Burglary Insurance in the UAE

Burglary Insurance may cover eligible loss of or damage to property declared under the policy following burglary or attempted burglary at the insured premises. Depending on the issued wording, burglary may require visible evidence of violent and forcible entry into or exit from the premises.

The policy does not automatically cover every theft or missing item. The insured property, premises, security arrangements and cause of loss must satisfy the applicable policy requirements. All claims remain subject to the issued schedule, sums insured, deductibles, conditions and exclusions.

What Burglary Insurance May Cover

Depending on the issued policy, cover may apply to:

1. Business stock: Eligible stock and merchandise declared under the policy and kept at the insured premises.
2. Furniture and office contents: Declared furniture, fixtures, equipment and other business contents.
3. Machinery and equipment: Declared machinery or equipment taken or damaged during an insured burglary.
4. Damage caused by intruders: Eligible physical damage to insured property caused during burglary or attempted burglary.
5. Premises damage: Damage to doors, locks, windows or other parts of the premises may be covered when expressly included.

The settlement basis may depend on whether the insured property is covered at replacement value, indemnity value, cost price or another valuation basis stated in the policy. Stock and contents should therefore be insured using accurate and supportable values.

Who May Need Burglary Insurance?

The policy may be relevant to businesses such as:

1. Retail shops and showrooms.
2. Offices and professional premises.
3. Warehouses and storage facilities.
4. Restaurants, cafés and hospitality businesses.
5. Clinics, pharmacies and service providers.
6. Workshops, small factories and commercial units.
7. Property owners or tenants responsible for insured contents.

A tenant should review the lease to determine whether it is responsible for the contents, fixtures, doors, glass or other parts of the premises. Building damage and business contents may require different sections or separate property cover.

Burglary, Robbery and Ordinary Theft

The exact meaning of burglary is determined by the issued policy. Traditional burglary wording commonly requires theft accompanied by violent and forcible entry into or exit from the insured premises.

Robbery involving violence or threat against a person, theft using authorised keys, shoplifting and theft without visible signs of forced entry may be treated differently. These exposures should be declared and are covered only when they fall within the policy wording or an expressly agreed extension.

Important Policy Conditions

1. Declared premises: Cover normally applies only at the addresses listed in the policy schedule.
2. Security protections: Agreed locks, shutters, alarms, CCTV, access controls and guards should remain operational.
3. Keys and access codes: Keys, alarm codes and access devices should be stored and controlled in accordance with policy requirements.
4. Accurate sums insured: Stock, equipment and contents should be insured at values consistent with the selected settlement basis.
5. Stock records: Purchase, sales and inventory records should be maintained to support ownership and the amount of loss.
6. Occupancy: The declared business activity and use of the premises should remain accurate.
7. Material changes: Changes to locations, values, activities, occupancy or security arrangements should be reported.

Underinsurance and Policy Limits

If property is insured for less than the value required by the policy, an average or underinsurance condition may reduce the amount payable for a claim. Separate limits may also apply to stock, equipment, premises damage or particularly attractive items.

Businesses should review their insured values regularly, particularly after purchasing new equipment, increasing stock levels, opening another location or making substantial improvements to the premises.

Unoccupied Premises

Restrictions may apply when premises are vacant, closed or unoccupied beyond the period permitted by the policy. Security protections may also need to remain active during weekends, public holidays or temporary closures.

Extended closure, renovation, relocation or suspension of business operations should be disclosed to the insurer so that any required terms can be agreed.

Common Exclusions and Limitations

Burglary Insurance may exclude or restrict:

1. Theft without forcible entry: Loss without evidence meeting the policy definition of burglary.
2. Employee dishonesty: Theft or fraud committed by an employee, which may require Fidelity Guarantee Insurance.
3. Unexplained disappearance: Missing property where no identifiable insured event can be established.
4. Inventory shortages: Loss discovered only during stocktaking or reconciliation.
5. Money and securities: Cash, cheques and negotiable instruments, which may require Money Insurance.
6. Glass breakage: Damage to fixed glass unless included or insured under Plate Glass Insurance.
7. Property outside the premises: Goods in transit, outdoors or at undeclared locations.
8. Indirect loss: Loss of profit, business interruption, delay or reputational damage unless separately insured.
9. Excluded events: War, confiscation, deliberate acts, sanctions and other exclusions stated in the policy.

What to Do After a Burglary

1. Protect people and avoid entering an unsafe or unsecured area.
2. Notify the police promptly and obtain the relevant police report.
3. Take reasonable steps to prevent further loss or unauthorised access.
4. Notify Al Buhaira Insurance as soon as reasonably possible.
5. Preserve CCTV recordings, alarm logs and access-control records.
6. Photograph damaged doors, locks, windows and affected areas.
7. Prepare a detailed list of stolen or damaged property.
8. Retain purchase invoices, stock records, valuations and repair quotations.
9. Do not dispose of damaged property before inspection unless necessary for safety.

How to Request a Quotation

Businesses can submit initial information through Al Buhaira Insurance’s dedicated Burglary Insurance quotation page. The assessment may consider the business activity, premises, construction, surrounding area, stock and contents values, occupancy, security systems and previous claims.

A quotation does not confirm that insurance has started. Cover begins only after the required information has been reviewed, the offered terms have been accepted and the applicable policy documents have been issued.

Documents Required

The insurer may request documents and information such as:

1. Completed proposal or quotation form
2. Trade licence and company details
3. Property ownership or tenancy documents
4. Insured premises address and occupancy details
5. Building construction and access-point details
6. Stock, equipment and contents schedule
7. Replacement values or purchase invoices
8. CCTV, alarm, locks and shutter details
9. Guarding and access-control arrangements
10. Photographs of the premises and protections
11. Required sums insured and section limits
12. Previous insurance details and claims history

Why Choose Al Buhaira Insurance?

1. Miscellaneous insurance range: Burglary Insurance is available within Al Buhaira Insurance’s miscellaneous insurance products.
2. Dedicated quotation page: Businesses can submit initial premises, property-value and security details online.
3. Premises-based assessment: Quotations can consider the declared property, occupancy, security measures and requested limits.
4. Policy enquiries: Customers can enquire about issued sums insured, deductibles, conditions and extensions.
5. Claims enquiries: Policyholders can report incidents and provide police, security and valuation documents for assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions