Car Repair? Insurance in Saudi Can Cover Your Rental

If you rely on your car for everything, you know there’s absolutely nothing worse than when your car needs repairs after an accident! Auto insurance in Saudi will pay for a rental car during repairs, but only if your insurance includes rental reimbursement coverage.

Here’s what you need to know about it.

1. Don’t ask your car dealers for a rental car after an accident

Let’s get one thing straight — While the Ministry of Commerce in Saudi requires dealerships to provide a replacement car while your car is in the workshop, this rule doesn’t apply to accident repairs.

If your car is damaged in an accident, your insurance will pay for a rental car during repairs after an accident as long as your policy includes rental reimbursement coverage.

2. Rental car isn’t included for free in many insurance policies

Many car insurance companies in Saudi offer rental car coverage, but not all do. Mostly, it comes as an optional add-on, and not part of a basic comprehensive insurance policy. 

So, the next time you compare car insurance quotes, check if it’s included or if you need to add it.

3. To get a rental car from your insurance, you need…

• ✅ To have rental car coverage mentioned in your policy. your insurance will pay for a rental car during repairs as long as your policy includes rental reimbursement coverage.
• ✅ Your insurance must cover the accident. Rental car reimbursement only works for accidents you have coverage for.
• ✅ Rental car receipts. Keep all your receipts on hand to claim back the cost of a rental car.

4. rental reimbursement has rules and limits

Tawuniya, Walaa, and Al Rajhi Takaful, and many other companies offer rental car reimbursement coverage. But, terms and conditions are different from one company to another. Some companies limit the days, others have a total amount they’ll pay.

Take Tawuniya, for example. Their comprehensive insurance gives you a maximum of 2,000 riyals, without setting a daily limit. So, you could technically rent a car for 20 days as long as long as you stay within that budget.

Before you buy insurance, you’ll also need to take into account those rules to avoid being left without a car when you’re still waiting on yours!

5. Don’t expect to get a ‘like for like’ rental car

This add-on aims is to keep you mobile rather than give you a like-for-like replacement for your car. The rental car will normally be a small sedan, like a Hyundai Accent or Nissan Sunny.  

6. Unreasonable delays can get you a rental car (even if you don’t have comprehensive)

Normally, if your car insurance doesn’t mention anything about getting a rental, that means you can’t claim it. BUT, if your insurance company delays settling your claim (for no good reason), you might be able to get them to pay for your rental.

By law, all insurance companies in Saudi have 15 days to settle your claim. If they don’t, file a complaint with the Insurance Authority. This way, you can make them cover your extra expenses, like rental car costs while you’re waiting for repair money!

7. No rental car if your car is totaled

If your car is a total loss, car insurance companies in Saudi won’t provide a rental. They’ll give you the cash value of your car, and you can use that to buy or rent a car on your own.

8. Shop around, some insurance companies may be more generous than others!

Shopping around to compare rental car reimbursement details is the only way to make sure you’ve got the best car insurance for you at the best possible price. wakeel can help you compare car insurance quotes from top insurers in Saudi one place.