Answer:
After a car accident in the UAE, the insurer is obligated to process and settle a valid claim within a defined timeframe. Delays beyond that period are not just inconvenient — they are a regulatory violation that can be escalated to the UAE Central Bank. The strength of the claim depends heavily on the documentation submitted at the outset, particularly the police report, which is mandatory for any accident claim in the UAE.
LEGAL BASIS
- Federal Decree-Law No. 6 of 2025 Regarding the Central Bank, Regulation of Financial Institutions and Activities, and Insurance Business
- Insurance Dispute Resolution Committee (IDRC) (now part of the Banking and Insurance Dispute Resolution Unit (BIDRU)
- Sanadak (insurance ombudsman unit)
Settlement timeframe: Insurers are required to settle claims within 15 days of receiving complete documentation (as per Article 9 of Insurance Authority Board Decision No. 3 of 2010 Instructions Concerning the Code of Conduct and Ethics to be Observed by Insurance Companies and Insurance-Related Professions Operating in the UAE). ...