Lifestyle
How to spot and avoid car insurance scams in the UAE
The UAE Central Bank has warned of fraudulent online insurance schemes. Here is a step-by-step guide to verifying providers and protecting your vehicle.
By 19Network Editorial Team · Jul 28, 2026 · 4 min read
UAE authorities are warning residents about a rise in fraudulent online car insurance policies. Scammers use fake websites and impossibly low prices to sell invalid documents, leaving drivers uninsured. This guide explains how to verify providers and what to do if you suspect a scam.
The UAE Central Bank and police authorities have issued warnings about a rise in sophisticated online scams selling fake car insurance policies. These fraudulent operations use convincing websites to offer cheap, invalid insurance, leaving unsuspecting drivers financially liable and in breach of UAE law. Here is how to identify legitimate providers and protect yourself from fraud. ## Step 1: Verify the Insurer is on the Official Register Before engaging with any online insurance provider, you must verify it is licensed to operate in the UAE. All legitimate insurance companies, brokers, and agents are registered with the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), which absorbed the former UAE Insurance Authority. - **Where to check:** Visit the official CBUAE website and look for the 'Register of Regulated Entities'. You can search this register by company name. - **What you need:** The full, official name of the insurance provider as listed on its website. - **Cost:** Free. - **Time:** Less than 5 minutes. If the company is not listed in the CBUAE's public register, do not proceed. It is operating illegally in the UAE. ## Step 2: Analyse the Website and the Quoted Price Scammers lure…