Finding your car damaged after parking it outside your home, office or shopping mall can be frustrating, especially when the other driver has disappeared without leaving a note. A dented bumper, scratched door or broken side mirror can leave you wondering who is responsible and how much the repairs will cost.
If you have a parked car hit in Dubai, you should document the damage and report the incident to the appropriate authorities. A police accident report is generally required to proceed with an insurance claim when the responsible driver is unknown.
The process involves reporting the incident, providing vehicle details and photographs, obtaining the official report and contacting your insurance provider. Understanding these steps can help you manage the situation and avoid unnecessary delays.
What Should You Do If Someone Hits Your Parked Car in Dubai?
If you return to your vehicle and discover damage, avoid rushing into repairs before documenting the incident. The information you collect can help the police and your insurance company assess what happened.
Follow these steps:
Take photographs: Capture clear pictures of the damaged areas, your vehicle’s registration plate and the surrounding parking area. Photograph the vehicle from different angles.
Check for witnesses: Ask nearby security staff, shop employees or other motorists whether they witnessed the incident.
Look for CCTV cameras: If the damage occurred in a residential building, shopping mall or paid parking facility, contact the property management or security team to ask whether relevant footage is available.
Report the incident: Contact Dubai Police through the appropriate reporting service and provide the required information.
Notify your insurer: Inform your insurance provider about the damage and ask which documents are required before arranging repairs.
Do not assume that a minor scratch can be ignored simply because the responsible driver cannot be identified. Reporting the incident can help establish the documentation needed for an insurance claim.
How to File a Dubai Parked Car Accident Report
When an unidentified driver damages your parked vehicle, the incident can generally be reported as an unknown-party or unknown-accident case. Dubai Police provides a digital reporting option for eligible incidents.
1. Use the Dubai Police App
You can submit an unknown-accident report through the Dubai Police app. The exact menu names may change as the application is updated.
The general process is as follows:
- Open the Dubai Police app and sign in using the available authentication method, if required.
- Find the traffic accident reporting service and select the option for an unknown party.
- Enter the requested information, including your vehicle registration details, driving licence information and contact number.
- Upload clear photographs showing the damage and the vehicle.
- Review the information, submit the application and pay the applicable service fee.
According to Gulf News, the reported fee for an unknown-party accident report in Dubai is AED 420. Confirm the current fee and requirements in the official service before submitting your application.
Once the report has been processed, retain a copy for your insurance provider.
2. Report the Damage at a Participating Petrol Station
If you cannot complete the process through the app, participating petrol stations offering Dubai Police’s On-the-Go service may provide another reporting option.
Visit a participating location and ask about reporting an unknown traffic accident. You may need to provide your driving licence, vehicle registration details, mobile number and photographs of the damage.
Confirm service availability before travelling, as not every petrol station offers the same reporting services.
3. Contact Dubai Police for Guidance
For non-emergency assistance, you can contact Dubai Police on 901 to ask about the appropriate reporting procedure.
If the incident involves injuries, immediate danger or another serious emergency, call 999.
Keep the report reference number and any confirmation messages for future communication with the authorities and your insurer.
What Is the Cost of Reporting a Parked Car Hit in Dubai?
The cost of dealing with vehicle damage depends on the reporting fee, your insurance policy and the extent of the repairs required.
According to the October 2026 Gulf News report, the Dubai Police unknown-party accident reporting service costs AED 420. This is a reporting fee, not a repair charge, and the amount should be confirmed through the official service before payment.
Additional expenses may include:
Insurance excess: Your policy may require you to contribute a specified amount towards eligible repairs.
Repair costs: Minor scratches, dents and damaged bumpers can have very different repair costs depending on the vehicle, materials, paintwork and labour involved.
Additional expenses: Towing, alternative transport and repairs excluded from your policy may increase the total amount you pay.
Gulf News reported that scratch and dent repairs can range from approximately AED 250 to AED 3,500 or more, depending on the damage and vehicle involved. These figures are indicative rather than guaranteed quotations.
Before approving repairs, request an itemised estimate and check what your insurer will cover.
Will Car Insurance Cover a Parked Car Hit-and-Run in Dubai?
Whether you can claim compensation depends largely on your insurance coverage, the circumstances of the incident and the terms of your policy.
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive insurance generally covers accidental damage to your own vehicle, subject to policy conditions, exclusions and applicable excess payments.
If an unidentified driver hits your parked car, your insurer may cover eligible repair costs after you provide the required police report and supporting documents.
However, comprehensive coverage does not automatically mean that every expense will be paid. Check your policy for excess payments, exclusions and any additional requirements.
Third-Party Car Insurance
Third-party motor insurance primarily covers your legal liability for injury or damage caused to other people and their property.
It generally does not cover damage to your own vehicle when an unidentified driver hits it. Unless another applicable source of compensation is available, you may have to pay for repairs yourself.
How to Make a Parked Car Insurance Claim in the UAE
To begin a car damage insurance claim in the UAE, follow these steps:
- Obtain the relevant police accident report.
- Inform your insurer and explain how the damage was discovered.
- Submit the police report, vehicle registration, insurance details and photographs requested by the insurer.
- Arrange an inspection or assessment if required.
- Obtain approval before authorising repairs, unless your insurer confirms otherwise.
- Review the approved estimate, excess payment and repair arrangements.
Keep copies of all documents, estimates, invoices and communications until the claim is resolved.
What If the Driver Who Hit Your Car Is Identified?
If you have information about the other vehicle or driver, share it with the authorities when reporting the incident. Useful evidence may include a registration number, photographs, witness statements or relevant CCTV footage.
Avoid confronting the suspected driver or making assumptions about liability. Allow the authorities and insurers to assess the available evidence.
If the responsible driver is identified, the insurance claim process may differ from an unknown-party case. Your insurer can explain which report and supporting documents are required.
How to Avoid Delays When Reporting Vehicle Damage in Dubai
Taking a few precautions can make the reporting and claims process more straightforward.
Record the location: Note the exact parking area, nearby landmarks and the approximate time when you discovered the damage.
Keep your documents ready: Have your vehicle registration, driving licence and insurance details available.
Provide clear photographs: Ensure the images show the damage accurately without concealing affected areas.
Check the reporting requirements: Use the appropriate service for the emirate where the incident occurred. Procedures and fees may differ between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other emirates.
Do not start repairs prematurely: Wait for your insurer’s instructions and any required vehicle inspection or approval.
Follow up regularly: Retain the report number and contact your insurer if you need an update on the assessment or claim.
These measures can help reduce avoidable delays and give you a clearer understanding of your next steps.
Closing Remarks
Having a parked car hit in Dubai can be stressful, particularly when the responsible driver is nowhere to be found. However, documenting the damage, filing the appropriate Dubai Police accident report and contacting your insurer can help you manage the situation more effectively.
Your final expenses will depend on the police reporting fee, insurance coverage, applicable excess and repair requirements. Before authorising any work, confirm the reporting procedure, check your policy and obtain an approved repair estimate.
Taking the right steps early can help you protect your records, understand your financial responsibility and move forward with the repair process.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if someone hits my parked car in Dubai?
Take photographs of the damage, check for witnesses or CCTV footage, report the incident to Dubai Police and contact your insurance provider. Follow the reporting and documentation requirements before arranging repairs.
How do I report a parked car hit-and-run in Dubai?
You can generally file an unknown-party accident report through the Dubai Police app. Participating petrol stations offering the On-the-Go service may also assist. Confirm the current procedure, eligibility and fee through official channels.
How much does a Dubai Police unknown-accident report cost?
The reported fee is AED 420 for an unknown-party accident report in Dubai, according to Gulf News in October 2026. Check the official Dubai Police service for the current fee before applying.
Will insurance cover a parked car hit by an unknown driver?
Comprehensive insurance may cover eligible damage, subject to the policy’s terms, exclusions and excess. Third-party insurance generally does not cover damage to your own vehicle caused by an unidentified driver.
Can I repair my car without a police report in Dubai?
You should check the reporting and insurance requirements before arranging repairs. Insurers generally require an official accident report for a claim involving an unknown driver. Obtain your insurer’s instructions and any necessary approval before proceeding.
