Before you decide not to renew your car insurance

Every year, millions of drivers face a critical decision: whether to renew their car insurance or let it lapse, including comprehensive car insurance. It’s a choice that often goes unnoticed, buried beneath the routine of daily life and financial obligations. For some, it might seem like an easy way to save some money in the short term – after all, you’ve been accident-free for years, right? However, before you make the seemingly simple decision not to renew your comprehensive car insurance, take a moment and consider the consequences that may follow.

What if your car insurance expires?

Regardless of the reason you missed renewing your car insurance, it’s a costly mistake that can have serious and lasting consequences. You don’t want to be in such a situation, so it’s crucial to be fully aware of what happens if your car insurance expires in Saudi.

1. You’ll have to pay insurance violation fines

Saudi Arabia recently recently rolled out a new e-monitoring system for car insurance. This system conducts electronic checks on all vehicles on the streets to ensure that car insurance policies are valid and up-to-date. Now, here’s the kicker: if you’re caught driving without insurance, you’re in for a not-so-pleasant surprise—insurance violation fines. These fines typically range from SAR 100 to SAR 150, f you’re still driving without insurance after 15 days, those fines can double. Ouch, right?

So, don’t make unnecessary journeys, don’t take risks on treacherous roads — consider using online car insurance comparison websites. They allow you to easily explore various insurance options, buy your policy, and activate it without any fuss, all from the comfort of your own home!

2. You will lose your car insurance coverage

What happens if you drive your car after your comprehensive insurance expires? Simple—you lose your car insurance coverage. You won’t get protection against the financial impact of car damage or loss caused by an accident or any unfortunate incident.

Without valid insurance, you’re on your own to pay for repairs, medical costs, and other bills. It can add up pretty quickly, and you can’t turn to your insurance company for help because your policy has already expired.

Worse, this could result in lawsuits and legal actions against you if you don’t have enough money to compensate others for their losses. So, when it comes to car insurance, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

3. You will lose your Najm discount

All car insurance companies in Saudi offer no-claims discounts for drivers who maintain coverage without making claims. If your policy lapses and you lose this discount, your future car insurance rates could be significantly higher.

1. If your insurance lapses for less than 30 days after it expires, you can still keep your no-claim discount when you renew.
2. For lapses between 30 and 180 days after expiration, you’ll temporarily lose the discount for one year on the uninsured car, but you can regain it when you insure the car again the next year.
3. If it’s been more than 180 days since your insurance expired, you lose the discount (it drops to 0%) for all your registered cars.

So, the key takeaway here is to keep your car insurance intact to enjoy your no-claim discount and avoid any surprises down the road.

4. Your new premium could increase

Skipping your renewal could end up costing you more. If car insurance companies spot a gap in your record, they might view you as a higher-risk driver, which can lead to increased rates. On the flip side, renewing your policy promptly guarantees you a better rate. Otherwise, you’ll be footing the bill for those extra costs. Bottom line: renewing on time is the smart move to avoid unnecessary expenses.

What to do after missing your car insurance renewal date

✔️ Check for fines

If you missed renewing your car insurance and got fined, don’t just ignore it. Look at how much you owe and make sure you pay those fines quickly. Ignoring them can lead to more problems later on!

✔️ Renew your car insurance

Once you’ve paid any fines and rectified the situation, you’ll then want to buy a new car insurance policy right away.

You can easily compare prices from different insurance companies on a car insurance comparison website. You might find a policy with a good price and enough coverage there.

✔️ Don’t miss your renewal date again

Now that your car insurance is back on track, make an effort not to miss your next renewal date. If you tend to forget important dates, set up a reminder on your phone. Start comparing car insurance prices about a month before your old policy expires. This way, you’ll have plenty of time to shop around and get the best deal!

Now that you know what happens if you stop paying car insurance, don’t you think it’s one of the quickest ways to ruin your personal finances? Prevent this from happening rather than stressing yourself out after your policy gets canceled.