Learn how foreigners can claim compensation from the Turkish Guarantee Fund after a traffic accident involving an unidentified, uninsured, stolen or certain otherwise uncovered vehicles. A 2026 guide to disability, death compensation, documents, limits and legal remedies.

A foreign national seriously injured in a traffic accident in Turkey may discover that there is no ordinary insurance company from which compensation can easily be obtained. The responsible driver may have escaped without being identified, the vehicle may have had no compulsory motor liability insurance, or another exceptional circumstance may prevent recovery through the usual insurance route.

This does not necessarily mean that compensation is impossible.

Turkey operates a statutory compensation mechanism known as the Guarantee Account, established under Article 14 of Insurance Law No. 5684. Its purpose includes compensating qualifying bodily injuries within applicable compulsory insurance limits where the insured party cannot be identified, where required insurance was not obtained, and in certain other exceptional circumstances. (Türkiye Sigorta Birliği)

For foreign accident victims, the key questions are therefore not simply whether the responsible driver had insurance, but why ordinary insurance compensation is unavailable, what type of loss occurred and whether that loss falls within the Guarantee Account’s statutory scope.

What Is the Turkish Guarantee Account?

The Guarantee Account exists to protect accident victims in certain circumstances where the normal compulsory insurance system cannot provide compensation in the ordinary manner.

Under Article 14 of Insurance Law No. 5684, the mechanism applies within the coverage amounts established for the relevant compulsory insurance. The statutory framework includes bodily injuries where the insured party cannot be identified and bodily injuries caused by persons who failed to obtain required insurance. (Türkiye Sigorta Birliği)

The Guarantee Account also identifies situations involving stolen or forcibly seized vehicles, subject to the applicable liability requirements, as well as certain claims involving insurers whose licenses have been withdrawn or that have become insolvent. (Güvence Hesabı)

This mechanism is particularly important in serious traffic accidents involving permanent disability or death.

Can Foreigners Apply to the Guarantee Account?

Potentially, yes.

Foreign nationality does not by itself prevent an injured person from pursuing a qualifying compensation claim arising from a traffic accident in Turkey.

A foreign:

tourist, employee, student, business traveler, resident, professional athlete, investor or other visitor

may therefore potentially have a claim where the statutory conditions are satisfied.

The decisive questions concern the accident, responsible vehicle, insurance status, bodily injury and applicable coverage—not merely the claimant’s citizenship.

When Can the Guarantee Account Pay Compensation?

Several circumstances are especially important in traffic accidents.

The Guarantee Account may potentially become relevant where:

1. The responsible vehicle or insured party cannot be identified.
2. The responsible vehicle did not have the legally required compulsory insurance.
3. A stolen or forcibly seized vehicle caused bodily injury under circumstances falling within the statutory framework.
4. The responsible insurer has lost its licenses or become insolvent under the conditions covered by the Guarantee Account.

These categories should not be treated as interchangeable because the available compensation and required evidence can differ. (Güvence Hesabı)

Unidentified Vehicle Accidents

One of the most common situations involves a hit-and-run accident.

Suppose a foreign pedestrian is struck by a vehicle. The driver immediately leaves the scene, no usable license plate information is obtained and the police cannot subsequently identify the vehicle.

The victim suffers permanent injuries.

Article 14 expressly provides protection for bodily injuries where the insured party cannot be identified. The Guarantee Account likewise identifies personal injury from an unidentified vehicle as one of its core compensation categories. (Türkiye Sigorta Birliği)

This can provide an essential compensation route even though there is no identifiable traffic insurer against whom the injured foreigner can make the ordinary claim.

Identified but Uninsured Vehicle

A second major scenario arises where the vehicle is known but did not have compulsory insurance on the accident date.

Suppose the police identify the responsible vehicle and driver, but insurance records reveal that there was no valid compulsory motor liability policy.

The absence of insurance does not necessarily leave the injured foreigner without protection.

The Guarantee Account covers qualifying bodily injuries caused by persons who failed to obtain the required insurance within the coverage amounts valid at the date of the risk. (Türkiye Sigorta Birliği)

The distinction is important:

Unknown vehicle: the identity itself cannot be established.

Uninsured vehicle: the vehicle is known, but required insurance is absent.

Both can potentially lead to Guarantee Account compensation, but they represent different factual situations.

Accidents Involving Stolen Vehicles

Special rules apply where the accident was caused by a stolen or forcibly seized vehicle.

The Guarantee Account identifies bodily injury caused by such vehicles among its covered circumstances where the vehicle operator is not legally responsible under the applicable Road Traffic Law provisions. (Güvence Hesabı)

These cases require careful investigation.

The mere statement that the vehicle was “stolen” should not automatically be accepted without examining police records, ownership information and the circumstances surrounding the unauthorized use.

Insolvent Insurance Companies

The Guarantee Account can also become relevant in certain circumstances involving an insurer whose licenses have been permanently withdrawn or that has become insolvent because of financial weakness.

This category is broader in an important respect: the Guarantee Account’s official description states that qualifying personal injury and property damage for which the insurer was responsible can fall within the mechanism in this insolvency scenario. (Güvence Hesabı)

This should be distinguished from an ordinary unidentified-vehicle case.

Does the Guarantee Account Pay for Vehicle Damage?

This is one of the most important limitations.

Suppose an unidentified vehicle hits a foreigner’s parked car and escapes.

The vehicle suffers TRY 400,000 in damage.

Nobody is injured.

The Guarantee Account expressly states that it is not responsible for motor vehicle damage in the ordinary unidentified-vehicle scenario. The Account’s protection in such cases concerns bodily injuries, including qualifying disability and death-related losses. (Güvence Hesabı)

Therefore, the claimant cannot simply submit every traffic-related loss to the Guarantee Account.

The legal basis for the claim matters.

Bodily Injury Is the Core Protection

In ordinary unidentified and uninsured vehicle cases, the Guarantee Account is fundamentally important for bodily injury.

A serious accident can cause:

permanent disability, reduced earning capacity, long-term physical impairment or death.

The Guarantee Account’s current claim information specifically states that it pays disability compensation following qualifying bodily injury and dependency compensation to those who lose financial support because of a death. (Güvence Hesabı)

The amount is not fixed automatically.

Each claim requires an individual compensation assessment.

Permanent Disability Compensation

Permanent disability is one of the most important Guarantee Account claims for foreign accident victims.

Suppose a foreign professional suffers severe spinal injuries after being hit by an uninsured vehicle.

After treatment, the injuries result in lasting physical impairment.

The claim may require examination of the victim’s:

medical condition, permanent impairment, age, income, occupation, accident circumstances and fault.

The medical report used in the compensation process must also satisfy the applicable regulatory requirements.

The Guarantee Account’s current document requirements for permanent disability claims include the appropriate medical board report, discharge report, general forensic examination report, treatment documentation and income-related records. (Güvence Hesabı)

Medical Documentation Is Critical

A foreign claimant should preserve the complete medical record from the beginning.

This can include emergency records, operation reports, imaging, discharge summaries, rehabilitation records and later medical assessments.

For permanent disability claims, the Guarantee Account specifically requires medical documentation including the medical board report issued according to the regulation applicable to the accident date, discharge documentation, forensic examination records and reports concerning treatment and examinations. (Güvence Hesabı)

A claimant should therefore avoid relying solely on a short hospital discharge document.

Foreign Income Can Matter

A foreign victim may earn substantially more than a standard domestic income assumption.

For example, the injured person may be:

a physician, engineer, executive, consultant, entrepreneur, professional athlete or other highly paid specialist.

Where income is legally relevant to the compensation calculation, the actual income should be documented carefully.

Foreign employment agreements, payslips, tax declarations, bank statements and employer confirmations may become important.

The Guarantee Account’s current permanent-disability document requirements specifically include income-status documentation where available. (Güvence Hesabı)

Death Compensation

The Guarantee Account is also important in fatal traffic accidents.

If a foreign national dies because of a qualifying unidentified or uninsured vehicle accident, persons who depended financially on the deceased may potentially pursue dependency compensation.

The purpose is not simply to award a fixed sum because a death occurred.

The compensation analysis examines the economic support that qualifying beneficiaries lost because of the death.

Who Can Claim After a Fatal Accident?

The answer should not be reduced automatically to a list of relatives.

Dependency compensation is based on loss of support.

The claimant’s relationship with the deceased is important, but the actual support relationship can also be legally significant.

The Guarantee Account’s current application requirements for dependency compensation include inheritance documentation, death documentation, relevant civil registry information and evidence of the deceased person’s income at the date of the accident. (Güvence Hesabı)

Foreign families should therefore collect equivalent documents from their home country where necessary.

Documents Required for a Fatal Accident Claim

The Guarantee Account currently identifies documents including the accident record and related official documents, inheritance certificate, death certificate and relevant post-mortem documentation, family registry documentation and evidence of the deceased person’s income. A power of attorney is also required where an application is made through a representative. (Güvence Hesabı)

Foreign-issued documents may require additional procedural preparation depending on their nature and intended use.

This should be addressed before filing rather than after the claim is rejected as incomplete.

What Are the 2026 Compensation Limits?

The Guarantee Account’s responsibility is tied to the compulsory insurance coverage limits applicable on the accident date. Its own current guidance confirms that compensation is limited by the applicable compulsory insurance limits. (Güvence Hesabı)

For accidents occurring between January 1 and December 31, 2026, SEDDK currently lists the following per-person compulsory motor liability limits for the relevant vehicle categories:

Health expenses: TRY 3,600,000 per person

Disability and death: TRY 3,600,000 per person

Accident-wide limits vary according to vehicle category. For example, the accident-wide disability/death limit listed for motor vehicles used for passenger transportation is TRY 18,000,000, while different totals apply to other vehicle categories.

These are maximum insurance coverage limits, not automatic compensation amounts.

Does Every Injured Foreigner Receive TRY 3.6 Million?

No.

This is an important misunderstanding.

The TRY 3.6 million figure is a 2026 per-person coverage limit for the relevant category.

It does not mean that every claimant receives that amount.

Suppose the legally calculated compensable disability loss is TRY 900,000.

The claimant does not automatically receive TRY 3.6 million merely because that is the policy limit.

Conversely, where the legally assessed loss exceeds the applicable Guarantee Account coverage, the statutory coverage limit can become highly significant.

Example: Foreign Tourist Injured by an Unidentified Vehicle

Suppose a foreign tourist is struck by a vehicle while walking.

The driver escapes.

Police cannot identify the vehicle despite reviewing available evidence.

The tourist suffers serious leg injuries resulting in permanent impairment.

The case may potentially fall within the Guarantee Account framework because the responsible insured party cannot be identified and bodily injury occurred. (Güvence Hesabı)

The claimant would need to document the accident, injuries, permanent impairment and other relevant compensation factors.

Example: Foreign Employee Injured by an Uninsured Driver

Suppose a foreign employee is traveling as a passenger when another vehicle causes an accident.

The responsible vehicle is identified, but records establish that it had no valid compulsory insurance on the accident date.

The foreign employee suffers permanent injuries.

The Guarantee Account can potentially become relevant because bodily injuries caused by persons who did not obtain the required insurance fall within its statutory purpose. (Türkiye Sigorta Birliği)

Example: Foreign Family After a Fatal Hit-and-Run

Suppose a foreign professional working internationally is killed by an unidentified vehicle while visiting Turkey.

The deceased financially supported a spouse and children living abroad.

The fact that the dependants live outside Turkey does not itself resolve whether they have a claim.

The family relationship, dependency, deceased person’s income, accident circumstances and applicable Guarantee Account rules must be examined.

Foreign income documentation can become especially important where the deceased had substantial earnings.

How Should a Foreigner Prove an Unidentified Vehicle Accident?

Evidence is particularly important because there is no identified driver to confirm the accident.

Useful evidence may include:

police records, prosecutor investigation documents, witness statements, CCTV recordings, accident-scene photographs, medical records and expert reports.

The Guarantee Account’s current application requirements specifically identify the accident record, statements and, where available, expert reports, inspection records or court decisions among relevant accident documentation. (Güvence Hesabı)

The stronger the objective evidence, the more clearly the claimant can establish that an unidentified motor vehicle caused the injury.

Police Documentation Should Be Obtained Immediately

A foreign victim should report a hit-and-run or serious uninsured-vehicle accident to the authorities as soon as possible.

Waiting can create serious evidentiary problems.

CCTV footage may disappear.

Witnesses may become impossible to locate.

The accident scene may change.

The responsible vehicle may be repaired.

Compensation strategy should therefore begin with evidence preservation, not simply with calculating money.

What Happens If the Hit-and-Run Driver Is Later Found?

Identification can change the legal position significantly.

The Guarantee Account states that in unidentified-vehicle cases it contacts the public prosecutor’s office to determine whether the responsible person is later identified. If the responsible driver or operator is found, the Account pursues recovery against that liable party. (Güvence Hesabı)

The claimant should therefore preserve information concerning the criminal investigation even after making a compensation application.

Fault Still Matters

The existence of an uninsured or unidentified vehicle does not automatically prove that the other vehicle was 100% responsible.

Fault must still be evaluated.

Suppose an unidentified vehicle contributed to an accident, but evidence shows that the claimant also materially contributed to the collision.

The compensation calculation may be affected.

Police records, expert evidence and accident reconstruction can therefore remain important even where the Guarantee Account is the intended compensation source.

How Can a Foreign Victim Apply?

The Guarantee Account currently provides a claim application mechanism and identifies the documentation required according to the type of compensation sought. Its application system requests accident information, applicant information, a claim petition, official accident documentation and additional evidence depending on the type of claim. (Güvence Hesabı)

For foreign nationals, practical difficulties may arise because some electronic fields are structured around Turkish identification information.

A foreign claimant should therefore determine the appropriate filing method for their individual circumstances rather than assuming that every part of the standard electronic interface can be completed in the same manner as by a Turkish citizen.

The Guarantee Account also publishes dedicated contact and claim-submission channels. (Güvence Hesabı)

Can a Lawyer Apply on Behalf of a Foreigner?

Yes, representation is possible with appropriate authorization.

The Guarantee Account’s current document lists expressly require a power of attorney where the application is made through a representative. (Güvence Hesabı)

This can be particularly useful where the injured foreigner has returned to their home country.

The power of attorney should be prepared in a form suitable for the intended proceedings in Turkey.

Foreign Medical Records

A foreign claimant may receive emergency treatment in Turkey and continue treatment after returning home.

Those later records should be preserved.

They may be important in establishing:

continuing symptoms, surgery, rehabilitation, permanent impairment and inability to work.

However, the specific medical report required to establish permanent disability for the Guarantee Account claim must comply with the applicable Turkish regulatory framework identified by the Account. (Güvence Hesabı)

A private medical letter from abroad should therefore not automatically be assumed to replace the required disability assessment.

Can Temporary Incapacity Be Relevant?

The Guarantee Account’s current online claim interface includes claim categories concerning temporary incapacity and caregiver-related issues. (Güvence Hesabı)

However, the precise recoverability of any claimed loss must be evaluated according to the accident date, applicable legislation, insurance coverage and current case law.

Foreign claimants should therefore avoid calculating a temporary incapacity claim solely by multiplying monthly salary by the number of months away from work.

Property Damage Requires Special Caution

The general rule in unidentified or uninsured vehicle cases should not be misunderstood.

The Guarantee Account is not a universal substitute insurer that pays every loss whenever ordinary insurance is unavailable.

For example, its own guidance clearly states that damage to a motor vehicle caused by an unidentified vehicle is not covered through the ordinary unidentified-vehicle mechanism. (Güvence Hesabı)

Property damage can, however, arise within other specific Guarantee Account categories, particularly certain insurer insolvency situations. (Güvence Hesabı)

The legal basis must therefore be identified before an application is filed.

What If the Foreign Victim Has Their Own Insurance?

Private health insurance, travel insurance, personal accident insurance or other coverage may provide additional benefits.

The claimant should notify the relevant insurers promptly and preserve all policies.

Payments from different sources should be documented carefully.

The existence of private insurance does not automatically determine the Guarantee Account’s liability, but overlapping compensation mechanisms should be coordinated to avoid procedural and calculation problems.

How Long Does a Foreigner Have to Claim?

The Guarantee Account’s current guidance states that beneficiaries must make their claims within two years from the date they became aware of the damage and the liable party, and in any event within ten years. (Güvence Hesabı)

However, traffic accident limitation issues can become legally complex depending on the particular facts and underlying liability.

A foreign claimant should therefore not simply assume that there is always plenty of time.

The practical evidence deadline can be much shorter than the formal legal deadline because CCTV recordings, witnesses and other evidence may disappear rapidly.

Should the Foreigner Wait for the Criminal Investigation?

Generally, the existence of an ongoing investigation should not be treated as a reason to ignore the compensation claim.

The criminal process and compensation process have different purposes.

The prosecutor may be trying to identify a hit-and-run driver.

Meanwhile, the claimant may need to collect medical evidence, document permanent disability and prepare a Guarantee Account claim.

The two processes can interact, but they should not be confused.

What If the Guarantee Account Rejects the Claim?

A rejection does not automatically mean that the claimant has no further legal remedy.

The first step is to identify the exact reason for rejection.

Possible disputes may concern:

whether the accident falls within Guarantee Account coverage, whether the vehicle was genuinely uninsured or unidentified, causation, fault, disability, documentation, compensation calculation or an exclusion.

The appropriate response depends on the reason.

A coverage dispute requires a different strategy from a disagreement merely concerning the amount of compensation.

What If the Compensation Offered Is Too Low?

The claimant should obtain and examine the calculation.

In permanent disability cases, the disputed amount may depend on:

medical impairment, income, age, fault or actuarial methodology.

Foreign claimants with substantial income should pay particular attention to whether their actual economic circumstances have been properly documented and considered.

The appropriate dispute-resolution mechanism should then be determined according to the nature of the claim.

Do Not Sign a Final Release Without Reviewing the Calculation

A serious accident may create lifelong consequences.

A foreign claimant should therefore be cautious about accepting a payment accompanied by a comprehensive release before understanding:

the permanent medical condition, compensation calculation, coverage limit and claims being waived.

This is particularly important where the injured person is still undergoing treatment.

An early payment can appear substantial while being significantly lower than the value of a properly documented permanent disability claim.

20-Step Action Plan for Foreign Accident Victims

A foreign national considering a Guarantee Account claim should generally:

1. Obtain immediate medical treatment.
2. Report the accident to the authorities.
3. Obtain the official accident documentation.
4. Preserve photographs and video.
5. Secure CCTV evidence quickly.
6. Obtain witness contact information.
7. Determine whether the responsible vehicle can be identified.
8. Check whether the identified vehicle had compulsory insurance.
9. Determine whether a stolen or forcibly seized vehicle was involved.
10. Preserve the criminal investigation information.
11. Obtain complete Turkish medical records.
12. Preserve subsequent foreign medical records.
13. Determine whether permanent disability exists.
14. Obtain the medical documentation required for the relevant claim.
15. Preserve employment and income evidence.
16. Calculate the compensation claim carefully.
17. Prepare the required Guarantee Account documentation.
18. Ensure foreign documents are prepared appropriately for use in Turkey.
19. Review any rejection or settlement before accepting it.
20. Check limitation periods and available legal remedies promptly.

The strongest Guarantee Account claim is not merely a statement that the responsible vehicle had no insurance. It is a documented file establishing why the Guarantee Account is legally responsible and how the claimed bodily injury compensation has been calculated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreigner apply to the Turkish Guarantee Account?

Potentially, yes. Foreign nationality does not by itself exclude an injured person from a qualifying claim arising from a traffic accident in Turkey.

Can I claim if the hit-and-run driver is never found?

Potentially, yes. Bodily injuries involving an unidentified responsible insured party are expressly included within the Guarantee Account framework. (Türkiye Sigorta Birliği)

What if the responsible vehicle had no insurance?

Qualifying bodily injuries caused by persons who did not obtain required insurance are also within the Guarantee Account’s statutory scope. (Türkiye Sigorta Birliği)

Can the Guarantee Account pay for damage to my car after a hit-and-run?

Generally not under the ordinary unidentified-vehicle category. The Guarantee Account expressly states that it does not compensate motor vehicle damage in that scenario. (Güvence Hesabı)

Can I claim permanent disability compensation?

Potentially, yes. Permanent disability is one of the principal bodily injury categories handled by the Guarantee Account, subject to applicable conditions and evidence. (Güvence Hesabı)

Can a foreign family claim after a fatal accident?

Potentially, yes. Qualifying dependants may seek dependency compensation. The Guarantee Account requires evidence concerning the death, family status and deceased person’s income. (Güvence Hesabı)

What is the 2026 per-person disability and death coverage limit?

For the relevant compulsory motor liability categories, SEDDK currently lists TRY 3.6 million per person for disability and death for accidents during 2026. The actual compensation is individually calculated and may be lower than the maximum coverage.

What documents are needed for permanent disability?

The Guarantee Account currently requires accident documentation and specified medical evidence, including the appropriate medical board report, discharge documentation, forensic examination records and treatment reports, together with income documentation where available. (Güvence Hesabı)

What happens if the hit-and-run driver is later identified?

The Guarantee Account states that it seeks information from the prosecutor’s office and can pursue recourse against the liable driver or operator if subsequently identified. (Güvence Hesabı)

How long do I have to make a claim?

The Guarantee Account currently states that claims must be made within two years from awareness of the damage and liable person and, in any event, within ten years. Individual traffic accident limitation issues should nevertheless be assessed separately. (Güvence Hesabı)

Client-Focused Legal Support for Foreign Guarantee Account Claims in Turkey

The absence of an ordinary traffic insurer does not necessarily mean that a foreign accident victim has no right to compensation in Turkey.

Where the responsible vehicle cannot be identified, where required compulsory insurance was not obtained, where qualifying injuries involve a stolen or forcibly seized vehicle, or where certain insurer insolvency circumstances exist, the Turkish Guarantee Account may provide an alternative compensation mechanism. (Güvence Hesabı)

For serious bodily injury claims, the quality of the evidence is critical. Police records, accident documentation, medical reports, permanent disability evidence, income records and information concerning the responsible vehicle’s insurance status should be analyzed together. Foreign victims should also distinguish carefully between bodily injury compensation and property damage, because the Guarantee Account does not cover ordinary vehicle damage merely because the responsible hit-and-run vehicle is unidentified. (Güvence Hesabı)

Fırat Fesih Kaya Law Office assists foreign tourists, residents and international clients with Turkish Guarantee Account claims, hit-and-run accidents, uninsured vehicle accidents, permanent disability compensation, fatal accident claims, dependency compensation, traffic insurance disputes and personal injury litigation in Turkey.

Foreign victims who have already returned to their home country may still be able to pursue their compensation claims through properly authorized legal representation. Particularly where permanent disability or death has occurred, the claim should be calculated and documented carefully before any settlement or release is accepted.

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