The First 24 Hours After a Car Accident in Istanbul: Insurance Steps

A traffic accident, however small, is stressful — and even more so if you are an expat dealing with an unfamiliar system in a second language. A single step skipped in the rush can turn into weeks of correspondence. Yet what needs to be done in the first hours is clear and manageable once it is put in order. This guide takes you through the first 24 hours from an insurance point of view. It does not cover every stage of a claim; it sets out your priorities in the first hours.

The first minutes: safety first

Insurance always comes second; people come first. In the first minutes:

• Check for injuries: if anyone is hurt, call the emergency line immediately and do not move the injured person unless necessary.
• Secure the vehicle: switch on the hazard lights and place a warning triangle if possible.
• Do not endanger traffic: if there is only material damage and the cars can move, it is usually best to take photos first and then move the cars to a safe spot.
• Avoid arguments: instead of making firm statements about fault at the scene, focus on recording the facts.

Collect evidence at the scene

Information collected at the scene is what helps most during the claim. Before the cars are moved, take as many photos as you can:

• wide shots showing the positions of the cars,
• close-ups of the damaged areas of both cars,
• readable photos of the plates,
• road markings, traffic signs, skid marks and the junction layout,
• witness contact details and any dashcam footage.

Also note or photograph the other driver’s licence, ruhsat (vehicle registration) and policy details. Even if these appear on the report, a separate record helps if there are typing errors.

Accident report or police?

In accidents with only material damage where both sides agree on what happened, the drivers can complete the joint accident report form (kaza tespit tutanağı) themselves. If someone is injured, one side refuses to agree, a driver is suspected of being unlicensed or under the influence of alcohol, or public property is damaged, the traffic police or gendarmerie must be called. For a detailed walkthrough, read our English guide on how to complete a joint accident report. Read every section before signing; if the sketch or ticked boxes do not reflect what happened, do not sign and inform the authorities. If the form is in Turkish and you are unsure of a section, ask for help before signing.

The first hours: tell your insurance adviser

Once you leave the scene, your first task is to call your agency or insurer. Reporting the claim without delay gets the process started quickly and helps you meet the notification obligation in your policy terms. Have ready:

• policy number or plate,
• place, time and a short description of the accident,
• the other party’s details and policy,
• the accident report or police record,
• your photos.

If you were at fault, the other side’s damage is paid by your traffic insurance and your own car’s damage by your kasko (comprehensive motor insurance). If the other side was at fault, your car’s damage can be claimed from their traffic insurance. Deciding the best route with your adviser saves time. Describe the event as it happened; do not guess or embellish. If you do not remember something, say so — this avoids contradictory statements later.

By the end of day one: where does the car go?

Before sending the car for repair, find out whether the insurer will send an expert (eksper) to inspect it. Starting repairs before the inspection can make the damage assessment difficult. Check whether your kasko requires a contracted garage and whether you have towing cover. Common mistakes: agreeing to “sort it out between us” without any record, sending the car for repair before inspection, moving cars without photos and delaying the report for days.

Stay calm with the other driver and leave the fault discussion to the insurance process. Some people offer cash at the scene instead of a report; such deals leave you unprotected if the damage turns out bigger or the other side changes their mind. If you feel pain or discomfort in the hours after the accident, do not delay a medical check; some injuries are not noticed at first, and medical records matter for later claims. If the car cannot be driven, check your policy for roadside assistance before arranging transport yourself.

Keep the documents in one place

At the end of the first day, gather the report, photos, copies of licences and registrations, any police report and your messages with the insurer in one folder — even a separate album on your phone will do. Sending requested documents quickly shortens the time to close the file. To review your cover, see our comprehensive car insurance (kasko) in Maslak page. Customers whose policies are with us can call us first at the time of an accident; we manage the process together.

For a kasko or traffic insurance quote, call us on +90 530 375 89 61 or send a message on WhatsApp — our team offers English support. Our office is in Maslak Atatürk Oto Sanayi Sitesi.