Article 333 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
المادة 333 من النظام البحري التجاري · الفصل الثاني: التأمين على السفينة
The article provides that the insurer guarantees the damage from each accident during the policy within the insured sum even if accidents are multiple, and allows agreement that he may claim a supplementary premium after each accident.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يضمن المؤمن في حدود مبلغ التأمين الأضرار الناشئة عن كل حادث يقع أثناء سريان وثيقة التأمين, وإن تعددت الحوادث.
2- يجوز الاتفاق على أن يكون للمؤمن الحق في طلب قسط تكميلي عقب كل حادث.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 333 explained in plain English
This article answers an important question: if more than one accident occurs during the policy period, do the accidents share a single insured sum?
The rule (paragraph 1): the insurer guarantees, within the insured sum, the damage arising from each accident that occurs while the policy is in force, even if accidents are multiple. Under the wording of the text, the insured sum is the limit for each accident separately.
The supplementary premium (paragraph 2): it may be agreed that the insurer has the right to demand a supplementary premium after each accident. This right belongs to the insurer only if the contract provides for it.
The practical benefit for the shipowner is that an accident during the policy period does not cost him cover for later accidents, but he should review his policy to see whether it contains a supplementary premium clause.
Article 332 regulates when the ship insurance premium falls due, while Article 334 sets what the insurer is bound to when settling by compensation, namely the expenses of replacing parts and the repairs necessary to make the ship seaworthy.
Practical example
A company insures its ship for one year for SAR 10,000,000, and it suffers two separate accidents during the year. The insurer guarantees the damage from each accident within the insured sum. If the policy contains a supplementary premium clause, the insurer may demand an additional premium after each accident.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
How we write and review contentCommercial & Corporate Law lawyers: ask a specialist about your case
Describe your situation briefly and we'll suggest a lawyer who specialises in this law
Commercial & Corporate Law lawyers
Lawyers who handle this kind of case
Ibrahim Al Salem Law Firm
Active contributor
Dr. Ali Al-Rubaie Law Office and Ittihad Al-Asr Legal Company
Frequently asked questions about Article 333 of the Saudi Commercial Maritime Law
Does marine insurance cover more than one accident during the policy period?
Yes. The insurer guarantees, within the insured sum, the damage arising from each accident that occurs while the policy is in force, even if accidents are multiple.
Can the insurance company demand an additional premium after an accident?
It may be agreed that the insurer has the right to demand a supplementary premium after each accident.
More articles on Marine Insurance
- Article 139
Ships carrying the Kingdom's nationality are not permitted to sail to areas dominated by the dangers of war, piracy or armed robbery until proof of insurance of their crew against these dangers is provided.
لا يصرح للسفن التي تحمل جنسية المملكة بالسفر إلى المناطق التي تغلب عليها أخطار الحرب, أو أعمال القرصنة أو السطو المسلح, إلا بعد تقديم مالكها أو مجهزها أو مستأجر
- Article 215
Any agreement made before the incident that exempts the carrier from liability for loss of or damage to the goods, alters the burden of proof placed on him, or assigns to him the rights arising from cargo insurance is void.
يقع باطلاً كل اتفاق يتم قبل وقوع الحادث الذي نشأ عنه الضرر, ويكون موضوعه أحد الأمور الآتية: 1- إعفاء الناقل من المسؤولية عن هلاك البضائع أو تلفها. 2- تعديل عبء
- Article 236
The carrier must hold insurance or a guarantee from a recognized body covering its liability for death and bodily injury, and the injured party may claim directly against the insurer or guarantor.
يجب أن يكون لدى الناقل تأمين أو ضمان من جهة معترف بها، لتغطية مسؤوليته عن الوفاة والإصابات البدنية. وفي هذه الحالة يجوز للمتضرر الرجوع المباشر على المؤمن أو الض
- Article 293
The article provides that the maritime insurance provisions apply to an insurance contract covering maritime risks, without prejudice to the Law on Supervision of Cooperative Insurance Companies.
دون إخلال بالأحكام الواردة في نظام مراقبة شركات التأمين التعاوني, تسري أحكام هذا الباب على عقد التأمين الذي يكون موضوعه تغطية الأخطار البحرية.
- Article 294
The article requires a maritime insurance contract and any change to it to be proved in writing, sets the particulars of the insurance policy, and makes a provisional policy binding on both parties until the final policy is issued.
1- لا يثبت عقد التأمين وكل ما يطرأ عليه إلاَّ بالكتابة. 2- يصدر بموجب عقد التأمين وثيقة تأمين تتضمن البيانات الآتية: أ- تاريخ عقد التأمين ومكانه. ب- اسم المؤمِّ
- Article 295
The article allows a maritime insurance policy to be issued in the name of the insured, to his order or to bearer, and gives its lawful holder the right to claim compensation, subject to the insurer's defenses against the insured.
1- تكون وثيقة التأمين باسم المؤمن له أو لأمره، أو لحاملها. 2- يكون لحامل الوثيقة الشرعي الحق في المطالبة بالتعويض, وللمؤمِّن أن يحتج في مواجهته بالدفوع التي يجو
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.