Comprehensive Car Insurance in Kuwait: What the New Rules Mean for Your Policy and Your Claim

The Insurance Regulatory Unit (IRU) has issued Decision No. 53 of 2026 on the rules for issuing comprehensive motor insurance, alongside Decision No. 52 of 2026, which rebuilds the way insurance complaints are filed and decided. Both were signed on 9 November 2026, took effect the same day, and are published in Kuwait Al-Youm Issue 1817 of 15 November 2026 (pages 31 to 42).

Why this matters

Most disputes between car owners and insurers come down to a handful of questions: what the car was worth, whether a scratch was there before, which garage does the repair, and what the deductible really is. Decision 53 answers each of them in writing and, in most cases, in the policyholder's favour. Decision 52 then gives a faster route when an insurer does not play by those rules. Anyone who owns a car, runs a company fleet, or leases or finances vehicles will feel the change at the next renewal.

1. The value written on your policy is the value that counts

Article 6 requires the insurer to fix the car's fair market value when the policy is issued, using a documented method: the purchase invoice, the average of three quotes from experienced valuers, or a letter from the authorised dealer. Once that value is agreed and written into the policy, neither side can challenge it later unless there was fraud, a material mistake or false information. Most importantly, the insurer may not re-value the car after an accident, or argue that its market value had dropped by then, if doing so would cut the payout. The premium must also be priced on that same agreed value (Article 5(4)). This closes off one of the most common complaints in the market.

2. A pre-cover inspection now protects you too

Before issuing a comprehensive policy, the insurer must physically inspect and photograph the car, record any existing damage in a dated written report, show it to you and give you a copy, and obtain your signature or electronic approval (Article 7). The report becomes part of the policy. The insurer cannot later rely on damage noted in that report to refuse or reduce a claim for new damage unless the exclusion is spelled out in the schedule or special conditions you saw before signing. If the insurer skipped the inspection, it cannot use that gap against you later unless there was fraud or deliberate concealment. Buying through a broker or agent does not shift this responsibility away from the insurer.

3. Agency repair or approved garage: the policy must say which

Article 8 requires the policy to state clearly whether repairs are done at the brand's authorised agency or at an approved workshop. Where it says agency, the agency's technical report decides between repair and replacement, unless the insurer shows clear exaggeration or error in a reasoned technical report. Where it says workshop, you must be shown the insurer's list of approved, contracted garages, and the car may only be sent to a workshop that meets the official definition. Towing, storage and similar charges cannot be passed to you unless the delay was your fault and you were warned in writing and given reasonable time to fix it.

4. No hidden deductibles or fees

Every deductible must be set out in the policy schedule by type of claim: multi-party accidents, single-party accidents (hitting a wall, overturning, fire or theft, for example) and windscreen replacement among them (Article 9). Any deductible, percentage or fee that is not written in the schedule or special conditions you saw before signing may not be charged, whatever it is called. Article 11 adds a useful twist for total losses. If a single-party accident writes off the car, the insurer deducts your share and keeps the wreck, it must pay you that same percentage of the wreck's value or sale proceeds.

5. Claims, cancellation, fleets and financed cars

The insurer must accept and log every claim, give you a dated receipt with a claim number, ask for all documents at once where possible, and give written reasons for any full or partial rejection (Article 10). If the insurer cancels the policy, it must give reasons and refund the premium for the remaining days without deducting claims paid, and it stays on cover during the notice period (Article 12). A policy required by another authority cannot be cancelled without that authority's prior written approval. Fleet policies need at least three vehicles, with a separate policy for each car (Article 13). For leased or financed cars, the policy must match the financier's insurance requirements and name the financier as an interested party (Article 14).

6. A QR code on every policy, and a firm ban on side payments

After 90 days from publication, so from about 13 February 2027, no comprehensive policy may be issued without a secure QR code that lets you check its status, value, cover, deductibles and endorsements on the insurer's official website (Article 15 and Annex 1). Stickers and stamps on the code are banned. Article 16 also bars insurers, their staff and related parties from giving or taking commissions, gifts or benefits not written into their contracts.

7. The new complaints route

Decision 52 replaces Decision No. 1 of 2022 and Decision No. 6 of 2023. Complaints now go only through the IRU's online system, logged in through Hawyti. The insurer must give a final, reasoned answer within 3 working days (Article 4(5)). If you are unhappy, you may escalate to the IRU's Complaints Committee after 7 days and within 30 days of filing; otherwise the complaint closes automatically (Article 5). The Committee's decisions are binding, and either side may appeal to the Grievances Committee within 30 working days (Article 11). An insurer with 15 upheld complaints in a calendar year faces legal liability (Article 13), and the IRU may impose an administrative fine for each escalated complaint the insurer mishandled (Article 14). If an insurer simply refuses to pay a final court judgment, you may also complain, provided an enforcement file was opened and at least a month has passed since service (Annex 1).

Two points need care. Article 2 of Decision 53 says the new rules do not affect rights and obligations under policies issued before 9 November 2026, so existing policies run on their own terms until renewal. And the 3-working-day deadline for insurers is very short; in practice, expect the IRU to read it as the time for a full response once the file is complete.

WEFAQ's view: at your next renewal, ask for the inspection report, check that the agreed value, repair route and every deductible are written in the schedule, and keep a copy. Fleet operators, leasing companies and car-rental offices should review their master agreements now. If a claim is refused or delayed, put the dispute through the IRU system within the 30-day window; WEFAQ advises insurers and policyholders on both sides of these disputes.

•   •   •

Source: Insurance Regulatory Unit Decision No. 53 of 2026 on the rules for issuing comprehensive motor insurance and Decision No. 52 of 2026 on the complaints mechanism; Kuwait Al-Youm Issue 1817, pages 31 to 42, dated 15 November 2026.

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact WEFAQ Law Firm.