Frequently Asked Questions

Vehicle depreciation refers to the decrease in your vehicle's market value after a traffic accident. Even if your vehicle is fully repaired, it will sell for a lower price in the used market due to its accident history. This difference is a legally claimable compensation.

No, certain conditions must be met to claim depreciation: You must not be at fault in the accident, your vehicle must have been in an accident where you're not 100% at fault, and you must make your claim within 2 years.

If you are fully at fault, you cannot receive depreciation. However, if you are partially at fault (e.g., 30% at fault), you can claim the remaining depreciation after your fault percentage is deducted.

Depreciation calculation considers the vehicle's brand, model, age, mileage, extent of damage, and repair quality. Generally, depreciation ranges from 5-30% of the vehicle's market value. An expert report is required for precise calculation.

Average compensation in 2026: 8,000-25,000 TL for minor damage, 25,000-80,000 TL for moderate damage, 80,000-200,000 TL for severe damage, and over 200,000 TL for total loss.

Yes, premium brands (Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porsche, etc.) receive higher depreciation because these vehicles have higher expectations of being accident-free in the used market, and the price difference is more pronounced.

Application steps: 1) Collect accident report and required documents, 2) Get an expert report, 3) Apply to the opposing party's insurance company, 4) If no response within 15 days, apply to Insurance Arbitration or file a lawsuit.

Required documents: Accident report, expert report, vehicle registration copy, driver's license copy, repair invoices, photographs, insurance policies, and penalty report if available.

Yes you can, but it's not recommended. With lawyer support, you typically receive 30-50% higher compensation. Lawyers also provide professional support in process management, document preparation, and negotiation.

Insurance Arbitration: 3-6 months. Civil Court: 8-18 months. Appeal: +6-12 months. Settlement with insurance company: 1-3 months is the fastest method.

The statute of limitations for depreciation claims is 2 years from the date of the accident. After this period, you lose your right to apply. Therefore, it's recommended to act as soon as possible.

Yes, if within the 2-year statute of limitations. For example, for an accident in March 2024, you can apply until March 2026. However, the earlier you apply, the easier it is to collect evidence and documentation.

Depreciation is paid by the opposing party's Compulsory Liability Insurance (Traffic Insurance). If their insurance is insufficient, you can claim the difference directly from the opposing party.

Standard comprehensive policies don't cover depreciation. However, some extended comprehensive policies may include 'depreciation coverage.' Check your policy or consult your insurance company.

Be careful! Insurance companies' initial offers are usually 30-50% below the actual depreciation. Don't accept the offer without consulting a lawyer or getting an independent expert evaluation.

Insurance Arbitration is faster (3-6 months) and costs less. However, for claims over 40,000 TL, court may be more advantageous because expert examination is more detailed and your right to appeal is broader.

Estimated costs for 2026: Insurance Arbitration application 1,000-2,500 TL, Civil Court case 3,000-8,000 TL (including fees, expert, notification). If you win the case, these costs are recovered from the opposing party.

If the case is lost, the court costs and part of the opposing party's attorney fee may be charged to you. For this reason, before filing it is important to assess the evidence through an expert report and the insurer correspondence and to identify the case's strong points.