Does Your Car Insurance in UAE Cover Rain Damage?

Like we all know, it is mandatory to hold a car insurance policy in UAE in order to take your vehicle out for a spin on those roads. With the ease of availing such policies using the online car insurance portals, everyone manages to get their hands on a plan without any complications.However, if you own third-party liability insurance, you won’t be covered against any damage that might be caused due to the rains.You can get this benefit as a rider with most of the comprehensive car insurance plans in the UAE. For this, you may have to pay an additional premium at the time of policy purchase.

On this page, you can find out some of the most frequently asked questions about rain and flood coverage under comprehensive car insurance.

Do All Online Car Insurance Policies Cover Damage Caused By Flooding?

Vehicle damage caused because of natural hazards like storms and heavy rains is usually covered as an add-on benefit under a majority of comprehensive car insurance policies.

All the car insurance providers clearly state that they will cover the car against flood damage only if the car is parked and not driven in case of a flood. A police report is required to submit the claim file for car damage due to flood or rain. 

Any damage caused due to flood or rain is not covered under third-party cover because by default these policies don’t provide any protection to the holder’s vehicle.

Do I Have Coverage If My Car Was Driven During A Flood And Not Parked?

No, you cannot get the natural disaster cover in case you were driving the car in a flooded area — your claim will be denied. As mentioned earlier, coverage is provided only for cars that were parked. 

What If The Flood Is A Natural Disaster?

Any damage or loss caused due to natural perils is usually covered by most providers under their comprehensive insurance policies as an add-on. 

It is best to turn back to your policy’s terms and conditions to figure out what is covered and what is not. You can easily access the online car insurance portals to find out your policy’s terms.

Is There Coverage For Damage In Case Of An Accident On A Flooded Road?

No, there is no coverage for damage in case of an accident on a flooded road. It is because the car was in motion on a flooded road. 

What Is The Cap For The Cover For Such Claims?

The maximum coverage amount depends on the insured value of the car or the market value of the car, whichever is lower. However, if the damage caused to the car is extensive and difficult to repair or the repair costs exceed 50% of the current market value of the car, the provider may classify it as a total loss and compensate the policyholder as per the terms of the insurance policy.

Is There Any Excess or Deductible Payable By the Holder of the Policy?

The deductible or excess is the expenses paid out of the policyholder’s pocket when making a claim, irrespective of it arising due to natural calamities. Depending on the insurance policy, the standard excess or deductible usually ranges from AED 250 to AED 2,000. You can easily access your online car insurance policy to see the policy regarding the excess or deductible.

What Is The Claim Procedure In Case Of Flood Damage?

To file an insurance claim for flood damage, you first need to report the incident to the police following the procedure in your Emirate. You would also need to submit copies of the Mulkiya and a valid driving licence. In case you need towing services, you can connect with the provider’s RSA helpline. You should also record the damages via images and videos so that these damages can be investigated further. 

Read More: Motor Claim Registration Toolkit

You can also contact Policybazaar.ae’s dedicated claim team (if you have bought the policy from us) for assistance. 

What Is To Be Done If Your Car Breaks Down In A Flood Scenario?

As per industry experts’ recommendation, one should not restart their car when stuck in such a situation. This is because it can cause some serious water damage to the engine of the car. You should contact the police to immediately file a report and request for a roadside recovery agent to tow the vehicle. If your policy provides cover for breakdown recovery, you can then contact your provider and request this service.