Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The traffic damage assessment operation has entered a new phase with the launch of four modern damage assessment centers by the Saudi Commission for Accredited Valuers (Taqeem).

Until now the process was based on the estimation of officials car showrooms or mechanics in car workshops.

The new Taqdeer (assessment) centers run by Taqeem will assess the damage to vehicles from accidents in a fair manner, preserving the rights of all parties involved. This will contribute to alleviating the burden on each party within the framework of regulations adopted by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA), the General Directorate of Traffic and Taqeem,

Supervisor of Taqeem Talal Al-Ghamdi confirmed that the new centers have more quality, sophistication and comfort compared to the old centers.

"The new centers are equipped with the most modern devices. Repairs and replacement parts are selected electronically. The centers can deal with all types and sizes of cars easily. In 99 percent of the cases, reports are issued to the satisfaction of all affected parties," he said.

Al-Ghamdi pointed out that Taqeem works in cooperation with SAMA, the General Directorate of Traffic and the accredited insurance companies in the Kingdom.

The training courses organized by Taqeem are the first of its kind in the world. It also sent a large number of residents to Britain and Canada for quick and intensive training.

Al-Ghamdi pointed out that Taqeem is the only body responsible for the accreditation and training of evaluators.

He added: "The first phase started with the training of trainers and providing them with the necessary exposure to run Taqeem. We sent three young Saudis to attend vocational training programs in Britain and to obtain internationally accredited certificates. They are now running the work at the four Taqeem centers. We also learned from successful Canadian and Australian experiences. This helped us determine what suits the Saudi market," Al-Ghamdi said.

"The affected motorist goes to an assessment center with a notification from the General Traffic Department, Najm Insurance Services, or any other entity authorized to issue notices to the assessment centers. The car then enters the data operators and receives the estimate, and the value of buying spare parts based on the mark of the damaged vehicle. Less than half an hour later, the victim receives a complete report to repair his vehicle, which will be reviewed by the insurance companies," Al-Ghamdi said.

Taqeem aims to facilitate and expedite post-accident procedures through an advanced electronic system and modern service centers. The program also works to control the assessment of traffic accident damage, complete the procedures resulting from it and make appropriate estimates for compensation resulting from accidents.

The new process will reduce the time and effort put in by accident estimators working at these centers, who estimate the damages including the costs of spare parts and repair work. The details of the assessment process will immediately be sent electronically to the insurance company and the relevant authorities for the completion of the procedures, particularly for the payment of compensation.

SAMA Governor Ahmed Al-Khulaifi said the program was a qualitative step in properly estimating damages from traffic accidents to alleviate the sufferings of victims. SAMA believes that fair assessment preserves the rights of all parties and contributes to raising professionalism, he added.

SAMA issued directives to all insurance companies operating in the Kingdom to connect with the automated system and to accept estimates issued by the system as final. It asked insurance provided not to charge traffic accident victims any additional fees for assessment, which are paid directly at the Taqeem centers.