How to Use Insurance Arbitration in Turkey

Turkey's Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu (Insurance Arbitration Commission) is one of the most underused and most powerful tools available to Turkish insurance policyholders. Operating at sigortatahkim.org.tr, the commission offers free, binding arbitration for disputes between policyholders and licensed Turkish insurers. If your insurer has denied a claim and internal complaints have failed, the Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu is almost always a faster and more effective route than going to civil court.

What Is the Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu?

The Insurance Arbitration Commission was established under Turkish insurance law as an alternative dispute resolution body specifically for insurance disputes. It is overseen by SEDDK (the insurance regulator) but operates independently as an arbitration institution.

The commission covers disputes between:

• Individual or commercial insurance policyholders
• And any insurance company licensed to operate in Turkey

This includes all health, life, motor, property, and liability insurance disputes. For policyholders, it is the most practical route to a binding resolution short of going to court.

Who Can Use the Commission

Eligibility requirements:

1. You must have a policy with a SEDDK-licensed insurer. The vast majority of insurers operating in Turkey — including Allianz Sigorta, AXA Sigorta, Anadolu Sigorta, Zurich Sigorta, Garanti BBVA Sigorta, Ak Sigorta, Generali Sigorta, and others — are licensed and covered.

2. You must have exhausted internal complaint procedures. The commission requires evidence that you filed a complaint with the insurer and either received a negative decision or received no response within 15 working days.

3. The dispute must fall within jurisdictional amount thresholds. The commission handles disputes up to certain Turkish Lira amount limits. For small disputes, a single arbitrator decides; for larger amounts, a panel of three arbitrators. The thresholds are updated periodically by SEDDK — check sigortatahkim.org.tr for current limits.

4. The application must be filed within the applicable limitation period. There are time limits on filing — generally, you should file within 2 years of the event giving rise to the dispute, though shorter periods may apply in some contexts.

How to File a Complaint with the Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

Before filing, assemble:

• Your insurance policy document (Poliçe)
• The denial letter from the insurer (specifying the reason for denial)
• Your internal complaint letter to the insurer
• The insurer's response to your internal complaint (or evidence they did not respond within 15 business days)
• All supporting medical, financial, or other evidence relevant to your claim
• Your Turkish ID (TC Kimlik No) or company registration details for corporate claimants

Step 2: Create an Account on sigortatahkim.org.tr

Visit sigortatahkim.org.tr and register for an account. The system requires your TC Kimlik No (or tax identification number for companies) for authentication.

Step 3: Submit Your Application Online

The commission's online application system guides you through:

• Identifying the insurer
• Describing the dispute
• Specifying the amount in dispute
• Uploading supporting documents

The system automatically checks whether your dispute amount falls within current jurisdictional thresholds.

Step 4: Pay the Application Fee (If Applicable)

For most disputes below defined thresholds, the commission is free for the policyholder. For disputes above certain amounts, a nominal application fee applies. This fee is substantially less than court filing fees and is often recoverable if you win.

What Happens After Filing

Arbitrator Assignment

The commission assigns an arbitrator (or three-arbitrator panel for larger disputes) from its roster of licensed, trained insurance arbitrators. The assigned arbitrator contacts both parties.

Document Exchange

Both you and the insurer submit written arguments and supporting documentation. The process is primarily written — you generally do not need to appear in person or in a formal hearing unless the arbitrator requests it.

Time to Decision

Single arbitrator decisions: Typically issued within 3 months of the arbitrator being appointed. Panel decisions: Typically within 4 months.

These timelines are much faster than civil court proceedings, which can take 1–3 years in Turkey.

The Arbitration Decision

The arbitrator's decision is binding on the insurer. If the decision requires the insurer to pay you, it is enforceable as a court judgment. The insurer cannot simply ignore it.

If the decision is against you, you can challenge it in civil court — but the grounds for challenge are narrow (procedural issues, not substantive disagreement with the outcome).

Types of Relief the Commission Can Grant

• Order the insurer to pay a denied claim
• Order reimbursement of medical expenses
• Award interest on delayed payments
• In some cases, award attorney costs

The commission cannot award punitive damages or general damages beyond the insurance contract — its role is to enforce the policy.

Comparison: Arbitration vs. Court vs. SEDDK Complaint

The commission is the clear winner on speed and cost for most disputes. SEDDK complaints are valuable for creating regulatory pressure and for systemic issues, but they do not directly resolve your individual claim.

Tips for a Successful Arbitration

• Be specific. Arbitrators review documents, not verbal presentations. Your written submission must clearly identify the denial reason, the policy provision you rely on, and why the denial is wrong.
• Attach everything. Attach your complete policy document, all correspondence, and all medical or financial evidence. Do not assume the arbitrator will ask for missing documents.
• Request interest. If the insurer delayed payment of a valid claim, you can request interest on the overdue amount from the date the claim was due.
• Meet deadlines. The commission sets strict deadlines for document submissions. Missing a deadline weakens your case significantly.

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Related Reading:

• How to Write an Insurance Appeal Letter
• What Is Medical Necessity?
• Internal vs External Insurance Appeal