Is a Turkish insurance company delaying your compensation? Learn what foreigners can do about unpaid or delayed insurance claims in Turkey, including formal demands, interest, Insurance Arbitration Commission applications, traffic accident claims and lawsuits in 2026.

An insurance company may accept that an accident or insured event occurred but still fail to pay compensation within a reasonable or legally applicable period. The claimant may repeatedly hear that the file is “under review,” that an expert report is awaited, that additional documents are required or that internal approval has not yet been completed.

For a foreign claimant, prolonged delay can be particularly difficult. The injured person may have returned abroad, paid substantial medical or repair expenses, lost income or be unfamiliar with the procedures available in Turkey.

The most important point is that a claimant should not allow an insurance file to remain indefinitely in an informal review process. Once the necessary claim has been properly submitted and the applicable procedural period has expired, further legal remedies may become available.

For disputes eligible for insurance arbitration, the Insurance Arbitration Commission currently states that a claimant may apply after making a written application to the insurer if the insurer rejects the demand or fails to provide its final written response within 15 business days for ordinary insurance disputes or 15 days for traffic insurance disputes. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

Foreign claimants should therefore document exactly when the claim was submitted, what documents were provided and what response—if any—the insurer gave.

Can a Turkish Insurance Company Delay Compensation Indefinitely?

No insurer should be assumed to have unlimited time merely because it says that a claim remains under examination.

However, there is no single payment deadline that applies identically to every insurance dispute. The applicable timeframe can depend on the type of insurance, the insured event, the policy, statutory rules and whether all documents necessary to establish liability and the amount of loss have been submitted.

This distinction is essential.

A traffic insurance compensation claim, private property policy, health insurance dispute and major commercial insurance claim should not automatically be treated as subject to precisely the same payment mechanics.

The first step is therefore to identify the insurance category and determine what rules govern the specific claim.

Delay and Rejection Are Not the Same Thing

An insurer may expressly reject a claim.

Alternatively, it may simply fail to reach a decision.

Both situations can eventually create a dispute, but the evidence is different.

With an express rejection, the claimant can examine the insurer’s stated reasons.

With delay, the claimant must establish:

when the application was submitted, what was requested, which documents were provided and how long the insurer has failed to provide an adequate response.

For this reason, provable written communication is extremely important.

Step 1: Determine Whether a Proper Claim Was Actually Submitted

Before accusing an insurer of unlawful delay, verify that the claim was properly submitted.

A telephone call saying:

“When will you pay me?”

is not necessarily equivalent to a documented compensation application.

The claimant should identify the original application date and preserve evidence showing that the insurer received it.

For Insurance Arbitration Commission proceedings, the Commission specifically requires evidence of the application previously submitted to the insurer and either the insurer’s final response or evidence that the applicable response period expired without a written answer. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

Step 2: Identify Whether Documents Are Genuinely Missing

Insurance companies may legitimately require documentation necessary to investigate a claim.

Depending on the dispute, this can include the policy, accident report, medical records, invoices, repair documents, photographs, expert reports, proof of ownership, bank details or evidence establishing financial loss.

If the insurer requests additional documents, do not simply ignore the request.

Respond in writing.

If the document has already been supplied, identify when and how it was delivered.

If the document does not exist or cannot reasonably be obtained, explain that in writing.

This prevents the insurer from later arguing that the file remained incomplete because of the claimant’s inactivity.

Step 3: Create a Complete Claim Timeline

A foreign claimant should create a chronology containing:

date of accident or insured event, date of notification, date of formal compensation application, documents submitted, additional document requests, expert appointment, expert inspection, insurer correspondence, settlement offers and payments received.

This can immediately reveal whether the file has genuinely stalled.

It also provides the factual foundation for an arbitration application or lawsuit.

Step 4: Stop Relying Exclusively on Telephone Conversations

Telephone calls are useful for obtaining information but poor evidence for a substantial insurance dispute.

Suppose the insurer says every week:

“Your payment will be approved soon.”

Three months later, nothing has happened.

The claimant may struggle to prove what was said.

Important communications should therefore be confirmed in writing.

Emails, formal applications, claim-system messages and provable correspondence should be preserved.

Step 5: Ask for the Current Status in Writing

The claimant should request a clear explanation of:

whether liability has been accepted, whether the claim file is complete, whether additional documents are required, whether an expert assessment remains outstanding and why payment has not yet been made.

A vague response such as “the file is being evaluated” may not adequately explain a prolonged delay.

A written status request can also help establish the chronology if proceedings later become necessary.

Step 6: Quantify the Compensation Being Requested

An insurer cannot meaningfully evaluate an undefined demand.

Where possible, the claimant should identify the amount sought and provide supporting calculations.

For example:

Vehicle repair loss: TRY 250,000

Additional documented loss: TRY 80,000

Total demand: TRY 330,000

Bodily injury and permanent disability claims may require more sophisticated calculations, but the underlying principle remains the same: the claimant should establish what is being requested and why.

Step 7: Send a Formal Written Demand

Where ordinary correspondence has produced no meaningful progress, a properly structured written demand may be appropriate.

The demand should identify the claimant, policy or claim number, insured event, original application, supporting evidence, amount sought and insurer’s delay.

It should also reserve the claimant’s legal rights where appropriate.

The purpose is not to send an aggressive letter.

The purpose is to create a precise record showing:

“The insurer received a complete demand for a defined amount supported by identified evidence and has not resolved it.”

That can be far more useful than dozens of informal emails.

Insurance Arbitration Can Become Available Without Waiting Forever

For eligible disputes, the claimant does not necessarily need to wait indefinitely for an insurer to issue an express rejection.

The Insurance Arbitration Commission states that after the claimant has made the required application to the insurer, an application to the Commission may be made where the insurer’s final response does not satisfy the demand or where no final written response is received within 15 business days for ordinary insurance and 15 days for traffic insurance. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

This is particularly important where the insurer avoids formally rejecting the claim but repeatedly postpones its decision.

Example: Traffic Accident Claim With No Response

Suppose a foreign vehicle owner is involved in a traffic accident.

The claimant submits the required documents and compensation demand to the relevant insurer.

The insurer repeatedly states that the claim remains under examination but does not provide the required final response.

The claimant should not assume that they must continue waiting for months before taking action.

Once the procedural conditions applicable to insurance arbitration have been satisfied, the possibility of filing with the Commission should be examined. The Commission’s current guidance specifically uses a 15-day period for traffic insurance applications. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

Example: Property Insurance Claim Delayed for Months

Assume a foreign property owner suffers a serious insured loss.

The insurer sends an expert, receives the requested documentation and then repeatedly says that headquarters is reviewing the claim.

The claimant should establish whether the file is complete and whether the insurer has provided a final response.

For ordinary insurance disputes, the Insurance Arbitration Commission currently identifies 15 business days after the prior application as the relevant no-response period for access to the Commission, assuming the other arbitration requirements are satisfied. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

Foreigners Can Potentially Use Insurance Arbitration

Foreign nationality does not itself prevent a qualifying dispute from being submitted to the Insurance Arbitration Commission.

However, there is an important procedural rule specifically affecting foreigners.

The Commission currently states that online applications require identity verification through the national digital-government system and therefore foreign nationals may only submit physical applications under its present procedure. Foreign applicants must complete the application form and submit it together with the required documentation. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

This is particularly relevant for claimants who have already left Turkey.

A Foreign Claimant’s Lawyer Can Handle the Application

Foreigners can be represented by a lawyer, subject to appropriate authorization.

However, the Commission specifically states that a power of attorney used for representation before it must contain the special authority required for alternative dispute resolution methods or direct application to the Insurance Arbitration Commission. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

A foreign claimant should therefore have the power of attorney checked before filing.

This can prevent avoidable procedural problems.

What Documents Are Needed for Insurance Arbitration?

The Commission’s current guidance requires documentation including the prior application to the insurance company, the insurer’s final response or evidence demonstrating that the relevant response period expired, an explanation of what remains disputed and evidence supporting the claim. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

In a delayed-payment dispute, useful evidence may include the insurance policy, claim application, proof of delivery, accident documentation, expert reports, invoices, medical records, photographs, correspondence, payment calculations and repeated status requests.

The objective is to demonstrate not merely that:

“The insurer is taking too long.”

The file should establish:

“A valid compensation demand was submitted on this date, the necessary evidence was provided, the applicable response period expired and the claim remains unpaid or unresolved.”

Can Foreigners File an Insurance Lawsuit?

Potentially, yes.

Depending on the nature of the insurance relationship and applicable procedural requirements, litigation before the competent Turkish court may also be available.

The appropriate route depends on the claim.

A private individual’s insurance dispute may involve different jurisdictional considerations from a large commercial property or corporate liability insurance dispute.

The claimant should therefore determine the competent dispute-resolution route before filing.

Insurance Arbitration and Court Proceedings Should Be Coordinated

Claimants should not initiate multiple procedures without understanding how they interact.

The Insurance Arbitration Commission states that disputes already submitted to a court, arbitration under the general procedural framework or the relevant consumer dispute mechanism cannot simultaneously be brought before the Commission under the circumstances described in its rules. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

The appropriate route should therefore be selected strategically.

Can Interest Be Claimed for Delayed Insurance Compensation?

Potentially, depending on the claim and the point at which the insurer is legally considered to be in default.

This can become financially important.

Suppose compensation of TRY 2,000,000 should legally have been paid but remains unpaid for an extended period.

The dispute may concern not only the principal amount but also the financial consequences of delayed payment.

However, the applicable interest type, rate and starting date should not be assumed without analyzing the specific insurance relationship, claim and default rules.

The claimant’s original application date and proof of receipt can become extremely important.

Why the Application Date Matters

A claimant may know when the accident occurred but be unable to prove when the insurer received a proper compensation demand.

This can create unnecessary disputes concerning default and procedural deadlines.

Foreign claimants should therefore preserve:

email delivery records, registered correspondence, courier receipts, insurer claim-system confirmations and document submission records.

The stronger the proof of receipt, the easier it is to establish the timeline.

What If the Insurer Keeps Asking for the Same Documents?

Repeated requests for documents already supplied should be answered systematically.

Do not simply send the same files again without explanation.

State that the document was previously submitted, identify the date and attach it again where appropriate.

This creates evidence that the claimant cooperated and prevents unnecessary ambiguity about whether the file was complete.

What If the Insurer Says an Expert Report Is Still Pending?

Expert examination can legitimately take time in complex cases.

But the claimant should determine:

when the expert was appointed, whether inspection occurred, whether additional evidence was requested and whether the report has been completed.

A major industrial fire claim requiring engineering analysis is naturally different from a straightforward minor vehicle-damage claim.

The complexity of the case matters.

Still, “waiting for an expert” should not become an indefinite explanation without any documented progress.

What If Liability Is Accepted but Payment Is Delayed?

This can strengthen the need for prompt action.

If the insurer has expressly accepted the claim and confirmed an amount but fails to make payment, preserve that written acknowledgment.

The dispute may then focus less on whether compensation is owed and more on payment, default and related consequences.

Do not rely solely on a telephone promise that payment has been “approved.”

Obtain written confirmation where possible.

What If Only Part of the Compensation Is Paid?

Partial payment does not necessarily mean that the entire claim has been resolved.

For example, an insurer may pay TRY 500,000 against a documented claim of TRY 800,000.

The remaining TRY 300,000 may continue to be disputed.

However, the claimant should carefully examine any settlement or release associated with the payment.

Receiving an undisputed amount and signing a comprehensive final settlement can have very different legal consequences.

Do Not Sign a Release Simply to Obtain Payment

A delayed claimant may become financially pressured and agree to sign almost anything to receive money.

This can be dangerous.

An insurer may offer immediate payment on condition that the claimant signs a document stating that the claim has been fully and finally settled.

Before signing, determine:

what amount is being paid, what claims are being released and whether future or additional compensation rights are affected.

This is particularly important in bodily injury cases where the claimant’s medical condition may not yet have stabilized.

Delayed Bodily Injury Claims Require Extra Caution

Serious injury claims often require medical evidence concerning temporary incapacity or permanent impairment.

The insurer may argue that it cannot calculate the claim until the medical position becomes sufficiently clear.

Some delay may therefore result from genuine evidentiary requirements.

But this does not justify unnecessary inactivity.

The claimant should determine what medical documentation remains outstanding and obtain it as soon as reasonably possible.

Permanent Disability Compensation

A foreign accident victim suffering permanent injuries may have a substantial compensation claim.

The insurer’s assessment may involve:

medical impairment, age, income, fault and actuarial calculations.

If payment is delayed because the insurer says the disability documentation is incomplete, the claimant should identify precisely which report is required.

A vague request for “more medical documents” should be clarified.

Loss of Earnings

Foreigners may also suffer substantial income loss while an insurance claim is pending.

An employee may lose salary.

A consultant may lose contracts.

A professional athlete may lose competition or performance income.

A business owner may experience personal earning-capacity consequences.

These claims require independent proof and should not be confused with the delay itself.

The claimant should preserve foreign employment agreements, salary records, tax returns, invoices and banking records where income loss forms part of the underlying compensation claim.

Vehicle Diminished Value

Delayed traffic insurance claims can also involve vehicle diminished value.

Since July 1, 2026, the motor insurance framework has been revised so that vehicle damage and diminished value are addressed together through the standardized expert process. SEDDK’s 2026 announcements reflect these changes to the compulsory traffic insurance framework. (SEDDK)

A foreign vehicle owner should therefore check whether the insurer’s expert assessment actually includes all relevant vehicle losses rather than waiting for an unexplained lump-sum payment.

A Major 2026 Development: Alo 193

Turkey’s insurance claim infrastructure changed during 2026.

On July 24, 2026, SEDDK announced measures establishing the Alo 193 Insurance Claim Notification and Complaint Line, together with a common motor vehicle claim notification framework. (SEDDK)

This is particularly relevant for motor insurance administration and complaints.

However, making a complaint should not automatically be confused with pursuing a legally binding compensation award.

Where money remains unpaid, the claimant should separately evaluate arbitration or litigation.

Can Foreigners Complain to SEDDK?

SEDDK provides an electronic channel for insurance-related complaints and notifications. (SEDDK)

A regulatory complaint can be appropriate where the claimant believes there are problems with an insurer’s conduct or claim handling.

However, a regulatory complaint and a compensation proceeding serve different purposes.

If the claimant wants a binding decision ordering payment of a disputed amount, the appropriate arbitration or judicial remedy must also be considered.

Do Not Let a Complaint Cause Legal Deadlines to Expire

This is particularly important.

A claimant may file a complaint with a regulatory authority and then wait months for correspondence.

Meanwhile, limitation or procedural deadlines relevant to the underlying compensation claim may continue to matter.

The safest approach is to treat:

regulatory complaint, insurance arbitration and litigation

as legally distinct mechanisms and determine what each one accomplishes.

2026 Insurance Arbitration Costs

The Insurance Arbitration Commission changed its application fee tariff effective July 16, 2026.

The current tariff provides fixed fees for lower-value disputes and, for disputes of TRY 85,001 or more, 1.8% of the amount in dispute, subject to a minimum of TRY 1,750. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

For applications and objections from January 1, 2026, the Commission also lists notification expenses of TRY 75 where a valid registered electronic mail address is declared and TRY 325 where one is not declared. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

Fees and monetary thresholds can change and should therefore be checked immediately before filing.

What If the Foreign Claimant Has Already Returned Home?

Leaving Turkey does not automatically terminate an insurance claim.

A foreign claimant should preserve all Turkish documentation and continue keeping written records of communications with the insurer.

Depending on the proceeding and properly executed representation documents, a Turkish lawyer may handle the claim on the foreign client’s behalf.

Foreign claimants should therefore avoid accepting an inadequate settlement solely because they cannot remain physically in Turkey.

Foreign Documents May Require Additional Preparation

Where the compensation claim depends on evidence from another country, documents may require translation or additional formalities depending on how and where they will be used.

This frequently occurs in claims involving:

foreign medical treatment, foreign salary, overseas rehabilitation, foreign employment contracts or business-income evidence.

These issues should be identified before proceedings are filed.

Example: Foreign Tourist Waiting for Bodily Injury Compensation

Suppose a foreign tourist is injured in a serious traffic accident.

The claimant submits medical documentation and a compensation demand to the relevant insurer.

Weeks pass without a meaningful final response.

The insurer repeatedly says:

“The claim is still being reviewed.”

The claimant should establish whether all necessary documents were actually submitted and when the insurer received the formal application.

If the applicable requirements have been satisfied and the traffic insurance response period has expired, the claimant may evaluate an Insurance Arbitration Commission application rather than continuing indefinite informal correspondence. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

Example: Foreign Property Owner Waiting for Insurance Payment

Assume a foreign property owner suffers major insured water damage.

The insurer accepts notification, appoints an expert and receives the requested invoices.

Months later, payment remains outstanding.

The owner should request a written explanation, confirm whether the claim file is considered complete, calculate the amount demanded and preserve evidence of the original application.

Where the dispute falls within insurance arbitration and the insurer has failed to provide the required final response within the applicable period, arbitration may become available. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

20-Step Action Plan When an Insurer Delays Payment

A foreign claimant facing delayed compensation should generally:

1. Identify the applicable insurance policy.
2. Confirm the exact claim number.
3. locate the original compensation application.
4. Prove when the insurer received it.
5. Verify which documents were submitted.
6. Respond to legitimate requests for missing documents.
7. Create a complete claim chronology.
8. Obtain the insurer’s current position in writing.
9. Ask whether liability has been accepted.
10. Request the expert report or relevant assessment where appropriate.
11. Calculate the compensation demanded.
12. Identify any partial payments already received.
13. Send a documented written demand where necessary.
14. Preserve all insurer correspondence.
15. Check whether the applicable arbitration waiting period has expired.
16. Consider Insurance Arbitration Commission proceedings.
17. Consider SEDDK complaint mechanisms where appropriate.
18. Evaluate court proceedings where necessary.
19. Assess whether interest or other consequences of delayed payment can be claimed.
20. Check limitation and procedural deadlines before continuing negotiations.

The essential objective is to convert an informal delay into a properly documented legal dispute.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long must I wait before applying to the Insurance Arbitration Commission?

The Commission currently states that after the required prior application to the insurer, an application may be made if the insurer’s final response does not satisfy the demand or if no final written response is received within 15 business days for ordinary insurance disputes or 15 days for traffic insurance. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

Can a foreigner apply to the Insurance Arbitration Commission?

Potentially, yes. However, the Commission currently states that foreign nationals cannot use its ordinary online application process and must submit physical applications. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

What if the insurer keeps saying my file is under review?

Ask for the status in writing, confirm whether any documents remain missing and preserve evidence showing when the complete compensation application was submitted. Once the applicable procedural conditions are met, consider moving beyond informal correspondence.

Can I claim interest because the insurance company paid late?

Potentially. Whether interest is recoverable, which rate applies and when it begins depend on the particular insurance claim and the rules governing default.

Can the insurer delay because an expert report is pending?

Expert evidence may legitimately be required, especially in complex claims. However, the claimant should determine when the expert was appointed, what remains outstanding and whether the delay is objectively connected with completing the claim assessment.

What if the insurer has already accepted liability but has not paid?

Preserve the written acknowledgment and request immediate payment. Depending on the circumstances, the dispute may then focus primarily on payment, default and related financial consequences.

Can I complain to SEDDK?

Yes. SEDDK provides a mechanism for insurance complaints and notifications. (SEDDK) A regulatory complaint should nevertheless be distinguished from proceedings seeking a binding compensation award.

Is there a new insurance complaint mechanism in 2026?

Yes. SEDDK announced the Alo 193 insurance claim notification and complaint framework on July 24, 2026, together with new motor claim notification infrastructure. (SEDDK)

Can I continue my claim after leaving Turkey?

Potentially, yes. Departure from Turkey does not automatically eliminate an existing insurance claim. Proper representation can be particularly useful for foreign claimants living abroad.

When should I contact an insurance lawyer?

Legal assessment becomes particularly useful where a substantial claim remains unpaid after the applicable response period, the insurer repeatedly requests documents already provided, liability has been accepted but payment is withheld, the claim involves permanent disability or major financial loss, or limitation deadlines may become relevant.

Client-Focused Legal Support for Delayed Insurance Claims in Turkey

An insurance company should not be allowed to turn a compensation claim into an indefinite sequence of “under review,” “awaiting approval” and “please wait” responses without the claimant understanding the legal status of the file.

The first objective is to establish whether the insurer has received a complete and properly documented claim. The second is to determine whether the applicable response or payment period has expired. The third is to move the dispute into the appropriate legal procedure where voluntary payment does not occur.

For qualifying insurance disputes, an express rejection is not always necessary before further action becomes possible. The Insurance Arbitration Commission expressly recognizes applications where the insurer has failed to provide its final response within the applicable period after the prior written application. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

For foreign nationals, additional procedural issues can arise concerning physical arbitration filings, powers of attorney, foreign medical records, overseas income evidence and pursuing a claim after leaving Turkey. The Commission currently requires foreign nationals to use physical rather than ordinary online applications. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

Fırat Fesih Kaya Law Office assists foreign individuals, tourists, international investors and foreign-owned businesses with delayed insurance payments, rejected and underpaid insurance claims, traffic accident compensation, permanent disability claims, loss of earnings claims, vehicle damage disputes, property insurance claims, commercial insurance disputes, Insurance Arbitration Commission proceedings and insurance litigation in Turkey.

Where a substantial insurance claim has remained unpaid, the complete file should be reviewed together with the original application, proof of delivery, policy, insurer correspondence, expert reports and compensation calculation. Continued informal correspondence should not be allowed to obscure procedural deadlines or prevent the claimant from pursuing an available legal remedy.

Phone: +90 312 434 22 22
Mobile: +90 532 769 22 22
Email: info@firatfesihkaya.av.tr
Address: Mevlana Boulevard No: 221, Yıldırım Tower, Balgat, Çankaya, Ankara, Turkey