Plate Glass Insurance in the UAE

Plate Glass Insurance may cover eligible accidental breakage of fixed glass declared in the policy schedule. It may be relevant to businesses with large windows, glazed doors, shopfronts, display panels or other glass installations at their premises.

Cover applies only to the glass, locations and values accepted by the insurer. Every claim remains subject to the issued policy wording, schedule, limits, deductibles, conditions and exclusions.

What Plate Glass Insurance May Cover

Depending on the issued policy, cover may apply to:

1. Shopfront glass: Fixed glass panels installed at declared retail shops and showrooms.
2. Office glass: Declared glazed doors, windows and fixed partitions at insured business premises.
3. Building glass: Fixed panes forming part of the declared building or premises.
4. Replacement costs: Eligible costs of replacing insured glass following accidental breakage.
5. Lettering and decoration: Signs, lettering, tinting or decorative work on the glass when expressly declared and included.

Accidental breakage does not mean that every form of glass damage is covered. The damaged item must be insured, and the cause of loss must fall within the issued policy wording.

Who May Need Plate Glass Insurance?

This insurance may be relevant to:

1. Retail shops and shopping outlets.
2. Vehicle, furniture or product showrooms.
3. Offices with glazed doors or partitions.
4. Restaurants, cafés and hospitality businesses.
5. Clinics, salons and other customer-facing premises.
6. Property owners or tenants responsible for fixed glass under a lease.

The responsibility for insuring glass may rest with the property owner, tenant or another party under the tenancy agreement. Businesses should review their contractual responsibilities before requesting cover.

Important Policy Conditions

1. Declared glass: The type, dimensions, location and value of the insured glass should be accurately recorded where requested.
2. Insured value: Values should reasonably reflect the cost of replacing the glass on the basis required by the policy.
3. Premises: Cover normally applies only at the address stated in the policy schedule.
4. Occupancy: The business activities and use of the premises should be accurately disclosed.
5. Protective measures: Frames, fittings and surrounding structures should be maintained in a suitable condition.
6. Material changes: Changes to the premises, glass installation, occupancy or insured values should be reported to the insurer.

Optional Extensions

Subject to underwriting acceptance, extensions may be considered for lettering, signs, embossing, tinting, alarm foil, temporary boarding or damage to frames and fittings associated with an insured breakage.

These costs are not automatically included. Each extension must be stated in the policy and may have a separate limit, deductible or condition.

Common Exclusions and Limitations

Plate Glass Insurance may exclude or restrict:

1. Scratching and chipping: Surface damage that does not amount to insured breakage.
2. Existing defects: Cracks, defects or damage present before the policy began.
3. Frames and fittings: Damage to frames, supports or surrounding property unless expressly included.
4. Installation work: Breakage while glass is being installed, removed, altered or repaired.
5. Vacant or unoccupied premises: Restrictions may apply when the insured premises are vacant for an extended period.
6. Gradual damage: Deterioration, faulty installation, poor maintenance or defective frames.
7. Excluded events: War, nuclear risks, deliberate acts and other exclusions stated in the issued policy.

What to Do After Glass Breakage

1. Keep people away from the damaged area and remove immediate safety hazards.
2. Take reasonable steps to prevent further damage or unauthorised access.
3. Notify Al Buhaira Insurance as soon as reasonably possible.
4. Take photographs of the damaged glass and surrounding area.
5. Retain replacement quotations, invoices and incident reports.
6. Report malicious damage or burglary to the police where applicable.
7. Do not dispose of evidence before inspection unless required for safety.

How to Request a Quotation

Businesses can submit initial information through Al Buhaira Insurance’s dedicated Plate Glass Insurance quotation page. The quotation may consider the premises, business activity, glass type, dimensions, replacement values, security measures 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
5. Glass schedule with locations and dimensions
6. Glass type and thickness details
7. Replacement values or supplier quotations
8. Photographs of the glass installations
9. Details of lettering, tinting or decorative work
10. Security and protective-measure details
11. Previous insurance details and claims history
12. Landlord or contractual insurance requirements

Why Choose Al Buhaira Insurance?

1. Miscellaneous insurance range: Plate Glass Insurance is available within Al Buhaira Insurance’s miscellaneous insurance products.
2. Dedicated quotation page: Businesses can submit initial premises and glass details online.
3. Premises-based assessment: Quotations can consider the declared glass, replacement values, locations and requested extensions.
4. Policy enquiries: Customers can enquire about issued limits, deductibles, conditions and extensions.
5. Claims enquiries: Policyholders can report breakage and provide supporting documents for assessment under the issued policy.

Frequently Asked Questions