Public liability insurance in the UAE
No general public liability duty for mainland companies has been identified. Named Dubai activities, one Abu Dhabi manual and several free zones do state one, with limits of AED 1,000,000 in DMCC and AED 500,000 or AED 1,000,000 by headcount in DWTC and Jafza.
Does your company have to hold public liability insurance?
No general public liability duty for mainland companies has been identified. The conditions found attach to named activities, permits and free zones. Civil law makes you liable for harm you cause, and the articles read do not require a policy.
One business setup guide of 18 September 2026 says cover is not required unless a landlord or free zone asks. One broker page says many free zone authorities now require it, without naming a zone or rule.
Ask the authority that licenses your activity whether it states a condition.
Which Dubai and Abu Dhabi activities carry a stated condition?
Dubai activities carry most of the stated conditions. Abu Dhabi has one manual covering two event types.
| Who | Trigger | What the text adds |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai contractors | Applying for a construction permit | Buildings, alteration or addition works of 300 square metres or more, demolition, shoring, other works set by Dubai Municipality. For buildings, from permit issue until one year after the Certificate of Completion. The policy replaces security deposits |
| Dubai vessel owners | Issue, renewal or variation of a vessel licence | Insurer licensed in the UAE as a vessel insurance provider. Relevant insurance is set by the authority |
| Dubai commercial maritime operators | Conducting the activity under a permit | Appropriate third party liability. Appropriate is not defined in the Resolution |
| Dubai sports establishments | Permit application | Covers damage from sports activities. Art 6(b) lets the Council issue a permit where not all requirements are met, with a grace period. The definition of Sports Establishment lists Physical Fitness Centres |
| Dubai sports event organisers | Organising a sports event | Covers damage to third parties. Apart from an unconfirmed drone rule on indoor events, it is the only Dubai event insurance clause found |
| Dubai driving instruction establishments | Holding the permit | Valid throughout the permit. Fine schedule item 17 shows AED 5,000 |
| Dubai management entities of jointly owned property | Managing the property | Insure the building and against liability to occupants and third parties. The duty sits on the management entity, not on unit owners |
| Abu Dhabi events | Permit with rides and games, or consumer exhibition | The manual asks for insurance covering the event and area, or insurance for the exhibition. It does not say third party. Other event types do not state insurance |
Check the permit conditions for your activity before you apply.
Which free zones set a public liability condition, and at what limit?
DMCC, DWTC and Jafza state a limit. The other zones leave the limit to the authority or state none.
| Zone | Who it applies to | Limit stated | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMCC | Physical unit other than a business centre or flexi desk | AED 1,000,000 minimum | Renewal FAQ Q28, Q30, Q31 and application guideline |
| DWTC | Licensee | AED 500,000 up to 19 employees. AED 1,000,000 for 20 or more. Per occurrence, no limit on occurrences | DWTCA Free Zone Rules, Rule 10.2 |
| Jafza | Jafza customer | AED 500,000 up to 19 employees. AED 1,000,000 for 20 or more. Per occurrence, no limit on occurrences | Jafza Rules, Ninth Edition, Rule 10.2.2 |
| Jafza, service guide | Offices, plots, warehouses, showrooms, workstations | None in the guide | Services guide, 26 April 2024 |
| Shams | Every employer: a company, branch or licensee that employs employees | None stated | Employment Regulations 2023, Reg 31.2 |
| Masdar City | Licensee | None stated | Employment Regulations, Regs 11.1 to 11.3 |
| RAKEZ | Before Building Works | Prescribed by the Authority | Operating Rules, Rule 15.1 |
| Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone | Licensee | None stated. Follows the employee sponsorship agreement | Employment Regulations 2004, Reg 12.1 |
| KEZAD | Every licensee | None stated. Follows the personnel sponsorship agreement | Employment Regulations, December 2011, Reg 6.1(a) |
| Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone | All licensees | As advised by the Authority | Rules and Regulations, Reg 12.8 to 12.9 |
| International Humanitarian City | Humanitarian organisations and commercial entities | None stated. Values apply per single occurrence | Regulations, Art 37 and Art 40 |
In DMCC, the licence cannot be renewed if the insurance is not active at renewal.1 Ask your free zone for the limit that applies to your unit.
Do events and malls need a liability certificate?
The primary text identified covers Dubai sports events and two Abu Dhabi event types only.
One broker page says DET and DCT require liability certificates for all permits, and that major malls typically require a minimum AED 10 million limit. It gives no source.
Ask the landlord for the current lease or tenant manual before you assume a limit.
Does your lease or contract ask for it?
A lease or contract can require liability cover even where no licence rule does. The DAFZ standard lease requires third party liability in joint names with the landlord (clause 5.6).2 A filed KIZAD Logistics Park lease has the tenant insure civil liability (clause 21.1).3 Air Products UAE’s purchase terms name public and product liability among seller covers, during the contract and for 12 months after, and add the buyer as additional insured (clauses 10.1 and 10.2).4 It is not known how common such clauses are.
Check the insurance clause in your lease or contract before you sign.
How long can someone claim for harm?
A claim for a harmful act is not admissible 3 years after the injured party knew of the damage and the person responsible, and in all cases 15 years after the act (Art 258).5 Art 246 makes every act causing harm oblige its perpetrator to compensate. A condition exempting or mitigating liability for a harmful act is void (Art 257).
Evidence table
| Article | What the text says |
|---|---|
| Art 245(1) | The harmful act chapter applies to natural and legal persons, subject to special legislation |
| Art 246 | Every act causing harm obliges its perpetrator to compensate. Replaces old Art 282 |
| Art 247 | Direct harm needs no further condition. Harm by causation needs transgression, intent, or that the act led to the harm |
| Art 254, Art 255 | Liability includes moral harm. Compensation covers loss suffered and lost profit that is a natural consequence of the act |
| Art 257 | A condition exempting or mitigating liability for a harmful act is void |
| Art 258 | No claim 3 years after the injured party knew of the damage and the person responsible, and in all cases 15 years after the act |
| Art 266, Art 267 | A principal is liable for harm by a subordinate in or because of their duty, with recourse against the person who caused it |
| Art 268 to Art 271 | Liability of the guardian of things. Art 270 covers building collapse. Art 271 covers things needing special care and mechanical machinery |
When can you claim on a liability policy?
The insurer’s obligation under civil liability insurance arises only when the injured party asserts a claim against the beneficiary (Art 965). A policy may exempt the insurer if the beneficiary admits liability or pays the injured party without the insurer’s consent, except where the admission is limited to a material fact or the payment served the insurer (Art 959). Claims under an insurance contract are not admissible after 3 years from the event, with exceptions that run the period from knowledge or from third-party recourse (Art 966).5
Check the admission and payment terms in your policy before you speak to a claimant.
The small print
Civil Transactions Law numbering. Federal Law 5 of 1985 is repealed, and the Civil Transactions Law replaced its article numbers on 1 June 2026. Pages citing Art 282 use the old code. The general harm rule is now Art 246.5
Dubai contractors. The English text of the Dubai construction resolution is a translation, and the Arabic prevails.6
DMCC sources. FAQ Q28 says all member companies, and Q29 says a flexi desk or serviced office is usually covered by the service provider, with a copy of that insurance required.7 The guideline excepts business centre and flexi desk units.1 The Help Centre excepts DMCC and non-DMCC business centres.8 DMCC’s licensing rules and company regulations contain the word insurance 0 times. The requirement rests on the renewal FAQ and the application guideline. Ask DMCC for the position on a given unit.
Jafza. The service guide lists premises types with no limit.9 The limits come from the Ninth Edition rules, an official PDF on jafza.ae dated 22 March 2023.10 Rule 10.2.1 ties the policies to employees under the personnel sponsorship agreement. The text does not state whether that employee link applies to the third party liability limits in Rule 10.2.2. The Jafza rules page lists that edition.11
Shams. The 2023 regulations apply to an employer, defined as a company, branch or licensee that employs employees. The 2017 regulations say every company or branch, with no employee trigger.1213 Both are kept.
DWTC. The cover is per occurrence with no limit on the number of occurrences. Appendix 2 lists a Rule 10 exemption for existing lessees of Dubai World Trade Centre LLC, for a period dated from 24 November 2015.14
Dubai South and Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone. Dubai South’s 2025 rules (35.1, 35.2) say entities with physical premises hold third-party liability. The file is not matched to an official Dubai South page, so ask Dubai South.15 The Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone text dates from 2004.16
DIFC and ADGM. The DIFC Operating Regulations contain no third party liability term for ordinary companies.17
Market figures. The Central Bank report does not show liability separately. Table 2A puts property and liability together at AED 30.0 billion for 2025, a total covering fire, marine and aviation, motor, engineering, Other and an AED 5.7 million reinsurance row. Table 1A labels AED 63.5 billion as property and liability, and that total includes health. Other wrote AED 6,507.3 million in 2025 and AED 5,588.5 million in 2024, with incurred claims of AED 1,105.3 million and paid claims of AED 1,096.6 million in 2025. The tables do not define what Other contains, so its share of liability is not known.18
Before you speak to a broker
Public liability insurance in the UAE
When the question comes up
What a broker may ask you
Nothing you tick here is saved or sent.
The rules in full
Definition Insurance against a business's civil liability to third parties for injury or property damage. Authority rules use third party liability and public liability for the same cover.
Key facts
- DMCC minimum limit7Business centre and flexi desk units are excepted.
- AED 1,000,000
- DWTC and Jafza limits14AED 500,000 up to 19 employees, AED 1,000,000 for 20 or more. Per occurrence.
- AED 500,000 or AED 1,000,000
- Time limit for a harmful act claim5From knowledge of the damage and the person responsible. 15 years from the act in all cases. Art 258.
- 3 years
- General duty for mainland companies5The conditions found attach to named activities, permits and zones.
- None identified
What the evidence supports
- Dubai contractors: permit policy covers the works and civil liability to third parties6Executive Council Resolution 28 of 2022, Art 2, Art 6. Reaches free zones such as DIFC. The English text is a translation.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Dubai vessels: licence policy must not limit full civil liability19Executive Council Resolution 11 of 2013, Art 20 to Art 22. Valid for the licence term plus 30 days.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Dubai commercial maritime operators: third party liability for damage from the vessel20Administrative Resolution 1 of 2025, Art 5(7). No limit stated.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Dubai sports establishments and sports events: damage policy21Executive Council Resolution 1 of 2020, Art 6(a)(6), Art 7(a)(8).Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Dubai driving instruction establishments: policy indemnifying third parties22Executive Council Resolution 38 of 2018, as amended by Resolution 2 of 2026, Art 8 item 15.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Dubai jointly owned property: management entity insures against liability to occupants and third parties23Law 6 of 2019, Art 41. The duty sits on the management entity, not on unit owners.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Abu Dhabi events with rides and games, and consumer exhibitions24DCT Licensing Manual, Version 1, 2024. An authority manual, not legislation. No limit stated.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- DMCC: third party liability, minimum AED 1,000,0007Authority FAQ and application guideline. Not in the DMCC regulations.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Jafza: third party liability for offices, plots, warehouses, showrooms and workstations9Authority service guide. The guide states no limit.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Jafza: AED 500,000 up to 19 employees, AED 1,000,000 for 20 or more10Jafza Rules, Ninth Edition of 22 March 2023, Rule 10.2.2. Per occurrence, with no limit on occurrences. Jafza may revise the value by notification.Last checked 12 Nov 2026
- DWTC free zone: AED 500,000 up to 19 employees, AED 1,000,000 for 20 or more14Rule 10.2. Not Business Operating Permit holders. Appendix 2 lists a Rule 10 exemption for existing lessees of Dubai World Trade Centre LLC, for a period dated from 24 November 2015.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Shams: every employer holds third party or public liability122023 Employment Regulations, Reg 31.2. Employer means a company, branch or licensee that employs employees. The 2017 regulations (Regs 21.2 to 21.4) say every company or branch. No limits stated.Last checked 12 Nov 2026
- Masdar City Free Zone: licensees hold third-party or public liability25Regs 11.1 to 11.3. No limits stated.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- RAKEZ: public and third party liability before Building Works26Rule 15.1. Limits are prescribed by the Authority. Ask RAKEZ for the amounts.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone licensees: third party or public liability per the employee sponsorship agreement16Employment Regulations 2004, Reg 12.1, linked from the Dubai Development Authority laws and regulations page. No limit stated.Last checked 12 Nov 2026
- KEZAD (Abu Dhabi Ports Company free zone): every licensee holds third party or public liability per the personnel sponsorship agreement28Employment Regulations, December 2011, Reg 6.1(a). No limit stated.Last checked 12 Nov 2026
- Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone: all licensees hold third party or public liability29Rules and Regulations, March 2015, Reg 12.8 to 12.9. Limits are advised by the Authority. A copy and the insurer's certificate are lodged, with 30 days notice of expiry.Last checked 12 Nov 2026
- International Humanitarian City: humanitarian organisations and commercial entities hold third party or public liability30Regulations in force 1 January 2019, Art 37, Art 40. Evidence is due within 60 working days of the first licence, lease or sponsorship agreement. No limit stated, and values apply per single occurrence.Last checked 12 Nov 2026
- Air Products UAE purchase terms: public and product liability, as appropriate4Clause 10.1, during the contract and for 12 months after. Clause 10.2 adds the buyer as additional insured. One buyer's terms. It is not known how common such clauses are.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- DAFZ standard lease: third party liability in joint names with the landlord2Clause 5.6. Package tenants differ under Section 6. A lease term, not a licence rule. It is not known how common such clauses are.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- KIZAD Logistics Park lease: tenant insures civil liability3One filed lease, clause 21.1. Not a zone rule. It is not known how common such clauses are.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Placement with licensed insurers27Art 82 of Decree-Law 6 of 2025 is a placement rule, not a duty to buy. Art 82(4) gives exceptions, including cover not available in the State.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- A general public liability duty for mainland companies5Not established. Civil law Art 245 to Art 271 sets liability, not insurance. Ask the authority that licenses your activity.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Dubai South: entities with physical premises hold third-party liability15Rules 35.1 and 35.2 of the 2025 rules. No limit stated. The file is not matched to an official Dubai South page. Ask Dubai South.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Public liability for all Dubai events21Not established. The Dubai texts cover sports events, and an unconfirmed drone rule covers indoor events. Ask DET.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- A mall tenant limit of AED 10 millionNot established. One broker's claim. Ask the landlord for the current lease or tenant manual.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
- Third party liability for ordinary DIFC or ADGM companies17Not established. The DIFC Operating Regulations have no such term. Ask the ADGM Registration Authority about ADGM.Last checked 4 Nov 2026
Sources
30
1DMCC, Apply for Insurance Application Guideline V1, Issued 9 May 2023. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Apply for Insurance Application Guideline V1
2Dubai Airport Freezone Authority, DAFZ Standard Leasing Terms and Conditions 2025. Section 2 clause 5.6, Section 6 clause 6.4. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: DAFZ Standard Leasing Terms and Conditions 2025
3US Securities and Exchange Commission, Warehouse and Plot Lease, KIZAD Logistics Park, filed as an exhibit. Clause 21.1. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Warehouse and Plot Lease, KIZAD Logistics Park, filed as an exhibit
4Air Products, General Terms and Conditions of Purchase (UAE). Clauses 10.1, 10.2. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: General Terms and Conditions of Purchase (UAE)
5UAE Federal Government, Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, Civil Transactions Law. Art 245 to Art 271, Art 959, Art 965, Art 966. Effective 1 Jun 2026. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, Civil Transactions Law
6Supreme Legislation Committee, Dubai, Executive Council Resolution No. 28 of 2022 Concerning the Insurance Policy Required for Licensing Construction Works. Art 2, Art 4, Art 5, Art 6, Art 10. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Executive Council Resolution No. 28 of 2022 Concerning the Insurance Policy Required for Licensing Construction Works
7DMCC, Licence Renewal FAQs. Q28, Q29, Q30, Q31. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Licence Renewal FAQs
8DMCC, What licences are mandated to obtain a Third-Party Liability insurance policy?. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: What licences are mandated to obtain a Third-Party Liability insurance policy?
9Jafza, Services Guidebook, Insurance Document Update. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Services Guidebook, Insurance Document Update
10Jafza, Jebel Ali Free Zone Rules, Ninth Edition. Rules 10.2.1 to 10.2.4. Effective 22 Mar 2023. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Jebel Ali Free Zone Rules, Ninth Edition
11Jafza, Rules and Regulations at Jafza. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Rules and Regulations at Jafza
12Sharjah Media City Free Zone Authority, Shams Employment Regulations 2023. Regs 31.2 to 31.4. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Shams Employment Regulations 2023
13Sharjah Media City Free Zone Authority, Employment Regulations 2017. Regs 21.2 to 21.4. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Employment Regulations 2017
14Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, DWTCA Free Zone Rules and Regulations, V15. Rule 10.2. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: DWTCA Free Zone Rules and Regulations
15Dubai South, Dubai South Free Zone Rules 2025, Second Edition. Rules 35.1, 35.2. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Dubai South Free Zone Rules 2025, Second Edition
16Dubai Development Authority, Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Employment Regulations 2004. Regs 12.1 to 12.3. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Employment Regulations 2004
17DIFC Authority, DIFC Operating Regulations, Consolidated Version No. 4. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: DIFC Operating Regulations, Consolidated Version No. 4
18Central Bank of the UAE, Annual Statistical Report for the Insurance Sector of the UAE 2025. Tables 2A, 12A. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Annual Statistical Report for the Insurance Sector of the UAE 2025
19Supreme Legislation Committee, Dubai, Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2013, Implementing Bylaw of Law No. 11 of 2010 Concerning the Licensing of Vessels. Art 20 to Art 22. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2013, Implementing Bylaw of Law No. 11 of 2010 Concerning the Licensing of Vessels
20Dubai Maritime Authority, via Dubai Legal Portal, Administrative Resolution No. 1 of 2025 Regulating Commercial Maritime Activities on Vessels. Art 5(7). Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Administrative Resolution No. 1 of 2025 Regulating Commercial Maritime Activities on Vessels
21Supreme Legislation Committee, Dubai, Executive Council Resolution No. 1 of 2020 Regulating Sports Establishments and Sports Events. Art 6, Art 7. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Executive Council Resolution No. 1 of 2020 Regulating Sports Establishments and Sports Events
22Supreme Legislation Committee, Dubai, Executive Council Resolution No. 2 of 2026 Amending Executive Council Resolution No. 38 of 2018 Regulating the Activity of Driving Instruction. Art 8 item 15. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Executive Council Resolution No. 2 of 2026 Amending Executive Council Resolution No. 38 of 2018 Regulating the Activity of Driving Instruction
23Supreme Legislation Committee, Dubai, Law No. 6 of 2019 Concerning Ownership of Jointly Owned Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai. Art 41. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Law No. 6 of 2019 Concerning Ownership of Jointly Owned Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai
24Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, Licensing Manual, User Guidelines, Version 1, 2024. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Licensing Manual, User Guidelines
25Masdar City Free Zone, Employment Regulations, Version 2.0, March 2026. Regs 11.1 to 11.3. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Employment Regulations
26RAKEZ Authority, RAKEZ Authority Operating Rules of 2023. Rule 15. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: RAKEZ Authority Operating Rules of 2023
27CBUAE Rulebook, Federal Decree-Law No. 6 of 2025 Regarding the Central Bank, Regulation of Financial Institutions and Activities and Insurance Business. Art 82. Effective 16 Sept 2025. Last checked 4 Nov 2026. Source document: Federal Decree-Law No. 6 of 2025 Regarding the Central Bank, Regulation of Financial Institutions and Activities and Insurance Business
28Abu Dhabi Ports Company, ADFZ Employment Regulations, December 2011. Reg 6.1. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: ADFZ Employment Regulations
29Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone Authority, Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone Rules and Regulations, First Edition, March 2015. Reg 12.8 to 12.9. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone Rules and Regulations, First Edition
30International Humanitarian City Authority, International Humanitarian City Regulations. Art 37 to Art 40. Effective 1 Jan 2019. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: International Humanitarian City Regulations
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