What to Do If Your Car Suffers Damage Due to Heavy Rain and Flooding in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Sharjah

During the rainy season in the UAE, heavy rainfall in various emirates can sometimes lead to water accumulation, resulting in damage to cars located in low-lying areas or regions experiencing significant rainfall. It's essential to act swiftly and calmly if you find yourself in this situation. In the event of water damage to your car, taking necessary steps for your personal safety and initiating the insurance claim process promptly is crucial. In this article, we'll discuss the key steps to take. Let’s begin with answering the crucial questions first. 

Do insurers typically cover all repairs for vehicles damaged by waterlogging?

Car insurance policies in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates typically include coverage for seasonal damage, often encompassing rain damage within comprehensive policies. However, it's important to note that the extent of coverage can differ based on the insurance provider and the specific terms outlined in your policy. To ensure clarity regarding rain-related coverage, it's advisable to thoroughly review your policy details. You may consider the following scenarios to understand the coverage scenarios better:

• If your vehicle sustains damage due to waterlogging during heavy rains, your insurance claim might be denied if you park or drive in water logged areas. Your claim request may also be rejected if the vehicle's wipers are found damaged.

• If your car was parked in a flooded parking lot during heavy rains and subsequently towed (not driven) to a garage for maintenance, the maintenance costs may be covered by your insurance. However, if you parked your car in a waterlogged or partially submerged area and attempted to start the engine, resulting in engine damage, your insurance claim could be rejected.

• Additionally, intentionally driving on flooded roads during rain can lead to claim rejection by the insurance company. It's advisable to avoid driving in waterlogged areas to prevent such situations.

• It's crucial to review the terms and conditions of your individual car insurance policy to ensure coverage for floods and natural calamities. Some policies may exclude these conditions in their clauses, potentially resulting in denied claims.

• Skipping essential services like roadside assistance and specific covers for natural calamities, rains, floods, etc., may leave individuals assuming they're covered for certain damages when they're not. Therefore, it's essential to understand the extent of coverage provided by your insurance policy.

Note: Rain damage to vehicles in the UAE is not covered by third-party insurance. This type of insurance primarily focuses on covering damages your vehicle may cause to other vehicles or property. To safeguard against rain damage, comprehensive insurance is typically required.

Steps to take if your car suffered damage due to heavy rain

• Avoid Restarting Your Car: Attempting to restart your vehicle may increase the risk of engine damage. It's best to refrain from doing so until a professional assessment is made.

• Remove Water from Your Car, if Possible: Open doors and windows to enhance ventilation and aid in drying out your vehicle. This step can help minimize potential water damage.

• Document the Damage: Capture clear photos and videos of both the interior and exterior damage to your vehicle. Thorough documentation will assist in accurately assessing and processing your insurance claim.

• Report the Incident to the Police: Inform the authorities about the incident, either online via the Dubai Police website or their official app. Obtaining a police report, or an "To Whom It May Concern Certificate" electronically, is vital for strengthening your insurance claim. This certificate serves as essential documentation when filing for insurance coverage related to rain damage.

How to file a car insurance claim after rain damage

If your vehicle has sustained damages from rain and subsequent flooding, you will require a To Whom It May Concern Certificate (TWIMC Certificate) in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Follow these simple steps to navigate the claims process successfully:

Steps to follow if you’re in Dubai

You can obtain the "To Whom It May Concern Certificate" from the Dubai Police app (for Android & for iOS) and website online:

1. Visit the Dubai Police website or app.
2. Select "Certificate Services" on the website or go to the ‘Services’ tab in the app to locate the same.
3. Choose the "To Whom It May Concern Certificate," and fill out the case details by selecting the type as "Natural Disasters."
4. You may also be required to share details like, Emirates ID or Unified Number, Email etc.
5. Attach photos of the damaged vehicle.
6. Complete the process by paying the fee of AED 95.
7. You’ll be receiving the transaction number via SMS to track the application status.
8. The certificate and payment receipt is sent via email.
9. You can use this TWIMC certificate to initiate a claim.

To know more about the claim initiation process in detail, click here. 

If you’ve lost your vehicle plate in Dubai floods, you can follow the steps below:

You can also recover a lost vehicle plate or replace a damaged number plate by getting a "Lost Vehicle Plate Certificate'' via the Dubai Police website or app. Simply follow these steps:

1. Visit the Dubai Police website or app.
2. Under the "Services" tab, you’ll find "Certificate Services".
3. Select the "Lost Item Certificate" option.
4. Enter your personal details like Emirates ID number, Email etc along with other details like date and time when your plate was lost.
5. You can select "Number plates, spare parts, vehicles and tools" under the "Add Item" option and define the sub category as "Vehicle Plate".
6. Enter plate details.
7. Pay the fee of AED 70.
8. You’ll receive the transaction number via SMS and the certificate and payment receipt via email.

Once done, contact Shory immediately to share details about how the damage occurred and to initiate the car insurance claim process.

Steps to follow if you’re in Abu Dhabi

To obtain a certificate for vehicle damage for your motor insurance claim, you must obtain an 'unknown accident report' from 'Saeed,' a national organization for traffic safety services. You can file the report by visiting their official website at www.saaed.ae or by downloading their official app 'Saaed' which is accessible for both Apple and Android devices. Here's how you can get a certificate for vehicle damage online in Abu Dhabi:

1. Go to the official website www.saaed.ae/en/ and find 'e-services' on the right side of the page.

2. Choose 'Report an Unknown Accident'.

3. Fill in an online form with these details:

• Your full name and phone number.

• Pick 'Abu Dhabi' from the drop-down list for the 'accident emirate', then choose 'Abu Dhabi'  as the city where the rain damages happened.

• Enter the location.

• Decide if you want updates by SMS or WhatsApp.

• Explain how the accident happened, focusing on the damage to your vehicle from severe weather conditions.

4. Accept the terms and conditions.

5. Upload these documents:

• Front and back copies of your driving license.

• Front and back copies of your Emirates ID.

• Front and back copies of your vehicle registration card.

• A photo of your car's number plate.

• Pictures showing the damage to your car.

6. Click 'Next' to review your report summary. Then hit 'Submit' and pay the service fee online using your credit or debit card.

After you apply, you'll get a request number by SMS or WhatsApp. You can use this to check your report status. When your application is okayed, you'll get the report from Saaed's tech team. You can follow the same steps to get a TWIMC certificate from Al Ain. 

Here's how to get the accident report:

1. Wait for Saaed's tech team to approve your application.

2. Once it's okayed, you'll get an accident report number.

3. Go to www.saaed.ae/en/accident-report/.

4. Enter your number there to get your report.

Steps to follow if you’re in Sharjah 

The vehicle damage certificate or Certificates of Loss and Destruction is issued free of charge in Sharjah to alleviate burdens caused due to exceptional circumstances like the floods in the recent months. You can get the certificate by logging on to the Sharjah Police website or app (download from Google Play and App Store). 

1. Navigate to the ‘Services’ tab and click on ‘Police Services’.

2. Click on ‘To Whom it May Concern Certificate’ and choose ‘Criminal Certificates’

3. Your certificate type will be - ‘Destruction’. 

4. Fill out some important details like EID number, type of loss, requester’s name, email ID etc.

5. You’ll get a verification code on your mobile after submitting your information.

6. The final step is to enter destruction details like - type of destruction, location, date, requesting authority etc.

7. You may also have to attach pictographic evidence at this stage.

8. After completion, you’ll be provided with a request number for future follow-ups

Does Insurance Cover Cars Damaged by Natural Disasters?

In the event of authorities declaring natural disasters such as floods, there is a need for additional insurance coverage in the insurance policy to cover the damages, as comprehensive or third-party insurance does not cover disaster-related damages. Comprehensive insurance for vehicles covers damages caused by natural rain and hail.

Some Additional Tips to Follow

If your car stops in the rain, it's important to act calmly and safely. Here's what you should do:

• Decelerate and Pull Over Safely: Slow down gradually and pull over to a safe location. Ensure your vehicle is visible by turning on your emergency lights and using reflectors if available.

• Avoid Restarting the Engine or Opening the Hood: Resist the temptation to try restarting the engine or lifting the hood, as this could exacerbate the issue. It's best to leave these tasks to a professional.

• Seek Assistance Promptly: Don't hesitate to seek help, especially if the rain is heavy. Contact roadside assistance or a trusted mechanic as soon as possible to address the issue and ensure your safety.

Conclusion

Understanding these precautions can help you navigate rainy conditions more effectively and reduce the risk of further damage to your vehicle. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can minimize damage and expedite the compensation process from your insurance company, helping you overcome this situation more easily.