Car Accident in Turkey: Rental Cars, Insurance and Claims

A car accident in Turkey is stressful for any visitor: different rules, a foreign language, a rental company on the phone and a flight home in a few days. The legal framework is the Highway Traffic Law No. 2918 (Karayolları Trafik Kanunu, KTK), which imposes strict liability on vehicle operators and compulsory insurance on every vehicle. Knowing a few rules protects your claim and keeps you out of trouble.

This guide covers the first hour, who pays, rental cars, foreign-registered cars and claims. For insurance disputes in general, see the insurance law overview.

What should you do right after a car accident in Turkey?

Hospital costs for traffic accident victims are covered by the Social Security Institution under the public reimbursement rules, whether or not the victim has social insurance (KTK, Art. 98). Keep every medical document and receipt.

Who pays for the damage?

The operator (işleten) of a motor vehicle is liable for death, injury and property damage caused by operating it, without proof of fault (KTK, Art. 85). The operator escapes liability only by proving force majeure or gross fault of the victim or a third party, and even then only if neither the operator's side nor a vehicle defect contributed (Art. 86). Every operator must hold compulsory third-party liability insurance (zorunlu trafik sigortası), which pays up to limits set by the authorities (Art. 91; 2026 limits).

Agreements that exclude or limit this statutory liability are void, and a settlement that is clearly inadequate or excessive can be annulled within two years (Art. 111).

What if you crash a rental car?

Under the KTK definition, the registered owner is the operator, and a hirer becomes the operator in cases such as long-term hire (KTK, Art. 3). In an ordinary short-term rental, the rental company is therefore generally treated as the operator, although the facts of the case can matter. Claims by other road users therefore go to the rental car's compulsory traffic insurer. As the driver, you remain personally liable for your own fault, and the rental company may claim from you under the contract.

Damage to the rental car itself depends on the contract. Read the exclusions before you sign. Under the standard comprehensive insurance conditions, damage is not covered if the driver had no required licence or was under the influence of drugs or alcohol above the legal limit, and rental contracts usually add conditions such as naming every driver. Tourists may drive with a licence recognised under international agreements or a valid international driving permit (Art. 36). Before returning the car or leaving Türkiye, get a copy of the accident report and a written damage statement.

How do you claim compensation as a tourist?

You must first apply in writing to the responsible insurer. If it does not reply in writing within 15 days, or you disagree with the answer, you may sue or apply to the Insurance Arbitration Commission (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu) (KTK, Art. 97; Law No. 5684, Art. 30). Since 01.09.2026, claims can also be lodged through the Joint Claims Notification Centre (Ortak Hasar İhbar Merkezi, OHİM) of the Insurance Information and Monitoring Centre, and the Alo 193 claims and complaints hotline is available (SEDDK Circular 2026/22); a claim lodged there counts as made to the insurer when it reaches the Centre. The Commission requires no mediation; for a lawsuit, mediation may be required depending on the nature of the claim. A lawsuit can be filed where the insurer's branch or agency is located or where the accident happened (Art. 110).

Only you, your legal representative, close relatives acting under your power of attorney or your lawyer may pursue the claim, and it cannot be assigned to anyone else (Law No. 5684, Additional Art. 6). Be careful with agents who offer to buy your claim.

Claims for material damage become time-barred two years after you learn of the damage and the liable person, and in any case ten years after the accident; a longer period applies if the act is also a crime with a longer limitation period (Art. 109). If people were injured, the prosecutor may open a criminal investigation, and you may be asked to give a statement before you leave.