Every vehicle owner is obligated by the law to get their car insured. Apart from legal obligations, it is also necessary to provide you with financial assistance and pay for damages in case of an accident. However, the provision of financial assistance is subjective and may vary from policy type to policy type. For instance: damages caused due to a natural disaster are often not covered under the normal auto insurance policy. This raises a question: does car insurance cover animal damage?
Although animal attacks are not a common reason for car damage, they can be one.
This guide will provide you with comprehensive details about car insurance and animal damage.
Will My UAE Auto Insurance Cover Damages Caused by an Animal?
The chances of hitting or getting attacked by an animal in the Emirates are rare. However, when travelling on the major highways in the UAE, you may encounter wildlife that can potentially cause accidents involving animals. Not only this, but sometimes these animals can get violent and attack the car resulting in severe damage. Camels, Gazelle and Arabian wolves often cross high-speed highways that can cause accidents.
In such cases, claiming damages can be difficult if you have a normal insurance policy. A comprehensive insurance policy is a type of insurance that covers all the damages caused by animals or accidents involving animals. Therefore, if you are a frequent traveller, opting for a comprehensive insurance policy is suggested. Several car insurance companies in Abu Dhabi and other Emirates can provide you with this insurance.
How to Report an Accident Caused by Animal Attack
The process of reporting car and pet insurance after an accident is similar to reporting other types of accidents. Here is the complete process of reporting an accident involving animals.
- Take pictures of your car and the animal involved in the collision. Pictures must be clear and taken from different angles. The pictures will be used as evidence later.
- Contact the police department and brief them regarding the accident. After the briefing, ask for the accident summary the insurance-providing company will require later.
- Call your insurance provider and tell them about the accident. They will guide you further about claims, procedures and policies.
Animals that can Damage your Car
Here are the animals that generally cause damage to the car in different ways.
- Rodents: Pests and rodents can chew or damage wiring and fuse boxes of the car, causing electrical arcing in vehicles.
- Wild Animals: They can break into the car and damage seat covers and interiors. Moreover, they can also damage the exterior of the car, like the windscreen and wiper blades.
- Pets: Pets such as canines and cats can chew or scratch valuable interior and car seat covers.
- Large Animals: In the case of colliding with a large animal like a camel, the damage to the car is severe.
Steps to Prevent Animal Attack on Vehicles
It is difficult to avoid collisions and accidents in every situation. However, few precautionary steps can reduce the potential and intensity of these accidents.
- Food: Avoid leaving food in your car. The leftovers can attract rodents, flies and other types of pests.
- Windows: Check that your car’s window is properly closed or not. Leaving doors and windows open provides easy access to animals.
- Parking: Cars parked in open spaces are more susceptible to damage by animals. Try parking in a covered space or inside a boundary.
This was all about car insurance and animal damage that can get covered. Despite all the precautionary measures, there are chances of accidents. It is recommended to drive a vehicle with better handling and an advanced braking system to avoid any unlikely situation. Therefore, if you are still driving your old car with manual brakes, it is time to browse through these used cars for sale in the UAE and purchase a more secure vehicle.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information on car insurance and coverage in the Emirates.
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