AI-Powered Insurance Launched for Chinese EV Owners in the UAE

Shory, a First.tech company, has announced the launch of an AI-powered insurance ecosystem for Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) in the UAE. The initiative was developed in partnership with Fidelity United Insurance and Electric Vehicle Services (EVS), and is designed to address longstanding barriers that have prevented Chinese EV owners from obtaining timely, affordable, and appropriate vehicle coverage.

Addressing a Market Gap

The UAE has seen a significant rise in Chinese EV brands, including BYD, MG, and Zeekr, as part of the country’s push toward its 2050 Net Zero targets. However, the local insurance sector has struggled to keep pace. Traditional insurers have faced what the companies describe as a “data gap” — an absence of actuarial history for newer Chinese EV models, which has led to coverage refusals, delays, and mispriced premiums for vehicle owners.

The new ecosystem aims to remove three specific barriers to coverage: affordability, through AI-calculated premiums based on individual driver data; acceptance, through bespoke policies from Fidelity United tailored to Chinese EV models; and repair reliability, through direct integration with EVS, a certified repair network for high-voltage EV systems.

How the Platform Works

Shory’s platform uses First.tech’s AI infrastructure to automate underwriting and claims processing. The system applies machine learning models to telematics data — including battery health, charging patterns, and driving behavior — to generate premium quotes in real time, replacing a process that previously required two to three business days.

For claims, the platform uses computer vision to assess damage from photos submitted through the Shory app. Verified claims are automatically routed to EVS for repair. The system also applies anomaly detection to flag potentially fraudulent claims before any payment is approved.

According to a First.tech spokesperson, “Our goal is to replace manual workflows with digital automation. By leveraging shared AI infrastructure, we reduce costs and minimize errors, offering competitive pricing for users in Dubai and Saudi Arabia without the burden of endless paperwork.”

Partners and Coverage Area

The partnership involves three organizations: Shory, which manages the digital insurance platform and customer interface; Fidelity United Insurance, which provides the underwriting and policy issuance for Chinese EV models; and Electric Vehicle Services (EVS), which handles certified repairs. The platform is currently available to vehicle owners in Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

Shory describes itself as serving more than one million customers across the Middle East, covering car, home, and health insurance products.