How to get car insurance for driving from UAE to Saudi Arabia

Dubai: If you are planning a road trip from the UAE to Saudi Arabia, one thing you can’t skip is motor insurance. Saudi regulations require all foreign vehicles entering the country to be insured.

While travellers can buy a policy at the border, this often means waiting in queues. A faster option is to arrange your coverage online before you set off.

Through Manafith, the official Saudi insurance platform for foreign vehicles - you can purchase your policy in advance in just a few clicks. Whether you are visiting for a weekend or staying longer, getting your insurance online helps you avoid delays and ensures a smoother entry at the border.

To save time at the border, you can purchase motor insurance via the Manafith website or through their mobile app, available for both Apple and Android devices. This ensures you cross the border quickly without stopping to buy an insurance policy.

Manafith provides third-party liability (TPL) insurance for non-Saudi vehicles, covering any damage your car might cause to other vehicles or people in an accident. However, it will not cover damage to your own car or any injuries you may sustain.

• For one week – SAR 120 (Dh117.45)
• For two weeks – SAR 200 (Dh195.75)
• For one month – SAR 250 (Dh244.69)
• For three months – SAR 400 (Dh391.50)
• For six months – SAR 900 (Dh880.88)
• For one year – SAR 1,200 (Dh1,174.48)

1. Visit this website – manafith.com.sa and click on the ‘manafith insurance for non-saudi vehicles only – buy insurance policy’. Allow access to your current location.

2. Next, start filling out the details for your insurance policy:
• Enter the start date (which is pre-filled and you have to apply for the vehicle insurance one day before your trip).
• Select the policy duration from the drop-down menu.
• Enter the end date (which is also pre-filled).
• Select the country you are coming from.
• Select the border (for UAE motorists the only option available is the Batha border).

3. Now, enter your vehicle information:
• Select the country in which the car is registered.
• Enter the plate number and code.
• Enter chassis number (the car’s chassis number is found on the back of the vehicle registration card).
• Select the vehicle manufacturer and model.
• Enter the vehicle manufacture year.
• Select the vehicle type from the drop-down menu (for example – private vehicle).

4. Review the total cost, including Value Added Tax (VAT) which is 15 per cent in Saudi Arabia, and make your payment via debit or credit card. Once the payment is successful, you will instantly get the car insurance on the website and it will be linked to your vehicle.

When you reach the Al Batha border, make sure you have the following documents ready:
• A valid Emirates ID and passport
• Your UAE driving licence
• The vehicle’s registration card (mulkiya)
• Your Manafith TPL insurance
• A valid Saudi visit visa or Saudi eVisa for GCC residents (depending on your nationality, you may be eligible for a visa on arrival or a 90-day eVisa).

If you are driving a vehicle that is not in your name (a rental or mortgaged car), you will need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the owner or the bank.