What insurance should be in place when you rent a yacht, boat or jet ski?

Rent only from an operator licensed by Dubai Maritime Authority (DMA) or Abu Dhabi Maritime, and ask to see the insurance before you set off.¹²

What should you check before you rent a jet ski in Dubai?

DMA published a “Know Your Rights” list for jet ski renters in May 2026. It tells you to:¹

• Rent only from a licensed and permitted operator, not from individuals.
• “Ensure that the jet ski has a valid comprehensive insurance policy before use, to avoid paying any repair costs or compensation beyond the terms agreed upon in the rental agreement.”
• Confirm the rental time, total cost, deposit and any extra fees before you pay, and keep a receipt.
• Hand over copies of your documents, never your original passport.
• After an accident or a dispute, call Dubai Ports Police on 999 and keep photos, videos and receipts.

Rental firms may not rent a jet ski to anyone under 16, must check that renters are fit to ride, and may not let jet skis out after sunset.³ Since March 2026 every rental jet ski must have a tracking and remote control system set to DMA’s speed zones, and must not be rented with a missing or damaged mirror.⁴ Operators must show renters and passengers a safety video.⁵

Read the rental agreement for the deposit and the damage terms, and photograph the jet ski before you ride.

What insurance must a charter or rental firm hold?

In Dubai, a firm licensed to charter vessels must hold a comprehensive policy from a UAE-licensed insurer “to indemnify any damage that may occur to people and property, and for purpose of removal of shipwrecks”.⁶ Every vessel it uses must also be licensed,³ and a licence needs a policy.⁶ Operators renting out vessels that DMA authorises but does not license must “provide an appropriate third party liability insurance”.⁷

In Abu Dhabi, rental craft must be insured “and the extent of the insurance coverage should be explicitly mentioned to the customer”.⁸ The 2017 jet ski decision asks businesses for comprehensive cover on each jet ski, valid for 13 months.⁹

Ask the operator what its policy covers for you as a renter or passenger, and get the answer in writing.

Does a passenger have a claim if something goes wrong?

The insurer’s policy is with the operator, not with you. Federal law says the person who is not insured may not claim directly against the insurer.¹⁰ The same law makes liability insurance compulsory for passenger ships, with the details to come in a Ministry decision.¹⁰

If you are hurt or your property is damaged, report it to the police, keep your evidence, and make your claim against the operator.

What if you rent a jet ski without a licence of your own?

In Abu Dhabi you do not need your own licence to rent from a licensed water sports operator, according to Visit Abu Dhabi. Its answer on renting says you must be at least 16, show ID, complete a safety briefing and wear a life jacket.² The 2017 jet ski decision sets different ages: 18 to ride alone, and 14 to 17 only with a licence holder. No one under 14 may ride.⁹ Ask the operator which age limit it applies.

Renting from an unlicensed operator carries risk for the operator: Dubai fines a firm AED 5,000 for renting out water sports craft without DMA approval and AED 10,000 for chartering a vessel without approval.¹¹ Abu Dhabi fines AED 10,000 for renting a vessel to someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs.¹² In July 2025 Khaleej Times reported 431 jet ski violations and 41 seizures in one Dubai inspection campaign.¹³

Wear the life jacket you are given. Riding without one is fined in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as set out in boat and jet ski fines.

Does your own boat policy let you charter it out?

Usually not without the insurer’s agreement. The Institute Yacht Clauses in Sukoon’s and Arabia Insurance’s wordings warrant that the yacht is used “solely for private pleasure purposes and not for hire charter or reward”, unless agreed.¹⁴¹⁵ GIG Gulf’s Sail Master handbook says you are not insured for any claim while the boat is used for hire or charter, unless the insurer agrees by endorsement.¹⁶ More on this is in what boat insurance covers and policy warranties.

Tell your insurer before you rent your boat to anyone, and get the change in writing.

The small print

• Dubai. The charter firm insurance rule is Article 41(2) of Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2013.⁶ Charter permits are regulated by Administrative Resolution No. 4 of 2021, which asks for a commercial licence, a site plan and a berth lease.¹⁷ The third-party liability duty is Article 5(7) of Administrative Resolution No. 1 of 2025.⁷ The rental and charter fines are items 46 and 94 of Schedule 2 of Executive Council Resolution No. 9 of 2020.¹¹ DMA’s permit fees for renting activities are on its service page.³
• Federal law. Direct claims against an insurer are barred by Article 336(1), and passenger ship liability insurance is Article 334 of Federal Decree-Law No. 43 of 2023.¹⁰
• Abu Dhabi. The disclosure duty is section 14.2 of the Department’s code.⁸ The fine is item 24 of the schedule to Administrative Decision No. 69 of 2025.¹²