Saudi Arabia (SA)
Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East and the world's leading oil producer — a rapidly transforming absolute monarchy embarking on an ambitious Vision 2030 diversification agenda that has already delivered entertainment venues, mixed-gender events, a booming tourism sector, and the Riyadh Metro.
Insurance Guide
Which insurances you actually need in Saudi Arabia, prioritised.
Saudi Arabia requires several mandatory insurance products for residents. The mandatory framework in 2026: (1) CCHI health insurance — employer-provided from day one; (2) Motor insurance (Tamin Al-Siarat) — mandatory third-party liability for any vehicle. Beyond these, life insurance, home contents insurance, and international health insurance are strongly recommended to fill significant gaps. The Saudi insurance market is regulated by the Insurance Authority (under SAMA) and is expanding rapidly under Vision 2030. Key insurers: Tawuniya, Malath, AXA Gulf Saudi Arabia, Bupa Arabia, Saudi Re, GIG Gulf, and Walaa.
Legally Mandatory
- - CCHI Health Insurance — employer-provided mandatory coverage for all private sector employees
- - Motor Third-Party Liability Insurance (Tamin Mudani) — mandatory for all registered vehicles
CCHI Health Insurance (Employer-Mandated)
Mandatory employer-provided health insurance regulated by the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance. Covers inpatient, outpatient, emergency, maternity (minimum), and from 2026 minimum mental health and telehealth. Annual limit typically SAR 250,000–1,000,000 depending on plan tier.
Who needs it: All private sector employees including expats — from day one.
Annual cost: Employer pays — typical cost SAR 2,000–10,000 per employee per year (based on age and plan tier)
Verify coverage from day one — escalate to MHRSD if employer delays. Most plans exclude pre-existing conditions for 6–12 months. Dental and optical typically excluded from basic plans.
Motor Third-Party Liability Insurance
Mandatory minimum motor insurance covering third-party bodily injury and property damage. Does not cover your own vehicle damage. Required to register a vehicle at Muroor.
Who needs it: Every vehicle owner in Saudi Arabia — mandatory.
Annual cost: SAR 800–2,500/year for basic third-party liability
Purchase and renew via Najm or directly through an insurer app. Renew before expiry — driving uninsured is SAR 500 fine + possible vehicle impound. Can purchase online via Najm.sa in 5 minutes.
Supplementary Health Insurance Top-Up
Optional additional coverage to fill gaps in employer CCHI plan — dental, optical, higher annual limits, access to premium hospitals, mental health, and medical evacuation.
Who needs it: Anyone whose employer CCHI plan has low annual limits, no dental, no optical, or inadequate dependent coverage.
Annual cost: SAR 3,000–15,000/year depending on coverage level and age
Consider for senior professionals and families. Compare CCHI exclusions against the top-up plan before purchasing.
Comprehensive Motor Insurance
Covers third-party liability PLUS damage to your own vehicle, theft, fire, and natural disasters. Strongly recommended for new or high-value vehicles.
Who needs it: Anyone with a vehicle worth more than SAR 30,000. Financed vehicles usually require comprehensive coverage.
Annual cost: SAR 3,000–12,000/year depending on vehicle value and driver profile
Saudi roads have high accident rates — comprehensive cover is highly recommended for new vehicles. Check the excess (deductible) and whether agency repair is included. SAHER-related fines do not affect insurance premiums directly but indicate risk profile.
Life Insurance / Term Life
Coverage providing a lump sum to beneficiaries in the event of death. Critical for expats who are primary income earners for family members in Saudi Arabia or their home country.
Who needs it: Expats with dependents (spouse, children, parents relying on income), mortgage holders, those with significant ESB accumulation at risk.
Annual cost: SAR 2,000–15,000/year depending on age, coverage amount, and health
Repatriation of remains from Saudi Arabia can cost SAR 10,000–50,000+ without coverage — include repatriation insurance in your life policy. Some CCHI health plans include a small death benefit — check your policy.
Home Contents Insurance
Covers household contents (furniture, electronics, valuables) against theft, fire, and damage. Does not cover the building itself (landlord's responsibility).
Who needs it: All residents — particularly in city apartments (not compounds which often have compound-level coverage).
Annual cost: SAR 400–1,500/year for contents up to SAR 100,000 value
Very cheap insurance relative to the risk. Sandstorms can damage electronics. Power surges are common — include electrical damage cover. Check your compound's master policy before purchasing separately.
International Travel Insurance
Covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and evacuation during international travel outside Saudi Arabia.
Who needs it: All expats who travel home or internationally 2+ times/year. Your CCHI health insurance typically only covers treatment in Saudi Arabia.
Annual cost: SAR 500–3,000/year for annual multi-trip policy
Annual multi-trip policies are better value for frequent travellers (2+ trips/year). Check if your credit card includes travel insurance — some premium cards (Amex, Visa Signature) include basic travel cover.
Medical Evacuation Insurance
Covers the cost of emergency medical evacuation by air ambulance to a specialist medical facility in another country when local treatment is inadequate.
Who needs it: Essential for expats working on remote projects (oil fields, NEOM construction, rural sites), or those with complex medical conditions requiring specialist care not available in Saudi Arabia.
Annual cost: SAR 1,500–5,000/year for comprehensive medical evacuation cover
Medical evacuation from a remote Saudi work site can cost USD 50,000–250,000 without insurance. Remote project workers should treat this as essential, not recommended.
Comparison sites
Register your CCHI health insurance card details and insurer's 24/7 helpline before your first week.
Motor insurance can be purchased and renewed entirely online via Najm.sa in minutes — do this before driving.
Keep all insurance policy documents digitally accessible on your phone — hospitals need policy numbers upfront.
Annual renewal reminders via app — set calendar reminders 30 days before any insurance expiry.
Check your CCHI annual limit — many basic plans cap at SAR 250,000 per year, which can be exhausted by one serious hospitalisation.
In case of a vehicle accident, call NAJM (920000560) for non-injury accidents to generate an official accident report — insurers require this for claims.
Insurance
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