the accident has not yet been confirmed, you can ask your own insurer’s APR to help you liaise with the third party insurer in your name.

Step 5: Proceed with the repair and claim

After the inspection is finished, and you have received a repair estimate cost, you can proceed with the repairs. Most likely you would have to settle upfront the fee for the repairs with the workshop directly if the third party’s liability has not been confirmed yet.

However, if you have a police report that clearly states the other driver’s fault in the accident, and that you agreed with the third party’s insurer on the repair costs and compensation, you may proceed with the repairs without the need to pay upfront. The workshop will submit your claim against the third party’s insurance for you, assuming all documents are in place.

What if I have a dispute with the third party insurer?

In the event that you experience a dispute when filing a third party insurance claim in Dubai, you can contact Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre Ltd (FIDReC) by calling 6327 8878, or be emailing . Please remember to provide the FIDReC with all information relevant to your complaint, including: your name, contact numbers, the specifics of your complaint, and all supporting documents (e.g. correspondence with the third party insurer or police report).

Dealing with a third party insurance claim in Dubai for car repairs can be daunting. Our team of claim experts can help you file a third party claim, or liaise with the insurer should you be a defendant. And, if you’re looking for third party motor insurance or comprehensive motor insurance, our insurance advisors can prepare plan quotations for you in a matter of minutes. Contact us today!