What is kasko, and how is it different from insurance? If you drive to Turkey with a foreign-plated vehicle, this distinction can be confusing. In many countries people simply say “car insurance” for the whole package. In Turkey, compulsory traffic insurance, kasko, optional third-party liability extension (extended liability) and roadside assistance are treated as separate product and cover concepts.
This article explains which cover relates to damage caused to others, which one relates to your own vehicle, and what must happen before a quote request becomes an actual policy.
Role notice: Gurbet Kasko is a service brand used by Özhedef Sigorta Aracılık Hizmetleri Limited Şirketi. Gurbet Kasko and Özhedef Sigorta Aracılık Hizmetleri are not insurance companies, do not provide insurance cover and do not carry insurance risk. Özhedef Sigorta Aracılık Hizmetleri acts as an insurance agency registered with the TOBB Insurance Agencies Registry and intermediates information, quote collection and policy issuance processes. Scope of cover, premium, start date and validity conditions are determined by the policy and special policy terms issued by the relevant insurance company.
Why are “insurance” and “kasko” spoken of separately in Turkey?
Insurance is the broad term. In everyday Turkish vehicle language, however, “sigorta” often means compulsory traffic insurance, while “kasko” means optional cover for damage to your own vehicle.
What may be a single “car insurance” package elsewhere can be split in Turkey into third-party liability, own vehicle damage, additional liability limits and assistance services.
What is compulsory traffic insurance and who does it protect?
Compulsory traffic insurance is arranged for damage your vehicle may cause to third parties. Damage to another vehicle, person or property is assessed within the policy limits and conditions.
Its core function is not to repair your own car; it concerns damage caused to others. Having traffic insurance therefore does not automatically mean your own vehicle is protected.
What is kasko and what does it protect?
Kasko is optional motor cover for damage to your own vehicle. Accident, theft, fire, natural events or other listed risks may be assessed under the relevant insurer’s acceptance and policy terms.
Kasko policies are not all the same. Vehicle value, usage type, model year, driver information, claims history, selected covers, assistance benefits, deductibles and insurer acceptance criteria can affect the quote. Premium should be read together with cover, exclusions, deductibles and claims handling rules.
What is extended liability and why is it separate?
İhtiyari Mali Mesuliyet (extended liability), when included in the policy, may be considered an additional financial-liability heading for third-party losses that exceed compulsory traffic insurance limits. It still relates mainly to damage caused to others, but it should be read together with the relevant insurer’s offer, limits, exclusions and policy terms.
Is roadside assistance the same as insurance?
Roadside assistance may include towing, recovery, direction to a service point, tyre or fuel support, replacement vehicle or glass-related services. It may be offered inside an insurance policy or under a separate assistance service contract, so limits and scope should be checked.
Why is this more important for foreign-plated vehicles?
Registration country, plate, VIN, make/type, model year, usage type, entry date and expected stay can affect the quote. Vehicle data may not match Turkish insurance catalogues exactly. If there is no exact make/type match, the closest equivalent definition in the insurer’s system may be used.
Does sending a quote request mean the policy has started?
No. The form is only a quote request. Sending it does not issue a policy and does not provide cover by itself. Cover starts only when the insurance company issues the policy and the effective conditions in the policy are met.
How does Gurbet Kasko fit into this process?
Gurbet Kasko is the service brand of Özhedef Sigorta Aracılık Hizmetleri Limited Şirketi for foreign-plated vehicle owners. It helps understand your needs, collect information for the quote process and intermediate evaluation of options from insurance companies for which Özhedef Sigorta Aracılık Hizmetleri acts as an agency.
Gurbet Kasko and Özhedef Sigorta Aracılık Hizmetleri do not provide cover, do not carry risk and do not act as insurance companies. No policy issuance or collection step is taken without your approval.
Which product answers which need?
- Damage caused to others: compulsory traffic insurance and, where appropriate, extended liability.
- Damage to your own vehicle: kasko, subject to policy scope and insurer acceptance.
- Breakdown, towing and practical support: roadside assistance terms.
- Foreign vehicle matching: make/type and vehicle definition may depend on insurer system assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Does kasko replace compulsory traffic insurance?
No. Traffic insurance is compulsory and relates to damage caused to third parties. Kasko is optional and relates to damage to your own vehicle.
If I have “insurance”, is my own car also covered?
Not necessarily. In Turkey, “sigorta” often means compulsory traffic insurance. Own vehicle damage should be reviewed under kasko.
Is extended liability traffic insurance or kasko?
Extended liability is generally an additional financial-liability heading for third-party losses that may exceed compulsory traffic insurance limits. It does not replace kasko by itself; the product in which it is offered, its limits and conditions should be checked in the quote and policy documents.
Can a foreign-plated vehicle be offered kasko?
A quote may be assessed depending on insurer acceptance, vehicle details, usage type, model year and policy terms. A request is not a policy.
Does my insurance start when I submit the form?
No. The form is only a quote request. Cover starts only after policy issuance and the policy’s effective conditions.
Is Gurbet Kasko an insurance company?
No. Gurbet Kasko is a service brand of Özhedef Sigorta Aracılık Hizmetleri Limited Şirketi. Özhedef Sigorta Aracılık Hizmetleri acts as a TOBB-registered insurance agency; neither provides insurance cover.
Official framework and source check
Insurance activity in Türkiye, insurance agency status, intermediation authority and compulsory traffic insurance are shaped by official regulation and competent authority announcements. This article is for general information; current limits, general terms, agency registry details and consumer application routes should be checked from official records.
- SEDDK — Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency
- TOBB Insurance Agencies Directorate
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