Trafik Sigortası 2026: New Rates, Steps & Cost Differences
New Trafik Sigortası Rates in Turkey from 2026
Starting in 2026, Turkey will implement a significant overhaul of its mandatory car liability insurance (Trafik Sigortası). The core principle is a stronger financial incentive for safe driving, creating a much wider cost gap between careful drivers and those with a history of at-fault accidents. In some cities, this difference now approaches nearly 40,000 TL.
"The new rates make the choice simple: either you drive carefully and pay the minimum, or your carelessness on the road becomes very expensive. It’s an economic incentive to improve overall road safety," note Turkish insurance market experts.
💰 Key Fact: Enhanced Bonus-Malus System
The bonus-malus system (steps) now more significantly rewards accident-free driving and heavily penalizes frequent at-fault accidents. Your step (from 1 to 8) directly and more dramatically impacts your premium.
New Trafik Sigortası Rates by City in Turkey (2026)
Policy costs are determined by the vehicle's registration city and the driver's step. Step 4 is considered the base entry point for new drivers or those with a neutral history.
Ankara
- Step 4 (base) — 14,731 TL
- Step 8 (5 years accident-free) — 7,365 TL
- Step 1 (frequent accidents) — 44,192 TL
Izmir
- Step 4 (base) — 14,302 TL
- Step 8 (5 years accident-free) — 7,151 TL
- Step 1 (frequent accidents) — 42,905 TL
Istanbul
- Step 4 (base) — 15,160 TL
- Step 8 (5 years accident-free) — 7,580 TL
- Step 1 (frequent accidents) — 45,479 TL
📊 Comparative Analysis: In Istanbul, the difference between a step-8 (accident-free) driver and a step-1 (accident-prone) driver is 37,899 TL (45,479 TL – 7,580 TL), the largest gap among all regions in Turkey.
📌 What Has Changed in the Insurance System from 2026
Alongside the revised rates, insurance coverage limits have been substantially increased, which is crucial given the rising costs of services and repairs.
New Insurance Payout Limits:
- Property damage: Maximum compensation increased to 400,000 TL (for damage to cars, fences, buildings, and other property).
- Bodily injury and life: Limit raised to 3,600,000 TL per injured person, covering:
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs
- Compensation for permanent disability
- Payments to family in case of the victim’s death
How the Step System (Bonus-Malus) Works in Turkey
The system is designed to encourage careful driving. Each year without an at-fault insurance claim raises the driver’s step (up to the maximum of step 8), significantly lowering the policy cost. Conversely, each at-fault claim lowers the step, leading to higher premiums for several years.
Practical Implications for Drivers
- Savings: A driver in Istanbul at step 8 for 5 years can save up to 190,000 TL compared to a step-1 driver over the same period.
- Risk: One serious at-fault accident can drop you to a lower step, and higher insurance costs will apply for several years.
- Planning: When buying a used car, it is now critical to check its insurance history (Kasko and Trafik Sigortası Kaydı), as the step record transfers to the new owner.
⚠️ Important Warning
Driving without a valid Trafik Sigortası policy in Turkey carries a heavy fine (over 10,000 TL) and a ban on using the vehicle until the violation is resolved. In an accident without insurance, all material and financial liability falls entirely on the at-fault driver.
💡 Conclusion: The New Financial Reality on Turkey’s Roads
The takeaway is clear: accident-free driving in Turkey now translates into direct and substantial savings. The new rate system makes careful driving financially beneficial, while reckless behavior becomes extremely costly. This is a decisive step toward making drivers directly feel the financial consequences of risky behavior on the road.
Reference: Mandatory vehicle liability insurance (Trafik Sigortası) covers damage caused to third parties (their property, health, or life) due to accidents caused by you. It is a legally required document for driving, in addition to vehicle inspection.
