Who insures a delivery rider: the employer, the platform or the rider?
A delivery rider can be covered by three parties. The employer pays treatment and wages for a work injury under the labour law. The motorcycle’s motor policy must name delivery use. Platforms such as talabat require their fleet partners to carry accident insurance for riders.
Each covers a different risk. Your employer pays for a work injury under the labour law. The motorcycle’s motor policy pays people you injure, and covers the bike only if it is written for delivery use. A platform may require its fleet partners to insure riders.
| Risk | Who pays | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Your treatment and lost wages after a work injury | Your employer | Labour law, Article 37 |
| Injury or damage you cause to others | The motorcycle’s third-party insurer | Unified third-party policy |
| Damage to the motorcycle | Its comprehensive insurer, if delivery use is on the policy | Unified loss and damage policy |
| Accident cover required by the platform | The fleet partner that employs you, if the platform requires it | Platform terms |
What must your employer pay if you are hurt at work?
Under the federal labour law, if a worker has a work injury the employer must pay for treatment until the worker recovers or is found disabled.1 If the injury stops you working, the employer pays your full wage during treatment for up to six months, then half your wage for up to six more months, or until you recover, are found disabled or die.1 If a work injury causes death, the family receives 24 months of basic wage, at least AED 18,000 and at most AED 200,000.1
You lose the right to compensation if investigations prove you injured yourself on purpose, were under the influence of alcohol or drugs, intentionally broke safety instructions displayed at work, or caused the injury by wilful misconduct.1
Does a private motorcycle policy cover delivery work?
Not if the policy says the bike is for private use. The unified policy covers the use stated on your application. If the bike is used for another purpose and that causes the accident, the third-party insurer still pays the injured person and can then recover the money from you.2 The comprehensive insurer can refuse to pay for your bike.3
GIG Gulf’s private motorcycle wording excludes use “for hire or reward as a courier, dispatch rider, fast food delivery”.4 Al Buhaira says businesses running several motorcycles for delivery or courier work may request a motor fleet arrangement.5 The tariff allows a reduction of up to 30% of the minimum premium for a fleet of five or more motorcycles.6
What do platforms require?
talabat expanded the safety insurance requirements for all its delivery fleet partners in the UAE, Gulf News reported on 29 September 2025. Fleet partners must provide broader accident cover, provision for medical expenses from on-duty incidents, and a clearer claims process.7 The report gives no cover amounts. Ask your fleet company for the policy and its limits.
What does the rider need to hold?
In Dubai a delivery rider needs a motorcycle licence and a Delivery Driver Qualification Certificate, and the delivery company must check both before letting you ride its motorcycle, according to the RTA conditions listed by Drive Dubai.8 From 1 January 2027 federal rules require a valid professional permit, Gulf News reported on 7 November 2026.9 The road rules are on rules for delivery riders.
Ask your employer for a copy of the motor policy schedule and check it lists delivery use.
The small print
- Work injury compensation is Article 37 of Federal Decree by Law No. 33 of 2021, and the exceptions Article 38. A Cabinet resolution defines work injuries and disability compensation.1
- Recourse for undeclared use is Chapter Five (2) of the third-party policy and the exclusion Chapter Four (4) of the loss and damage policy.23
- The fleet reduction is Article 2(5) of Insurance Authority Board Decision No. 30 of 2016.6
Sources
9
1UAE Legislation, Federal Decree by Law No. (33) of 2021 Regulating Labor Relations. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Federal Decree by Law No. (33) of 2021 Regulating Labor Relations
2Central Bank of the UAE Rulebook, The Unified Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy Against Third Party Liability. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: The Unified Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy Against Third Party Liability
3Central Bank of the UAE Rulebook, The Unified Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy Against Loss and Damage. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: The Unified Motor Vehicle Insurance Policy Against Loss and Damage
4GIG Gulf, Motorcycle Terms and Conditions. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Motorcycle Terms and Conditions
5Al Buhaira National Insurance, Bike Insurance. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Bike Insurance
6Central Bank of the UAE Rulebook, Insurance Authority Board of Directors' Decision No. (30) of 2016 Concerning issuing Regulation for Motor Vehicle Insurance Tariffs. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Insurance Authority Board of Directors' Decision No. (30) of 2016 Concerning issuing Regulation for Motor Vehicle Insurance Tariffs
7Gulf News, talabat improves insurance coverage benefits for delivery riders in UAE. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: talabat improves insurance coverage benefits for delivery riders in UAE
8Drive Dubai (RTA-approved driving institute), Motorcycle course. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: Motorcycle course
9Gulf News, UAE delivery riders face new rules in 2027: No backpacks, no passengers. Last checked 12 Nov 2026. Source document: UAE delivery riders face new rules in 2027: No backpacks, no passengers
- Owner
- Bikeinsurance.ae research team
- Last review
- Next review due
- 11 May 2027
- Status
- Published