What to Do After a Minor Accident in a Rental Car in Dubai

Quick answer: After a minor accident in a rental car in Dubai: check for injuries (call 999 if anyone's hurt), move the cars out of traffic if they can be driven safely, report the accident through the Dubai Police app to get a police report, photograph the vehicle damage, and notify your rental company immediately. Without a police report, rental insurance usually won't cover the damage.

A tap at a red light. A scrape in a mall car park. Someone merges into your lane on Al Khail Road.

Minor accidents happen, even to careful drivers. What you do in the next 15 minutes decides whether it's a small inconvenience or an expensive mess.

This guide covers the accident procedure only. For what your cover includes, read our Dubai car rental coverage guide.

Step 1: Check for injuries and stay safe

Switch on your hazard lights (you're now stationary, so that's correct). Check yourself and your passengers.

If anyone is injured, even slightly, call 999 immediately and don't move the vehicles. Wait for police and ambulance.

If no one is hurt, stay calm and move on to the next step.

Step 2: Move the cars out of traffic

For minor accidents with no injuries, UAE rules expect drivers to move vehicles to the side of the road if they can be driven safely. Leaving cars blocking a live lane causes secondary crashes and can be fined.

Before moving, take a quick photo of the cars' positions if it's safe to do so.

Step 3: Report the accident to get a police report

In Dubai, minor accidents with no injuries can be reported through the Dubai Police app (look for the minor accident reporting service). You'll enter details for both drivers and vehicles, add photos, and the system determines fault and issues a report.

If the other driver won't cooperate, the app doesn't work for your situation, or you're unsure, call 901 (Dubai Police non-emergency) or 999.

In Abu Dhabi, minor accidents are handled through Saaed services and Abu Dhabi Police. In other emirates, contact local police.

What goes wrong: People agree to "sort it out privately" with the other driver. Don't. No police report means no insurance claim, and the rental company will likely charge you for the full damage.

Step 4: Document everything

• Photograph damage to both vehicles from several angles.
• Photograph both number plates.
• Note the other driver's name, phone, licence and insurance details (the app usually captures these).
• Note the time, location and what happened.

Never photograph injured people or share accident images on social media. Publishing photos of accidents is an offence in the UAE.

Step 5: Notify your rental company

Call your rental company as soon as possible, ideally from the scene. They'll tell you:

• Whether the car is safe to drive.
• How to send the police report.
• Where to take the car, or whether they'll collect it.
• Whether a replacement car is available.

Check your agreement for the accident hotline number before you ever need it.

Step 6: Understand what you might pay

What you pay depends on fault and your cover.

Some rental companies hold the excess amount until the other party's insurer settles the claim, even when you're not at fault. Ask how your company handles this.

Our guide to CDW vs SCDW explains excess levels and what each waiver covers.

Step 7: Get back on the road

Many rental companies arrange a replacement vehicle after an accident, subject to availability and your contract. If you need a car just for a day while things are sorted, one-day car rental options can bridge the gap.

Minor accident checklist

• Hazards on, check for injuries.
• Call 999 if anyone is hurt.
• Move cars out of traffic if safe and no injuries.
• Report through the Dubai Police app (or call 901/999).
• Photograph damage and plates.
• Notify the rental company.
• Send the police report to the rental company.

Tourists and accidents

Visitors follow the same procedure. Carry your passport and licence (and IDP if required) whenever you drive. Make sure every driver is named on the rental agreement; our guide on documents needed to rent a car in Dubai covers what residents need, and the same principle applies to visitors.

Key takeaways

• Call 999 for any injury; otherwise move cars out of traffic if safe.
• Report minor accidents through the Dubai Police app to get a police report.
• Never settle privately; without a police report, insurance usually won't pay.
• Notify your rental company immediately and keep all photos and documents.

Sources: Dubai Police (minor accident reporting service, 999 and 901), Abu Dhabi Police (Saaed), UAE federal traffic law. Procedures may change: verify in the week of publishing. Last updated: 23 October 2026.