Is an insurance company delaying your compensation in Turkey? Learn what policyholders can do about delayed insurance payments, missing-document requests, interest, Insurance Arbitration and court remedies in 2026.

An insurance company may accept that an insured event occurred but still fail to make payment. The claimant may repeatedly hear that the file is “under review,” that another document is required, that an expert report has not yet been completed or that internal approval is still pending. Weeks or months can pass without either payment or a definitive rejection.

For policyholders, this situation can be almost as damaging as an outright claim denial. A person injured in a traffic accident may need compensation for medical expenses and loss of income. A vehicle owner may be waiting for repair or total-loss compensation. A property owner may need funds to restore a damaged building, while a business may face serious cash-flow problems after a fire or another commercial loss.

Under Turkish insurance law, an insurer cannot necessarily postpone its obligations indefinitely simply by keeping a claim file open. However, the point at which payment becomes due, whether the insurer is legally in delay, what interest can be claimed and which remedy should be used depend on the type of insurance, policy wording, completeness of the claim file and circumstances of the particular loss.

For many policyholders, one of the most important practical remedies is Turkey’s Insurance Arbitration system. The Insurance Arbitration Commission currently permits qualifying claimants to proceed where the insurer has failed to provide the required response after a prior application. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

Why Do Insurance Companies Delay Claims?

Not every delayed payment is necessarily unlawful.

A complicated claim may legitimately require investigation. The insurer may need to determine the cause of a fire, obtain medical evidence, assess permanent disability, inspect damaged machinery, determine vehicle value or investigate whether a policy exclusion applies.

However, problems arise where the claims process becomes unnecessarily prolonged.

Common explanations given to policyholders include requests for additional documents, incomplete expert reports, continuing medical evaluation, internal approval procedures, disputes over the amount of compensation or continuing investigation of the insured event.

The policyholder should determine whether there is a genuine unresolved issue or whether the insurer is simply failing to finalize the claim.

The First Question: Has the Claim Been Properly Submitted?

Before alleging unreasonable delay, verify that the insurer has received a complete and identifiable claim.

The policyholder should retain evidence showing the date of notification, claim reference number, documents submitted and subsequent correspondence.

Where documents were submitted electronically, emails and electronic confirmations should be preserved.

Where documents were delivered physically, proof of delivery can become important.

This establishes a clear timeline.

Ask the Insurer What Is Still Missing

If the insurer says that the file is incomplete, ask for a precise written explanation.

The question should not simply be:

“When will you pay?”

Instead, ask:

Which specific documents remain outstanding?

Why are those documents necessary?

Is there any other obstacle preventing a final coverage and payment decision?

This can prevent repeated piecemeal requests where the insurer asks for one additional document every few weeks.

Create a Written Claims Timeline

A delayed insurance dispute is often about chronology.

The claimant should record when the insured event occurred, when the insurer was notified, when requested documents were submitted, when an expert inspected the loss, when additional information was requested and when reminders were sent.

This timeline can later become important in arbitration or litigation.

It can also demonstrate whether the insurer had sufficient information to evaluate the claim but nevertheless failed to act.

Do Not Rely Only on Telephone Calls

Telephone conversations can be useful for obtaining updates, but important communications should be confirmed in writing.

Statements such as:

“The payment has been approved.”

or

“Your claim will be paid next week.”

can become difficult to establish later if they exist only as telephone conversations.

Important representations should therefore be confirmed through written communication wherever possible.

When Does an Insurance Payment Become Due?

There is no single universal payment date applicable in exactly the same manner to every insurance claim.

The answer can depend on the type of insurance, applicable statutory provisions, General Conditions, policy wording and whether the insurer has received the information reasonably necessary to determine the insured event and amount of compensation.

This distinction matters because the existence of a claim and the insurer’s obligation to make immediate payment are not always identical questions.

A policyholder should therefore avoid relying on generic statements such as “every insurer must pay within exactly X days.”

The particular insurance relationship must be examined.

Delay After the Insurer Accepts Coverage

A particularly important situation occurs where the insurer no longer seriously disputes coverage but payment still does not arrive.

The claimant should request written confirmation of the amount accepted and expected payment status.

If only part of the claim is disputed, the policyholder should also ask whether the undisputed amount will be paid separately.

The existence of disagreement over one component of a loss should not automatically prevent the claimant from examining whether an accepted component has already become payable.

What If the Insurer Keeps Asking for New Documents?

Document requests should be evaluated carefully.

Some requests may be necessary. Others may concern information already supplied or documents with little relevance to the disputed issue.

The claimant should maintain a document index recording what was submitted and when.

When responding to another request, it can be useful to state that the document was previously supplied on a particular date and provide it again if appropriate.

This creates a record demonstrating cooperation with the claims investigation.

What If the Insurer’s Expert Is Causing the Delay?

Insurance claims frequently involve technical assessment.

A vehicle may need valuation. A building may require engineering analysis. Machinery damage may require specialist investigation.

If the expert process appears to have stalled, the policyholder should request a written status update.

Where appropriate, independent technical evidence can also be obtained rather than allowing the entire claim to depend exclusively on the insurer’s assessment.

Obtain Your Own Expert Evidence

An independent report can substantially change the dynamics of a delayed claim.

If the insurer says that the cause of damage remains unclear, an independent engineer may address causation.

If vehicle value remains disputed, an independent valuation may help establish market value.

If the dispute concerns business interruption, financial expertise may be necessary.

The independent expert should address the actual reason preventing payment.

Traffic Accident Claims

Insurance delays are especially common after traffic accidents because several different compensation components may be involved.

A claim may concern vehicle repair, total loss, diminished value, bodily injury, permanent disability or other legally recoverable losses.

These components should not necessarily be treated as one undifferentiated claim.

If vehicle damage can already be determined but a bodily injury assessment remains ongoing, the claimant should examine whether separate components can be pursued independently.

Permanent Disability Claims

Serious injury claims can legitimately require medical evidence concerning the claimant’s long-term condition.

A final disability assessment may not be possible immediately after an accident.

However, the claimant should distinguish between delay that results from genuine medical uncertainty and delay caused by administrative inactivity.

Medical records, treatment history and applicable assessment documentation should be organized carefully.

Loss of Earnings

A foreign claimant may also experience delay because income is earned outside Turkey.

Employment contracts, salary statements, tax records, bank records and employer confirmations may be required to establish actual earnings.

Foreign-language or cross-border documentation should therefore be prepared systematically.

An insurer should be given a coherent financial claim rather than disconnected documents.

Vehicle Total-Loss Payments

Total-loss disputes frequently involve disagreement over pre-accident market value.

The insurer may delay while obtaining market information or negotiating the valuation.

The vehicle owner should request the insurer’s calculation and gather independent evidence concerning comparable vehicles, mileage, equipment, condition and market value.

Once the disagreement is quantified, it becomes easier to decide whether settlement or formal proceedings are appropriate.

Vehicle Diminished Value

A repaired vehicle may suffer a reduction in market value because of its accident history.

If diminished value forms part of the legally recoverable claim, it should be documented rather than left as an informal additional request.

Vehicle characteristics, accident history, repairs and relevant valuation evidence can become important.

Property Insurance Claims

Property claims can be delayed because the insurer disputes the cause or extent of damage.

For example, water damage may be attributed either to a sudden insured event or gradual deterioration.

A fire claim may require investigation into the origin of the fire.

The policyholder should preserve photographs, videos, technical reports, repair quotations and official incident documentation.

Repairs should not unnecessarily destroy evidence before the cause has been properly documented.

Foreign Property Owners Living Outside Turkey

Foreign owners can face additional practical problems because they may not be physically present during the claims investigation.

An insurer may request access to the property, additional documentation or signatures while the owner is abroad.

Representation and property-management arrangements should therefore be organized quickly.

Living outside Turkey does not itself justify leaving an insurance claim unresolved indefinitely.

Commercial Insurance Payment Delays

Delay can be particularly damaging to a business.

A foreign-owned company may suffer a fire, flood, machinery breakdown or other insured event and require immediate liquidity to continue operations.

The company may simultaneously face repair costs, inventory losses, employee expenses and lost revenue.

Commercial insurance claims should therefore be divided into identifiable categories rather than presented as a single estimated figure.

Business Interruption Claims

Business interruption losses frequently require substantial accounting evidence.

The insurer may need historical financial statements, sales records, budgets, tax information and evidence of continuing expenses.

A foreign business should prepare this evidence early.

However, disagreement over business interruption calculations should not automatically prevent the company from examining whether other undisputed components of the insurance claim can already be paid.

Health Insurance Payment Delays

Private health insurance disputes can involve hospital expenses, reimbursement claims or questions about coverage.

The policyholder should determine whether the insurer is disputing medical necessity, policy coverage, waiting periods, exclusions or simply processing the reimbursement slowly.

Medical documentation and policy provisions should be examined together.

Travel Insurance Delays

Foreign tourists may encounter payment delays after emergency medical treatment, trip interruption or another insured event.

The problem can become more difficult after the claimant leaves Turkey.

Travel records, receipts, medical documentation and communications with the insurer should therefore be preserved before departure whenever possible.

Professional Liability Insurance Delays

Professional liability claims can take longer because the insurer may first investigate whether the insured professional is legally responsible.

The claimant may therefore face two disputes:

Did the professional cause the loss?

and

Does the professional’s insurance cover that liability?

Expert evidence concerning professional negligence may be required before the coverage dispute can be resolved effectively.

Send a Formal Written Payment Demand

Where the insurer has sufficient information but payment remains outstanding, a formal written demand can be an important next step.

The demand should identify the policy, claim number, insured event, amount requested, documents already submitted and history of the claim.

It should also request a clear written explanation if the insurer believes payment cannot yet be made.

The objective is to create an evidentiary record showing that the claimant requested payment after providing the information necessary to evaluate the claim.

Ask for a Final Written Position

An insurer should not be allowed to keep the policyholder indefinitely between acceptance and rejection.

If the company refuses to pay, ask it to state the reason.

If it accepts only part of the claim, ask which part has been accepted.

If it requires more information, ask precisely what remains outstanding.

If it considers the claim excluded, request identification of the relevant policy provision.

This transforms an indefinite delay into a defined insurance dispute.

Can Policyholders Claim Interest for Delayed Payment?

Potentially, depending on the legal circumstances.

Whether interest is recoverable, when it begins and which rate applies require analysis of the particular insurance relationship, the nature of the claim and when the insurer’s payment obligation became due.

The insurer’s delay may therefore have financial consequences beyond the original amount of compensation.

For substantial claims, interest should be analyzed from the beginning rather than added as an afterthought.

Can Additional Loss Caused by Delay Be Claimed?

In some cases, delayed payment can allegedly cause financial damage beyond the original insured loss.

A business may claim that lack of funds increased financing costs. A claimant may argue that delayed payment caused another measurable financial consequence.

Such claims should not be assumed automatically recoverable.

The claimant would need to establish an appropriate legal basis, causation and amount.

The evidence should therefore be preserved if significant additional losses are accumulating.

Insurance Arbitration When the Insurer Does Not Respond

One of the most important remedies against an insurer that simply fails to provide a satisfactory response is the Insurance Arbitration Commission.

The Commission states that before applying, the claimant must first pursue the claim with the insurance organization. If the insurer’s final response does not satisfy the claimant, or if no written response is received within 15 business days, an application can be made to the Commission where the other requirements are satisfied. For compulsory traffic insurance, the Commission specifies a 15-day period. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

This is extremely important.

A policyholder does not necessarily have to wait indefinitely merely because the insurer continues to remain silent.

What Evidence Shows That the Insurer Failed to Respond?

Proof of the original application is essential.

The Commission identifies documents such as a notarized notice, registered postal documentation, courier receipt or a document showing the insurance company’s registration date as possible evidence where the required response has not been received. The claimant must also submit the original request made to the insurer and supporting evidence for the substantive claim. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

For this reason, formal and provable communication with the insurer is preferable to repeated informal telephone conversations.

How Does Insurance Arbitration Work?

Applications are initially examined by Commission rapporteurs.

The Commission states that this preliminary examination must generally be completed within 15 days. Where the dispute is referred to an insurance arbitrator or panel, the arbitrator generally has four months to issue the final decision, unless the period is extended with the parties’ express written consent. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

This specialized structure can make Insurance Arbitration an attractive alternative to conventional litigation for suitable delayed-payment disputes.

Insurance Arbitration Costs in 2026

Under the current 2026 tariff, application fees are:

Up to TRY 8,500: TRY 600

TRY 8,501–17,000: TRY 1,200

TRY 17,001–85,000: TRY 1,750

TRY 85,001 and above: 1.8% of the disputed amount, subject to a minimum fee of TRY 1,750.

The Commission also currently charges a notification expense of TRY 75 where the applicant provides a valid registered electronic mail address and TRY 325 where no valid registered electronic mail address is provided. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

Because tariffs can change, current amounts should always be checked immediately before filing.

Special Procedure for Foreign Nationals

Foreign policyholders should be aware of an important procedural difference.

The Insurance Arbitration Commission currently states that foreign nationals can make only physical applications, because the online procedure relies on national digital identity verification. A foreign applicant can use a passport or another qualifying identification document as part of the physical application. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

Foreign nationality therefore does not itself prevent access to Insurance Arbitration, but the filing method differs.

Can a Lawyer Handle the Claim While the Policyholder Is Abroad?

Potentially, yes.

This can be particularly useful for foreign tourists, property owners, expatriates and investors who have already left Turkey.

For applications made through an attorney, the Commission currently requires the power of attorney to contain specific authority concerning alternative dispute resolution or direct application to the Insurance Arbitration Commission. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

The representation documents should therefore be prepared correctly.

Can an Arbitration Decision Be Challenged?

Depending on the amount in dispute, an objection procedure may be available.

Under the Commission’s current information, decisions involving disputes up to TRY 35,000 are final. Decisions involving TRY 35,000 or more can be challenged once before the Commission. For disputes exceeding TRY 383,000, decisions rendered following the objection procedure can potentially be taken to the Court of Cassation. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

These monetary thresholds are periodically updated, so the applicable figures should be checked according to the date of the application.

Court Proceedings for Delayed Insurance Payments

Insurance Arbitration is not the only available remedy.

Depending on the insurance relationship and dispute, court proceedings may be necessary or strategically preferable.

This can be particularly relevant where the case involves multiple defendants, complex contractual relationships, substantial additional damages or claims extending beyond the insurance contract itself.

The appropriate forum should therefore be selected before proceedings begin.

The Commission expressly states that it does not consider disputes already brought before a court, general civil arbitration or a consumer arbitration body. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

Do Not Wait Indefinitely Because the Insurer Says the File Is Under Review

This is one of the most important practical points.

Policyholders sometimes wait for months because the insurer repeatedly says that the claim remains under consideration.

Meanwhile, evidence can disappear and legal deadlines continue to matter.

A claimant should establish:

When was the complete claim submitted?

What information remains outstanding?

Has the insurer given a substantive response?

Has payment become due?

Is Insurance Arbitration available?

Are any limitation periods approaching?

Negotiations and legal deadline management should proceed simultaneously.

Do Not Sign a Release Just to Obtain Faster Payment

An insurer may eventually offer payment subject to a settlement or release.

The policyholder should determine exactly what rights will be waived.

A payment covering vehicle repairs should not inadvertently resolve a separate bodily injury claim unless that is knowingly intended.

Likewise, a partial commercial insurance payment should not automatically settle a continuing business interruption dispute.

Settlement wording matters.

20 Steps to Take When an Insurance Company Delays Payment

A policyholder dealing with delayed compensation should generally:

1. Obtain the complete insurance policy.
2. Confirm the claim number.
3. establish the date the claim was submitted.
4. Preserve proof of submission.
5. Create a chronological claims timeline.
6. Identify every document requested by the insurer.
7. Record when each document was supplied.
8. Request a written list of anything allegedly still missing.
9. Obtain the insurer’s current position in writing.
10. Determine whether coverage has been accepted.
11. Identify any disputed component separately.
12. Calculate the amount currently due.
13. Obtain independent expert evidence where necessary.
14. Submit a formal written payment demand.
15. Preserve proof of delivery.
16. Examine whether interest can be claimed.
17. Avoid signing premature releases.
18. Determine whether Insurance Arbitration is available.
19. Preserve all applicable limitation periods and procedural deadlines.
20. Consider court proceedings where arbitration is unavailable or inappropriate.

The most effective response to an insurance delay is therefore not repeated telephone calls asking when payment will arrive. It is the creation of a documented record showing when the claim was made, what evidence was provided, what amount is due, what the insurer has failed to do and which legal remedy is now available.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can an insurance company delay payment in Turkey?

There is no single payment period that applies identically to every insurance claim. The applicable rules depend on the type of insurance, policy, completeness of the claim and circumstances of the insured event. However, an insurer cannot necessarily keep a sufficiently documented claim unresolved indefinitely.

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

Request a written explanation identifying exactly what remains unresolved and which additional documents, if any, are required. Preserve the complete claims timeline.

Can I apply to Insurance Arbitration if the insurer does not answer?

Potentially, yes. The Commission currently states that a claimant may proceed after the prior insurer application where no written response is received within 15 business days, or 15 days for compulsory traffic insurance, subject to the other jurisdictional requirements. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

Can I claim interest because the insurer paid late?

Potentially. Whether interest is recoverable and when it begins depends on when the payment obligation became due and the legal characteristics of the particular claim.

What if only part of my claim is disputed?

The accepted and disputed components should be identified separately. The claimant should examine whether an undisputed amount can be paid without prejudicing the remaining claim.

Can foreigners use Insurance Arbitration?

Potentially, yes. Foreign nationals currently follow the Commission’s physical application procedure rather than its ordinary online application procedure. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

Can I pursue an insurance claim while living outside Turkey?

Potentially, yes. Depending on the procedure, the dispute may be pursued through properly authorized legal representation without requiring the claimant to remain continuously in Turkey.

How long does Insurance Arbitration generally take?

The Commission states that preliminary examination generally must be completed within 15 days. Once referred to an arbitrator or panel, the final decision generally must be issued within four months unless the parties expressly agree in writing to an extension. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

Should I accept a partial payment?

That depends on the settlement terms. Before accepting or signing anything, determine whether the payment is merely an undisputed partial payment or whether the accompanying document releases the insurer from further claims.

When should legal action be considered?

Formal action should be considered when the insurer fails to respond within applicable procedural periods, refuses to provide a clear explanation, repeatedly requests unnecessary documents, disputes a substantial amount without adequate justification or continues withholding compensation after the claim has become payable.

Client-Focused Legal Support for Delayed Insurance Payments in Turkey

An insurer’s repeated statement that a claim remains “under review” should not automatically result in months of passive waiting. The policyholder should establish a clear claims chronology, identify every outstanding issue and require the insurer to explain precisely why payment has not been made.

For foreign policyholders, early organization is especially important. A tourist may leave Turkey shortly after a traffic accident, a foreign property owner may live abroad and an international business may need immediate compensation to maintain operations. Proper representation and systematic preservation of evidence can prevent geographical distance from disrupting the claim.

Where the insurer does not provide a satisfactory response, Insurance Arbitration may offer an important alternative to lengthy conventional litigation. The Commission currently permits qualifying applications after the required prior approach to the insurer and provides a specialized procedure under which preliminary examination generally occurs within 15 days and arbitrators generally decide referred cases within four months. (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu)

Fırat Fesih Kaya Law Office assists foreign individuals, property owners, investors and international businesses with delayed insurance payments, rejected insurance claims, low settlement offers, traffic accident compensation, vehicle diminished value, permanent disability claims, property and fire insurance disputes, commercial insurance claims, professional liability insurance, Insurance Arbitration and insurance litigation in Turkey.

Foreign policyholders who are outside Turkey may still be able to pursue appropriate proceedings through properly authorized legal representation. The insurance policy, original claim, proof of submission, expert reports and all communications with the insurer should be preserved from the earliest stage.

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