Car insurance in KSA: Can Someone Else Drive My Car?
If you are reading this blog, chances are you and someone else is using the same car and not sure about insurance! Under Insurance Authority regulations, TPL covers anyone as long as they’re over 18 and have a valid license. Comprehensive insurance for owned cars limits coverage to close family members and sponsored workers, while bank-leased cars require an extra step—formal authorization from the bank.
Here’s everything you need to know about car insurance requirements for driving someone else car in Saudi Arabia.
Who is covered when driving your car in Saudi Arabia?
| Who’s driving your car? | Third Party | Comprehensive | Bank-leased cars |
| Spouse / Parents / Children | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ (Needs Bank Authorization First) |
| Siblings | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ (Needs Bank Authorization First) |
| Sponsored / Private Driver | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ (Needs Bank Authorization First) |
| Friends / Extended Relatives | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Drivers Under 18 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Drivers without a License | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Driver Coverage by Insurance Type in Saudi Arabia
If the car has third party insurance, will it cover someone else driving?
Yes, third party car insurance will cover others while driving your car as long as they meet all of the following requirements:
- Hold a valid driving license
- Are at least 18 years old
See Driver defitinion → The Unified Compulsory Motor Insurance Policy
If the car has comprehensive insurance, will it cover someone else driving?
Yes, comprehensive insurance will cover others while driving your car as long as they meet all of the following requirements:
- Hold a valid driving license
- Are at least 18 years old
- Are first-degree relatives, or a private driver under an employment contract or sponsorship
See Driver defitinion → Comprehensive Motor Insurance Rules
I have comprehensive insurance on a bank-leased car, will it cover someone else driving?
No, unless the driver has an official authorization from the bank to drive the car.
See Driver defitinion → Rules for Comprehensive Insurance of Motor Vehicles Financially Leased to Individuals
What if someone not covered drives the car?
Letting someone drive who does not meet your policy’s defined “Driver” requirments violates your insurance Terms & Conditions. If that person causes an accident, your insurance company can use the Right of Recovery.
⚠️What is a “right of recovery” in car insurance?
The right of recovery, is a clause that give the insurance company a right to get back all paid claim costs directly from the policyholder. Read more on when insurers can legally demand money back.
For young drivers, you’ll want to buy insurance in someone older name to get cheap car insurance
In KSA, car insurance is cheaper for drivers over 25 with no accident records. If you’re struggling to find afforadable prices, you can use this tip to your advantage. You can Transfer vehicle ownership to a family member over 25 (e.g., parent, sibiling or spouse) via Absher.
As long as the car registred owner is a first-degree relative, you can still drive the car and get the same coverage.
Find affordable car insurance that covers every driver in your household
wakeel is a licensed and trusted car insurance platform in Saudi Arabia that brings you the best prices and offers.
Using wakeel, you can easily add additional drivers to your policy before buying. You can even set what percentage each person drives the car to see exactly how it changes the price.
When do you need to add an “Additional Driver”?
- Someone outside your close family will start regularly driving your car.
- The car is financially leased, or registered under a company name.
- Your car insurance company specifically requires all household drivers names to be mentioned.
How to add an “Additional Driver” to your car insurance
When buying a new policy
If you know that someone else will regularly drive your car, look for an “Additional Driver” or similar option during the insurance quotation process. You’ll only need to enter their details (Id number, license issuance date, and set a percentage for their car usage)
If you already have insurance
Contact your insurance comapny directly, provide the additional driver’s details, and pay any applicable fees (if any.)
FAQ about Car Insurance & Additional Drivers
Not necessarily. If you own the car and have TPL or Comprehensive, family members are included as long as they meet the requirments.
No. Authorization and insurance coverage are 2 separate things. You still need to check the policy’s “Driver” definition to ensure that you’ll be covered.
No, you still need authorization to drive any company-registered car.
Your car insurance will pay others for the damage your car caused first, then legally demand full reimbursement from YOU
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