If you’re visiting the UAE and plan to drive, understanding car insurance for foreign drivers is essential. Whether you’re borrowing a vehicle, renting one, or importing your own, securing the right policy is both a legal requirement and a smart move. In this guide, we’ll cover all the must-knows about temporary car insurance for foreign drivers, how expats can get coverage, and how to find the best car insurance for overseas drivers during your stay. From short-term policies to long-term expat plans, this Lookinsure guide will help you navigate your options with ease.
Types of Car Insurance for Foreign Drivers
Whether you’re visiting the UAE for a few days or staying longer as an expat, you’ll find a range of car insurance for foreign drivers to suit your travel plans. Below are the most common types available:
Temporary Insurance (7, 14, 30 Days)
Perfect for tourists and short-term visitors, temporary car insurance allows you to get coverage for a limited period, usually 7, 14, or 30 days. This is ideal if you’re bringing your car or renting one and want to avoid long-term commitments. Many providers in the UAE offer online applications, making it fast and convenient, and arguably the best car insurance for overseas drivers who won’t be in the Emirates for long.
Short-term Comprehensive Coverage
Suppose you’re driving a high-value car or want peace of mind. In that case, short-term comprehensive coverage is a temporary car insurance for foreign drivers that covers damage to your own vehicle, third-party liability, theft, and natural disasters. This option is popular among overseas drivers who seek more comprehensive protection during their visit.
Third-Party Liability (TPL)
This is the minimum legal requirement in the UAE and the cheapest car insurance for foreign drivers. It covers damage you cause to other people’s vehicles or property, but does not cover your own car. It’s the most affordable plan but also offers the least coverage—often bundled with rental car agreements.
Tourist Car Insurance
Tailored for international tourists, this type of temporary car insurance for foreign drivers is often offered through rental agencies or insurance brokers. It typically includes basic coverage but can be upgraded with extras like roadside assistance, personal accident cover, and off-road protection for those planning desert adventures.
Documents Required for Car Insurance for Foreign Drivers
To apply for temporary car insurance for foreign drivers or any other temporary car insurance for foreign drivers in the UAE, you’ll need to submit a few key documents. These help insurance providers confirm your identity, eligibility, and legal driving status in the country.
Passport and Visa Copy
A clear copy of your passport, along with the page showing your UAE entry visa or stamp, is required. This helps insurers verify your entry status and intended duration of stay.
Valid Foreign Driving License 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.
Entry Stamp or UAE Residence Proof (for Expats)
Tourists can simply submit the entry stamp on their passport, while expats or long-stay visitors may be asked for proof of UAE residency, such as an Emirates ID or visa page. This helps determine whether you’re eligible for short-term or long-term coverage.
If you plan to stay in the UAE for more than six months, you must obtain a UAE driving license. To do this, you must first apply for and receive your residency visa, which is a prerequisite for obtaining a UAE driving license.
Car Insurance for Tourists
Let’s dive into more details on each of the possible scenarios for foreign drivers in the UAE.
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 the rental company insures them. However, the rental company’s insurance may not be sufficient.
Fortunately, in these situations, you can just request more add-ons from the rental company, which 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 plan to drive a friend’s or family member’s car in the UAE, it’s important to know that their insurance won’t automatically cover you. To legally drive a borrowed car as a non-resident, the car owner must add you as an additional driver to their insurance policy. For more insights on using someone else’s car, check out this guide on Additional Driver Cover in UAE.
Insurance for Expatriates
If you have been staying in the country for over six months, temporary car insurance for foreign drivers won’t be enough. 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.
The various terms in the insurance business can be confusing even to locals, let alone foreigners.
Choosing an Insurance Provider As a Foreign Driver
The insurance market in the Emirates can be confusing for travelers, making it difficult to determine the best Car Insurance Providers. In the following, we have broken down the journey into its most basic components.
Insurance Plans for International Drivers
There are various options available for car insurance for international drivers, which you can choose from depending on the length of your stay and the type of car you will be using, whether it is a rental, personal, or borrowed vehicle. 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) |
Final Thoughts on Insurance for International Visitors
Foreign drivers with a valid UAE driving license can use online insurance aggregator platforms 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.
Navigating car insurance for foreign drivers in the UAE doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re looking for temporary car insurance for foreign drivers during a short visit or searching for the best car insurance for overseas drivers who plan to stay longer, you have flexible, reliable options. Lookinsure lets you compare quotes instantly from top UAE providers, check coverage options, and buy your policy online. So wherever your journey takes you — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah — you can drive confidently with the right protection.
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.
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
– 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 a foreign driver’s 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.
