Does Car Insurance in the UAE Cover Accident Cover? What You Need to Know

When buying car insurance in the UAE, premium, vehicle cover, and claim settlement are all on our minds. However, there is a question of great significance that few remember to ask: Does your policy provide accident cover for yourself and your passengers too?

Knowing what accident cover is in UAE car insurance can be helpful in making you better informed and in avoidance of expensive surprises. In this guide, we break the mystery surrounding how accident cover works, including what you usually get with standard UAE insurance, and how you will be insured in every way.

What Is Accident Cover in Car Insurance? Accident cover, or Personal Accident (PA) Cover, is an add-on policy which pays you money if you (the driver) or your passengers are injured or killed in a road traffic accident.

It typically covers:

Benefit for accidental death

Permanent disability (partial or total)

Reimbursement for medical costs

Ambulance fees

Optional cash hospital allowance

Accident cover can be taken for:

The driver only

Passengers of the insured vehicle

Third parties, depending on policy type

Types of Car Insurance in UAE Now, first let's discuss the two broad categories of car insurance in the UAE:

1. Third-Party Liability Insurance This is the minimum compulsory in the UAE. It covers:,

Damage to another person's car or property

Injury or death of third parties by your vehicle But TPL policies do not include,

Damage to your own car

Medical cost for the driver

Personal accident cover for you or your passengers (unless taken separately)

2. Comprehensive Insurance Every vehicle damage cited above in TPL, in addition to: Damage to your own vehicle (accidents, fire, theft, vandalism)

Option to include personal accident cover Much broader range of add-ons like roadside assistance, off-road cover, or natural disaster protection But here is the surprise: comprehensive insurance can also have full personal accident cover available as an add-on. Does UAE Car Insurance Automatically Include Accident Cover? For Drivers: Most insurers in the UAE have a standard level of accident cover for the driver as part of the policy — typically AED 200,000 for death or permanent disability.

The cover can be:

Automatic as part of comprehensive policies

Optional in TPL or low-feature packages

Check your policy document or benefits schedule to see.

For Passengers: Passengers are not automatically covered. Some comprehensive policies offer limited cover, but in general:

Passenger cover is an optional add-on

You must inform the passenger number to be comprehensively covered

The policy limits could be different (e.g., AED 100,000 per passenger)

In case you frequently travel with family, friends, or colleagues, you must request passenger accident cover specifically while purchasing or renewing your policy.

What Is Personal Accident Cover? While benefits differ with the insurer, a typical average personal accident cover in the UAE generally includes:

Accidental Death Benefit: Lump sum paid to nominee or legal heir.

Permanent Total Disability: When the insured loses eyesight, limbs, or earning capacity for life.

Permanent Partial Disability: Partial compensation on a scale of disability.

Medical Expense Reimbursement: Cost of treatment reimbursed up to an agreed limit (e.g., AED 5,000–10,000).

Emergency Ambulance Charges: Included by some insurers.

What Is Not Covered Under Accident Cover? Exclusions may include

Injuries resulting from driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Injuries resulting from illegal or drunken driving (for example, street racing)

Pre-existing impairment

Non-accidental fatalities or injuries

Unlicensed or unauthorised drivers

Always read the small print to know exactly what is included in your cover.

How to Add or Upgrade Accident Cover If your existing policy does not have accident cover — or provides limited benefits — here's how to increase your protection:

Quote for Personal Accident Cover (PA) from your broker or insurer.

Choose whether you want to insure the driver or passengers only.

Choose the amount of cover (e.g., AED 200,000 for driver, AED 100,000 per passenger).

Pay the additional premium, which is low — usually AED 100–300 a year depending on limits.

Add or increase accident cover:

When buying a new policy

When renewing the policy

As a mid-term endorsement (some insurers allow mid-policy changes)

Responsible UAE Insurers Providing Personal Accident Cover There are many large-scale UAE insurers providing personal accident cover, including:

• Shory.com (multi-insurer comparison website)

• RSA Insurance

• GIG Gulf (formerly AXA Gulf)

• Orient Insurance

• Salama Takaful

• ADNIC

• Oman Insurance

Noor Takaful With a site like Shory, it is possible to compare the benefits of accident cover from a number of insurers in one place and simply add passenger cover at checkout.

Why Accident Cover Matters in the UA Road accidents, though fewer than in some nations, still happen on UAE roads. Regardless of how careful you are behind the wheel, other drivers may not be.

Here's why personal accident cover is important:

Private hospital medical treatment is costly

Employer health cover might not meet accident-related claims

Compensation offers financial comfort for families in the event of fatal accidents

Liability protection prevents out-of-pocket payment in multi-passenger cases

Final Tips for UAE Drivers Never assume you are covered — check accident cover is included

Always double-check whether passengers are covered under your existing policy

Do not underestimate the low price of accident add-ons — the benefit far outweighs the premium

Take advantage of internet tools to shop and compare the best coverage for your needs

Conclusion To answer the question: Yes, personal accident cover can be a part of car insurance in the UAE, but not always; this depends on the type of policy and on whom it is purchased. Basic protection is available to most drivers, but passenger cover is usually optional and has to be manually added.

If you want to feel secure and protected both for yourself and your family, be sure to check, or add, personal accident protection to your policy.

To compare plans with accident cover from top-rated insurers in the UAE, visit a trusted insurance platform like Shory.com. It only takes a few minutes to find the right coverage at the right price — and stay protected every time you’re on the road.