If your car is unsafe to drive after an accident in the UAE, the right sequence is: secure the scene, call the authorities, get an official police report, then contact your insurer to arrange towing. Skipping the police report step is the single biggest mistake drivers make, since most UAE insurers won’t authorize a covered tow — or process a claim — without one.
This guide walks through exactly what to do in the minutes after a crash, how accident towing and recovery actually work, what it costs if you’re paying out of pocket, and the common mistakes that turn a manageable situation into a costly one.
What Should You Do in the First Few Minutes After an Accident?
The first priority is safety, not paperwork — check for injuries and secure the scene before worrying about reports or insurance calls.
Immediate steps, in order:
- Check for injuries — yours and anyone else involved
- Turn on hazard lights immediately to warn approaching traffic
- Move to a safe area if the accident is minor and no one is injured — staying in a live lane is dangerous for everyone involved
- Call for help based on severity (covered in detail below)
- Document the scene with photos before anything is moved, if it’s safe to do so
For minor accidents with no injuries and only cosmetic damage, some guidance suggests it’s fine to move vehicles out of traffic once documented. For anything involving injury, significant damage, or dispute between drivers, leave vehicles in place and wait for police, unless staying put creates a traffic hazard.
Who Do You Call After an Accident in the UAE?
The number you call depends entirely on severity — this isn’t a judgment call to overthink in the moment.
| Situation | Who to Call |
|---|---|
| Serious injury or emergency | 999 (Ambulance/Police) |
| Non-emergency accident | 901 |
| Minor incident in Dubai | Dubai Police app (self-reporting for minor, no-injury cases) |
| Accident management in Abu Dhabi | Saaed (Abu Dhabi’s Roads and Accident Emergency Department), often coordinating directly with police |
Once authorities are involved (or you’ve confirmed the incident doesn’t require them), your next call is your insurance provider’s 24/7 hotline — ideally within 24 hours of the accident, with your policy number and any police report reference ready.
Do You Need a Police Report Before Towing?
Yes, in almost every case — don’t authorize transport or repairs until you have your official police report, especially for anything beyond a very minor, mutually-agreed cosmetic incident. Insurers in the UAE typically require this report number to process a claim or approve a covered tow.
Why this matters practically:
- Moving or repairing a vehicle before the report is filed can complicate liability and slow down your claim
- Heavily damaged vehicles blocking traffic are the exception — police will direct their removal even before a full report is completed, for safety reasons
- Keep the report number on hand when you call your insurer, since it’s usually the first thing they ask for
How Does Accident Towing and Recovery Work?
Once your vehicle is confirmed unroadworthy, your insurer (or a private towing provider, if you’re paying independently) arranges an approved recovery truck to move it — typically to an approved garage, workshop, or inspection center.
The typical process:
- You call your insurer’s 24/7 roadside hotline with your policy details and police report number
- The insurer confirms coverage and arranges an approved towing or flatbed recovery service
- The truck arrives and loads the vehicle using a flatbed or specialized recovery equipment to avoid further structural damage
- Your car is transported to an approved garage — confirm whether you can choose your own workshop or must use one from the insurer’s network
- You verify the claim details afterward, including whether the destination garage is fully covered under your specific plan
Many comprehensive UAE insurance policies include accident towing and recovery at no extra charge, but coverage varies — always confirm what your specific plan includes rather than assuming.
How Much Does Accident Towing Cost Without Insurance?
If your policy doesn’t cover towing, or you’re paying independently, costs vary by distance, vehicle size, and emirate.
| Service | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Base emergency towing fee | AED 150 – 600 |
| Dubai / Abu Dhabi rates specifically | AED 400 – 500 (varies by provider) |
| Storage (if applicable) | Around AED 50/day |
These are general market ranges seen across multiple UAE towing providers, not a fixed rate — always confirm the exact quote from your chosen provider before dispatch, and ask specifically whether storage fees apply if your vehicle can’t be collected immediately.
Is Accident Towing Covered by Car Insurance in the UAE?
Coverage depends entirely on your specific policy — some comprehensive plans include accident towing as standard, others offer it as an optional add-on, and some exclude it entirely. This is worth checking before you need it, not during an emergency.
What to confirm with your insurer in advance:
- Whether accident towing is included in your base comprehensive policy or requires an add-on
- Whether there’s a distance limit on the covered tow (some plans cap the free distance and charge beyond it)
- Whether you can choose your own approved garage or must use one from the insurer’s network
- Whether storage fees are covered if the vehicle can’t be collected the same day
Common Mistakes to Avoid After an Accident
Moving a heavily damaged vehicle before police arrive. This can complicate liability determination and may violate reporting requirements for anything beyond a minor, agreed incident.
Authorizing a tow before getting the police report number. Most insurers need this to process anything — starting the tow first can create delays or coverage disputes later.
Assuming your policy automatically covers towing. Confirm this ahead of time, not after the accident, since coverage gaps are common and vary significantly between insurers.
Not documenting the scene with photos. Even when a police report is filed, your own photos of the damage, position of vehicles, and road conditions can support your claim if there’s any later dispute.
Waiting past 24 hours to notify your insurer. Most UAE policies require prompt notification — delaying this, even accidentally, can complicate your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first thing to do after a car accident in the UAE?
Check for injuries first, then turn on your hazard lights and move to a safe area if the accident is minor with no injuries. For anything serious, call 999 immediately and leave vehicles in place until police arrive.
What number do I call after an accident in the UAE?
Call 999 for emergencies or serious injuries, and 901 for non-emergency accidents. In Dubai, minor incidents with no injuries can often be self-reported through the Dubai Police app.
Do I need a police report to get my car towed after an accident?
Yes, in almost all cases — UAE insurers typically require the police report number before authorizing a covered tow or processing your claim, so get this before arranging transport.
How much does accident towing cost in Dubai without insurance?
Independent towing services typically range from around AED 150 to AED 600, depending on distance, vehicle size, and provider, with storage sometimes charged separately at around AED 50/day.
Is accident towing covered by my UAE car insurance?
Many comprehensive policies include accident towing at no extra charge, but coverage varies by insurer and plan — confirm the specifics with your provider, including any distance limits or network restrictions.
How soon do I need to notify my insurer after an accident?
Most UAE insurers require notification within 24 hours of the accident, along with your policy details and police report number.
Who handles accident towing in Abu Dhabi specifically?
Saaed (Abu Dhabi’s Roads and Accident Emergency Department) manages accident response and towing coordination in Abu Dhabi, often working directly with police at the scene.
Can I choose which garage my car gets towed to after an accident?
This depends on your insurance policy — some plans let you choose any approved garage, while others require you to use one within the insurer’s network. Confirm this when you call to arrange the tow.
Final Thoughts
The sequence after a UAE accident is straightforward once you know it: safety first, then the right emergency number based on severity, then a police report before anything gets moved or repaired, then your insurer. Skipping the report step or assuming towing is automatically covered are the two mistakes that turn a routine accident into a longer, more expensive process than it needs to be.
Keep your insurer’s hotline number and policy details somewhere easy to find — the middle of an accident is not when you want to be searching for them.