What do you need to show, and what should you check on it?
A certificate of insurance is the proof a free zone, landlord or permit office asks for. DMCC takes it through its member portal and will not renew a licence without active cover. Check the insurer is licensed and the limit, period and wording match what was asked.
Who will ask you for proof of cover?
Your free zone, your landlord and any permit office that requires the insurance. DMCC asks every company that must hold third-party liability insurance to submit the policy details through the “Apply for Insurance” request on its member portal.1 Jafza has an “Insurance status update” request for the same purpose.2 DWTC can ask for a copy of the policy or certificate.3 RAKEZ asks for a copy of each construction policy before building works start.4
What happens if your cover lapses?
At DMCC, a company with an invalid third-party liability policy has its portal account sanctioned until valid details are submitted, and its licence cannot be renewed.1 A Dubai construction permit policy cannot be cancelled or changed during its validity without approval.5
Set a reminder a month before your policy ends and send the renewed certificate as soon as you have it.
What should you check before you send it?
That it answers what was asked. Use the certificate checklist for the points each authority sets.
| Check | Who asks |
|---|---|
| The insurer is on the Central Bank of the UAE register | The Central Bank publishes the register of licensed insurers |
| The limit applies to each occurrence, with no limit on the number of occurrences | DWTC free zone |
| The limit meets the published minimum | DWTC, landlords and fit-out manuals |
| For construction, alterations or additions, the period runs to one year after the completion certificate | Dubai construction permits |
| Your fit-out contractor gives the landlord evidence of its policies | Dubai South fit-out manual |
How do you check the insurer is licensed?
Look for its name on the Central Bank of the UAE register. The register lists each licensed insurance company with its number and whether it is national or foreign.6 If the name on your certificate is not on it, call the company on the number on its own website before you send the certificate.
The small print
- DMCC. Companies in business centre or flexi desk units do not need third-party liability insurance. A company that moves to one of those units no longer has to submit a policy.1
- Jafza. Third-party liability applies to offices, plots, warehouses, showrooms and workstations. Fire insurance is required for plots.2
- Dubai South. Tenants must make sure their fit-out contractors give Dubai South evidence that the policies are in place.7
Sources
7
1DMCC, Application guideline, Apply for Insurance. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Application guideline, Apply for Insurance
2Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), Insurance Document Update. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Insurance Document Update
3Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, Free Zone Rules and Regulations, version 15. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Free Zone Rules and Regulations, version 15
4Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), RAKEZ Authority Operating Rules of 2023. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: RAKEZ Authority Operating Rules of 2023
5Government of Dubai, Supreme Legislation Committee, Executive Council Resolution No. (28) of 2022 Concerning the Insurance Policy Required for Issuing Permits for Construction Works. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Executive Council Resolution No. (28) of 2022 Concerning the Insurance Policy Required for Issuing Permits for Construction Works
6Central Bank of the UAE, CB Register September of 2026. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: CB Register September of 2026
7Dubai South, Tenant Fit-Out Manual, version 1.3, January 2017. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Tenant Fit-Out Manual, version 1.3
- Owner
- Publicliabilityinsurance.ae research team
- Last review
- Next review due
- 11 May 2027
- Status
- Published