You come back from shopping or work and find a dent, a deep scratch, or a cracked bumper. There’s no note on the windscreen, no driver in sight, and nobody who saw what happened.
Reporting it to Dubai Police is fairly simple. The tricky part is what comes after. Even if it wasn’t your fault, you could still pay a police reporting fee, an insurance excess, or part of the repair bill. What you end up paying depends on your insurance, any excess, and the reporting fee.
What to Do First
Before you leave the spot, take clear photos of the damage and the area around your car. Then look for anyone who might have seen it, and check whether nearby buildings, shops, or car parks have CCTV that could have caught the incident.
After that, report it to Dubai Police. You can do it through the Dubai Police app or at participating ENOC petrol stations. You can also call the non-emergency number, 901.
How to File an Unknown Accident Report on the App
If the damage happened in Dubai, you can file an “Unknown Accident” report on the Dubai Police app. Here’s how:
- Open the Dubai Police app on Apple or Android and log in with UAE Pass
- On the homepage, tap “Submit a Report,” then “Traffic Accidents Report,” then “Start Service”
- Choose “Accident Report for Unknown Party”
- Enter your vehicle plate number, driving licence number, and mobile number
- Upload clear photos of the damage and your car, including all four sides
- Review the details, submit the report, and pay the Dh420 service fee
Once it’s processed, you’ll get an accident report you can use to file an insurance claim. Two things to remember: this service only covers accidents that happened in Dubai, and the report is valid for three months.
How Much Will It Cost?
The Dh420 fee may only be the start. Depending on your policy and how bad the damage is, you could also face:
- Insurance excess: the amount you pay toward the repair before your insurer covers the rest
- Full repair bills: if your policy doesn’t cover damage to your own car
- Extra costs: towing, a temporary ride while your car is in the garage, or repairs your policy leaves out
Repairing a scratch or dent can cost anywhere from Dh250 to Dh3,500 or more. The final price depends on the damage, your car model, the parts affected, and the type of repair.
Will Your Insurance Cover It?
That mostly depends on whether you have comprehensive or third-party cover.
Comprehensive insurance generally covers accidental damage to your own car, including damage by an unidentified driver, as long as it fits your policy terms and exclusions. But “covered” doesn’t always mean “free.” You may still pay an excess, and other conditions or charges might apply.
Third-party insurance generally covers damage or injury caused to other people, not damage to your own vehicle. So if someone hits your parked car and can’t be found, a third-party policy usually won’t pay for the repair. You’d be left with the whole bill.
It’s worth reading your policy now, before something happens, so you know which kind of cover you actually have and what your excess is.
A Few Smart Habits
Take photos straight away, since evidence is easiest to collect right at the scene. Report quickly while details are fresh and CCTV footage is still available. And keep your report handy, because you’ll need it for your insurer.
If you park in the same building every day, it also helps to know whether it has cameras. That small detail can make a big difference if your car is ever hit.
Plan Ahead for Life in Dubai
Unexpected costs are part of life in any big city, so it pays to plan. If you’re still setting up your life in Dubai, our guide on what Indians need to earn to sponsor a spouse, kids and parents can help you work out your budget before your family joins you.
And if you’re hunting for somewhere to stay while you get settled, it’s worth reading what to check before you pay a deposit on a bedspace. A bad housing choice can cost far more than a scratched bumper.
Finding damage on your parked car with nobody to blame is frustrating, but the steps are clear. Take photos, check for CCTV, file the report, and then speak to your insurer. Just remember that the Dh420 fee, your excess, and any repair costs can add up, even when you did nothing wrong.