The answer depends on who was at fault in the accident, the coverage provided by your comprehensive car insurance policy, and the legal nature of the compensation you are seeking.
If your comprehensive insurance policy includes a replacement vehicle service, your insurer may provide a temporary vehicle under the conditions specified in your policy. If another driver caused the accident, you may also be entitled to claim loss-of-use compensation for the period during which you cannot use your vehicle.
There is an important distinction here. A replacement vehicle provided under comprehensive insurance is not the same as compensation for loss of vehicle use that may be claimed from the party responsible for an accident.
The first is a service provided under an insurance policy. The second is a form of financial compensation for being unable to use your vehicle.
Understanding this difference makes it much easier to identify which rights you may have and who you can approach after an accident.
Arranging a replacement vehicle through your insurer may take time, but that does not mean you have to put your plans on hold. With QCAR Mobility, you can complete your reservation in just a few minutes and collect your rental car. Click here to rent a car now!
What Is a Replacement Vehicle?
Put simply, a replacement vehicle, also known as a courtesy car, is a temporary vehicle provided by your insurance company while your own car is being repaired following damage covered by your comprehensive insurance policy.
However, do not assume that having comprehensive car insurance automatically means you are entitled to a replacement vehicle.
This is a common misunderstanding.
Replacement vehicle provision is a separate service and must be specifically included in your insurance policy.
When reviewing your policy, do not simply check whether replacement vehicle coverage is included.
You should also find out how many days the vehicle can be provided for, how many times you can use the service each year, which types of damage qualify, and what category of vehicle you will receive.
Who Pays for a Rental Car After an Accident?
There is no single answer to this question.
Three different scenarios may apply, and it is important not to confuse them.
If Your Comprehensive Insurance Includes Replacement Vehicle Coverage
This is generally the most straightforward situation.
If the service is included in your policy, your insurance company can arrange a replacement vehicle through one of its partner rental companies without you having to pay the covered rental cost yourself.
Some policies also include another option.
If the insurer cannot arrange a replacement vehicle, you may be allowed to rent one yourself and claim reimbursement up to a specified limit by submitting the rental invoice.
However, this option is not included in every policy.
Do not rent a vehicle without obtaining approval in advance and assume that the insurer will automatically reimburse you. Otherwise, your claim may be rejected.
If the Other Driver Was at Fault
This situation involves a more complex legal consideration.
If you were not responsible for the accident and your vehicle cannot be used while it is being repaired, you may be able to claim vehicle loss-of-use compensation.
This is separate from the cost of repairing the vehicle.
The compensation concerns the financial impact of being unable to use your car during the repair period, rather than the physical damage itself.
According to legal sources discussing decisions of Turkey's Court of Cassation, the party responsible for an accident may also be held liable for this loss.
Depending on the fault allocation and the circumstances of the accident, a claim may be directed towards the at-fault driver, vehicle operator, or owner.
For example, if your vehicle requires eight days of repairs, compensation may be calculated using the prevailing eight-day rental cost of a comparable vehicle.
If you were also partly responsible for the accident, your share of fault may affect the amount payable.
If You Were Responsible for the Accident
If you were entirely at fault, you generally cannot claim loss-of-use compensation from the other party for your own vehicle.
In this situation, your comprehensive insurance policy becomes particularly important.
If your policy includes replacement vehicle coverage and the relevant conditions are met, your insurer may provide a temporary vehicle.
Otherwise, you may need to cover the rental cost yourself.
This is one of the situations in which the value of comprehensive insurance becomes particularly clear.
If you rely on your car every day, even a few days without it can create significant additional transport expenses.
Does Compulsory Traffic Insurance Provide a Replacement Vehicle?
You may come across conflicting information about this subject.
However, the general conditions for compulsory motor third-party liability insurance published by Turkey's Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency (SEDDK) explicitly exclude certain indirect losses.
These include loss of income, loss of profit, business interruption, and loss of rental income or use.
Therefore, even if another driver was responsible for the accident, you should not assume that their compulsory traffic insurance will automatically cover your replacement vehicle or loss-of-use costs.
Loss-of-use compensation and the coverage provided by compulsory traffic insurance are two separate matters.
The situation may differ if an additional protection package has been purchased, as some insurers offer supplementary coverage.
However, the standard compulsory traffic insurance framework remains subject to the conditions established by SEDDK.
What Are the Conditions for a Replacement Vehicle Under Comprehensive Insurance?
Replacement vehicle conditions vary between insurance companies and policy packages, but several common requirements generally apply.
First, the service must be expressly included in the policy.
The damage must generally fall within the scope of comprehensive insurance, and the vehicle must be unsuitable for normal use.
This is usually assessed by an insurance loss adjuster.
The category of replacement vehicle is also determined according to the policy conditions.
You may receive a vehicle from a category similar to your damaged car, but you should not expect the exact same make and model.
When purchasing a policy, ask four key questions:
- For how many days is a replacement vehicle provided?
- How many times per year can the service be used?
- Which vehicle category will be supplied?
- Which types of damage qualify for the service?
How Many Days Does Comprehensive Insurance Provide a Replacement Vehicle?
There is no universally fixed duration for replacement vehicle services under comprehensive car insurance.
Some policies provide a vehicle for seven days, while others may allow 15 days or a different period.
Certain policies also limit the number of times the service can be used within a year.
Do not assume that if your car remains in the garage for 20 days, you will automatically receive a replacement vehicle for the same period.
In many cases, the coverage period is shorter than the actual repair duration.
The insurer may also require the replacement vehicle to be returned early if your own vehicle is repaired sooner than expected.
The most reliable way to understand your entitlement is to check your own policy.
What Is Vehicle Loss-of-Use Compensation?
In Turkey, vehicle loss-of-use compensation is commonly referred to as araç mahrumiyet bedeli, araçtan yoksun kalma tazminatı, or informally as araç yatma parası.
It refers to financial compensation that may be claimed when a vehicle cannot be used because it is undergoing repairs following an accident.
This compensation is separate from the cost of repairing the damaged vehicle.
According to certain decisions of the 4th Civil Chamber of Turkey's Court of Cassation, a court may assess the financial value of this loss even if the vehicle owner did not actually rent a replacement car.
Do You Have to Rent a Car to Claim Loss-of-Use Compensation?
One common misconception is that you cannot receive compensation unless you provide a rental car invoice.
However, the approach reflected in decisions of Turkey's Court of Cassation indicates that being unable to use a vehicle may constitute a compensable loss even when no replacement vehicle has actually been rented.
A court may determine the amount by considering the prevailing market rental price of a comparable vehicle and the reasonable time required for repairs.
Nevertheless, if you do rent a vehicle, keep the rental agreement and invoice.
You should also retain documents such as the accident report, loss adjuster's report, and photographs of the damage.
These documents can help support your claim, even where a particular document is not an absolute legal requirement.
How Is Vehicle Loss-of-Use Compensation Calculated?
The basic calculation may appear straightforward:
Prevailing daily rental rate of a comparable vehicle × reasonable repair period.
However, the actual calculation can be more complicated.
Factors such as the vehicle's age, category, intended use, extent of damage, and the parties' respective shares of fault may all affect the result.
Consider a hypothetical example.
Suppose the daily rental rate of a comparable vehicle is TRY 2,000 and the reasonable repair period is eight days.
The initial calculation would be:
TRY 2,000 × 8 days = TRY 16,000.
However, the final compensation amount may be reduced depending on the allocation of fault or expenses that were avoided while the vehicle was not being used, such as fuel costs.
For this reason, be cautious about fixed figures advertised online as the standard daily vehicle loss-of-use compensation rate for 2026.
Each case must be assessed according to its own circumstances.
What Does a Reasonable Repair Period Mean?
The reasonable repair period is one of the most important factors in calculating loss-of-use compensation.
If your vehicle remains at a repair garage for 30 days, this does not automatically mean that you are entitled to compensation for all 30 days.
The key question is how long the necessary repairs would normally take.
For example, if your vehicle remains at a garage for three weeks because the workshop is particularly busy, the full three-week period may not necessarily be accepted.
Instead, the calculation may be based on the reasonable repair period determined by a technical expert.
In other words, the technically necessary repair time matters more than the total number of calendar days the vehicle spent at the garage.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident?
One of the most important questions after an accident is how to arrange a replacement vehicle.
Although accidents can be stressful, it is essential to complete the necessary procedures.
- Prepare an accident report where appropriate.
- Contact the police if required.
- Take photographs of the vehicles and the damage.
- Notify your insurance company as soon as possible.
- Obtain a vehicle intake document when leaving your car at the repair garage.
- If your policy includes replacement vehicle coverage, contact your insurer to activate the service.
Acting promptly can make the replacement vehicle process easier.
If you are considering a loss-of-use compensation claim, gather the relevant documents in one place.
These may include the accident report, fault assessment, repair garage records, loss adjuster's report, and any rental car invoices.
Keeping these records organised may prove useful later.
Which Expenses Do You Pay When Using a Replacement Vehicle?
Just because your insurer provides a replacement vehicle does not mean every expense is covered.
You are generally responsible for fuel, motorway and bridge tolls, and traffic fines.
If you use the replacement vehicle beyond the period covered by your policy, you may also be required to pay the rental cost for the additional days.
For this reason, read the replacement vehicle rental agreement carefully.
Even though the vehicle is being provided through your insurer, the agreement may still include a fuel policy, mileage limits, and vehicle return conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renting a Car After an Accident
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about replacement vehicles and rental costs following an accident.
Does Compulsory Traffic Insurance Provide a Replacement Vehicle?
No. Standard compulsory motor third-party liability insurance in Turkey does not generally include replacement vehicle provision.
Under SEDDK's general conditions, loss of vehicle use is treated as an indirect loss excluded from standard coverage.
Unless you have purchased additional protection, you should not expect this service to be included.
How Many Days Does Comprehensive Insurance Provide a Replacement Vehicle?
There is no fixed duration.
Some policies provide coverage for seven days, others for 15 days, and certain policies limit the number of uses per year.
Checking your policy is the most reliable way to confirm the applicable conditions.
Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover Replacement Car Rental Costs?
Insurers generally arrange a replacement vehicle directly rather than reimbursing rental expenses.
However, some policies allow reimbursement when you arrange the rental yourself and submit an invoice.
Prior approval is generally required for this type of arrangement.
Is Replacement Vehicle Coverage Mandatory in Every Comprehensive Insurance Policy?
No. Replacement vehicle coverage is not mandatory in every comprehensive car insurance policy.
Some basic packages may not include it at all.
Always ask about this service when purchasing insurance.
Do You Need to Rent a Vehicle to Claim Loss-of-Use Compensation?
No. Depending on the circumstances, compensation may be claimed even if you did not actually rent another vehicle.
However, supporting documentation can make the claims process easier.
Does the At-Fault Driver Have to Pay the Rental Car Costs?
The at-fault party may be legally responsible for loss-of-use compensation.
The amount depends on the allocation of fault and the reasonable repair period.
Remember that compulsory traffic insurance does not automatically cover these costs.
How Do You Claim Vehicle Loss-of-Use Compensation?
The process generally begins with a written claim directed towards the responsible party or, where appropriate, their insurer.
Keep the relevant documents available to support your request.
If the parties cannot reach an agreement, legal proceedings may be necessary.
The court may appoint an expert to assess the loss.
As the process can take time, seeking assistance from a lawyer may be helpful.
Can You Claim Compensation for Every Day Your Vehicle Remains at the Garage?
Not necessarily.
The calculation generally focuses on the reasonable period required to complete the repairs rather than delays caused solely by the repair garage's workload.
Is a Replacement Vehicle Provided if Your Car Is Written Off?
There is no universal rule.
Some policies continue replacement vehicle coverage for a specified period, while others contain separate conditions for total-loss claims.
Check your insurance policy for the applicable terms.
With QCAR Mobility, you can complete your reservation in just a few minutes and collect your rental vehicle. Whether you need a temporary transport solution while waiting for your replacement vehicle or a car until your insurance arrangements are confirmed, QCAR can help you stay on the road. Rent a car now and continue your journey.
