Saudi Arabia, Saudi roads still hazardous

Saudi roads are particularly dangerous. The figures revealed by insurers and competent departments are alarming. In 2016, the number of car accidents is likely to attain 1.1 million, that is, 125 claims per hour. In 2011, 306 000 accidents were reported compared to more than 962 000 in 2015. In average, 17 deaths by road accidents are reported on a daily basis. These figures do not take into account the 55% of non-insured Saudi citizens.

Local companies have disbursed 25 billion SAR (6.6 billion USD) to indemnify motor claims in the course of the last five years, 20 billion SAR (5.3 billion USD) of which for the last three years alone. The loss ratio attained 93% in 2015. Adding 15% to 20% of additional expenses, the combined ratio largely exceeds 100%. This running loss experience is worrying given the increase in the price of spare parts, the rise of legal compensation in the event of decease and growing number of fraud cases.