5 mistakes people make after a car accident in Saudi
Big or small, car accidents can be scary. And when we’re stressed and in shock, our minds don’t quite work the way they’re meant to. So, we’re here to tell you what not to do, with 5 things to avoid if you’re ever in an accident. Because sometimes, that’s easier to remember!
👇 Here are 5 things you should never do after an accident in Saudi Arabia!
1. Leave without calling Najm
The most important thing to do after a car accident in Saudi is to call Najm. For those who don’t know who is Najm, Najm is a service company that handles traffic accidents in Saudi Arabia when at least one driver has insurance – either third-party or comprehensive insurance. Their job is to write a report about the accident, which makes it much easier for both drivers later to file a claim with car insurance companies and get the compensation they deserve.
Legally, you should never leave the scene of a car accident, especially one involving car damage, until you get an official report from Najm or Traffic police. Even if you’re not planning to make a claim at all? Yes!
Which leads us to our second point…
2. Agree to drop the accident without documentation
Many people agree to settle privately at the scene. But people change their minds more often than you think. Be careful!
An “act of kindness” can be used against you later. In case the other driver decides to change their mind after your “agreement,” you could find yourself charged with a hit and run. Without anything official, you end up paying for the damage – even if it’s not your fault.
To avoid finding yourself in this situation, make sure you get an official accident report from Najm first. Then, you can use the “Accident Waiver” service from Absher to officially drop the accident. This way, you can legally and financially protect yourself after a car accident.
The shock of an accident means your brain might not be working rationally. And going back to your dashcam recording may not be at the top of your to-do list. However, having a dashcam can make a world of difference when proving who was at fault. So, make sure you share it immediately with Najm surveyor.
If you don’t have a dashcam, that’s okay. You can take your phone out before you move your cars to the side, and try to get photos of:
- all the cars involved
- any damage
- the road signs
These pictures will help Najm understand how the accident happened exactly.
4. Try to include pre-existing damage
Sometimes, people see an accident as an opportunity to repair pre-existing damage* on their cars, thinking they can “slip” it with the new damages without anyone notice. What they might not be aware of, is that Najm, Taqdeer and insurance companies have trained surveyors and tools that can quickly recognize old damage from new to flag any suspicious claims.
Besides, if an insurance company discovers that you’ve tried to include old damage in your claim, they could reject your claim, or even take legal action against you because including false information = fraud.
**
Pre-existing damage refers to any damages that your car already had before the accident. This may include previous damages that you didn’t repair or normal wear and tear to your car.
5. Renew your car insurance without comparing your options
Unfortunately, regardless of fault, being involved in an accident is almost always going to lead to a price increase in your car insurance – especially if you choose to stay with the same insurance company!
Don’t wait until the last minute – you’ll need to compare car insurance prices from different companies before your car insurance renewal date. The market is so competitive right now, that you don’t need to be stuck with the same car insurance when there are other companies who are ready to give you cheaper car insurance prices or more additional services.
To make the search easier, go to wakeel get quote page now! Whether you want to switch to third-party or find lower prices for comprehensive insurance, you can easily get car insurance quotes online from different companies in a few minutes. Plus, wakeel makes comparing car insurance deals a lot simpler.