Dubai, UAE – In the aftermath of the unprecedented rains on April 16, UAE insurers have begun rejecting claims from motorists who drove through flooded streets, citing negligence.
This development follows the heaviest rainfall the country has experienced in 75 years, which resulted in widespread flooding across Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, and other emirates, damaging an estimated 50,000 vehicles.
The natural catastrophe clause in insurance policies states that only vehicles with comprehensive insurance are covered for losses arising from natural disasters.
Third-party liability plans typically exclude such events. Avinash Babur, CEO of Insurancemarket. ae, clarified that insurers are denying total loss claims where it is determined that drivers knowingly navigated through floodwaters.
“Insurance policies generally exclude coverage for damages resulting from negligent behavior. Driving through deep water during a storm falls under this exclusion,” Babur explained.
“Even if a vehicle sustains severe damage or is deemed a total loss, such claims are likely to be denied if intentional or reckless driving is determined.”
The unprecedented rains on April 16 caused chaos, with many areas in Dubai and other emirates experiencing severe flooding. The heavy downpour led to significant disruptions, with many motorists finding their vehicles submerged or damaged due to the rising waters.
The damage was so extensive that insurance companies are now meticulously reviewing claims to establish the circumstances under which the vehicles were damaged.
Moin ur Rehman, executive director of Unitrust Insurance Broker, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the terms and conditions of insurance policies.
“Policies’ terms and conditions may be disregarded in such conduct, which might result in coverage being denied for damages brought on by such willful actions,” Rehman stated.
The review process undertaken by insurers is rigorous, with each claim related to the April 16 rains undergoing thorough scrutiny. “The focus is to ensure that claims are valid, specifically verifying that the vehicles were not driven through flooded areas during or immediately after the rainfall,” Babur added.
“Once a claim passes this scrutiny, repair approvals are swiftly granted, and vehicles are dispatched to workshops for necessary repairs.”
However, claims are unequivocally rejected if it is established that the vehicle was driven through water or in adverse weather conditions.
This stance by insurers has left many motorists in a difficult position, especially those whose vehicles were severely damaged due to the flooding.
The historic rainfall has highlighted the need for motorists to understand the exclusions in their insurance policies and to exercise caution during extreme weather events.
While comprehensive insurance offers protection against natural disasters, it does not cover damages resulting from negligent actions such as driving through flooded streets.
As the UAE continues to recover from the aftermath of the heaviest rains in decades, motorists are urged to heed weather warnings and avoid driving in hazardous conditions to ensure their safety and the validity of their insurance coverage.
The insurance industry’s response to this natural disaster underscores the critical importance of understanding policy details and the implications of one’s actions during extreme weather events.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members