Maryam Zandi

(Sales Director, Insurance Division & Head of Business Development – AutoData Middle East):

AutoData develops advanced risk-scoring models that go beyond traditional actuarial approaches

“We operate in a market where cost often outweighs quality”

As the UAE accelerates its journey toward digital transformation and smarter mobility  ecosystems, data has become the backbone of transparency and risk management in the automotive and insurance sectors. Within this evolving landscape, AutoData Middle East plays a critical role in bridging industry gaps through advanced analytics and trusted data solutions. Its work supports regulators, insurers, and financial institutions in improving accuracy, combating fraud, and promoting sustainable market practices aligned with the UAE’s vision for a more secure and innovation-driven economy.

AutoData Middle East is a leading provider of automotive data intelligence and analytics across the region. With a deep commitment to innovation and digital transformation, the company enables insurers, banks, and mobility players to make smarter, data-driven decisions that strengthen  efficiency, accuracy, and customer trust.

At the heart of this mission is Maryam Zandi, Sales Director of the Insurance Division and Head of Business Development. Through her strategic leadership, AutoData has built long-standing partnerships across the UAE’s insurance ecosystem and introduced several pioneering solutions that redefine how risk is evaluated and managed.

During the 20th Annual Gulf Insurance Forum 2025, Al Bayan sat down with Mrs. Zandi to  discuss the future of automotive risk assessment, data governance, and the evolving regulatory landscape in the UAE.

• What have you learned from working with insurers and banks that could shape the future of automotive risk assessments?

– We operate with a privacy-by-design philosophy. AutoData does not process, store, or access any personally identifiable information. Our datasets are strictly vehicle-centric, VINs, specifications, valuations, and condition data, ensuring that no personal or customer details are ever handled.

This model enables full compliance with both current UAE regulations and anticipated regional frameworks under the evolving GCC data governance landscape. It also gives our partners the confidence that every data transaction adheres to the highest global privacy and security standards.

• Are you satisfied with your results, and do you have any expansion plans?

– We are proud of the progress achieved so far. AutoData is already active in the UAE, KSA, Oman, and Bahrain, with plans to expand into Qatar and Kuwait. But for us, expansion is not about footprint alone, it is about precision and value. Before entering any new market, we conduct comprehensive assessments of vehicle composition, model distribution, and brand value to ensure data accuracy and relevance.

That said, one of the ongoing challenges in the region remains the imbalance between cost and data quality. There are still providers offering unverified or incomplete datasets at lower prices, which can distort the market. We strongly encourage insurers and banks to partner only with validated, regulator-recognized providers to maintain ecosystem integrity.

From a UAE perspective, greater regulatory oversight in claims management and data standardization would further strengthen the industry. Collaboration among insurers, supported by structured data exchange, would create shared value across the ecosystem. The UAE market is mature, with around 35 motor insurers, but the next phase of growth must come from quality, transparency, and trusted data partnerships, not price competition.

-ENDS-

About AutoData Middle East

AutoData Middle East, a subsidiary of World Automotive Group, is the leading automotive data solutions provider in the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) region. Headquartered in the UAE, AutoData ME is a pioneering force in automotive policy issuance and claims management and is dedicated to empowering professionals and facilitating informed decision-making. The leading automotive data solutions provider instils confidence in its partners and the automotive market, fostering trust through innovative solutions.

Launched in the region in 2010, and currently operating across the GCC, AutoData Middle East provides comprehensive vehicle history reports in the UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain. The company is part of the Skelmore Group, which boasts over 35 years of experience in the Middle Eastern and North American automotive business, positioning it as a leading provider of accurate and detailed vehicle information. AutoData Middle East offers a comprehensive suite of B2B and B2C services including insurance advising, financing, buy and trade-in price advising, buying and selling platform tools, and more, resulting in the leading automotive data solutions provider attaining the AI-based Estimating Solutions Provider Award at the InsureTek Golden Shield Excellence Awards 2024.

In May 2024, AutoData Middle East partnered with CARFAX, leveraging extensive data from over 100,000 sources across 22 markets in the US, Canada, and Europe. Driven by a commitment to excellence, its data-driven solutions empower confident decision-making in insurance pricing, vehicle transactions, and dealership operations, enhances transparency and confidence across the automotive landscape. Grounded in accountability, data-driven decision-making, and clarity of communication, the company continuously seeks to innovate and shape the future of mobility.

For further information on AutoData Middle East’s innovative automotive data solutions, please visit: www.autodatame.com 

Media Contact

Juman Alataki | juman.a@qcomms.ae
+971 58 873 0216