Who insures what in your home?

Pick whether you rent or own, and the kind of home. You see who insures each part and what you need to buy.

Do you rent or own?

I rentI own and live thereI own and let it out

What kind of home is it?

Flat in a shared buildingVilla or townhouse in a managed communityStandalone villa

The structure: The building’s management company insures the structure and common parts. Owners pay through service charges.
Repairs and damage that are not your fault: The landlord, unless the lease says otherwise.
Your belongings: You, on a contents policy.
Damage you cause to the landlord’s fittings: You. Tenant’s liability cover on a contents policy pays this.
Injury or damage you cause to others: You, on the liability section of your home policy.
A hotel if the home is unfit to live in: You, on the alternative accommodation section, after an insured event.

The structure: Your landlord, or the community’s policy if it covers the house.
Repairs and damage that are not your fault: The landlord, unless the lease says otherwise.
Your belongings: You, on a contents policy.
Damage you cause to the landlord’s fittings: You. Tenant’s liability cover on a contents policy pays this.
Injury or damage you cause to others: You, on the liability section of your home policy.
A hotel if the home is unfit to live in: You, on the alternative accommodation section, after an insured event.

The structure: Your landlord.
Repairs and damage that are not your fault: The landlord, unless the lease says otherwise.
Your belongings: You, on a contents policy.
Damage you cause to the landlord’s fittings: You. Tenant’s liability cover on a contents policy pays this.
Injury or damage you cause to others: You, on the liability section of your home policy.
A hotel if the home is unfit to live in: You, on the alternative accommodation section, after an insured event.

The structure: The building’s management company insures the structure and common parts. Owners pay through service charges.
Your kitchen, bathrooms, floors and other fittings: You, unless the building schedule says it covers them.
Your belongings: You, on a contents policy.
Injury or damage you cause to others: You, on the liability section of your home policy.
A mortgage: Banks such as ADCB make property insurance and life cover a condition of the loan.

The structure: Ask the community management company in writing whether its policy covers your house. If it does not, the owner insures it.
Your kitchen, bathrooms, floors and other fittings: You, unless the building schedule says it covers them.
Your belongings: You, on a contents policy.
Injury or damage you cause to others: You, on the liability section of your home policy.
A mortgage: Banks such as ADCB make property insurance and life cover a condition of the loan.

The structure: You, on buildings cover for the full rebuilding cost.
Your kitchen, bathrooms, floors and other fittings: You, unless the building schedule says it covers them.
Your belongings: You, on a contents policy.
Injury or damage you cause to others: You, on the liability section of your home policy.
A mortgage: Banks such as ADCB make property insurance and life cover a condition of the loan.

The structure: The building’s management company insures the structure and common parts. Owners pay through service charges.
Fittings and repairs for your tenant: You. Repairs that are not the tenant’s fault are yours in Dubai.
Your tenant’s belongings: Your tenant.
Injury to others as owner: You, on owner’s liability cover.
Rent lost while the home is repaired: You, on a loss of rent section, after an insured event.
Rent a tenant does not pay: Liva, GIG Gulf and Tokio Marine pay lost rent only after damage, not for a tenant who stops paying.

The structure: Ask the community management company in writing whether its policy covers your house. If it does not, the owner insures it.
Fittings and repairs for your tenant: You. Repairs that are not the tenant’s fault are yours in Dubai.
Your tenant’s belongings: Your tenant.
Injury to others as owner: You, on owner’s liability cover.
Rent lost while the home is repaired: You, on a loss of rent section, after an insured event.
Rent a tenant does not pay: Liva, GIG Gulf and Tokio Marine pay lost rent only after damage, not for a tenant who stops paying.

The structure: You, on buildings cover for the full rebuilding cost.
Fittings and repairs for your tenant: You. Repairs that are not the tenant’s fault are yours in Dubai.
Your tenant’s belongings: Your tenant.
Injury to others as owner: You, on owner’s liability cover.
Rent lost while the home is repaired: You, on a loss of rent section, after an insured event.
Rent a tenant does not pay: Liva, GIG Gulf and Tokio Marine pay lost rent only after damage, not for a tenant who stops paying.

Each answer links to the guide that holds its sources. The full rules for Dubai and Abu Dhabi are on who insures what in a UAE home.

Sources

Law No. (6) of 2019 Concerning Ownership of Jointly Owned Real Property in the Emirate of DubaiSupreme Legislation Committee, Dubai. Issued 4 September 2019. Articles 30, 40 and 41. Read 12 November 2026.
Community AffairsAbu Dhabi Real Estate Centre. Frequently asked questions on jointly owned property. Read 12 November 2026.
Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of DubaiSupreme Legislation Committee, Dubai. Issued 26 November 2007. Articles 16 to 21. Read 12 November 2026.
Home Insurance Policy WordingLiva Insurance. Version 3.0, 15 October 2026. Read 12 November 2026.
Home Comfort, policy handbook and terms and conditionsGIG Gulf. Read 12 November 2026.
Standard Mortgage Home Loans in UAEADCB. Read 12 November 2026.