How long does an insurer have to settle a claim in the UAE?

There is no single universal number that fits every claim, because settlement timelines in the UAE depend on the type of insurance, the complexity of the claim, whether documents are complete, and your policy's own terms. As a general expectation, insurers are required to handle claims fairly and without undue delay, and your policy wording and the insurer's service standards should indicate the timeframe for acknowledging, assessing, and deciding a claim. The best approach is to check your policy document and any service commitments, then ask the insurer in writing for their expected timeline and the reason for any delay. Keep a dated record of when you submitted each document, since incomplete paperwork is a frequent cause of hold-ups. If the insurer is unreasonably slow or unresponsive, submit a formal complaint and request a written response; you can then escalate to the Central Bank of the UAE and its ombudsman, Sanadak. Confirm any specific regulatory handling periods through the regulator's official channels, as these are set by the supervisor and updated periodically. If delay is causing real harm, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI for advice.