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Machinery Breakdown (MBD) Insurance
in Dubai & The UAE

What is Machinery Breakdown Insurance? Machinery Breakdown (MBD) Insurance, one of our Commercial Insurance policies, provides financial protection against unexpected mechanical and electrical failures of essential business machinery and equipment. It ensures businesses can recover quickly from breakdowns without incurring heavy financial losses.

With Dubai’s fast-growing industrial and commercial sectors, businesses rely heavily on machinery for operations. A sudden equipment failure can lead to significant repair costs, downtime, and loss of productivity. Machinery Breakdown Insurance helps mitigate these risks by covering repair and replacement costs.

Industries That Commonly Require Machinery Breakdown Insurance

  • Manufacturing & Industrial Plants (factories, production units)
  • Construction Companies (cranes, excavators, heavy equipment)
  • Energy & Utilities Sector (power plants, water treatment facilities)
  • Healthcare & Laboratories (MRI machines, lab equipment)
  • Hospitality & Food Processing (kitchen machinery, refrigeration units)

Difference Between Property All Risk Insurance and Machinery Breakdown Insurance

While both Property All Risk (PAR) Insurance and Machinery Breakdown (MBD) Insurance provide coverage for factory equipment and assets, they serve different purposes:

DifferenceMachinery Breakdown Insurance Property All Risk Insurance
Coverage Covers sudden and unforeseen mechanical or electrical failures of machinery due to internal defects, short-circuits, overloading, operator error, etc.
• Does not cover damage from external events like natural disasters.
Covers physical damage or loss to buildings, machinery, stock, and contents due to external risks like fire, floods, storms, theft, and accidental damage.
• Does not cover internal breakdowns.

Can a Factory Self-Insure to Save Costs?

Some businesses opt for self-insurance instead of purchasing MBD insurance. While this may save on premiums, it carries significant risks:

Advantages of Self-InsuranceDisadvantages of Self-Insurance
Lower Premium Costs: Avoid paying annual insurance premiums.
More Control Over Funds: Business retains money instead of paying an insurer.
Flexibility in Handling Repairs: Can prioritize urgent repairs without insurer involvement.
High Financial Risk: Major breakdowns or disasters can lead to significant losses that might exceed available funds.
No Risk Pooling: Unlike traditional insurance, costs are not shared among multiple businesses.
Regulatory & Compliance Issues: Some lenders or business partners may require mandatory insurance coverage.
Disruptions in Operations: Without coverage, businesses might struggle with costly repairs and extended downtime.

Best Approach for Cost Savings

  • Hybrid Approach: Factories can partially self-insure small, predictable expenses while purchasing MBD insurance for high-cost machinery to prevent major financial losses.
  • Bundled Insurance Plans: Many insurers offer discounts for bundling PAR and MBD insurance into a single policy, ensuring comprehensive protection while managing costs.

Case Studies: When MBD Insurance is Activated

Case Study 1: Manufacturing Plant Machine Failure

  • Incident: A manufacturing plant in Dubai experiences a sudden failure in its CNC machine due to a short circuit.
  • MBD Coverage: Insurance covers repair costs, replacement of damaged electrical components, and labor charges.
  • Business Impact: Factory operations resume within a few days, preventing major financial loss.

Case Study 2: Construction Equipment Breakdown

  • Incident: A tower crane at a construction site suffers a hydraulic failure due to overloading.
  • MBD Coverage: Policy covers replacement of faulty components and crane repair costs.
  • Outcome: Project timelines remain unaffected as the insured company quickly repairs the crane.

Common Exclusions in Machinery Breakdown Insurance

The following are not covered under Machinery Breakdown Insurance:

  • Normal Wear & Tear or Gradual Deterioration: Regular maintenance-related failures are not covered.
  • Pre-existing Faults or Defects in Machinery: Issues present before policy inception are excluded.
  • Damage Due to Natural Disasters: Covered under property or fire insurance policies, not Machinery Breakdown Insurance.
  • Improper Use, Lack of Maintenance, or Negligence: Businesses must ensure proper handling and maintenance of machinery.

Claims Process for Machinery Breakdown Insurance

machinery breakdown insurance claim process

Steps to File a Claim:

  1. Report the Breakdown: Notify the insurer immediately after the incident.
  2. Submit Required Documents: Provide maintenance records, incident reports, and invoices.
  3. Damage Assessment: The insurer inspects the machinery and evaluates repair costs.
  4. Claim Approval & Settlement: If approved, the insurer covers repair/replacement costs as per policy terms.

Machinery Breakdown Insurance FAQs

Machinery Breakdown Insurance is not legally mandatory, but it is highly recommended for industries that rely on expensive machinery.

Yes, Machinery Breakdown Insurance can be bundled with property insurance, business interruption insurance, and general liability policies for full coverage.

Some policies offer coverage for rental or temporary replacement machinery, but this depends on the insurer’s terms.

Most insurers require regular inspections and maintenance records to ensure proper machine upkeep and claim eligibility.

The sum insured is usually based on the replacement cost of the machinery and can be adjusted based on business needs.

Yes, Business Interruption Insurance can be added as an extension to MBD insurance. This covers financial losses due to downtime caused by machinery breakdowns. It helps businesses recover lost revenue while machinery is under repair.

Other Commercial insurance policies

Medical Malpractice Insurance

This insurance will provide protection against third party claims for medical malpractices that occur covering the cost associated with it.

Employee Benefits Through Insurance

Employee benefits through insurance have become a crucial aspect of the modern workplace, playing a significant role in attracting and retaining top talent.

Business Interruption Insurance

Understanding how business interruption coverage will protect your business can help you be more prepared in the event of an unforeseen natural disaster.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Professional indemnity insurance, also called professional negligence insurance, is coverage for small businesses that protects against claims from their clients.

Marine & Aviation Insurance

Marine cargo insurance covers the goods, property and/or merchandise carried by a ship or aircraft.

Keyman
Insurance

This is taken out by a business to compensate for any financial losses that would arise from a death or injury of an important person.

Workmen’s Compensation Insurance

It provides coverage for your valued employees in the event they fall sick, get injured or lose their life during employment.

Business Protection Insurance

Hazards that can threaten your company in the future are diverse and very much unpredictable. you need to hedge yourself from all these risks.

Credit
Insurance

Credit insurance is an insurance policy purchased with the intention of protecting a business against commercial and/or political risk that is beyond the control of your company.

Income Protection Insurance For Empolyees

Loss of income in the event of a disability, illness, or death can cause significant personal and economic hardships for employees & their families.

Contractor All Risk Insurance

Contractor All Risk Insurance is part of our to cover against contracts and construction risks.

Corporate & Business Health Insurance

Corporate & Business Health Insurance serves not only as a mandatory legal requirement but also as a strategic benefit that businesses offer to their employees.

Fleet
Insurance

Whether you own a taxi company, car rental service, or delivery service, if your business relies on multiple vehicles fleet insurance is required.

Professional Indemnity insurance

The cost involved in health care today is extremely high and continuously increasing.

Strata
Insurance

Strata insurance provides the peace of mind that comes with knowing your strata property is covered in the event of damage to common areas.

Energy Insurance

Energy Insurance helps businesses mitigate risks, ensuring financial protection, regulatory compliance, and business continuity in the face of unexpected disruptions.

Business
Insurance

Business insurance is coverage that protects businesses against losses that may occur during the normal course of business.

Cyber Ransom Insurance

Cyber ransom insurance is designed to protect your business in the event of a ransomware attack.

Commercial Property Insurance

We provide a tailored strategy to guard against calamities like fire happening to your assets like buildings, supplies, and warehouse stock.

E-commerce Insurance

E-commerce Insurance helps safeguard businesses from unexpected financial losses and ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

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