Dubai: Have you ever returned to your car at a parking lot, only to find it scratched or dented? The experience may be frustrating, but the process to report it to the authorities is simple, fast, and can be done right through your phone.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to file an Unknown Accident Report with the authorities in the UAE.

What is an Unknown Accident Report?

When you're in a minor accident, you are likely able to reach out to the other motorist, to sort out reporting formalities and insurance claim procedures. However, in cases where the responsible motorist is absent, or the reason for the accident is undetermined, the incident is classified as an ‘unknown accident’ by the authorities.

As per UAE law, any kind of car accident must be reported, regardless of its intensity. According to the Dubai Police website, you cannot proceed with getting your vehicle repaired without a police report, as insurance companies will not cover repair costs without this report.

Should I call the police for unknown accidents?

When you are involved in a severe accident, where there is significant damage or injury, it’s important to dial 999 immediately and alert the authorities, according to Dubai Police's website.

For non-emergencies, like scrapes and minor dents, there are many other ways to report the incident to the authorities, from smartphone apps to petrol station services.

How to report an unknown accident

The method of reporting an accident changes, depending on which emirate the incident occurred in. Here are the most common ways:

Dubai

Dubai Police app or website: Raise the complaint with Dubai Police via their website, dubaipolice.gov.ae, or the Dubai Police app, which is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Follow these steps to report it via the Dubai Police app:

  • Navigate to the ‘Services’ section and select ‘Unknown Accident Report’ option. Tap on ‘Proceed’.
  • Enter the accident details, and your personal information, including vehicle plate number, licence number, mobile phone number and email (optional).
  • Upload photographic evidence of the damage. Next, tap ‘Submit’.
  • You will receive a confirmation, as well as an accident report that you can use when submitting your insurance claim.

In order to file the report on Dubai Police’s website, it’s a similar process. Note that if you're accessing it via your mobile phone, you may be redirected to the Dubai Police app, or urged to download the app instead.

Follow these steps to file the report via the Dubai Police website:

  • Visit dubaipolice.gov.ae. Log in with your UAE PASS.
  • Navigate to ‘Traffic Services’ and select ‘Unknown Accident’.
  • Fill in your personal and vehicle details, including your vehicle plate number, licence number, mobile phone number and email (optional).
  • Upload photographs of the damage to your vehicle. Pay the fees and click ‘Submit’.
  • You will receive a confirmation, as well as the official accident report for your insurance claim.

Cost: Dh420

Petrol stations: In Dubai, you also have the flexibility of visiting the nearest ENOC, ADNOC or Emarat petrol station, where a station attendant can help you report the accident.

Called ‘On the Go’, the convenient service involves staff gathering the motorist’s documents, taking pictures of the vehicle damage, reporting the accident, and issuing a hard copy of the accident report needed to process the insurance claim. All you have to do is bring your car to them, so they can complete the process.

Cost: Dh420

Abu Dhabi

If the accident occurred in Abu Dhabi, use the SAEED app, the emirate’s official smartphone app for traffic, parking, and inspection services. Follow these steps to do so:

  • Download the SAEED app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
  • Select ‘Report’. Verify your identity by entering your mobile number and the one-time password (OTP) sent to your phone.
  • Allow location access on your phone so the app is able to identify the accident area.
  • Under ‘Accident Type’, select ‘Unknown’.
  • Upload the requisite documents: your driving licence (front and back), Emirates ID (front and back), vehicle registration card or Mulkiya (front and back), and vehicle plate number.
  • Upload pictures clearly showing the damage on your vehicle. Then select ‘Done’.
  • You will receive an SMS confirmation, and the accident report for insurance claims, once the details have been submitted.

Cost: Dh400

Sharjah

In Sharjah, Rafid is the official smartphone app that handles minor accident reporting, as well as other vehicle-related services, such as inspections and registration renewals.

Follow these steps to report an unknown accident via Rafid:

  • Download the Rafid app via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
  • Enter your mobile number. In order to verify your identity, enter the OTP you receive via SMS.
  • Next, tap on ‘Accident Reporting’ and select ‘Report Unknown Accident’.
  • Add your vehicle details, including your vehicle number plate and source.
  • Enter your personal details, including your date of birth, nationality, mobile number and email address.
  • Input the accident location and share details on how the accident occurred.
  • Now, upload the requisite documents: your driving licence (front and back), Emirates ID (front and back), vehicle registration card or Mulkiya (front and back), and vehicle plate number.
  • Upload photographic evidence of the damage and select ‘Next’. You will receive an official accident report within 48 hours.

Cost: Dh400

Other emirates

For other emirates – Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah or Ras Al Khaimah – you can report the accident via the UAE Ministry of Interior (MOI)’s app. Follow these steps to do so:

  • Download the MOI UAE app via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Log in using your UAE PASS.
  • Navigate to the ‘Services’ section and select ‘Report Accident Against an Unknown Person’.
  • The app will prompt you with two questions that you will need to answer before proceeding:

Did anyone get injured? If so, you must immediately call 999.

Can you move your vehicle off the road? If not, a report will be automatically filed.

If your answer is ‘no’ to both questions, you can proceed with filing the report.

  • Fill in the accident information, including the location where it occurred, your vehicle details, whether you were driving at the time, and whether you were at fault for the accident.
  • Upload photographs of your driving licence, Emirates ID, and vehicle registration card or Mulkiya, as well as photographs of the damage.
  • Click ‘Submit’ to complete the process.

You will receive a report number, and the accident report will be accessible via the app.

Cost: Dh400