What to do if an insurance claim is rejected in the UAE starts with obtaining the insurer’s written reasons. Compare those reasons with the policy and the law, then use the insurer’s complaint process before Sanadak and court proceedings.
Quick Answer
If an insurance claim is rejected in the UAE, request the insurer’s written reasons, identify the policy exclusion or condition relied upon, and compare it with the applicable insurance protections under the Civil Transactions Law.
Challenge the decision through the insurer’s complaint process. Where the complaint remains unresolved or the response is unsatisfactory, the relevant dispute may proceed through Sanadak before any applicable court challenge.
Pay particular attention to the three-year insurance limitation period and any separate 30-day deadline for challenging an eligible committee decision. The applicable starting date and procedure depend on the dispute.
What to do if an insurance claim is rejected in the UAE
Many rejections rest on clauses the law limits.
| Issue | Rule and conditions |
|---|---|
| Breach of a law by the insured | A clause forfeiting cover for breaching the law is void, unless the breach was an intentional crime. Article 958(1). |
| Late notice or late documents | A clause forfeiting cover for delay is void if the delay had an acceptable excuse. Article 958(2). |
| A condition in the printed terms | A printed condition that leads to nullity or forfeiture is void unless it was shown prominently. Article 958(3). |
| An arbitration requirement | An arbitration clause in the printed general terms is void unless agreed separately. Article 958(4). |
| Another arbitrary condition | Void if its breach had no effect on the insured event. Article 958(5). |
| An admission of liability without consent | The insurer can be released if the beneficiary admits liability or pays the victim without consent. This does not apply to a factual admission or a payment benefiting the insurer. Article 959. |
Has Your Insurance Company Rejected Your Claim in the UAE?
Discuss the insurer’s rejection letter, policy exclusions and supporting evidence with Leaders Advocates. Understanding the legal basis of the rejection can help identify the appropriate next steps.
Steps to challenge a rejected claim
- Ask the insurer for the rejection in writing, with the policy clause it relies on.
- Compare the reason with the policy wording and with Articles 958 and 959.
- Send a written appeal to the insurer with your evidence and the legal points.
- If there is no written response within 15 calendar days, or you are not satisfied, file with Sanadak. Insurance-contract claims are not accepted unless first presented to its committees.
- For disputes above AED 100,000, either side may challenge the committee decision before the competent Court of Appeal. The deadline is 30 days from issuance or knowledge under Federal Decree-Law 6/2025, Article 148. Decisions up to AED 100,000 are final and enforceable against the insurer.
Insurance Claim Dispute: Practical Process
- Written rejection: Obtain the insurer’s stated reasons and relevant policy clause.
- Policy review: Compare the exclusion or condition with the statutory insurance protections.
- Internal complaint: Submit the supporting evidence and request reconsideration in writing.
- Sanadak: Follow the applicable complaint and insurance-dispute committee procedure.
- Court challenge: Check whether the committee decision may be challenged and the applicable deadline.
Need Help Challenging an Insurance Rejection?
Whether your dispute involves an exclusion, late notification or disagreement over liability, discuss the rejection grounds, complaint records and applicable review procedure with Leaders Advocates.
Time limits and how they run
Watch the three-year limit and when it starts.
- A claim on an insurance contract is not heard after three years from the event giving rise to it, unless the law provides otherwise (Article 966).
- Where the insured event occurred, the period runs from the day the people concerned learned of it (Article 966(2)).
- Where facts about the risk were concealed or misstated, the period against the insurer runs from the day it learned of them (Article 966(1)).
- In liability insurance, the period runs from the day the third party claims against the insured or receives compensation from him (Article 966).
Important: Insurance Claims Have Different Deadlines
The three-year insurance claim limitation period is not the same as the 30-day period referred to for challenging an eligible insurance-dispute committee decision.
The starting date may also differ depending on the nature of the claim. Review the relevant event, notifications, complaint history and decision dates before calculating a filing deadline.
Concerned About an Insurance Claim Deadline?
Insurance limitation periods, complaint requirements and court challenge deadlines may affect your available options. Discuss the relevant dates and documents with Leaders Advocates before the deadline passes.
If your insurance claim has been rejected, you can send us the policy and the rejection letter on WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related reading
Legal sources
Need Legal Help With a Rejected Insurance Claim in the UAE?
Leaders Advocates can discuss insurance claim rejections, policy exclusions, complaint procedures, Sanadak disputes and applicable court challenges. Share your policy, rejection letter and relevant evidence to assess the available legal options and deadlines.
