MUSCAT: Preliminary data from the Financial Services Authority (FSA) show that insurance firms recorded around 75,300 traffic accidents in 2025, compared with 75,200 in 2024, a slight rise of 0.1 per cent. Of these, 54,271 were minor accidents, representing about 72.1 per cent of the total, while 20,993 were serious, around 27.9 per cent. Serious accidents saw a notable increase of 13.2 per cent from 2024, reflecting a qualitative shift toward more serious incidents.
Data show that the total number of traffic accident claims in 2025 exceeded 77,000, compared with 76,500 claims in 2024, marking a 1 per cent increase. Claims for minor accidents fell to over 54,000, down from 56,200 in 2024, a decline of 4 per cent. In contrast, claims for serious accidents causing only material damage rose to around 11,000, up from 9,900 in 2024, an increase of 10 per cent. Claims for serious accidents involving injuries and medical expenses reached nearly 12,000, compared with 10,000 the previous year, up 17 per cent, while fatality claims totalled 342, slightly higher than 333 in 2024, an increase of 3 per cent.
Total compensation in 2025 exceeded OMR 79.8 million, compared with OMR 78.7 million in 2024, an increase of 1.47 per cent. This includes both paid compensation and claims under settlement. The distribution of compensation was as follows: OMR 34.04 million for minor accidents, down 9.1 per cent; OMR 18.88 million for serious accidents with material damage; and over OMR 22.47 million for serious accidents involving injuries and medical expenses, a notable rise of 26.67 per cent compared with OMR 17.7 million in 2024. Compensation for fatalities fell to OMR 4.45 million, a decrease of 7.15 per cent from OMR 4.8 million in 2024.
These indicators reflect a decline in minor accidents alongside a clear increase in serious accidents with higher costs, as well as significant growth in injury-related claims and compensation. This points to a shift in the risk profile of traffic accidents and an increase in the financial burden associated with more serious incidents. It underscores the importance of continuing to strengthen road safety measures and fostering a culture of safe driving to reduce material and moral losses.
While insurance remains an effective tool for risk management and financial mitigation, it cannot compensate for the emotional loss associated with fatalities, highlighting the urgent need for adherence to traffic safety rules and social responsibility to protect lives and property.
Insurance companies record only accidents where the responsible party holds a valid insurance policy. Accidents excluded under motor insurance policies, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving without a licence, or without valid insurance, are not included.
