Table of contents
Quick answer
Make everyone safe, call 999 if anyone is hurt, and get a police report — in Dubai, minor accidents without injuries can be reported in the Dubai Police app. Then call the rental company before any repair. Without a police report the insurance will not pay, and you are charged the full repair instead of the excess.
1What should you do straight after an accident?
- 1Stop, switch on the hazard lights and check everyone is safe.
- 2If anyone is injured, call 999 and do not move the cars.
- 3If it is minor and no one is hurt, move the cars out of traffic to the hard shoulder or a safe spot — leaving them blocking the road is an offence.
- 4Photograph both cars, the plates, the scene and any damage.
- 5Report it: through the Dubai Police app for a minor accident in Dubai, or by calling 999.
- 6Call the rental company's breakdown or accident number, and tell them the police report number.
2Why do you need a police report for a rental car accident?
In the UAE, garages repair accident damage under insurance only with a police report. It records the cars, the drivers and who was at fault.
Without it, the rental company's insurer will not pay, and the company will charge you the whole repair — not just the excess. That applies to a scrape in a car park too: if you find damage, report it.
3What will you pay after an accident?
| Outcome | What you usually pay |
|---|---|
| Other driver at fault, police report in hand | What you usually payNothing for the damage; the other driver's insurer pays |
| You at fault, basic insurance | What you usually payUp to the insurance excess |
| You at fault, full cover | What you usually payNothing, or a small amount, depending on the policy |
| No police report | What you usually payThe full repair, plus loss of use at many companies |
| Excluded use (off-road, alcohol, unlisted driver) | What you usually payThe full repair, and insurance may be void |
4Will you get a replacement car?
Many companies replace a damaged car, especially on longer rentals, but not all do it automatically or for free. Ask when you call them, and get the answer in writing. If the car cannot be driven, the company arranges recovery; do not tow it to a garage yourself.
5What if the accident happens outside Dubai?
Call 999 or use the local police service for that emirate. The same rules apply: a police report, then the rental company. In Abu Dhabi, minor accidents are also handled without the police attending in many cases, through the emirate's own reporting service — follow the instructions given when you call.
Save the rental company's accident number in your phone the day you collect the car. It is usually on a sticker on the windscreen or on the key tag.
6What not to do after an accident
- Do not leave the scene before the report is arranged.
- Do not agree a private cash settlement instead of a police report — the rental company will still charge you for the repair.
- Do not take the car to a garage yourself.
- Do not keep driving a car with warning lights or leaking fluids.
- Do not argue at the roadside; photograph, report and let the police decide fault.
7Paperwork to keep
| Document | Why |
|---|---|
| Police report or reference number | WhyDecides fault and whether insurance pays |
| Photos of both cars and the scene | WhyEvidence if the damage is disputed |
| The other driver's details | WhyNeeded for the claim |
| Messages with the rental company | WhyA record of what was agreed |
| Your rental contract | WhyShows the excess and cover you bought |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a police report for a small scratch on a rental car?
Yes. Without one the insurance does not pay and you are charged the full repair. Report even minor damage.
How do I report a minor accident in Dubai?
Through the Dubai Police app when no one is injured, or by calling 999.
Will the rental company charge me after an accident?
If you were at fault, up to the insurance excess — or nothing with full cover. Without a police report, the full repair.
Does rental insurance cover me in another emirate?
Yes. Standard rental insurance covers all seven emirates; get a police report wherever the accident happens.
What number do I call after an accident in Dubai?
Call 999 for the police in an emergency or 901 for non-emergency police help. For minor accidents with no injuries, the Dubai Police app can often be used to report instead.
What if the other driver is at fault?
If the police report puts the other driver at fault, their insurance should pay for the repair, and the rental company usually does not charge your excess. Keep the report and follow up with the company in writing.
Written by the TripReview team from our own price benchmarks and the rules published by UAE authorities, and updated 22 September 2026. Figures are ranges, not quotes — check the latest rules with the official source before you travel. How we rate companies
