What is a Car Insurance Refund Certificate?

The certificate is issued through government platforms such as Dubai RTA and Abu Dhabi’s TAMM. Similar procedures apply in the Northern Emirates. 

What is an Insurance Refund Certificate?

An insurance refund certificate is an official document issued by a UAE traffic authority that confirms a vehicle’s insurance policy has been cancelled before its expiry. You then submit this certificate to the insurance company, which uses it to calculate and process the refund of the unused premium on a pro-rata basis. 

This generally happens in the following situations —

1. Selling the vehicle to another owner
2. Transferring ownership to a different emirate
3. Exporting the vehicle outside the UAE
4. Registering the vehicle under a possession certificate

The certificate itself does not issue the refund. It acts as formal proof that allows the insurer to close the policy correctly and return the remaining premium according to the motor insurance policy terms.

Where Do You Apply for an Insurance Refund Certificate? (Emirate-Wise Platforms)

The insurance refund certificate is issued only through official government platforms. The website you use depends entirely on where the vehicle is registered. Insurance companies do not issue this certificate themselves.

Emirate	Issuing Authority	Official Website / Platform	Certificate Name Used
Dubai	Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)	RTA Online Licensing Services (rta.ae)	Insurance Refund Certificate
Abu Dhabi	Abu Dhabi Police	TAMM Government Services (tamm.abudhabi)	Vehicle Insurance Refund Certificate
Northern Emirates	Ministry of Interior	MOI digital services	Insurance Refund Certificate

Note: For the Northern Emirates, the process is handled through local police and Ministry of Interior (MOI) systems. While the certificate name or portal layout may differ, the purpose remains the same — confirming that the vehicle’s insurance has been cancelled so the insurer can process the refund.

How to Get a Car Insurance Refund Certificate in Dubai (RTA)?

In Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) issues the Insurance Refund Certificate through its online licensing services. The process is available only after the vehicle’s status has changed (transfer, export or possession) and all traffic fines are cleared.

Who can apply: Both individuals and companies

When you can apply: After the vehicle is transferred to another emirate, exported, or registered under a possession certificate

Step-by-step (as per RTA user manual)

1. Log in to RTA services: Sign into RTA’s licensing services and go to My Vehicles → General Services → Insurance Refund Certificate.
2. Enter insurance and vehicle details: Provide the policy number, insurance expiry date, and chassis number, and select the insurance company from the list.
3. Choose how you want the certificate
   Select one of the delivery options:
   • E-certificate
   • Courier delivery
   • Collection from an RTA office
4. Pay the service fee: Complete payment and note the request reference number. Fees vary based on the delivery method.
5. View or collect the certificate: Once issued, you can view and download the e-certificate or collect it as per your chosen option.

How the Car Insurance Refund Certificate Process Works in Abu Dhabi (TAMM)?

In Abu Dhabi, the Insurance Refund Certificate is issued through the TAMM government services platform under Abu Dhabi Police. This is an official service and applies to both individuals and companies.

Who issues it

1. Issuing authority: Abu Dhabi Police
2. Platform: TAMM – Abu Dhabi Government Services

When you can apply: You can request the certificate once you have the original cancellation, transfer, or export certificate for the vehicle. This document is mandatory for the application to proceed.

How the process works (as per TAMM)

1. Log in to TAMM: Access the service by signing in with UAE Pass or by visiting a TAMM service centre.
2. Submit the application: Upload the required documents, including the original cancellation / transfer / export certificate.
3. Receive the certificate: After submission, you can print the Vehicle Insurance Refund Certificate directly through the TAMM system.

Cost and processing time

1. Service cost: No additional government fees
2. Estimated time: Approximately 6 minutes, as stated on the TAMM service page

Cost of an Insurance Refund Certificate (Emirate-Wise)

The cost of an insurance refund certificate depends on the emirate where the vehicle is registered. 

1. Dubai (RTA)

In Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) charges a fixed government fee for issuing an Insurance Refund Certificate.

Total cost: AED 120 (AED 100 – Certificate issuance fee + AED 20 – Knowledge and Innovation fee)

This fee is payable during the online application through RTA Licensing Services, regardless of whether you choose an e-certificate, courier delivery, or office collection. The RTA user manual confirms that fees apply and may vary based on the selected delivery method.

Important:

This is only the government certificate fee.
It is not deducted from your insurance refund and has no impact on how much motor insurance premium you receive back from the insurer.

2. Abu Dhabi (TAMM)

In Abu Dhabi, the Vehicle Insurance Refund Certificate issued through the TAMM platform (Abu Dhabi Police) has no additional government cost.

Certificate fee: Free of charge — no service fees apply. You can generate the certificate digitally once the required documents are submitted.

Which Details are Mentioned on an Insurance Refund Certificate?

The car insurance refund certificate issued by Dubai RTA contains only the information required for official verification and insurer processing. It is a factual, system-generated document and does not include explanations, coverage details, or refund amounts.

1. Certificate title - Clearly labelled as Insurance Refund Certificate
2. Vehicle details - Includes the chassis number, which is the primary identifier used by RTA and insurers
3. Insurance policy number - The exact policy number linked to the cancelled insurance
4. Motor Insurance company name - The insurer selected during the application process
5. Auto Insurance expiry date - Used to determine the unused policy period
6. Certificate reference number - A unique reference number generated by RTA for record tracking and verification

What the certificate does not include

1. Refund amount
2. Confirmation that money has been paid
3. Policy coverage details or add-ons

The certificate’s purpose is limited and specific: it acts as official proof from RTA that the insurance policy has been cancelled following a valid vehicle transaction. After you submit this document to the insurance company, it independently calculates and processes the refund for the unused premium period.

Common Reasons Why a Car Insurance Refund Certificate Request Gets Rejected

Applications for an auto insurance refund certificate are rejected mainly due to data mismatches or incomplete vehicle status changes. Both Dubai RTA and Abu Dhabi TAMM clearly list the situations where the service cannot proceed.

As per Dubai RTA

According to the RTA user manual, you cannot proceed with the service in the following cases —

1. Incorrect insurance details: If the policy number, chassis number, or insurance company entered does not match RTA records, the request will be rejected.
2. Vehicle status not updated: The certificate is issued only if the vehicle is exported, transferred to another emirate, or registered under a possession certificate. If none of these apply, RTA will not issue the certificate.
3. Outstanding traffic fines: You need to clear all fines linked to the vehicle before applying.

As per Abu Dhabi TAMM

The TAMM service requires original official documents to proceed. 

1. Missing cancellation, transfer, or export certificate: Applications without the required original document will not be processed.
2. Incomplete application submission: If required documents are not uploaded or verified, the certificate will not be issued.

Important to know

1. Rejections are system-based, not discretionary.
2. Insurance companies cannot override a rejected government application.
3. The vehicle’s legal status must be updated before applying for the certificate — not after.

Related Links -

How to Check Car Insurance Status Online

How to Check RTA Vehicle Status Certificate in the UAE

Police Clearance Certificate in Abu Dhabi

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)