What to Do If Your Insurance Company Assigns a Garage You Don’t Trust in Dubai

If you make a claim under car insurance in Dubai, the insurer may direct you to one of its approved garages. Insurers are allowed to get vehicles repaired at agency workshops in certain cases or at suitable/approved repair shops, depending on the vehicle’s age and policy terms.

However, the policy also requires that repairs follow proper technical standards and be backed by a warranty from the repair shop. This means that while the insurer may choose the garage under many motor insurance plans, there are clear rules that must be followed. Understanding these rules is the first step if you are not comfortable with the assigned workshop.

Understand the Standard UAE Motor Insurance Rules on Repairs

All policies under motor insurance in Dubai follow the Unified Motor Insurance framework issued by the UAE Central Bank. The policy states that if the insurer agrees to repair the vehicle, repairs must be carried out according to proper technical standards. Also, the repair shop must provide a warranty for the work completed. In the first year of registration, repairs may be carried out at the agency workshop, while in later years, repairs may be done at suitable repair shops as per policy terms.

The policy also allows replacement of damaged parts with similar grade parts for older vehicles, unless agency repair cover applies. This means that even if the insurer assigns a garage under your car insurance in Dubai, the repair must still meet regulatory standards.

What to Do Immediately If You Don’t Trust the Assigned Garage?

If you are uncomfortable with the assigned workshop under your  car insurance in Dubai, do not approve the repairs immediately. First, make sure your claim has been properly registered with the required accident report issued through official channels such as the police or Saaed. This is because insurers require these documents before starting repairs.

You can ask the insurer for written confirmation that the repair will follow technical standards and that the garage will provide a warranty on the work. It is also advisable to request a copy of the surveyor’s assessment report before repairs begin. Keeping all communication in writing protects you in case of any dispute under your motor insurance policy in Dubai.

Can You Request a Different Garage?

Under most car insurance policies, the insurer has the right to select the repair workshop if agency repair cover is not included. The policy wording clearly distinguishes between agency repairs and approved car garage repairs, meaning your ability to choose depends on what is mentioned in your policy schedule.

However, you can still formally request a change if you have valid concerns. You may ask the insurer to confirm the repair standards, warranty coverage, and whether the assigned garage is part of their approved network. If you insist on repairing the vehicle at an agency workshop without having agency repair cover, the insurer may approve it subject to you paying the cost difference, as per policy conditions under motor insurance in Dubai.

If You Think the Repair Estimate or Quality is Wrong

If you believe the repair cost, damage assessment, or quality of work is not correct under your car insurance in Dubai, you can formally raise the issue with the insurer before the repairs are completed. The Unified Motor Insurance Policy allows disputes relating to compensation or repair valuation to be reviewed. The Authority may appoint a licensed surveyor or loss adjuster to determine the proper value of damages.

This means that under motor insurance in Dubai, disagreements about repair scope or cost are not final decisions made by the garage alone. You should request a reassessment in writing and keep copies of inspection reports, photographs, and communication. Proper documentation is important if the matter needs further review.

Filing a Complaint Against the Insurance Company in Dubai

If the insurer does not resolve your concern about the assigned garage, you should first submit a formal complaint through the company’s internal complaints process. Insurance companies in the UAE are required to handle and respond to customer complaints before the matter is escalated further.

If the issue remains unresolved, you can raise the complaint with Sanadak, the official financial and insurance ombudsman scheme in the UAE. Sanadak accepts complaints related to insurance services after you have attempted to resolve the matter directly with the insurer. This applies to disputes under motor insurance in Dubai and other insurance products regulated in the UAE.

The Right Vehicle Insurance in Dubai Makes All the Difference

If your insurer assigns a garage you are not comfortable with under your car insurance in Dubai, the first step is to check what your policy actually allows. UAE motor insurance rules require repairs to meet proper technical standards and include warranty protection, even when the insurer selects the garage. If you still have concerns, you can request reassessment or follow the official complaint process.

To avoid such situations in the future, compare repair benefits carefully before buying or renewing your motor insurance in Dubai. Features like agency repair and approved garage networks can make a big difference during a claim. When you compare vehicle insurance options through platforms like Policybazaar.ae and choose a plan that suits your expectations, you can get more clarity from the beginning.