If you are in a car wreck in Saudi Arabia there are certain things you need to know in order to avoid any legal problems and to make the insurance claim process a little bit smoother. Following the correct procedures is key in such situations.
Mandatory Car Insurance in Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, having car insurance is mandatory, and if at least one of the vehicles involved in the accident is insured, the accident should be reported to Najm. Najm is a service created by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and the General Department of Traffic (Muroor), responsible for accident assessments and insurance claims for insured vehicles since 2007.
Reporting a Traffic Accident
1. Safety First
- Immediately after a minor accident, follow these safety steps:
- Well first make sure no one is injured, and second move your vehicle out of the way so no traffic is blocked.
- Before exiting your vehicle, ensure it is safe and secure.
- Turn off the engine and activate your hazard lights.
- Keep your triangle behind your car if you have it out, then other drivers will know.
- If there is trash on the road, report it to the proper authorities so they can remove it.
2. Contact Najm
In case one of the cars involved are insured then you have to call najm to report the accident. You can:
- Call their hotline at 199033.
- Use their WhatsApp service at 920000560.
- On the najm app, apple and android, report the accident.
3. Document the Accident
- Pictures of the accident, from every angle possible, good clear pictures.
- Keep essential documents like your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and insurance papers handy.
- Well, it’s off to Najm for the accident report.
Once your case is reported, najm will send an appraiser to inspect the accident. You’ll receive an SMS from Najm and Muroor with the incident details, which can be tracked through the Najm app. This report will be used for your insurance claim.
Serious Accidents or Uninsured Vehicles
- Call Muroor at 993 to report the incident.
- Call emergency services at 997 if there are injuries.
- Follow the same safety measures as listed above.
Important Safety Tips for Drivers
Stay at the scene: Leaving the accident site is illegal and can lead to fines.
Be prepared: Don’t ever be without a firstaid kit and a fire extinguisher in your car. If your car breaks down, move over to the side of the road, turn on your flashers, and set out a reflective triangle so other drivers will have some warning.
In case of fire: If your car is on fire, pull over, turn off the engine, and get out of the car as quickly as possible. Don’t try to extinguish a fire with water, use your fire extinguisher.
