What to Do After a Car Accident in Saudi Arabia: Insurance Claims and Repairs

This guide is for drivers in Saudi Arabia who have just been in a car accident, or who want to know what to do if it happens. It covers the scene of the accident, reporting it, opening the insurance claim, and getting the car assessed and repaired in the right order.

What to do after a car accident: the short version

1. Make sure everyone is safe, and call for emergency help if anyone is hurt.
2. If it is safe to do so, photograph the vehicles and the damage before anything is moved or repaired.
3. Report the accident through the right channel (Najm or the traffic police, depending on the accident) and keep every reference number.
4. Don't drive the car if a tyre, wheel, the steering, the suspension or the cooling system may be damaged. Have it transported instead.
5. Open the insurance claim and follow your insurer's instructions.
6. Don't start repairs until you know what the claim requires.
7. Have the damage properly assessed, then repair the car.

The sections below explain each step.

Step 1: Put safety first

Before you think about insurance or repair costs, make sure everyone is safe:

• Check yourself and your passengers for injuries.
• Contact the emergency services straight away if anyone is hurt.
• Switch on your hazard lights and stay out of the path of traffic.
• Don't drive the car if the impact may have affected a tyre, wheel, the steering, the suspension, the cooling system or another important component.

Damage that looks minor from the outside can hide problems underneath, especially after a front or side impact. If you are not confident the car is safe to drive, use a flatbed towing service rather than taking the risk.

Step 2: Document the accident and the damage

Clear records make every later step easier, from the accident report to the damage assessment.

What to photograph

When it is safe to do so, photograph:

• the damaged area, both close up and from a distance
• the front, rear and both sides of the car
• the number plate where relevant
• the wider accident scene, where appropriate

Records to keep

Keep everything related to the accident in one place:

• the accident report or reference number
• the other party's details
• photos, messages and any reference numbers you receive
• your vehicle and insurance policy details
• the claim number, once the claim has been opened

Step 3: Report the accident

In Saudi Arabia, many traffic accidents involving insured vehicles are documented by Najm for Insurance Services, while other cases are handled by the traffic police. Which one applies, and how you report, depends on the circumstances of the accident. Follow the instructions you are given at the time, and check Najm's official website (opens in a new tab) for the current procedure, because reporting channels and requirements can change.

The accident report is usually the basis of the insurance claim, so don't move on to repairs before you have it.

Step 4: Open the insurance claim

An insurance claim is the formal request for the accident damage to be handled under the relevant insurance policy. The exact process differs depending on:

• your insurance company
• the type of policy
• who was responsible for the accident
• the circumstances and severity of the accident
• the documents your insurer asks for

That is why copying what a friend did after a different accident is not always a good idea.

Documents you may need

Requirements vary by insurer and claim type, so always follow your insurer's instructions. It helps to have these ready:

• the vehicle owner's details
• the vehicle details
• your insurance policy details
• the accident report or reference number
• photos of the damage
• any additional documents your insurer requests

Make sure photos and documents are clear and that the information matches your official documents. Missing or unclear information is one of the most common causes of delay.

Comprehensive vs third-party insurance

The type of policy affects how the damage is handled. Third-party insurance covers your liability towards others, while comprehensive policies differ in their coverage, conditions, limits, deductibles and exclusions.

Two drivers in apparently similar accidents can therefore have very different claim experiences. Check your own policy and your insurer's requirements rather than assuming someone else's experience applies to you.

Step 5: Don't repair the car before the claim is clear

If the damage is part of an insurance claim, don't rush into repairs. The car's condition after the accident may matter when the damage is reviewed, and replacing parts or repairing too early can make the original damage harder to prove.

The right order is:

Accident → documentation → accident report → insurance claim → damage assessment → repair approval → repair

Not:

Accident → straight to the workshop → think about insurance later

Step 6: Get the real damage assessed

The obvious damage, such as a bumper, wing, headlight or door, is often not the whole story. An impact can also affect:

• mounting points behind the bumper
• parking and safety sensors
• lights and brackets
• suspension components
• wheels and tyres
• cooling components, after a front impact
• body alignment and the gaps between panels

A proper inspection should come before any decision about what needs repairing and what needs replacing. If you're unsure what the impact has affected, start with inspection and diagnostics.

Bodywork and painting, or full accident repair?

Bodywork and paint usually suits scratches, dents, paint damage and exterior panels that need reshaping or refinishing. For dents where the paint isn't cracked or chipped, paintless dent repair (PDR) can restore the panel without repainting.

Accident repair is broader. Depending on the impact, it can include stripping damaged components, replacing parts, body repair, painting, reassembly and checking other affected systems. That is why the service should be chosen after the assessment, not from how the damage looks from outside.

When replacement parts are needed

Accident repairs often need parts such as a bumper, wing, headlight, grille, mirror, sensors or mounting brackets. SpareBox's spare parts service helps you get suitable parts through trusted suppliers, so sourcing parts doesn't become a separate search of its own.

If your car can't be driven after the accident

Don't force a damaged car to move. If you have any doubt about the tyres, wheels, suspension, steering or cooling system, or you see fluid leaking from under the car, arrange transport instead. Driving a damaged car can turn a limited repair into a much bigger one.

Read when you need a towing service for the warning signs, or book vehicle towing and flatbed transport to move the car to where it will be assessed or repaired.

How long does accident repair take?

There is no single answer. The timeline depends on:

• The severity of the damage. A scratched panel is very different from an impact that affects several systems.
• Parts availability. Repairs move faster when parts are in stock. Rare parts, or parts that have to be ordered, add time.
• The vehicle model. Parts availability and repair procedures differ between makes and models.
• Painting. Professional refinishing involves preparation, colour matching, application, curing and inspection.
• Insurance procedures. In an insurance repair, part of the timeline is the claim and approval process, not the workshop work itself.

A realistic estimate can only be given once the car has been properly assessed.

If you disagree with the insurer's decision

Keep a record of everything throughout the claim, not just phone calls:

• the claim number
• emails and messages
• the documents you submitted
• any requests for additional information
• important dates and the insurer's responses

If you can't resolve a complaint directly with the insurance company, Saudi Arabia's Insurance Authority (opens in a new tab) provides an official channel for insurance complaints. An organised record makes it much easier to review what happened and escalate if needed.

Common mistakes after a car accident

1. Driving a car that may be unsafe. If you are unsure, have it transported.
2. Not photographing the damage. Document the car early, before anything changes.
3. Losing accident or claim reference numbers. Keep them somewhere you can find them.
4. Repairing the car before the claim is clear. Confirm the process first.
5. Approving repairs you don't understand. Ask what will be repaired and what will be replaced.
6. Juggling a different provider for every step. Separate contacts for towing, parts, bodywork and the claim make the process harder to manage.
7. Focusing only on appearance. A car that looks repaired still needs to be repaired properly underneath.

Frequently asked questions

When should I open the insurance claim?

Once you have the accident report and the information and documents your insurer asks for. Avoid unnecessary delays, and follow any deadlines your insurer gives you.

Can I repair my car before the claim is approved?

If you intend to claim for the damage, confirm your insurer's requirements before you change the car's post-accident condition.

Does every damaged car need a flatbed?

No. But if you are not sure the car is safe to drive, transporting it is the safer choice.

Which service do I need for dents and scratches?

Bodywork and paint may be enough, and dents with intact paint can often be fixed with paintless dent repair (PDR). Have the damage assessed first to make sure nothing else is affected.

Can SpareBox help with both the claim and the repair?

Yes. SpareBox's insurance claim service helps you prepare the information and documents for the claim, follow it up, and move on to the repair. If you're not sure which service you need, contact SpareBox with your vehicle details and photos of the damage.

Next steps

After an accident, work through the steps in order: make the scene safe, document the damage, report the accident, open the claim, have the car assessed, and only then repair it.

If you've recently been in an accident, start with SpareBox's insurance claim service. It covers everything from preparing the claim to moving on to the repair.