Car insurance renewal guide
Set a renewal reminder, check that a quote sits inside the unified price range, and compare quotes side by side on the things that matter: excess, agency repair, roadside help and Oman cover.
1. Renewal date
The calendar file has a reminder 30 days before the policy ends and on the day itself. It is made on your phone and saved to it: nothing is sent.
2. Is the price in range?
Not sure what it is worth? Estimate your car's value
Runs on your phone. Your dates, ticks and quotes are saved only in this browser on this device. Nothing is uploaded.
3. Renewal checklist
4. Compare quotes
Type a short label for each quote (for example "Quote A" or the agent's name) and fill in what each one offers. The cheapest and the lowest excess are marked.
What to know
Every car on UAE roads must be insured at least against third-party liability, and in Dubai the insurance must be valid when you renew the registration. Under the unified policy, third-party liability covers damage to other people's property up to AED 2,000,000 per accident, and injury or death of others with no upper limit on what a court awards.
Comprehensive ("loss and damage") cover also repairs or replaces your own car after an accident, fire or theft. Third-party only pays for others: your own repairs are on you.
Agency repair means the brand's dealer workshop, with original parts. Under the unified policy, after the car's first three years agency repair is only by agreement with the insurer, for a higher premium within the tariff limit. Check what your quote says.
The unified tariff sets a minimum and a maximum premium: for comprehensive cover on a saloon, at least AED 1,300 and at most 5% of the car's value; for a four-wheel drive, at least AED 2,000 and at most 7%. A claim-free record earns a discount of 10%, 15% or 20% of the minimum premium for 1, 2 or 3 claim-free years. Ask your current insurer for a no-claims letter before you switch.
The standard UAE policy does not cover accidents outside the UAE. If you drive to Oman, ask for Oman cover in writing before the trip.
The excess (deductible) is what you pay towards each claim. A cheaper quote with a high excess can cost more after one accident. Young drivers and sports cars often have a higher excess.
Sources: Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) Rulebook, Insurance Authority Board of Directors' Decision No. 25 of 2016 on the unified motor insurance policies (consolidated version of 18 January 2021: third-party property damage up to AED 2,000,000 per accident, bodily injury without limit; policy does not apply outside the UAE; agency repair after the first three years only by agreement) and the premium tariff (Insurance Authority Board Decision No. 30 of 2016, from 1 January 2017: comprehensive saloon minimum AED 1,300 and maximum 5% of the vehicle's value, four-wheel drive minimum AED 2,000 and maximum 7%; third-party for a private 4-cylinder saloon AED 750 to 1,300 for a 13-month policy; claim-free discounts of 10%, 15% and 20% of the minimum premium); Middle East Insurance Review, 28 September 2023 (CBUAE circular warning insurers not to sell motor policies below the minimum rates); Roads and Transport Authority (Dubai), "Renew vehicle registration" (the insurance must be valid when renewing). Rules and prices can change: check with the authority (CBUAE) and read your policy. This is general information, not insurance advice.