Your Car’s Claims History: Insurance Information and Monitoring Centre (SBM) Records

When you request a new traffic insurance or kasko (Turkish comprehensive motor insurance) quote, the insurer looks not only at what you tell them but also at central records. At the heart of those records is the Insurance Information and Monitoring Centre, known by its Turkish initials SBM. Many drivers only hear of SBM when a premium surprises them. This guide explains in general terms what SBM records are for, how they relate to your premium and what you can do if you spot an error.

What SBM is and what it holds

SBM is the body where policy and claims data from the insurance sector are collected centrally. Insurers report the policies they issue and the claim files they open. For motor insurance, the records generally include:

• The car’s past and current traffic insurance and kasko policies,
• Claim files opened under those policies and payment information,
• The no-claims step in traffic insurance,
• Records of the fault determined in accidents.

Because the records are central, your history follows you when you change insurer. A claim-free history is recognised by the new company, and at-fault claims show up just the same.

How claims history affects the premium

In traffic insurance, the premium is broadly linked to the no-claims step system. At-fault accidents can move your step down, while claim-free periods can move it up. See no-claims discount in motor insurance for details.

In kasko, each insurer assesses claims history under its own pricing rules, and kasko no-claims discounts differ between companies. So it is not surprising to receive quite different quotes with the same history.

Practical ways to check your record

1. Ask your agency: The no-claims information and previous policies visible in the system can be explained to you at the quote stage.
2. Contact your insurer: You can ask about the status and fault details of claim files opened under your policy.
3. Use official channels: Query services for vehicle and policy information are offered through SBM and authorised channels. What is visible where can change over time, so ask your agency about the current route.

Checking claims history matters when buying a used car, but knowing your own car’s record is just as important.

What if the record is wrong?

You may sometimes see information you did not expect, most often:

• An accident you believe was not your fault recorded as at fault,
• A claim file you did not know about, or one you thought was cancelled,
• No-claims information from your previous policy not carried over correctly.

First, contact the insurer that opened the claim file or issued the policy. Keep the joint accident report, any police report, the expert report and correspondence to hand, and send your correction request in writing so you can track it. If the dispute cannot be solved with the insurer, other routes exist; discuss with your agency which one fits. Documents are usually in Turkish, and an English-speaking agency can help you follow the process.

Should you report small damage?

There is no single right answer. A small claim on your own kasko may affect its no-claims discount, so compare the repair cost with the effect of losing the discount. If you damaged someone else’s property, however, their rights are involved and the incident should be reported and handled properly. Get advice before opening a file, because once opened it appears in the records.

Check the new policy

When you renew or switch insurer, check that the no-claims information on the new policy matches what you expect, and ask for an explanation before accepting it if it does not. Do the same with the first policy on a newly bought car.

A clean history pays off over time

Claims history is one of the main long-term drivers of your insurance cost. Deciding carefully whether to report small damage, making sure records are accurate and checking that information carries over at renewal all protect it. We can review your records with you at renewal; see our traffic insurance in Maslak page.

For questions about your claims record or no-claims information, 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.