Families in Saudi Arabia can claim compensation before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal in India for death or injury in a road accident, mainly against the vehicle's insurer. Claimants sign the petition and affidavits before a Saudi notary with an apostille, or at the Indian mission. Where the deceased earned in Saudi Arabia, the salary can be used to calculate compensation if properly proved. File within six months.
- Document route
- Saudi notary (including Najiz e-notarisation), then apostille from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or signing at the Indian mission
- Time difference
- IST is 2h30 ahead of Saudi time all year (no daylight saving)
- Law
- Motor Vehicles Act 1988, as amended in 2019
- Forum
- Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT)
Accident Compensation Claims from Saudi Arabia: how it works
We obtain the FIR, site plan, post-mortem or medical reports and insurance details in India. Saudi income is proved through the employment contract, salary certificate, bank statements showing salary credits and other employer records, notarised and apostilled. Since there are no Saudi tax returns for individuals, employer documents carry the weight. Tribunals assess loss of dependency using income, future prospects, personal expenses and an age-based multiplier.
For Saudi-based families we usually file at the tribunal covering the accident site, where the police witnesses are based. Claimants in the Kingdom may be examined by video where the tribunal permits, and a relative in India can give evidence about the accident. Insurers often settle at Lok Adalat once evidence is filed. The award is deposited and released to the claimants, usually into NRO accounts, and can be remitted to Saudi Arabia.
What clients in Saudi Arabia should know
- Ask the employer early for a detailed salary certificate showing basic pay and allowances; tribunals consider the proved total.
- End-of-service benefits and allowances may also be relevant to proving income and should be documented.
- The six-month limit in section 166(3) runs from the date of the accident.
Step by step from Saudi Arabia
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Saudi Arabia, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Saudi Arabia
Saudi notary (including Najiz e-notarisation), then apostille from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or signing at the Indian mission
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Saudi Arabia where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Saudi Arabia. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Accident Compensation Claims, or see all services for clients in Saudi Arabia and the Disputes & Enforcement practice area.
Questions from clients in Saudi Arabia
My brother died in Bihar while on leave from Riyadh. Can his wife claim?
Yes. His widow, children and parents can claim, and his Saudi salary can be used if properly proved.
How is Saudi salary proved without tax returns?
Through the contract, salary certificate, bank statements and attested employer records.
Can the award be sent to Saudi Arabia?
Yes, from the NRO account within the annual limit.