JEDDAH: The move to allow women to drive in Saudi Arabia is expected to give impetus to the economy in several sectors from car sales to insurance.
Despite competitive pressure on car insurance companies to lower their prices and credit conditions in the Saudi market, it is expected that the Saudi index will rise 1.8 percent through wide gains in insurance, banking and petrochemicals now that women are allowed to drive.
In some countries, prices differ from men to women for car insurance services. However, here are some examples of how car insurance companies will deal with women driving.
An insurance company in Saudi Arabia offered a 15 percent discount for women. The offer is valid until July 24.
Samer Mohammed, a customer services worker at the company, told Arab News: “Women’s insurance documents will include a roadside assistance service to assist women in the event of an emergency.
“This service is provided as an additional service for women and it is not available for men. If a case is complicated the employee will take the car to one of our centers to make sure everything goes smoothly.”
Sara Al-Moaibed, a customer service employee at another insurance firm, said there will be no changes in prices for women. “Prices for men and women will be the same.”
In fact, insurance companies are also planning to hire women and plans are afoot to develop a special section for female employees, according to sources in the insurance sector.
Women driving will have the greatest impact in improving and reducing traffic accidents because of the nature of women and their keenness to follow traffic laws and regulations.
Statistically, women are safer drivers, which means they are also less likely to file a claim than men. Therefore, they will generally pay less for car insurance.
Women to pay less for auto insurance in Saudi Arabia
Women to pay less for auto insurance in Saudi Arabia
- Women’s insurance documents will include a roadside assistance service to assist women in the event of an emergency
- Insurance companies are also planning to hire women and plans are afoot to develop a special section for female employees
Hajj Ministry suspends Umrah firm, overseas agent for violations
- Company fails to provide housing for Umrah pilgrims
- Actions to ‘safeguard’ rights of visitors, says ministry
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on Sunday announced the suspension of an Umrah company and its overseas agent for failing to provide contracted accommodation for pilgrims.
In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency, the ministry said the company violated regulations governing services for Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the two holy mosques.
It noted that several pilgrims arrived in the Kingdom without mandated accommodation. This prompted immediate action against the company and its overseas agent, the ministry stated.
“The measures are intended to safeguard the rights of affected pilgrims, prevent a recurrence of such violations, and ensure the continued enhancement of service quality,” it added.
Last June, the ministry suspended seven Umrah companies due to deficiencies in providing transport services for pilgrims.
In an earlier report quoting the Hajj Ministry and the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, the SPA said more than 1.7 million Muslims from all over the world arrived in the Kingdom to perform Umrah during the month of Jumada Al-Akhirah, corresponding to Nov. 22 to Dec. 20.
