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Insurance claims for rain-related losses in UAE may face denial

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The insurance companies may still deny the claim if drivers purposefully drive on a flooded road during a downpour

Various factors may lead to the denial of insurance claims for rain-related losses made by drivers in the United Arab Emirates.

Executives in the insurance sector warned that claims made by drivers in the Gulf nation for rain-related damage to their wipers, as well as for parking and driving in submerged areas, may be rejected.

Vehicle owners can submit insurance claims for their vehicles, but there are restrictions, according to Moin ur Rehman, executive director of Unitrust Insurance Broker.

“If the owner of the car moved it away to the garage for maintenance after it flooded due to severe rains while it was parked in the parking lot, the insurance will pay for the repairs,” the official stated, while clarifying that the insurance company might deny the claim if the owner parked the vehicle in a wet or partially submerged place and attempted to start it, only to find that the engine was flawed.

The UAE in April 2024 had one of the heaviest rainfalls, flooding parking lots, highways, and wadis. Following significant rainfall and thunderstorms, authorities nationwide issued a red alert. As per the latest update from the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), the weather forecast till April 26 looks gloomy, resulting in light-to-moderate rains over some regions of the country.

Furthermore, Rehman said that the insurance companies may still deny the claim if drivers purposefully drive on a flooded road during a downpour.

“Therefore, use caution when driving in flooded areas. To make sure their auto insurance covers floods and other natural disasters, I advise customers to carefully read the terms and conditions before purchasing. In certain cases, insurers disregard claims and exclude these conditions,” according to the executive director of Unitrust Insurance Broker.

It’s crucial to remember that this pertains to comprehensive insurance policies as opposed to third-party auto insurance.

The Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai recommended people to use the metro and stay away from personal vehicles to help drivers avoid becoming stranded in water ponds.

According to Avinash Babur, CEO of the insurancemarket.ae, neglecting basic services like roadside assistance and insurance policies that guard against natural disasters like floods and rain can result in situations where people think they are insured for certain damages but aren’t.

“A comprehensive plan is usually suggested, but some clients believe a third-party liability (TPL) cover would typically be sufficient,” he remarked.

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