A Simple Checklist to Make Your Home Insurance Policy Clear and Transparent

erplexing fine print, it is difficult for the majority of UAE expats and nationals to have confidence in their home insurance within the UAE. This blog serves as your convenient guide to put the fog away. Whether a new purchaser or reviewing your policy, this tip ensures full disclosure and informed decisions.

Why Policy Transparency is Important in the UAE?

With a booming property market and a massive expat community of homeowners and renters, the UAE has unique home insurance needs. But transparency is typically absent from policies, which leads to:

Not knowing what's actually covered

Unexpected rejection of claims

Paying too much for unwanted add-ons

Being underinsured and exposed

Transparent home insurance puts you in control of making informed, confident choices—without nasty surprises when you need to make a claim.

Home Insurance in the UAE: What It Really Means

Before jumping into the checklist, it’s essential to understand the two major types of home insurance common in the UAE:

1. Home Contents Insurance

Covers personal belongings inside the home—like electronics, furniture, jewelry, clothing, and appliances.

Ideal for tenants and apartment dwellers.

2. Building Insurance

Covers the structure of your property—walls, ceilings, floors, built-in fixtures, and sometimes garages or pools.

Ideal for homeowners—especially villa or townhouse owners.

You can buy them individually or in bundles, depending on your location and what you want insured.

Your UAE Home Insurance Transparency Checklist

Below is a simple-to-use step-by-step guide to allow you to read between the lines and get the correct cover with confidence:

1. Know What's Covered—and What's Not

Don't take things for granted. Always ask or check the policy document.

Is fire, theft, and water damage insured?

Does it cover accidental damage or only listed perils?

Are portable items outside your home (like phones or laptops) covered?

Is temporary accommodation covered if your home is rendered uninhabitable?

Tip: Look for a section entitled "Scope of Coverage" and ask your provider for a one-page summary.

2. Re-Check the Sum Insured

Underinsurance is the most frequent mistake that leads to lower pay-outs.

Ask yourself:

Have I computed the complete replacement value of my home contents?

Are watches, paintings, or designer handbags, for example, considered in the total?

Does my policy provide for yearly updates to account for new acquisitions?

Tip: Take out a home inventory list and set a replacement value for each item.

3. Review the Exclusions

What is excluded is just as crucial.

Typical exclusions include:

Wear and tear

Damage caused by negligence

Loss during refurbishment

Unregistered high-value items

Natural disasters (there's an add-on for floods or earthquakes with some policies)

Tip: If you're resident in a flood zone (like parts of Dubai), check you have flood damage cover.

4. Understand the Claims Process

Transparency also means understanding how to claim—before disaster strikes.

Is the claims process online or manual?

What documents do I need?

How long before I get paid?

Is there a 24/7 helpline?

Tip: Review customer reviews to ascertain responsiveness to claims and ease.

5. Describe the Excess (Deductibles)

An excess is the amount of the claim you pay out of your pocket.

Is the standard excess within your means?

Are there separate excess amounts for theft compared to water damage?

Can you increase your excess to lower premium?

Tip: Choose a deductible that you can reasonably afford in an emergency.

✅ 6. Inquire About Optional Add-Ons

Some add-ons make a huge difference.

Typical add-ons in the UAE are:

Accidental damage protection

Loss of or theft of personal items away from home

Legal liability (if an accident occurs at your home)

Emergency repairs (plumber, locksmith, etc.)

Tip: Don't guess they're part of it—ensure you request them separately if required.

7. Utilize a Reputable Comparison Website

All insurers aren't as open or priced equally. Websites like Shory guide you:

Compare UAE home insurance side-by-side

Personalize your cover

See what's included

Buy policies in minutes—with electronic policy issuance

Tip: Opt for providers licensed by the UAE Central Bank or Insurance Authority for added reassurance.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Sharjah? Local Differences Matter

Different emirates may have different risk factors and premiums:

Dubai: Residing in high-rises? Make sure damage to fixtures or interior walls is included.

Abu Dhabi: Pool villas or garden villas? Check if the outside buildings are insured.

Sharjah and Northern Emirates: Check for flooding damage or storm damage.

Tip: Tailor your policy to your location and property type.

Last Thoughts: Own Your Policy

Home insurance in the UAE doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By using this checklist, you’ll gain full clarity and avoid the common traps of confusing clauses, undercoverage, or false assumptions.