A minor fender-bender in a Dubai mall car park or a bumper tap in Sharjah traffic rarely causes injuries — but handling it the wrong way can still cost you money, delay your insurance claim, or even land you a traffic fine. If you know what to do after a minor car accident in the UAE, the whole process takes minutes: secure the scene, check everyone is okay, report the incident to the police through the official channels, exchange details, and document everything for your insurer. This guide walks you through each step in the order that matters.
One thing to know up front: in the UAE, a police report is required for virtually any insurance claim after a road accident. The good news is that for minor accidents with no injuries, you usually do not need to call the emergency line or wait at the scene for a patrol car — you can report online or through the police app. The details below explain exactly how.
Quick Answer
After a minor car accident in the UAE: Stop safely and switch on your hazard lights. Check that no one is injured — if anyone is, call 999 immediately. If the cars are drivable and no one is hurt, move them off the road to avoid blocking traffic. Take photos of the damage, number plates, and the scene. Exchange driving licence, Emirates ID, insurance, and registration details with the other driver. Report the accident to the police (usually via the official police app or online service for minor accidents), obtain the police report number, and then notify your insurer promptly to start your claim.
Step 1: Stop, Secure the Scene, and Check for Injuries
Never drive away from an accident, however minor — leaving the scene is a serious offence in the UAE. Pull over safely, switch on your hazard lights, and turn the engine off. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries first, then check the other vehicle. If anyone is hurt, even slightly, call 999 (the UAE police emergency number) right away and do not move injured people unless there is immediate danger, such as a fire.
If the vehicles are blocking a busy lane and everyone is unhurt, moving them to the side of the road or the nearest shoulder is the right call — it prevents a second accident and is what police guidance for minor collisions recommends. If the damage makes a car undrivable, set out a warning triangle and keep everyone away from traffic.
Step 2: Stay Calm and Be Polite
Accidents are stressful, but arguments make everything worse. Stay calm, speak politely, and avoid assigning blame or making verbal promises about payment at the scene. Anything you agree to verbally can complicate the insurance process later. Stick to exchanging facts and contact details. If the other driver becomes aggressive, stay in your car and wait for the police.
Step 3: Exchange Details with the Other Driver
Collect the following from the other party:
- Full name and contact number
- Driving licence number (a photo works)
- Emirates ID number
- Vehicle plate number and registration (mulkiya) details
- Insurance company name and policy number
Give the same details in return. If there are witnesses, note their names and phone numbers — their accounts can be useful if the two drivers disagree about what happened. For a complete rundown of photos, notes, and evidence, see our guide on how to document a car accident.
Step 4: Report the Accident to the Police
This step matters more than most drivers realise. In the UAE, insurers require an official police report before they will process a claim — without it, repair costs come out of your own pocket.
For minor accidents with no injuries, you generally do not need to wait for a patrol car. The police in each emirate offer online and app-based reporting for minor traffic accidents: in Dubai, minor accidents can be reported through the Dubai Police app or website; in Abu Dhabi, through the Abu Dhabi Police app or the TAMM platform; and in Sharjah and the northern emirates through the Ministry of Interior’s MOI UAE app. The official UAE government portal (u.ae) lists police emergency and non-emergency contacts, and each police force’s site carries the current minor-accident reporting service.
When reporting, you will describe what happened, identify the vehicles and drivers, and upload photos. You will receive a report number (sometimes called a case number) — keep it safe, because your insurer will ask for it. A small reporting fee typically applies for minor-accident reports; the exact amount varies by emirate, so check the official police portal before paying.
For anything involving injuries, call 999 and stay at the scene. Police will attend, an ambulance will be dispatched, and the report will be filed on the spot. If injuries are serious, it is also worth reviewing what your own personal accident insurance covers, since medical costs after a crash can escalate quickly.
Step 5: Document the Scene Yourself
Even though the police report is the official record, your own documentation protects you if there is a dispute:
- Photograph the damage to all vehicles from several angles, including close-ups and wide shots showing positions
- Photograph both number plates and the registration cards
- Capture the road, lane markings, traffic signs, and weather conditions
- Note the date, time, and location (use a map pin if possible)
- Write down your own account of what happened while it is fresh
Good documentation is what turns a disputed claim into a straightforward one. Our article on how to report a road accident goes into the full reporting process in more detail.
Step 6: Notify Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurer as soon as possible after the accident — most policies require notification within a short window (often a few days). Give them the police report number, your documentation, and the other driver’s details. The insurer will tell you whether to take the car to an approved garage for inspection and repair, or to a repairer of your choice depending on your policy terms.
If you were not at fault, the other driver’s insurance typically covers your repairs under the UAE’s third-party liability framework — but the police report assigning fault is what makes that possible, which is why skipping Step 4 is such an expensive mistake. Understanding your policy type matters here; see our guide to Dubai car insurance for the difference between comprehensive and third-party cover.
Step 7: Follow Up and Get Repairs Done
Once the insurer approves the claim, repairs proceed at the approved garage. Keep copies of every document: the police report, claim number, garage estimates, and receipts. If the claim is disputed or delayed, these records are your leverage. Before driving away from the garage, check the repairs against the estimate and confirm the paperwork is complete.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why it hurts you |
|---|---|
| Not reporting the accident to the police | Without a police report, insurers will not process your claim |
| Driving away from the scene | A serious offence in the UAE, with heavy traffic fines |
| Admitting fault at the scene | Fault is decided by the police report, not by roadside agreements |
| Paying cash to settle privately | No paper trail — hidden damage found later becomes your problem |
| Delaying the insurance notification | Late reporting can give insurers grounds to dispute or reject the claim |
| Forgetting to photograph everything | Without evidence, disputed versions of events favour no one |
Some of these errors show up repeatedly on UAE roads — keep them in mind alongside basic defensive driving habits.
Special Situations
The other driver has no insurance
Driving uninsured is illegal in the UAE, and uninsured vehicles cannot be registered. If the other driver cannot produce valid insurance, make sure this is recorded in your police report — your own comprehensive policy may still cover your damage, and the police will deal with the other driver separately.
The other driver refuses to cooperate or flees
Note the plate number, photograph everything, and report to the police immediately. Hit-and-run is treated very seriously, and CCTV and plate-recognition cameras on UAE roads make offenders hard to hide.
The accident happens in a parking lot
Minor parking-lot collisions are reported the same way — through the minor-accident reporting service. If you return to find your parked car damaged with no note left, report it and check with nearby shops or buildings for CCTV footage.
The damage looks tiny — should I still report it?
Yes. A scratch that looks cosmetic can hide bumper sensors, clips, or panel damage that costs thousands to fix. A police report takes a few minutes through the app and keeps your options open with the insurer. You can also later check the recorded accident history of the vehicles involved through official channels — see how to check accident-related vehicle information if you are buying a used car and want to know its history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a police report for a minor car accident in the UAE?
Yes. UAE insurers require an official police report for accident-related claims. For minor accidents without injuries, you can usually obtain it through the police app or online service rather than waiting for officers to arrive at the scene.
Should I call 999 or use the app for a minor accident?
Use 999 only if someone is injured, there is a danger to the public, or the vehicles are causing a serious obstruction. For minor damage with no injuries, report through the relevant police app or website — it is faster and keeps emergency lines free.
What if the accident was not my fault?
The police report determines fault, not either driver. If the report finds the other driver at fault, their third-party liability insurance typically covers your vehicle repairs. Your own insurer handles the claim process on your behalf.
How long do I have to notify my insurance company?
Notify your insurer as soon as possible — ideally the same day. Most policies set a short deadline (commonly within a few days of the incident), and missing it can complicate or invalidate your claim. Check your own policy wording for the exact window.
Can I settle a minor accident privately without involving the police?
It is not advisable. Private cash settlements leave no record, and if hidden damage surfaces later — or the other driver denies the agreement — you have no recourse. A police report and an insurance claim protect both parties.
Will a minor accident affect my insurance premium?
It can, depending on who was at fault and your insurer’s policy. At-fault claims often reduce your no-claims discount at renewal. Ask your insurer how the claim will affect your premium before filing for very minor damage — sometimes paying out of pocket is cheaper in the long run.
The Bottom Line
What to do after a minor car accident in the UAE boils down to this: stop and stay calm, make sure nobody is hurt, report the incident to the police through the official app or website, swap details and document everything, and notify your insurer promptly. The police report is the key that unlocks the whole insurance process — get that right, and a stressful afternoon becomes a straightforward repair job. Keep the police app installed on your phone before you need it, and you will never be caught scrambling at the roadside.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.