My Comprehensive Motor Insurer Rejected My Claim: Challenging the Reasons for Refusal

You have opened a claim, but the insurer refuses payment, saying the incident falls outside cover or is inconsistent with your declaration. A general refusal may not identify the evidence or policy clause relied upon. The first step is to clarify the specific reasons.

A refusal does not necessarily mean your claim is unfounded. However, comprehensive motor insurance does not cover every loss unconditionally. The policy, circumstances, notifications and exclusion relied upon must be examined together.

Understanding the reasons for refusal

Exclusion from cover, premium or contractual problems, failure to prove the incident and breach of obligations are different grounds. Ask which provision and facts the company relies upon. A statement that payment was “refused under the policy” makes assessment difficult.

Read the general and special conditions and additional cover, as well as the policy title. Compare any quotation concerning vehicle use or additional services with the policy issued. Do not assume every statement in a quotation automatically creates cover.

Do the incident and policy details match?

Check the vehicle, intended use, insured person, period of cover and incident date. There may be a dispute about whether damage predated the policy or already existed. Inventing a date or account of events to fill a gap can create serious problems.

Where breach of disclosure obligations or conduct after the insured event is alleged, the nature of the breach, fault and connection with the event must be assessed under the applicable provisions. Not every omission automatically justifies refusing the entire claim.

Documents to collect

Keep the policy and endorsements; quotations or renewal records; claim notification and reference number; accident or police records; photographs, adjuster and repair records; documents requested and proof of submission; and the reasoned refusal and later correspondence.

If repairs are necessary, consider how to document existing damage. Disposing of damaged parts may hinder inspection. Safety and the obligation to prevent further loss must also be considered.

Preparing a challenge to the insurer’s assessment

Answer each material allegation with relevant evidence. If intended use is disputed, damage photographs alone will not establish that use. If a technical report is challenged, identify the finding and data said to be incorrect.

Online accounts of payment in similar cases do not establish your policy’s scope. If relying on another decision, check whether the circumstances and policy terms are comparable. Do not include unverified case references.

Arbitration or court proceedings

For the Insurance Arbitration Commission, check the insurer’s participation, the dispute’s scope and prior application requirements. Waiting periods for unanswered comprehensive motor claims differ from those for compulsory traffic insurance. Include any written refusal in the application.

For litigation, consider whether the relationship is consumer or commercial and which preliminary requirements apply. Litigation, arbitration and regulatory complaints have different effects. Continuing correspondence with the insurer should not be assumed to protect limitation periods or other deadlines.

Frequently asked questions

Is the adjuster’s report the insurer’s final decision?

The assessment may be important, but its contents and legal consequences can be disputed. Policy coverage requires separate examination.

I paid for repairs myself. Can I still claim?

Evidence from before repairs, invoices and the notification process matter. Repairs alone do not extinguish every claim.

Can I submit missing documents after refusal?

A further application may be possible depending on the document’s relevance. Legal deadlines must be monitored separately.

DISCUSS YOUR CASE

Review your motor insurance refusal

We can review your policy terms, claim file and the insurer’s reasons for refusal to assess your options under Turkish law.

Open the contact form

A brief summary and important dates are enough for an initial enquiry. Send documents only when requested by our lawyers, through the channel they specify. Do not share passwords, one-time codes or wallet keys.

Sources and legislation

Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102
Insurance Arbitration Commission: Application Requirements

Originally prepared on 8 September 2026. This article provides general information about Turkish law. Remedies and deadlines should be assessed against the documents and circumstances of the individual case. The image is illustrative.