Strata Insurance in UAE
Strata insurance falls under commercial insurance. It financially protects jointly owned buildings and shared property areas, such as apartments, villas, and residential complexes. In line with Dubai’s Jointly Owned Property Law framework (including Law No. 6 of 2019), this type of insurance ...read more
Why Do You Need a Strata Insurance Policy in the UAE?
Living in a jointly owned building in the UAE means the structure and shared areas belong to all owners collectively. A strata insurance policy financially covers these common parts — corridors, lifts, roofs, parking areas, and more — against various risks. This policy provides extended coverage for shared structures and common areas that are typically not covered under a standard home insurance policy.
If any unforeseen event occurs, such as fire, explosion, accidental damage, water damage, natural events, or any other insured peril, this policy ensures the building itself remains financially protected.
It also helps joint property owners avoid unexpected repair costs and potential legal liabilities. Instead of each owner paying separately when something goes wrong, the policy covers major structural damages and shared facilities. This allows property owners to enjoy peace of mind while ensuring smoother management of jointly owned properties.
Who Needs Strata Insurance in UAE?
A strata insurance policy is essential for properties where multiple owners share ownership of the building structure and facilities. In such structures, damage to common areas can affect everyone. This is why a collective insurance plan is usually required for-
- Property owners’ associations/Unit owners
- Residential building owners
- Landlords in strata buildings
- Strata management companies or investors
⚖️ What Does the Law Say?
Under Dubai Law No. 6 of 2019 concerning Jointly Owned Real Property, the management entity must insure the jointly owned property. This means building insurance for strata-type properties in Dubai is effectively mandatory.
However, the policy is arranged by the building management. The cost is typically included in the service charges paid by unit owners.
What Does Strata Insurance Cover in UAE?
With a comprehensive strata insurance policy, you can get the following coverage -
- Building and Common Area Cover: If something damages the building or shared property, such as corridors, staircases, parking area, elevators, and more, the insurer compensates for the repair or rebuilding.
- Legal Liabilities: If someone slips in the lobby and gets injured, the policy may cover compensation and legal costs. It protects the owners’ association and property owners from potentially significant legal expenses.
- Shared Equipment and Machinery Breakdown: Policies cover sudden damage to mechanical or electrical equipment in the building. This can include generator damage, elevator failure, water pump breakdown, and more.
- Fidelity Guarantee: This type of insurance protects the owners’ association funds if someone managing the building commits fraud, such as committee members misusing service charge money.
- Management Committee Liability: You also get coverage for the committee or board members if they are sued for decisions made while managing the building.
- Personal Accident: If volunteers working for the building get injured, many policies compensate them for the same. Typically, you can get this cover as an extension in many policies in the UAE.
- Catastrophe Cover: In many strata insurance plans, protection against catastrophic events such as earthquakes, floods, or storms may be available as an additional cover or policy extension.
What Does Strata Insurance Not Cover in UAE?
Certain events are not covered in strata house insurance in the UAE -
- Normal wear and tear
- Furniture inside a flat
- Interior decor, such as paint, wallpaper, or carpets
- Intentional damage or fraud
- War and terrorism
- Nuclear hazard
- Tenant’s belongings
Is Strata Insurance Enough for You❓
Let’s understand this with an example.
Suppose a fire breaks out in the building corridor and spreads, causing damage to a resident’s sofa and TV inside their apartment. In this situation, will strata insurance cover the resident’s loss? Not entirely.
Strata insurance typically covers the building structure and common areas, such as corridors, lifts, and shared facilities. However, personal belongings like furniture, appliances, and electronics inside an individual unit are usually not covered.
To ensure broader protection, residents are often advised to combine strata insurance with home contents insurance, which covers personal items inside the apartment.
Strata Insurance vs. Landlord Insurance: Quick Comparison
Many property owners confuse strata insurance with landlord insurance in the UAE. While both provide protection, they cover different risks. Here is a quick comparison between the two -
| Features | Strata Insurance | Landlord Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal for | Owners association/building management | Individual property owner |
| Purpose | Protect the building and common area | Protect the personal property and belongings of the individual or policyholder |
| Building structure cover | Yes | Yes (as building insurance) |
| Common area cover | Yes | No |
| Covers internal unit contents | No | Yes |
| Tenant damage cover | No | Yes |
Read More: Landlord Insurance in UAE
How Can I Get the Best Strata Insurance Quote in the UAE?
You can find an affordable strata insurance policy by comparing various plans in the UAE. However, the cost of this policy depends on several factors, as insurers typically assess -
- The size and structure of the building
- The number of units in the development
- Property’s location
- Replacement value of the building
- Shared facilities such as lifts or pools
To find the best plans, compare the top options and review the key details of each policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is strata insurance in the UAE?
Strata insurance in UAE is a commercial building insurance policy arranged by the Owners’ Association to protect jointly owned properties. It includes the structure and common areas, as required under the Jointly Owned Property (Strata) regulations in Dubai.
Q2. Does strata insurance cover my apartment contents?
No. Strata insurance does not cover personal belongings inside your apartment — furniture, electronics, appliances, and more. As an owner, you must buy separate home contents insurance for your personal items.
Q3. What does strata insurance policy cover in the UAE?
Strata insurance typically covers the building structure, common areas, shared equipment, and third-party liability. It may also include machinery breakdown or board liability for the Owners’ Association.
Other Insurance Products
Business Insurance Dubai, Group Health Coverage, Public Liability Insurance, Marine Insurance, Professional Indemnity Insurance, Worker's Compensation Insurance, SME Insurance, Group Life Insurance UAE, Contractors All Risk Insurance, Product Liability Insurance, Directors and Officers insurance, Motor Fleet Insurance, Medical Malpractice Insurance | Holiday Home Insurance
More From Fire & allied perils
- Recent Articles
- Popular Articles





