Is diya paid by the driver or the insurance company in a fatal UAE accident?

When a death results from a road accident in the UAE, the diya (blood money) owed to the deceased's heirs commonly responds through the at-fault driver's compulsory motor insurance, because the Unified Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy is designed to cover bodily injury and death caused by use of the insured vehicle. This means the insurer typically discharges the diya obligation rather than the driver paying it personally, provided the circumstances fall within the policy's coverage. Diya itself is a court-recognised obligation rooted in Sharia principles and applied through the UAE Penal Code, and it is determined and apportioned among the legal heirs by the court. There are situations that can affect coverage, such as policy exclusions or conduct outside the scope of cover, in which case personal liability may arise. Diya is also separate from any criminal penalty the driver may face and from any additional civil claim the family may bring. Because coverage outcomes depend on the policy and the facts, confirm the position with the insurer and the relevant court, and you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI experienced in fatal-accident matters.