Car insurance in Turkey – All you need to know
All vehicles in Turkey are required to have at least third-party liability insurance, and drivers must carry proof of insurance at all times. If you are driving in Turkey or abroad with a foreign license plate, it is important to note that your insurance coverage may be limited to third-party liability. This means that your policy will only cover damages caused to other parties and not your own vehicle. To avoid any unexpected issues, it is crucial to confirm your insurance coverage with your provider before embarking on your travels, whether to Turkey or elsewhere. For more information on car insurance in Turkey, keep reading.
Types of Car Insurance in Turkey
All vehicles in Turkey are required to have compulsory traffic insurance, known as “zorunlu trafik sigortası” which covers the costs of damages caused to another car in case of an accident. However, Kasko insurance is also available and provides more comprehensive coverage, including theft, vandalism, and fire. Kasko insurance has three levels of protection: limited (Dar), extended (Genişletilmiş), and full (Tam) insurance. While the car owner is covered, additional drivers must be listed on the policy to be included in the coverage.
The cost of Kasko insurance premiums can vary depending on several factors such as the vehicle’s age, engine capacity (horsepower), year of production, model, type and level of insurance, and the driver’s age. Moreover, there may be differences in pricing between insurance providers, and your location may also impact premium amounts.
Drivers should carefully review their policy and compare different insurance options before choosing the right type and level of coverage. It is important to note that although compulsory traffic insurance is mandatory, it may not provide enough coverage in the event of an accident or other unexpected incidents on the road. Kasko insurance provides more comprehensive protection and may be a better option for drivers who value peace of mind while on the road.
Roadside Assistance Insurance in Turkey (Trafik Yol Yardım Sigortası)
Roadside assistance insurance can provide coverage for vehicle breakdowns, windshield or window damage (if not covered by primary insurance), or related legal expenses. However, this coverage may require additional payments or extra coverage depending on the insurance provider.
There are some situations in which drivers may not be eligible for roadside assistance. Participating in public racing, being under the influence of drugs and alcohol, repeated incidents of the same type of accident or breakdown, and getting into physical altercations with third parties can limit the availability of this coverage.
It is important to note that natural disasters, terrorism, civil war, riots or strikes are not covered by roadside assistance insurance. Therefore, drivers should carefully review their policy to understand the extent and limitations of their coverage.
In the event of a breakdown or accident, drivers should contact their insurance provider to determine the eligibility and availability of roadside assistance coverage. It is also essential to keep up to date on any changes to insurance policies or coverage options to ensure that drivers have the appropriate coverage for their needs.
Extra Driver and Passenger Insurance in Turkey (Ekstra SürüCü Teminatı)
Without comprehensive vehicle insurance, drivers may be vulnerable to potential loss or damage, including the possibility of loss of life. In such circumstances, it may be advisable to consider obtaining additional insurance coverage, such as Ekstra insurance, to provide further protection for themselves and their passengers. This type of insurance can potentially cover costs related to accidents, such as medical expenses, property damage, and personal injury.
It is important to note, however, that Ekstra insurance, like other forms of insurance, may require additional payments or coverage depending on the insurance provider. Moreover, it may have certain limitations and exclusions, and may not necessarily cover all types of damage or loss.
Therefore, drivers should carefully review the terms and conditions of their insurance policy and assess which additional coverage options may be appropriate for their needs. It may be helpful to consult with insurance providers or experts in the field to better understand the available options.
In the end, obtaining additional insurance coverage can provide peace of mind and help protect both drivers and passengers from the potential consequences of accidents or other unexpected incidents on the road.
Car Insurance Penalties and Bonuses in Turkey
Driving on Turkey’s roads requires mandatory traffic insurance, and failure to comply with this requirement could result in serious consequences, such as facing legal action and being banned from traffic.
In 2023, individuals who do not have car insurance can expect to face penalties starting at 400 lira. However, those who pay within 15 days of the citation can receive a 25% discount. If the compulsory traffic insurance is not renewed, or if the insurance policy has expired for more than a year, drivers can expect to have a 5% penalty applied for each month of delay, with a maximum penalty of 50%.
Drivers who are caught without valid insurance will have their cars towed to a parking lot and will not be allowed to drive until obtaining valid insurance. Further, in the event of an accident without valid insurance, drivers may face claims of over 1 million Turkish Lira, particularly if the other party is seriously injured, disabled or killed.
On the other hand, car insurance in Turkey can offer a “no-claims bonus” or “Hasarsızlık indirimi,” which offers discounts up to 5% on insurance premiums per year without making a claim. This discount can increase over time up to 60%.
It is worth noting that drivers, not vehicles, receive the claim discount, which they can still apply to their new vehicle in the event of a vehicle change. Given these circumstances, it is important for drivers to ensure that they have valid insurance coverage when driving on Turkey’s roads to avoid the risk of facing severe penalties and other legal consequences.
Selecting Car Insurance in Turkey
When selecting car insurance in Turkey, drivers should consider their driving frequency and the extent of their travels. Kasko insurance is highly recommended, and drivers may want to consider adding clauses for international trips.
Several insurance providers offer flexible policies for mandatory traffic insurance, including Anadolu Sigorta, Ankara Sigorta, ERGO Sigorta, Eureko Sigorta, and Groupama Sigorta.
In addition to insurance providers, banks like Garanti Bank may offer additional perks or bonuses for drivers who compare insurance policies. It is important to carefully review policy terms and conditions to determine which coverage options best suit individual needs.
Guide to Applying for Car Insurance in Turkey
When applying for car insurance in Turkey, you will typically be provided with a standard form to fill out. The insurance company will respond within 15 days, and if you are not satisfied with their offer, you are free to search for other options. If you require more time to consider, most insurance providers’ rates and conditions will remain valid for 14 days.
To make the process more straightforward, several insurance companies now offer translated versions of their contracts and have English websites. To obtain car insurance in Turkey, you will need to provide your vehicle registration document, proof of identity (ID card or passport), and proof of periodic motor vehicle inspection (similar to MOT in Turkey, called “Vize”).
It is important to carefully review the terms and conditions of each policy to ensure that you are getting the coverage you need.
Filing an Insurance Claim for Your Car in Turkey
o ensure a seamless claims process, it is important to notify your insurance provider of a car accident within five days of the incident. To file a claim for material damage, you will be required to submit several documents, including a copy of your insurance policy (poliçe), an accident report (trafik kazası tespit tutanağı), drivers’ statements or eyewitness accounts, a copy of the vehicle registration documents, your driving license, and photographic evidence of the damage. In some cases, you may also be required to provide the result of a breathalyzer test (alkol raporu).
Keeping these documents organized and readily available can help expedite the claims process in the event of an accident.
Canceling or Changing Your Car Insurance Provider in Turkey
In Turkey, car insurance contracts are commonly renewed annually upon their expiry, with the option of 3- or 6-month contracts that are typically more expensive. Canceling a contract usually comes with a penalty, but under certain circumstances, such as the sale of the vehicle or the insured’s death, cancellation is allowed.
To cancel a contract after its expiry, written notice must be provided to the provider at least three months in advance. Canceling before the expiry date may require payment of the remaining months’ premiums. It is important to review the terms and conditions of your policy to understand the cancellation procedures and any associated costs.
How to Lodge a Complaint Against a Car Insurance Company in Turkey
If you are dissatisfied with the compensation provided by your insurance company or their level of service and communication, you have recourse to file a complaint with the Commission of Insurance Arbitration (Sigorta Denetleme Kurumu) or pursue legal action through Turkish courts. It is also recommended to seek legal advice to understand the best course of action for your particular case. Remember to keep comprehensive documentation to support your complaint or claim.
Traffic Insurance In Turkey
In Turkey, traffic insurance is compulsory and required by law to cover the legal liability of vehicle operators in case of death, injury, or material damage caused to third parties during vehicle operation. Adherence to this requisite is in line with the Road Traffic Law No. 2918, granting greater security to all parties involved in road usage.
Minimum Insurance Guarantees Applied as of 01/07/2022 for Motor Vehicle Operators
| Guarantees(TL) | |||||||
| A-Material4 | B-Health Expense | C-Injury and Death | |||||
| Vehicle Group Code | Vehicle Group | Per Vehicle | Per Accident | Per Person | Per Accident | Per Person | Per Accident |
| 1 | Car (9 seats including driver) | 100.000 | 200.000 | 1.000.000 | 5.000.000 | 1.000.000 | 5.000.000 |
| 2 | Taxi | 100.000 | 200.000 | 1.000.000 | 5.000.000 | 1.000.000 | 5.000.000 |
| 3 | Minibus (10-17 seats including the driver) | 100.000 | 200.000 | 1.000.000 | 10.000.000 | 1.000.000 | 10.000.000 |
| 4 | Bus (18-30 seats including driver) | 100.000 | 200.000 | 1.000.000 | 13.000.000 | 1.000.000 | 13.000.000 |
| 5 | Bus (seats 31 and above including driver)* | 100.000 | 200.000 | 1.000.000 | 26.000.000 | 1.000.000 | 26.000.000 |
| 6 | Truck | 100.000 | 200.000 | 1.000.000 | 10.000.000 | 1.000.000 | 10.000.000 |
| 7 | Truck | 100.000 | 200.000 | 1.000.000 | 10.000.000 | 1.000.000 | 10.000.000 |
| 8 | Construction Machine | 100.000 | 200.000 | 1.000.000 | 10.000.000 | 1.000.000 | 10.000.000 |
| 9 | Tractor | 100.000 | 200.000 | 1.000.000 | 5.000.000 | 1.000.000 | 5.000.000 |
| 10 | Trailer 1 | 100.000 | 200.000 | 1.000.000 | 10.000.000 | 1.000.000 | 10.000.000 |
| 11 | Motorcycle and Cargo Motorcycle | 100.000 | 200.000 | 1.000.000 | 3.000.000 | 1.000.000 | 3.000.000 |
| 12 | Tanker | 100.000 | 200.000 | 1.000.000 | 5.000.000 | 1.000.000 | 5.000.000 |
| 13 | Special Purpose Vehicles 2 | 100.000 | 200.000 | 1.000.000 | 5.000.000 | 1.000.000 | 5.000.000 |
| 14 | Agricultural Machinery 3 | 100.000 | 200.000 | 1.000.000 | 5.000.000 | 1.000.000 | 5.000.000 |
