Rains in UAE: Residents begin to submit insurance claims after floods

The UAE residents and businesses have started submitting their insurance claims following the massive rains that battered the country’s northern and eastern parts last week.

Industry executives expect most of the individual insurance claims will be related to vehicles as thousands of vehicles were damaged and swept away in the floods and total claims are “serious.”

The UAE recorded the highest rainfall in 27 years last week, resulting in flooding in different areas of Fujairah, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. In total, seven people died, including five Pakistanis nationals, and many were displaced.

Anas Mistareehi, chief operating officer, Al Wathba National Insurance Co. (AWNIC), said claims notifications have started flowing to the insurance companies who have cars insured against risks, mainly from the Northern Emirates where the rains were seriously heavy.

“The claims department started to be notified by corporates having operations in a couple of sectors including properties, projects, heavy equipment etc. When it comes to individual claims flow, we are expecting them to be mainly motor insurance related as homeowners insurance policy count is too low in the Northern Emirates compared to others,” said Mistareehi.

Insurance industry executives say that only comprehensive motor policies cover rain damages.

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He advised both corporates as well as individuals in the UAE to obtain sufficient insurance coverage, especially given the recent climate changes.