Cars and Driving Questions

[Lita_Rulez]

(3) Are there any standard provisions in DXB vehicle insurance policies that a Brit might find surprising, or pitfalls I ought to be aware of?

Yes.

Your standard UAE policy will not cover you if you land your car to someone visiting from abroad without a UAE Driving License.
I know it is stupid, as they can rent a car with their foreign license, but you can't land yours...

When you go through the process of insuring the car, they will ask you if you want cover for Oman as well. Say yes. It will avoid hours in queue at some point in the future.

[ziokendo]

Has anyone developed a theory about why

1) 90% of the used car in Dubai has been driven by a Lady, and why this should be a good sign, since most women never opened the hood to check engine fluid levels in their own whole life.

2) most of the used car in Dubai are "very clean" as their only characteristic sign in the posted ad, enough to warrant this adjective the title of the ad, as if to buy a clean car would represent more value than to buy one with half mileage on the clock, etc.

[amzforlife]

used car can be a good idea or very bad idea u need to have knowledge

[suzimack]

Originally Posted by Dubai1970

Many thanks Garth - I'll give the Prado a look-see in that case. I was aware that TLCs are popular - hadn't occurred to me that the demand would be capable of soaking up the supply of quality examples though! I'm looking for a Japanese 4x4 (to keep parts and maintenance costs lower). TLC probably a bit of overkill though. Maybe next year in that case...

On the financing side of things, I will put down a modest deposit and finance the balance with a loan. The Al-Futtaim website pricing model is injecting a 13% interest rate - which seems rather higher than I had been led to believe was achievable for car loans in DXB (some books and websites suggested interest rates were around 5-7%). Wondered what a realistic rate was. Thoughts Garth / Anyone?

Finally - insurance. My research suggests premiums are quite high in DXB (perhaps unsurprisingly). I gather the local insurers' standand approach is to set premium at 5% of vehicle price, which seems a bit crude. Some questions on insuring vehicles then:

(1) How accurate are tales about this 5% p/a across-the-board premium for all drivers? I'm 41, UK national, full UK licence, no insurance claims or driving convictions, in possession of all faculties (at least, the bits that are beginning to show some wear and tear probably don't impact my driving yet). Am I seriously going to pay the same premium as all the other constituents of the driving population, including the boy racers?
(2) Is a UK (or any foreign) licence holder who can demonstrate a full, current no-claims discount from a reputable insurer going to get any credit for that from DXB insurers?
(3) Are there any standard provisions in DXB vehicle insurance policies that a Brit might find surprising, or pitfalls I ought to be aware of?
(4) Does anyone have an insurer they would recommend?
(5) Do claims generally get honoured or is vehicle insurance "yet another piece of paper that you need out here, but don't rely on it for anything"?

I bet you're sorry you replied to my post now, Garth!

Thanks all.

Gareth

I'm just about to buy a new car here, and it was cheaper to arrange my own insurance. My employer has a deal with RSA who offer a premium of around 3.8% of the value, and when I spoke with the salesman I mentioned my 7 years no claims from the UK which he said he was happy to accept. This brought my rate down to 2. Something. So I'm paying about 3200AED to ensure a brand new top of the range Nissan Pathfinder. My husband pays more to insure a 4 year old Honda Accord back home, so I'm more than happy!

[Dubai1970]

Originally Posted by suzimack

Gareth

I'm just about to buy a new car here, and it was cheaper to arrange my own insurance. My employer has a deal with RSA who offer a premium of around 3.8% of the value, and when I spoke with the salesman I mentioned my 7 years no claims from the UK which he said he was happy to accept. This brought my rate down to 2. Something. So I'm paying about 3200AED to ensure a brand new top of the range Nissan Pathfinder. My husband pays more to insure a 4 year old Honda Accord back home, so I'm more than happy!

Very useful info - thanks Suzimack

[Tricktrack]

Can I just check please if I'm understanding correctly.
When I arrive, although residence visas are all currently being processed, I think it still takes a few weeks once we arrive for them to be finalised, will I not be able to be put on the insurance for our car until I have residency and thus get UAE licence please? Or is it any use having an international licence? Or can I hire a car with residency in process using either British or international licence?
Sorry I have read stuff but just need to clarify in case I need to make alternative driving arrangements for the first couple of weeks of school run when we arrive!
Thanks!

[Garth Vader]

Originally Posted by suzimack

Gareth

I'm just about to buy a new car here, and it was cheaper to arrange my own insurance. My employer has a deal with RSA who offer a premium of around 3.8% of the value, and when I spoke with the salesman I mentioned my 7 years no claims from the UK which he said he was happy to accept. This brought my rate down to 2. Something. So I'm paying about 3200AED to ensure a brand new top of the range Nissan Pathfinder. My husband pays more to insure a 4 year old Honda Accord back home, so I'm more than happy!

Cheap as chips that. Will definitely look in to RSA.

UK insurance premiums are ridiculous these days, I was paying nearly 1000GBP to insure a Lexus IS200.

Did the salesman want to see proof of your NCD?

[suzimack]

No, he was happy to accept my word for it (although I do have my no claim certificate with me) as long as I presented my UK licence along with my UAE one! Can't say fairer than that! The dealer quoted me 4900 for insurance (without Oman cover, or driver & passenger)

[rsinner]

Originally Posted by Tricktrack

Can I just check please if I'm understanding correctly.
When I arrive, although residence visas are all currently being processed, I think it still takes a few weeks once we arrive for them to be finalised, will I not be able to be put on the insurance for our car until I have residency and thus get UAE licence please? Or is it any use having an international licence? Or can I hire a car with residency in process using either British or international licence?
Sorry I have read stuff but just need to clarify in case I need to make alternative driving arrangements for the first couple of weeks of school run when we arrive!
Thanks!

You can hire a car using your British/Int'l license. Once your residency is sorted out, you need to get the UAE DL though, and also you would be all set to buy a car

[Tricktrack]

Originally Posted by rsinner

You can hire a car using your British/Int'l license. Once your residency is sorted out, you need to get the UAE DL though, and also you would be all set to buy a car

Thanks that's great that I can hire, we have a car already (other half new out there) and so will delay buying second car until my residency comes through and just hire then, thanks so much for that!