Building Insurance in Dubai, UAE

🏡What is Building Insurance?

Building insurance in Dubai or any other Emirate covers the physical structure of your home. This includes the walls, roof, and floors as well as permanent fixtures like built-in wardrobes and kitchen cabinets. In case of damages caused by incidents like fires, storms, or water leaks, this insurance type helps cover the repair or reconstruction costs.

📝It's essential to note that building cover, also known as property insurance, differs from contents insurance. The latter covers personal belongings inside the home.

Why is Building Insurance Important in Dubai?

In the UAE, properties can be often exposed to various risks — including extreme weather conditions, accidental damages, and other unforeseen events. Furthermore, despite all precautions, there is always a risk of damage due to floods, pipe bursts, fire, and more. Considering the significant costs of properties in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and more, any damages caused by such events can cause loss of thousands of dirhams, if not more.

Building protection insurance ensures that you are financially safeguarded against the costs associated with repairing or rebuilding your property after such incidents. Whether you reside in the property or rent it out, having this insurance provides peace of mind and financial security. For homeowners, insurance can protect a major personal investment. For landlords, on the other hand, it helps maintain rental income by ensuring the property is restored quickly.

Note: Both residents and non-residents owning property in the UAE can get building insurance.

Why Should You Buy Building Insurance Through Policybazaar.ae?

Policybazaar.ae is your go-to platform to compare the best building insurance policies in the UAE and find the best one for your requirements.

Here's why you should choose us —

➡️Platform for Comprehensive Comparison: On one platform, you can access plans from multiple insurance providers. This allows you to compare coverage options and premiums effectively.

➡️Competitive Pricing: Find policies that offer the best value for your money, which ensures that you get adequate coverage without overspending.

➡️User-Friendly Interface: The platform is designed for ease of use. Whether you’re deep-diving into a policy or comparing plans, you can easily find all the details you need.

➡️Expert Support: Whether you need advice on comparing plans or finding the right policy at the right price, our team is here to help you make an informed decision!

➡️Easy Purchase in Minutes: With us, you don’t need to worry about the hassle of documentation or long application procedures. In just a few clicks and details, you can find the right policy for yourself — all without leaving your home!

Benefits of Building Insurance in Dubai & the UAE

Building insurance coverage is more than just financial protection — it’s a safeguard for your property, income, and peace of mind. Here are the key benefits offered —

• Financial Security: Insurance covers the cost of repairs or rebuilding in case of damages due to covered events. Whether it’s a loss due to a natural disaster or theft, your policy saves you from bearing the financial burden alone.
• Loss of Rent Coverage: If you're renting out your property and it becomes uninhabitable due to damage, the policy can cover the loss of rental income. This keeps a steady cash flow even while your property is being restored. 
• Alternative Accommodation: Many policies under insurance for buildings cover the cost of temporary housing if your home is uninhabitable during repairs. This can be a crucial lifeline during difficult times.
• Liability Protection: Your plan can offer coverage if someone is injured on your property and holds you legally responsible. This is especially crucial for owners who frequently have visitors, staff, and so on.
• Coverage for Fixed Installations: Beyond just the structure, policies also cover permanent fixtures and fittings like built-in wardrobes, kitchen units, and sanitary fittings. This ensures your property’s functionality and value are intact.
• Peace of Mind: Ultimately, building insurance offers confidence and reassurance. Knowing that your investment is protected allows you to focus on living or managing your property without constant worry.

✅Building Insurance Inclusions – What’s Covered?

Building coverage insurance policies typically cover —

• Fire and Allied Perils: Damage due to fire, lightning, explosion, and similar events
• Natural Disasters: Losses due to storms, floods, and other natural calamities 
• Accidental Damage: Unintentional damages to the building’s structure as well as underground cables and pipes are covered under insurance for buildings
• Loss of Rent or Alternative Accommodation: Just keep in mind that the maximum benefit under this amount is usually capped up to a certain percentage of the building sum insured
• Owner’s Liability: Coverage for legal liabilities arising from third-party injuries, damages, or death 
• Breakage of Fixed Glass and Sanitary Fixtures: Up to a fixed percentage of the building sum insured

❎Exclusions of Insurance for Building — What’s Not Covered?

While building insurance in UAE provides extensive coverage, certain exclusions apply —

• Wear and Tear: Losses due to gradual deterioration or maintenance-related issues are not covered
• Vacant Properties: Damages occurring when the property is unoccupied for extended periods may be excluded — usually, policies don’t provide coverage if the building is not occupied for more than 30-60 days 
• Pre-existing Damages: Issues present before the policy's coverage started are not covered
• Illegal Activities: Damages resulting from unlawful actions are excluded
• War and Nuclear Risks: Losses due to war, terrorism, or nuclear incidents are typically not covered

📝 Note: The lists above cover standard inclusions and exclusions. It's important to carefully read your policy as the coverage can vary as per your insurer.

Add-ons for Building Insurance in Dubai, UAE

Here are some popular add-ons that you can add to your policy and enhance its scope of coverage —

• Removal of Debris — If your property is damaged due to an insured event, your policy can cover the cost of removing debris
• Personal Belongings — While most building coverage plans don’t cover personal belongings, add-ons can help you financially protect your valuables, electronics, and more
• Loss of Metered Water — This add-on can cover the cost associated with water that is lost due to pipe bursts, accidental leakages, or any other covered event
• Domestic Helpers — With this add-on, your insurance for buildings can cover domestic workers’ expenses related to accidental medical requirements, death, and more

Documents to Purchase Building Insurance UAE

To purchase building insurance in Dubai or any other Emirate, you may need the following documents —

✅Proof of Ownership: Documents verifying your ownership of the property

✅Property Details: Information about the property's location, size, and usage

✅Valid Emirates ID or passport 

✅Blueprints or design schematics for the property

✅Photographs of the property which document its features and current condition

How Much Does Building Insurance Cost in UAE?

Several factors affect your building insurance cost —

How to File a Building Insurance Claim in UAE?

Filing a building insurance claim in the UAE involves a structured process to ensure quick settlement and fair compensation. 

Follow these steps —

✅ Notify the Insurer: Contact your insurance provider immediately after the incident to report the damage and start the claim process

✅ Document the Damage: Take clear photographs and gather evidence of the affected areas to support your claim

✅ Complete the Claim Form: Fill out the required forms provided by your insurer — make sure all your details are accurate 

✅ Submit Supporting Documents: Provide all necessary paperwork, including repair estimates, ownership proofs, and other requested documents

Note: In case of theft, you may need to provide a police report as well.

✅ Assessment by Insurer: The insurance company may inspect the property to verify the extent of the damage before processing your claim

✅ Claim Settlement: Once approved, the insurer will compensate your losses as per the policy terms, covering the eligible repair and recovery costs

Quick Tips for Building Insurance UAE

Whether you’re curious about how to find the right plan or simply the easiest way to file a claim, here are some tips to keep in mind — 

• Compare Different Policies – At the time of buying, always check multiple insurance providers to get the best coverage and a competitive building insurance cost
• Know What’s Covered – Make sure that at least fire, natural disasters, accidental damage, and liability protection are included in your policy
• Understand Exclusions – Read the fine print to know what’s not covered — this can save you from surprises if your building is damaged 
• Maintain Updated Property Documents – Keep proof of ownership, property details, and compliance certificates ready for hassle-free claims
• Take Photos of Your Property – Click photos of your home’s current condition to support claims in case of any damage
• File Claims Promptly – Notify your insurer immediately after an incident and provide proper evidence for quick processing

Wrapping Up

Building insurance is a crucial part of property ownership in the UAE. With this, you can safeguard your investment against unforeseen damages and ensure financial stability during challenging times. With user-friendly platforms like Policybazaar.ae, finding and purchasing the right coverage is quick and hassle-free.

Building Insurance FAQs