Complete Traffic Accidents Guide 2025: Proper Procedures With and Without Insurance, Compensation, and Complaints

Introduction: We Wish You Safety Always

Before we begin, we sincerely hope you never need to read this article. We pray that Allah protects you and your loved ones from all harm, and that your roads are always safe. However, life can be unpredictable, and wisdom requires that we be prepared for any emergency.

We wrote this guide to be a comprehensive reference for anyone who experiences a traffic accident. We will explain everything simply and clearly: What do you do at the moment of the accident? Who do you call? What's the difference between having insurance and not having it? How do you get your compensation? What if someone is injured? And who pays for hospital costs?

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First: The First Moments After the Accident

The moment an accident occurs can be confusing and frightening. But acting correctly in these moments makes a big difference. Here's what you should do immediately:

Step One: Ensure Your Safety and Everyone's Safety

Before anything else, check yourself: Are you okay? Then check the passengers with you, then the other party. If anyone is injured, don't try to move them unless there is immediate danger such as fire. Call the ambulance immediately at 997.

Step Two: Stop the Car in a Safe Place

If the car can be moved and the accident is minor, move it to the side of the road to avoid blocking traffic or causing another accident. Turn on your hazard lights (flashers) immediately.

Step Three: Place the Warning Triangle

Place the warning triangle behind your car at a sufficient distance to warn oncoming vehicles. This is mandatory and protects you from additional accidents.

Step Four: Photograph the Accident

Before moving anything, take clear photos with your phone of both cars from all angles, the accident location, both license plates, the other party's driving license, and any road signs. These photos are very important to prove what happened.

Step Five: Don't Admit Fault

Even if you feel you are at fault, don't admit it to the other party. Let the authorities determine the fault percentage based on evidence. Your admission could be used against you later.

Second: Who Do You Call? Najm or Traffic?

This question confuses many people. The answer depends on several factors. Let us explain in detail:

When to Call Najm?

Call Najm at 920000560 or the short number 199033 in the following cases: The accident is minor with no injuries or fatalities. At least one party has valid insurance. The accident occurred within Najm's coverage area (more than 40 cities and governorates). No hit-and-run or severe dispute between parties.

When to Call Traffic?

Call Traffic at 993 in the following cases: There are injuries or fatalities. All parties have no valid insurance. One party fled the scene. The accident resulted from natural disasters or fire. Severe dispute between parties. The accident is outside Najm's coverage area.

What Does Najm Do?

Najm is a Saudi company specialized in vehicle insurance services. When you call them, they send an investigator to the accident scene who will: Document the accident and photograph the scene and vehicles. Determine the fault percentage between parties. Prepare a detailed report sent to insurance companies. Follow up on the accident until compensation is completed.

Third: Procedures for Those With Insurance

If you have a valid insurance policy, whether comprehensive or third-party insurance, you are in a much better position. Here are the steps:

Step One: Call Najm Immediately

Call 920000560 and report the accident. You will be asked for: The exact accident location. Both vehicle plate numbers. Your national ID number. Insurance policy number. A brief description of what happened.

Step Two: Wait for the Najm Investigator

A Najm investigator will arrive at the accident scene to document it. Cooperate with them and answer their questions honestly. They will take photos and prepare a preliminary report.

Step Three: Get the Accident Number

After documenting the accident, you will receive a reference number for the accident. Keep it safe as it is your key to following up on everything later.

Step Four: Follow Up Through the Najm App

You can follow the accident status and fault percentage report through the Najm app or their website najm.sa. You will see the report status and whether it has been sent to the insurance company.

Step Five: Submit a Claim to the Insurance Company

After the Najm report is issued, go to the insurance company (your company if comprehensive, or the at-fault party's company if third-party) and submit the following documents: Najm report. Copy of vehicle registration. Copy of driving license. Copy of national ID. Your bank IBAN number.

Types of Insurance and Coverage

Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car and the other party's car, whether you are at fault or not. Third-party insurance (mandatory) only covers damage to the other party if you caused the accident, and does not cover damage to your car.

Fourth: Procedures for Those Without Insurance

Driving without insurance is a legal violation that exposes you to a fine. But if an accident occurs while you have no insurance, here's what to do:

Step One: Call Traffic

Call 993 and report the accident. Traffic officers will come to document the accident and prepare an official report.

Step Two: Get the Traffic Report

Traffic will prepare a report detailing the accident and the fault percentage for each party. This report is an official certified document.

Step Three: Damage Assessment

Go to a traffic-approved accident assessment center or an approved workshop to assess the repair cost for your car and the other party's car.

Step Four: Compensation

If the other party has insurance and you are not at fault: You can claim compensation from their insurance company. If you are at fault and without insurance: You will bear the full cost of repairing the other party's car from your own pocket. If both parties have no insurance: You settle between yourselves amicably, or resort to court if no agreement is reached.

Legal Consequences

You will be fined for driving without insurance, which is a Category 3 violation with a fine ranging from 100 to 150 SAR. But the real cost is bearing the full accident damages that could reach thousands of riyals.

Fifth: Bodily Injury Accidents

We pray for everyone's safety. But if the accident results in injuries, the situation is completely different with special procedures:

Priority for the Injured

Call the ambulance immediately at 997. Don't move the injured person except when absolutely necessary. Provide first aid if you know how. Stay with the injured until the ambulance arrives.

Who Bears Treatment Costs?

The insurance company bears the treatment costs for those injured in the accident. Car insurance (both comprehensive and third-party) covers: Medical and surgical treatment expenses. Hospital and accommodation costs. Medications and tests. Temporary or permanent disability compensation. Blood money (Diya) in case of death.

What If the Insurance Company Delays?

In emergency cases, the injured person is immediately transferred to a government hospital and receives necessary treatment. Then the insurance company is billed for the costs later based on the traffic report that determines who caused the accident.

Claiming Injury Compensation

To claim compensation for bodily injuries: Get a detailed medical report from the hospital showing the type of injuries. File a traffic lawsuit through Najez platform against the person at fault. Attach medical reports and accident report. After the judgment is issued, submit a claim to the at-fault party's insurance company. You will receive compensation within 15 working days of submitting the complete claim.

What Does Injury Compensation Cover?

Compensation includes: Full treatment costs. Compensation for time off work. Compensation for pain and suffering. Compensation for partial or total disability. Prosthetics and rehabilitation if necessary. The maximum compensation in cases of death or total disability reaches 10 million SAR.

Sixth: How to Get Your Compensation?

Getting compensation from the insurance company is an organized process with clear steps:

Documents Required for Claim

Prepare the following documents: Accident report from Najm or Traffic. Copy of vehicle registration. Copy of driving license. Copy of national ID. Damage assessment report from an approved center. Your bank IBAN number. Accident photos if available.

Where to Submit the Claim?

If you have comprehensive insurance: Submit the claim to your insurance company directly. If you have third-party insurance and the fault is on the other party: Submit the claim to the other party's insurance company.

How Long Does Compensation Take?

According to Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) instructions: Claims not exceeding 2,000 SAR: Within 5 working days. General individual claims: Maximum 15 Hijri days. Company claims: Maximum 45 Hijri days. The company must inspect the vehicle within 3 days of submitting the claim.

How Is the Compensation Amount Calculated?

For material damages: Compensation is calculated based on the repair cost estimate from an approved center. If repair cost exceeds 80% of the car's value, it's considered a total loss and compensated at market value. Deductible: In comprehensive insurance, you may bear part of the cost called "deductible" as stated in your policy.

How to Receive Compensation

The compensation amount is deposited directly into your bank account via the registered IBAN number. Or you receive a repair authorization for an approved workshop whose costs the insurance company pays directly.

Seventh: What If the Insurance Company Delays or Refuses?

Unfortunately, some insurance companies delay compensation or refuse claims without justification. If you face this situation, you have options:

Step One: Submit a Complaint to the Insurance Company Itself

Contact the company's customer service department and submit an official complaint. Document all your communications and keep complaint numbers.

Step Two: Submit a Complaint to the Insurance Authority

If the company doesn't respond within 15 days or rejects your complaint, submit a complaint to the Insurance Authority (Customer Protection) at the toll-free number 8001240551. You can also submit the complaint electronically through the Saudi Central Bank website (SAMA Cares).

Step Three: File a Lawsuit in Insurance Disputes Committees

If the problem isn't resolved, you have the right to file a lawsuit before the Insurance Disputes and Violations Settlement Committees. These are specialized judicial committees that issue binding decisions.

Steps to File the Lawsuit

Enter the General Secretariat of Insurance Disputes Committees website. Select "Submit New Lawsuit." Fill in the lawsuit details and explain the problem in detail. Attach all documents (accident report, correspondence with the company, claim rejection). Submit the lawsuit and follow it electronically.

Delay Compensation

You have the right to claim 100 SAR compensation for each day of delay from the insurance company after the legal period (15 days) expires. This compensation is automatically due once delay is proven.

Legitimate Insurance Refusal Cases

The insurance company can refuse compensation in certain cases: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Driving without a valid license. Using the car in races or unlicensed activities. Exceeding the allowed number of passengers. Providing false information when insuring. The accident occurring outside the coverage area specified in the policy.

Eighth: Objecting to the Fault Percentage

Sometimes you feel that the fault percentage determined in the Najm or Traffic report is unfair. You have the right to object:

Objecting to Najm Report

You can object through the Najm app or their website within 10 days of the report issuance. Log in with your ID number. Select the accident you want to object to. Specify the reason for objection and attach any supporting documents. Submit the objection and follow its status.

Objecting Through Absher

If the accident is registered with Traffic, you can object through Absher platform within 30 days.

Conditions for Accepting Objection

The accident must be officially registered. Vehicle and driving license must be valid. Objection submitted within the specified period. Evidence supporting your position must exist.

Ninth: Important Emergency Numbers

Save these numbers in your phone, as you may need them at any moment:

Basic Emergency Numbers

Unified Emergency Number: 911 (available in Riyadh, Makkah, and Eastern Province). Ambulance and Red Crescent: 997. Traffic (Accidents): 993. Civil Defense (Fire and Rescue): 998. Road Safety: 996.

Insurance and Services Numbers

Najm for insured vehicle accidents: 920000560 or 199033. Insurance Authority (Complaints): 8001240551. Central Bank (SAMA Cares): 8001256666.

Golden Tip

Save Najm's number and your insurance company's number in your favorite contacts. At the moment of an accident, you won't have time to search for numbers.

Tenth: Golden Tips for Prevention and Dealing with Accidents

Before the Accident (Prevention)

Renew your car insurance before it expires. Comprehensive insurance provides greater protection despite its higher price. Maintain your car regularly. Follow traffic rules and speed limits. Avoid using your phone while driving. Maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you.

During the Accident

Stay calm and don't get agitated. Your safety comes first. Photograph everything before moving the cars. Don't admit fault no matter what the situation. Get the other party's details (name, ID number, phone number, insurance company).

After the Accident

Follow up on your accident file regularly. Keep copies of all documents and reports. Don't sign any waiver before receiving your full compensation. If you feel any pain later, see a doctor immediately and document it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I repair my car at any workshop?

Yes, but if you have comprehensive insurance, it's preferable to repair at workshops approved by the insurance company to ensure full coverage.

What if the other party flees the accident scene?

Call Traffic immediately at 993 and report them. Try to photograph the fleeing car and its plate number if possible. Traffic will search for them.

Can the insurance company demand money from me after the accident?

Yes, in some cases they have the right to use "right of recourse" and demand the amounts they paid to the other party, such as: Driving without a license, or under the influence of drugs, or violating policy terms.

How long do I have to object to the accident report?

You have 10 days to object to Najm's report, and 30 days to object to Traffic's report through Absher.

Is a driver not listed in the insurance policy covered?

It depends on the policy type. Some policies cover any driver, and some specify certain drivers. Review your policy carefully.

What if the accident is on a fast and dangerous road?

Use Najm's "Report, Photograph, Move Aside" service. Quickly photograph the accident then move the car to a safe place. The Najm investigator can determine fault from the photos.

Conclusion

We pray that Allah protects you and continues to bless you with safety. But if Allah decrees an accident, remember: Your safety comes first. Photograph before you move. Call Najm (920000560) if you have insurance, or Traffic (993) if you don't. Follow up on your rights and don't give them up.

Share this guide with your family and friends. Knowledge is power, and being prepared for emergencies is wisdom. We wish you safe roads and safe journeys always.