Making an insurance claim in Turkey is one of the areas where expats consistently struggle. The process involves Turkish-language documentation, assessors who may not speak English, and deadlines that are easy to miss if you don’t know they exist.
Here’s what you need to know.
General principles for all insurance claims
1. Act fast — deadlines are real
Most Turkish insurance policies require you to notify your insurer within 3 working days of an incident. Some policies have even shorter windows. Miss the deadline and your claim may be refused regardless of coverage.
As soon as an incident occurs: document it, note the date and time, and contact us or your insurer that day.
2. Document everything
For any claim, gather:
- Photos and/or video of the damage
- Police report (where applicable — see below)
- Any witnesses’ details
- Your policy number and contact details
3. A police report is often required
For vehicle accidents involving injury or significant damage, call the police (155 or 112) and request a trafik tutanağı (traffic accident report). This is almost always required for vehicle insurance claims.
For theft claims, file a report at the nearest police station (karakol) and get a copy — this is required for home and vehicle theft claims.
Making a car insurance claim (kasko or foreign plate)
- Document the accident: Photos, damage assessment, other parties’ details
- Call police if needed: Required for injury accidents or major damage
- Notify your insurer: By phone, app or email — within 3 working days
- Assessment visit: An expert (ekspertiz) will inspect the vehicle — usually within 3–5 working days
- Repair authorisation: Insurer approves repairs at an approved garage, or agrees a cash settlement
- Collect your vehicle or receive payment
If the other party was at fault: You can claim against their insurer (not yours). Get their insurance certificate (sigorta poliçesi) and report number from the police.
Making a home insurance claim
- Secure the property if there’s ongoing damage (burst pipe, fire aftermath)
- Contact emergency services if needed (fire, flood)
- Photograph all damage before touching or cleaning anything
- File a police report for theft or vandalism
- Notify your insurer within 3 working days
- Assessor visit: An ekspertiz will assess the damage
- Claim settlement: Agreed in writing in Turkish — we can translate and advise
Making a health insurance claim
Most Turkish health insurers work on a direct billing basis with their contracted hospitals. You present your insurance card (or policy document) at the hospital, and the insurer pays directly.
For out-of-network treatment or emergency treatment abroad:
- Keep all receipts and medical records
- Submit a reimbursement claim within the deadline (usually 30–90 days)
- Provide Turkish translations where required (your insurer may accept English documents — check)
How we help
Dealing with Turkish-language claims documentation, assessors and follow-up is one of the main reasons expats come to us. We:
- Translate your policy and claim documents
- Communicate with the insurer on your behalf
- Chase outstanding claims
- Advise when a claim is being handled incorrectly
If you’ve had a claim refused or are struggling with the process, contact us.
