Car Insurance in the UAE – Weather

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How the weather in the UAE effects all aspects of your life and what you can do to be insurance proof your investments.

In the UAE it seems that during a few months, the problem there is the Sandstorms which are similar to a blinding blizzard.

It is a double or trip whammy in UAE. The sandstorms can affect the performance of your vehicles, pipes in your home and most importantly your life. Here are a few ways to avoid insurance claims on your policy for auto and medical insurance policy.

Auto Insurance

It is possible that these sandstorms can create major engine problems. It is possible for it to get into the engine, exhaust, fuel tanks, windshield wiper holder and possibly into your transmission lines. If you can’t see while you are driving, it will be very hard to avoid having an accident. Remember there are other people out there trying to drive too. The best advise is not even to drive in conditions like that.

There are a few preventative tasks you can do to lower the risk of any of these things happening to you.

1. Always check your tires. If the tires have no tread, your car it not going to be able to stop suddenly to avoid an accident.
2. Check you filters everyday and make sure they are clear.
3. If possible, cover the vehicle when not in use.
4. Always make sure you check your fluids to make sure they are clear.
5. Make sure your windows are closed

Home insurance

1.  Make sure all your windows are closed.
2.  Check the outside piping to make sure all is secure
3.  Electrical panels or plugs for outdoor lighting.
4.  If you do have a pool, cover it 

The main concern here is really the blockage of sand in a live electrical plug or panel. Even a pool filter could be affected.

Insurance on a Boat, ATV or other recreational type vehicle.

1. Boat should be totally covered especially the motor. Sand around water is mud and you could have a big expense on your hands if sand gets into the electrical area. Motors are not cheap and you will probably have large an excess or deductible.
2. The ATV and other recreational vehicles also have the motor, electric issue as well as an excess or deductible.

Sickness and Health

1. If you put water into a small balloon and then empty it, pour in a handful of sand, shake and them empty it, it you look into the balloon, you can get an idea of what your lungs are dealing with every time you step outside without a mask.
2. This must be taken seriously especially with young children. Asthma is a killer for many. Adding sand to the mixture could cause irreversible damage. Situations like this are the reasons you need to take out an accident and sickness policy or make sure you are covered properly.

Please visit insurancemarket.ae for car insurance in Dubai and across the UAE – compare from up to 10 insurers.

Questions you asked and the answers you wanted to know about car insurance in Dubai

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What happens if my unlicensed child takes my car out for a joy ride and smashes up the car and damages another person’s property?

In order to have your vehicle fixed by the insurance company, you would actually have to charge your son/daughter with theft. Your Insurance would pay for the other persons damages.

Can I keep the collision and comprehensive on my vehicle if it is over 10 years old? 

Collision Coverage

If you call a car dealer just to get an unbiased opinion, they will give you the book value of the car. This is normally how the insurance adjusters value your vehicle. As an example: You have an accident and total the car. It is a 1999 Dodge Neon and the dealer has told you it is worth about $900. You have collision coverage on the vehicle, however your excess is $500 and the premium you paid to have the collision was $150. You would only end of getting $900 – $650 = $250 and there is a chance it would be more depreciation on the car.  It is not worth it. Many of the Insurance Companies wont insure vehicles at that age, but some still do. There are cases that the vehicle is not a classic or antique but is in perfect condition, has low mileage and only driven in the summer months. If this is the case, a picture of the vehicle and perhaps an appraisal, they may insure it to value.

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive is another physical damage coverage which, if allowed to keep on the policy would be good for windshield coverage. You may have your excess to pay, but it may be worth your while to pay and keep it. This of course depends on the specific rules of the company.

If I leave the Country, should I cancel my auto insurance? 

It is a good idea to check on that. Some of the auto accident benefits coverage may not cover you of out of country or even local areas.

Why should I put my home and auto policies together?

This is a question that is asked all the time. One answer is because you will get a multi-line discount. Another reason is the contents of your car are insured under your home policy. You will only have to deal with one adjuster and possibly only have to pay one deductible.

What happens if my policy gets canceled?

Insurance premiums are spread over a year. If you cancel prior to the expiry date of the policy you will get a portion of the money back unless you have had an accident.

Can the Insurance and Registration be in two different names?

No. The ownership and insurance must legally be in the same name. 

Do you insure high value cars?

The best way to get a quote on a high valued vehicle is to call your agent. These vehicle differ in the way the insurance calculates the premiums.

Homeowners Insurance

If all my belongings are lost in a fire, how do I prove to the insurance company that I had what I say I had?

There is a burden of honesty that is expected from Insurance Customers. Insurance Company can investigate your claims, however it is a good idea to take pictures, videos appraisals, anything of great value. This information should be kept elsewhere.

Alfred has recently shared some wonderful videos on car insurance. You can watch them and share your personal thoughts with us. 

Car Accidents in Dubai

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You have finally obtained your driver’s license and more importantly, are you financially sound. If you are in this situation, you are on your way to purchase a car.

Once you have purchased the car of your dreams, call an insurer. Unfortunately, your four-wheeled beauty could become an obstacle in the path of a thrill-seeker, drunk or otherwise. Accidents are mostly unintentional and unfortunate, but sadly not uncommon. What’s even sadder is the amount of time wasted in pointing fingers instead of sticking around and cooperating with each other till (and even after) the police arrive at the scene.

In such an event, there’s just one simple rule: interact, don’t react and don’t admit fault. Check to make sure everyone involved is alright. If there are casualties, call an ambulance; be honest while explaining the incident, get the names and contact details of the other drivers involved in the accident and information about their cars, insurers, etc., and try to obtain as many eye-witness accounts as possible. From the legal point of view, taking pictures of the damaged vehicles is of utmost importance. In fact, here’s a tip for all parties involved the accident: have the ‘before’ picture of the car handy as well. Cell phones with cameras are a god send.

Lying is a strict no-no when it comes to talking to your insurer about it. You have to remember that you could be denied coverage for the damage if all the facts are incorrect. Carrying a copy of the police report is an absolute must: it could establish who violated the traffic law at the time of the accident. If you feel your insurer is not giving you a fair valuation for damages to your car, don’t hesitate to seek a second, and possibly a third opinion (including that of your car dealer).

Also, if needed, receive medical treatment as soon as possible. As far as visits to your doctor are concerned, all you have to do is be regular and heed every piece of advice. It’s very important to have a diary; it’ll help you keep track of the next appointment and amounts outstanding to your insurer, lawyer, etc. If the other insurers adjuster calls you, don’t speak to them, politely refer them to your adjuster.

Another consideration is waiting to make a decision once you have been made an offer. If it is a serious accident, speak to your lawyer and don’t settle a claim until you have made sure that you’ll be suitably compensated for all the injuries you have suffered. A doctor’s prognosis is critical, because some injuries could cause a great deal of discomfort for a very long time.

In the insurance industry, when a claim is presented to a Company and an adjuster is assigned to the claim, if it turns out that either party has called lawyers in for injuries, the companies will usually just take care of the physical damage of the vehicle and step back and allow the lawyers deal with the respected parties.

For more information you can visit car accident page of InsuranceMarket.ae and can also watch our YouTube videos for avoiding car insurance claims in Dubai.

Cyber Risk Insurance

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A core part of modern business organization is the technology operations a Company uses to run their business as seamlessly as possible. It is needed for electronic communication, daily management, storage of information data and software programs that are vital to your daily business operation. Unfortunately, the work you do on the internet is out there for the taking.

Cyber Risk Coverage

This type of coverage is not one of many that would be included in your business insurance policy. It is a liability policy/rider that needs to be added to your policy. It needs to adequately cover the cyber risks that may occur with your own technology and another business system owned by one of your clients.

There are a couple of different types of insurance for different types of risks.

First, your business information and technology is compromised; and secondly, any third party liability that you may be held accountable. A few of the important liability exposures:

• Database and Network Security Breeches – such as a virus or malware, that gets into your main information system and is passed on to your customers or business associates.
• Technology Failures – If you have any issues that prevent your employee from working all day, this coverage would cover the expense for the time down.
• Business Interruptions – If you can’t use your system, it is interrupting the daily work flow that needs to be done.
• Online Fraud – It happens everyday and the only course of action is to be as preventable as you can.
• Online Reputation Management – Advise clients that your website is verified, safe to use and protected by only the best security systems.
• Damage and Defense Costs – If you are sued by one of your customers, this coverage will respond to the damage and any legal costs.
• Cyber-risk insurance is designed to protect your business from all of the exposure risks out there. It can be a complex situation and you should sit down with your agent and confirm the type of insurance you have, and if it is the insurance you require.                            

Insurance Solutions by Industry

These information is extremely important to protect your business. Every business has a different need as far as insurance is concerned. A small breakdown of the types of Insurance that may already be set up together as a Small Business package.

• Automotive – including auto parts, gas stations, bars, glass and transmission shops, repair garages, service stations
• Office packages for accounting, beauty salons, medical offices
• Contractors – plumbing mechanical contractors, janitorial services, or electrical
• Realty such as commercial buildings, property owners of residential apartments which have been manufactured by others
  

It’s never too late to speak to a licensed broker to get all the information you need to set up your business. Knowing you are completely protected for business insurance gives you a peace of mind to run a successful organization.

In the business section of insurancemarket.ae, we can draft an appropriate policy that protects your online business.

Insurance Fraud in Dubai – we are all paying for it

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If you live in Dubai and have insurance on your vehicles right now, it is a good chance that part of the premium you are paying is due the Company increasing their rates due to fraud.

We all pay for fraud through the insurance premiums, you can be sure the number is in the millions. The act of fraud is a criminal offence so you have to wonder how so many get away with it.

If you are participating in any type of insurance fraud:

• Obviously your claim will be denied, the policy will be cancelled, and your license will be revoked. Because fraud falls under the Federal Government, high Authorities in some Countries, you could go to jail for 10 years depending on the extent of crime.
• When the time comes that you are able to get your license back and drive, because insurance is mandatory, you will have to buy insurance. The Company will only offer you liability for the other person and the rate will be astronomical.
• The most common type of auto fraud would include lying about the entire loss, staging accidents, entering claims on existing damage.

How Can What Can People Do to Help Fight Fraud?

• Insurance company adjusters, and different levels of law enforcement, are making great strides in exposing insurance fraud rings, but they need help from the consumers to get the problem under control.
• Report all suspicious activity whether it is in a parking lot, on the road, a hit and run, numerous criminal activity on your street like break ins, vandalism
• Staged accidents, get as much information you can. In fact, take a picture with your phone of the license plate, car, person, everything you can.
• Check over the claims form to make sure the information is all there and correct. Many cities now have collision reporting centers. Send you adjuster the pictures.
• Do not ever sign a blank claims form or any type of legal form until you have spoken to your own adjuster or lawyers.

Did you Know?

• If you lend your vehicle to someone and they have an accident, they will be liable for the accident, but so would you, being the registered owners. Make sure you have known the person you are lending your car to for quite awhile. A staging accident could be done with your own vehicle, and you wouldn’t even know it.
• Insurance Companies do not like dishonest people. If you are caught trying to pull one over on the insurance company, they will take full legal action against you.
• That an Insurance Company has guidelines to follow which before they can cancel your policy.
• If you decide to cancel your policy mid term, there is a penalty but the most important thing you should do is to take a look at your policy. If there is an accident or ticket, it may be worth staying where you are until renewal. The worst thing you can do it cancel your policy before you have a written confirmation of a quotation with another Company.  If you want to change insurance companies and cancel your existing policy before it expires, be very cautious.

Come visit insurancemarket.ae for your car insurance enquiry. We conduct a ‘know your customer’ check to reduce chances of fraud and hence protect you from facing higher premiums in the future.

What, Where, Why, Who – Car Insurance in Dubai

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Here are a few frequently asked questions about car insurance with quick and easy answers:

• What is the difference between renting a car for your pleasure or renting a car to use because of an accident?

The rental vehicle is usually paid for by the insurance company. The pleasure rental is paid for by you.

• Why are the rates for young men usually more than young girls?

Men usually show off a lot more than the girls do and rack up more speed tickets and accidents. That being said, woman drivers are getting more traffic offenses than ever. Depending on the Country, distraction offenses are rising on cell phone use.

• Why is a Ferrari so expensive to insured?

Price, make, model, all the accessories and the top of the line materials used for each and every car. 

• Tell me what is the difference between an Insurance Agent and an Insurance broker?

A broker has many companies that have access too, an agent works directly with one Company. 

• What is the difference between a CSR and an Insurance Broker?

A CSR usually works in the office writing new business and assisting client with questions. An Insurance Broker does basically the same job, but they are on the road most of the time looking for business outside the office.

• What’s the difference in rates if you are a young driver and don’t take a driver training course?

The course itself is around AED300 and up.

A young driver in the first year of being licensed may have to pay AED3000 with no experience or no driver training.

A young driver in the first year licensed with driver training would probably pay $1500. There are other factors however, just this one example, pays for the course the first year. 

• Who sets the rates, the CSR, The Insurance Broker or the Insurance Agent?

None of the above. Insurance is regulated by a Government Authority. The people above must use the rates set by this rates approved.

• What is the rate difference between a 2 door and a 4 door vehicle?

The 2 door models are normally higher as they tend to be  more of a sporty design which young drivers are attracted to buying.

• What is the difference between an uninsured driver and a person being under insured?

Uninsured is when there is absolutely no insurance on the vehicle. Minimum amount required to drive. This is a problem if you are involved in an accident with this person and your injuries and damages exceed the coverage carried by the third party.

• What happens if I have tickets for speeding or any other  driving infractions on my license?

Depending on the number of tickets, the company could charge you a higher premium.

• What is the difference between the lessee shown on the policy and an lessor?

If you are leasing a vehicle from a dealer, the lessee is you, and the lessor is the Company leasing you the vehicle.

• On an auto application it asks ‘has the vehicle been modified’. What does that mean?

If you have modified your vehicle, as an example, put in a higher HP of motor, or put the off road tires on it, or changed the vehicle from way the original vehicle was built.

Come and visit InsuranceMarket where your dedicated personal shopper can help you with any queries pertaining to your car insurance in Dubai.