Recently, in the heavy rainfall hitting the United Arab Emirates (UAE), car owners are facing a surge in repair needs due to flood damage. Insurance providers are cautioning people to carefully review their car insurance policies to ensure coverage for floods and natural disasters, according to advice from UAE insurers.
Repair shops and mechanics are inundated with vehicles needing extensive repairs following the heavy rains. With thousands of cars requiring significant work, concerns have arisen regarding insurance coverage for the flood-damaged vehicles.
Some motorists might be confronted with repair bills reaching as high as 40,000 Dirhams (Rs 9 lakh), particularly if their insurance claims are denied.
Experts have pointed out that repair costs can vary depending on several factors, such as the vehicle’s make, damaged components, spare part replacements, and the duration of repairs. Severe damage from floods may necessitate expensive imported car parts, including critical components like the electrical circuit and engine, which could lead to issues like hydrolock, transmission failure, and engine breakdown.
While UAE insurance norms typically cover maintenance costs for flooded vehicles parked in designated lots and towed to garages.
Claims might be denied if vehicles were parked in waterlogged areas and attempts were made to start the engine, causing damage. Insurance firms might also reject claims due to damaged vehicle wipers or intentional driving on flooded roads during rainstorms.
The emergence of electric cars poses additional challenges, as specialized expertise and facilities are required for repairs. Vehicle insurance providers in the UAE are advising people to carefully review the terms and conditions of their car insurance policies to confirm coverage for floods and natural disasters.
In some cases, insurers may exclude these events, leading to denied claims that could significantly impact individuals during times of crisis.
As a result, customers who previously opted for the cheapest policies are now scrutinizing the coverage of each contract before making a choice. To assist drivers in avoiding getting trapped in flooded areas, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has recommended using the metro instead of personal vehicles.
In addition, the RTA has made announcements regarding service centers that can assist individuals who lost their vehicles’ number plates in water-logged roads and flooding following last week’s unprecedented rains.
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