Claiming Car Damage from the Other Driver’s Traffic Insurance: Step by Step

One of the most common questions after an accident is: “If the other driver was at fault, who pays for my car?” Compulsory traffic insurance covers damage the insured vehicle causes to third parties, so the at-fault driver’s traffic insurer pays for the damage to your car within the policy limits and according to the fault ratio. This guide explains how to run the claim yourself or with your agency, step by step, with notes for foreign residents.

Step-by-step application

1. Record the accident properly: If both sides agree, complete the joint accident report together; if there is disagreement, injury or anything suspicious, call the police. A complete report is the foundation for everything that follows. See how to complete a joint accident report.
2. Get the other side’s policy details: Plate, driver details and the name of their traffic insurer. These are on the report; if unsure, your agency can help look them up.
3. Collect evidence: Photograph the positions of the cars, the damage, the plates and the scene from several angles. Witness details and camera footage are valuable too.
4. Apply to the other driver’s insurer: Submit the claim in writing to the insurer’s claims unit, through an agency or via the channels the insurer offers. Keep proof that it was received.
5. Take part in the expert inspection: The insurer appoints an assessor. Keep the car available and start repairs only after the inspection and the necessary approvals.
6. Review the fault ratio and offer: The insurer sets the fault ratio and amount based on the documents. Compare the offer with the repair cost before accepting.
7. Follow up payment: Payment usually goes to the account you give or to the garage that does the repair.

Documents you will need

Requirements vary by insurer and case; generally have these ready:

• The joint accident report or the police report,
• Your ruhsat (vehicle registration) and driving licence,
• The owner’s ID details (for foreign residents, the foreign ID number, Yabancı Kimlik No) and bank account details,
• Photos of the scene and the damage,
• Any repair estimate or invoice,
• An authorisation document if someone else applies on the owner’s behalf.

The other driver’s insurer or your own kasko?

If you have kasko (Turkish comprehensive motor insurance), you can also claim from your own policy when you were not at fault. Your insurer then recovers what it paid from the at-fault driver and their traffic insurer. Which route is faster or better depends on your preferred garage, your deductibles, whether you need a replacement car and how your kasko no-claims discount would be affected. Discuss both options with your agency before deciding.

Diminished value is a separate item

A drop in the market value of a repaired car can be a separate claim from the repair cost. It is also made against the at-fault driver’s traffic insurance, with its own conditions and calculation.

After you apply

Note the claim file number and use it in all correspondence. Send any extra documents requested without delay; missing paperwork is one of the most common causes of delay. Keep communication in writing where possible. Most documents will be in Turkish, and an English-speaking agency can help you keep track.

If the other car has no insurance

If the other vehicle had no valid traffic insurance, or left the scene, the process is different. The regulations provide a guarantee mechanism that can be used under certain conditions, but its conditions for material damage claims may be limited. With kasko, your own policy is often the most practical route. Ask your agency based on the details.

Common mistakes

• Repairing the car before inspection, making it harder to document the damage,
• Leaving the report incomplete or not getting the other side’s policy details,
• Applying verbally and keeping no record,
• Accepting the fault ratio or offer without knowing you can object.

If you cannot reach agreement with the insurer, there are routes for resolving the dispute; assess the right one with your agency or a lawyer. This guide covers material damage to the car; if anyone was injured, bodily injury claims follow a separate process and professional support is especially important. When choosing a garage, compare its estimate with the assessor’s report and settle any differences before work starts.

You are not on your own

With the right documents and steady follow-up, a claim against the other driver’s insurer usually runs smoothly. As an agency working with several insurers, we can help prepare and follow your application. See our traffic insurance in Maslak page.

For help with your claim, 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.