UAE | General

Classic cars, classic insurance problems in UAE

Absence of an official classic car valuation authority in the UAE causing problems

By Carolina D’Souza, Staff Reporter
Published: 21:30 August 25, 2012

Image Credit: Courtesy: Dr Ahmad Moufti
The 1977 model Mercedes Benz that was wrecked when a speeding sports utility vehicle crashed onto it in a parking bay.

Dubai: The case of a classic car owner, whose car was written off in an accident by an insurer, brings to light the grey area of classic car valuation in the UAE.

Sharjah resident Dr Ahmad Moufti approached Gulf News, claiming that his 1977 Mercedes Benz SLC was considered a write-off by an insurance company with the assigned garage estimating the car’s value at Dh5,000.

Dr Moufti said he disagrees with the estimate.

The value of the Mercedes Benz SLC was approximately Dh30,000 before the accident, according to him. His car was parked when it was hit by a speeding 4x4, overturning it on the sidewalk; the driver at fault had third party insurance.

Specific to Dr Moufti’s case, Gulf News requested the insurance company for a statement on its valuation process of classic cars. However, the company spokesperson wasn’t available for a comment.

To understand the insurance policies regarding classic cars, Gulf News spoke to a couple of motor insurance experts.

Comments (3)

Added 12:11 August 27, 2012

The news story recognises the problem but what's the solution? Even if you do get a valuation on the car, and get it fully insured, the problem I had with one of my newer but still rare cars that was fully insured, was that I had no choice in which garage did the repairs. If the parts were not in stock and I ordered them in myself, the insurance company would not pay for them, saying they would only pay for parts from the main dealer. I highly doubt that the dealer has parts in stock for my 53 year old car... so the question is... what exactly will they pay for? Unfortunately you're almost better off not having it fully insured... pay the third party insurance so at least you're not liable if you hit something, but put the money you would be paying for fully comprehensive insurance rates aside in a rainy-day fund for yourself in case something bad happens. At least then you can choose exactly which garage does the repairs and with the parts that you choose. If one of the insurance companies wants to step up to the plate and look after classic car enthusiasts properly, and can assure me that the cars will be repaired at a credible garage, then I would happily get my collection insured with them, both vintage and the modern daily drivers. Insurance companies should recognise the classic car business case. You're talking about a car that will be much better cared for than the average car, driven carefully by someone who is paying much more attention than the average driver, and usually only driven on weekends when the weather is nice, so maybe once a week for 6 months of the year... so it's only driven maybe 24 days out of the 365 in the year... the risk factor compared to the average car is much lower!

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 11:58 August 27, 2012

I believe it is the fault of the car owner. If he had taken comprehensive insurance with his company for his car, he would not have faced this dilemma. It is common sense for an owner to insure a product based on its value. Apparently, he chose third party insurance believing it was cheaper.

Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Added 10:16 August 27, 2012

The same incident happen to me a week back. Its unfair. More worse when its not our fault. You get only AED 5000 for the total loss despite the condition of the car. If you part out the car, you get more than AED 5000. Basically the insurance companies are earning from these incidents..

Anonymous, Dubai, United Arab Emirates