In the UAE all cars must be insured to be considered road-legal. Whether you are a local who has been driving for decades or a tourist just off the plane, you will need to buy insurance for your car.
Although car rental companies insure every vehicle in their fleet before leasing them, you might need to learn more about car insurance for foreign drivers if you bring your car or borrow a friend’s. In these situations, tourists can use temporary car insurance. If you are planning a trip to the UAE, stay with us. We will tell you all you need to know about insurance as a tourist in this article from Lookinsure mag.
Frequently Answered Questions
1: What is the minimum insurance requirement in the UAE?
Third-party liability insurance is the minimum insurance requirement in the UAE. This type of insurance covers damages done by your vehicle to a third-party individual, vehicle, or property.
2: Can I use my home country’s insurance in the UAE?
Residents from 33 countries can now convert their home country’s driving license into a UAE driving license. Otherwise, to drive in the UAE you must have an international driving permit to buy insurance from Insurance Companies in Abu Dhabi or other Emirates.
Here is a list of countries eligible for license exchange:
Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA.
3: What documents are needed to purchase car insurance in the UAE?
– Emirate ID for locals, Valid Passport for tourists, and Residency Visa for residents
– Driving License
– KYC or Know Your Customer certificate
– Car Registration Number
– Vehicle Number Plate
– Transfer of Ownership Certificate (for used cars)
4: What are the benefits of comprehensive insurance for expats?
It doesn’t matter whether you are a UAE national or an expat, comprehensive insurance is always the best choice for those who are looking for the best protection for their vehicle, as it covers the cost of damages to your car in the event of an accident.
5: Can international drivers get temporary car insurance in the UAE with foreign drivers license?
For international drivers to get temporary car insurance in the UAE, they must either convert their driving license into a UAE license or apply for an international permit.
UAE Car Insurance Requirements for International Drivers
This section is definitely for you if you’re an international driver in the UAE.
International Driving Permit or IDP
Foreign drivers with an international driving permit abbreviated as IDP, can drive in the UAE for up to 6 months. So if you plan on staying longer, you will need to consider applying for a UAE driving license that allows you to purchase plans from the Best Car Insurance Companies in Dubai.
Residency Visa
If you are planning on staying more than 6 months in the UAE, you must obtain a UAE driving license, and to be able to do that you must first apply for and receive your residency visa, which is a prerequisite for a UAE driving license.
Car Insurance for Tourists
Personal Vehicle Insurance for Tourists
Car insurance for foreign drivers who want to bring their vehicles into the country is mandatory. No matter how long you are planning to stay here, be it for a month or just a few hours passing through the country, you will need to insure your car, because otherwise you’re likely to face legal complications. If you want to find out what is the fine for not having car insurance, you can head over to this article.
There are a lot of companies in the UAE that offer temporary car insurance for international drivers. This can make things a lot easier and much cheaper, as you can insure your car for as little as a single day and up to a whole month. Unless your policy comes with overseas car insurance, you will need to look for a good policy before traveling to the UAE.
Rental Car Insurance
Rental cars are the most popular mode of transportation for tourists who plan on lengthy visits. There is much less hassle involved in renting a car than bringing your own, and they are insured by the rental company. However, the rental company’s insurance might not suffice.
As you know, different types of car insurance offer various degrees of coverage. Although rental cars usually come with comprehensive coverage which covers third-party damages as well as damages to your own car as well, some people might feel like they need better insurance.
Fortunately, in these situations, you can just request more add-ons from the rental company, who always ask you about your preferred coverage. Here are some popular add-ons that can improve your insurance policy:
- Personal Injury Coverage
- Off-road Cover
- Windshield Protection
- Roadside Assistance
Borrowed Car
If you are planning on using your friend’s or a family member’s car you have to know that you are not going to be covered by their insurance. To be able to drive a borrowed car as a non-resident in the UAE, the person who lends you the car must add you as an additional driver to their insurance plan.
Also, if someone else other than you will drive your car, try additional driver cover for peace of mind and extra coverage.
Insurance for Expatriates
If you have been staying in the country for over 6 months then it is time for you to consider long-term insurance plans, which are the same policies used by UAE residents. The most important thing is deciding the type of insurance plan you need. To make the right choice you must read on the benefits of comprehensive vs third-party insurance.
The various terms in the insurance business can be confusing even to locals, let alone foreigners. That’s why it is important to find a good car insurance buying guide and familiarize yourself with these specialized terms and the ins and outs of car insurance plans.
Choosing an Insurance Provider As a Foreign Driver
The insurance market in the Emirates is often confusing for travelers, which makes it difficult to determine the best Car Insurance Companies in Sharjah, for example. In the following, we have broken down the journey into its most basic components.
Insurance Plans for International Drivers
There are various options when it comes to car insurance for international drivers, which you can choose from depending on the length of your stay and the car you are using, whether it is a rental, personal, or borrowed car. Below, you can find a comprehensive guide to insurance plans available for international drivers and How Does Car Insurance Work in Dubai:
| Driver Type | Insurance Type | Coverage Options |
| Tourists & Short-Term Visitors | Rental Car Insurance | Basic Third-Party Liability (usually included) |
| Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) (optional) | ||
| Comprehensive (for high-end rentals) | ||
| Short-Term Temporary Insurance | Third-Party Liability | |
| Optional Comprehensive Coverage (depending on provider) | ||
| Longer-Term Visitors (with Residence Visa) | Comprehensive and Third-party Car Insurance | Third-Party Liability (required) |
| Full Comprehensive Coverage (for those looking for more coverage, including own vehicle damages) | ||
| Borrowed or Privately-Owned Vehicles | Additional Driver Insurance | Includes the plan’s existing coverage. Additional coverage is optional |
| Cross-Border & Imported Vehicles | Temporary Border Insurance | Third-Party Liability (required at entry point) |
| Limited Comprehensive (depending on availability) |
Compare car insurance for foreign drivers Options on Lookinsure.
Foreign drivers with a valid UAE driving license can use Lookinsure for all their insurance-related needs. You can get instant quotes, compare the prices of long-term policies and temporary car insurance for international drivers offered by the best car insurance companies in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and any other major city in the country, buy your policy, renew an old one, and even file a claim for car insurance.
Conclusion
In this article, like the other ones brought to you by Lookinsure, we have tried to shed light on another insurance-related matter that can help our readers make smart, informed choices. This one was about car insurance for foreign drivers. If you are planning on driving your car in the UAE as a tourist or a visitor with a residence visa, you can find all you need to know about car insurance here.
