Which insurers let you choose?
Watania's motor-claims FAQ answers “Can I use my own repairer?” with yes: the repairer first sends an estimate with the cost of paint, materials, labour and parts, and images of the damaged areas, and the repairs are then authorised within two working days. Emirates Insurance says that, depending on the repair condition in your Policy Schedule, you can drop the car at your chosen repairer or at your local agency. Other insurers send the car to a garage from their own list. Your policy schedule, or a call to your insurer, settles it for your claim.
Sources: Watania — FAQs, motor claims: Can I use my own repairer? · Emirates Insurance — Claims
If the insurer's roadside service tows the car
Many insurers include roadside assistance, and the company running it asks where to take the car. IMC, one of the companies that run it, says it tows the vehicle to the garage of the customer's choice. If your policy lets you choose, name Active Auto Workshop before the truck leaves, so the car comes straight to us. If you have no roadside cover, our own tow truck brings the car in from anywhere in Dubai in workshop hours, free when we do the repair.
Sources: IMC — Roadside assistance: towing to the garage of the customer's choice
Will the insurer pay the whole bill?
Not always. Watania's FAQ says its surveyors work with your repairer to bring the estimate down to the level of its recommended repairers, or offer a cash settlement equal to the lowest estimate from them. If the insurer's amount is below the agreed repair, the difference is yours to pay, and you are told what it is before any work starts.
Sources: Watania — FAQs, motor claims
Which insurers does Active Auto repair for?
Active Auto repairs cars under claims with five insurers, and each has its own page on how a claim runs with that insurer: Al Sagr Insurance claim repair, Adamjee Insurance claim repair, Dubai Insurance claim repair, Union Insurance claim repair and Orient Insurance claim repair. For any other insurer, the policy has to let you choose the garage.
What Active Auto does for such a claim
Send your policy schedule, the claim reference if you have one, and photos of the damage on WhatsApp. We prepare the estimate the insurer asks for — parts, labour, paint and materials, with photos — and follow the approval. If the car cannot be driven, our own tow truck brings it to the workshop from anywhere in Dubai in workshop hours, free when we do the repair.
Check whether your policy lets you choose
Send the policy schedule, your insurer's name and photos of the damage on WhatsApp. We tell you what the insurer will need and prepare the estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have an agreement with Watania or Emirates Insurance?
No. We work directly with Al Sagr, Adamjee, Dubai Insurance, Union and Orient. With another insurer, the repair goes ahead when your policy lets you choose the garage and the insurer approves our estimate.
How long does the insurer take to approve?
Watania says the repairs are authorised within two working days of receiving the estimate and photos. For other insurers, ask them; it is set by the insurer, not the workshop.
What if my insurer chooses the garage?
Then the insurer's choice decides where the car is repaired. If it is one of the insurers we work with, ask it to confirm Active Auto for your claim before the car is moved.