Abu Dhabi Doctor’s Ferrari Insurance Battle Ends Over Procedural Misstep

A high-value insurance dispute involving a Dh1.34 million Ferrari ended in an unexpected setback for an Abu Dhabi doctor, who now faces legal costs after the court rejected his claim on procedural grounds.

The doctor had sued his insurance provider earlier this year, arguing that the company failed to repair his luxury sports car or compensate him for its insured value following a major traffic accident in January. He submitted his insurance policy, vehicle registration and a legal notice as evidence, stating he had made repeated attempts to contact the company for repairs under his comprehensive cover.

Despite being formally notified, the insurance company did not appear in court, prompting proceedings to continue in its absence -- a routine step in UAE civil procedure.

However, the court found that the claimant had overlooked a key requirement under Federal Law No. 48 of 2023, which mandates that all insurance-related disputes be referred first to the UAE Central Bank’s Insurance Dispute Resolution Committee before a lawsuit can be filed. The law also obliges insurers to provide written responses to claims and bars courts from considering cases that bypass this process.

Although the documentation was deemed valid, the court ruled the claim “procedurally premature” and dismissed it. The doctor was ordered to pay court fees, expenses and Dh500 in attorney charges.