While in Türkiye for either holiday or business purposes, foreign nationals may be involved in traffic accidents and sustain injuries. Most of these accident victims continue their medical treatment in their home countries once they return. The costs of treatment are covered by the respective health insurers. However, health insurers may seek to recover their insureds’ treatment costs from those responsible in Türkiye.
Who is liable for the treatment costs?
Those liable for the treatment costs are the vehicle keeper, the driver, the insurer of the at-fault vehicle and the Turkish Social Security Institution (SGK).
In 2011, an important legislative change took place in Türkiye. As a result of that change, the SGK became liable for a large portion of treatment costs arising from road accidents, without being limited by a specific cover. In court proceedings, experts appointed by the court determine the respective liability shares of the SGK and of the private insurer. These liability shares, and the question of who may be held responsible for the damage, are, of course, assessed by our firm on a case-by-case basis and reported to our clients.
Claims relating to recourse fall within a complex legal framework and can be resolved in cooperation with experienced lawyers in the field. Since its founding, our firm has successfully pursued and resolved the recourse claims of numerous foreign health insurers in Türkiye. The foreign health insurers we represent include both public and private insurers.