North Cyprus Car Insurance Guide: Types, Cover and How to Check Your Car Insurance by Plate
North Cyprus car insurance (KKTC araç sigortası) is the umbrella term for the policies that protect vehicles and drivers in the TRNC against accidents, damage and theft. Only compulsory traffic insurance (third party liability) is required by law; kasko and its variants are optional policies that protect your own car.
Does your car have valid insurance, when does it expire, and which insurer is it with? You don't need to visit a branch to find out. A North Cyprus car insurance check can be done in a few minutes through the North Cyprus Insurance Information Centre, using the plate number and an ID card number.
This guide explains, in plain language, which car insurance types exist in North Cyprus, what they cover and how to check a vehicle's insurance step by step.
In Short: 5 Things to Know About Car Insurance in North Cyprus
Traffic insurance is compulsory for every motor vehicle in the TRNC; it is checked at registration and at every annual renewal.
Traffic insurance only pays for the other party's losses. For damage to your own car you need kasko (motor own damage).
You can check a vehicle's insurance status on the North Cyprus Insurance Information Centre (KKSBM) website with the plate and ID card number.
For Turkish-plated vehicles, the Green Card is not valid in the TRNC; a TRNC-specific policy is bought on entry.
At Aveon Insurance, a compulsory traffic policy is issued online in about two minutes and emailed to you.
Is Car Insurance Compulsory in North Cyprus?
Yes, but only traffic insurance. Compulsory motor third party liability (traffic) insurance is a legal requirement for every motor vehicle used on TRNC roads. The policy is checked when the vehicle is registered and at every annual renewal.
Driving uninsured has two consequences. The first is an administrative penalty. The second, and often the heavier one, is having to pay the other party's vehicle, property and medical costs out of your own pocket after an accident.
Kasko is not compulsory. However, if you bought your car on finance, the lender may require it.
Types of Car Insurance in North Cyprus
Car owners in the TRNC have four main options. The real difference is whose losses they pay and which risks they cover.
Insurance type | Compulsory? | Whose losses does it cover? | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
Yes | The other party's material and bodily losses | Every vehicle owner | |
No | Damage, theft and natural disaster losses to your own car | New or high-value cars | |
No | Your own car, for selected risks only | Drivers watching their budget | |
No | Your own car, only in a total loss | Those looking for low-cost cover |
What does traffic insurance cover?
Material damage to the other party's vehicle and property
Injury and medical costs of third parties
Compensation to legal heirs in case of death
Court and legal costs within the policy limits
What does traffic insurance not cover?
Damage to your own car, the driver's own injuries, driving under the influence or without a licence, and deliberate damage are all excluded. To protect your own car, add a kasko option alongside your traffic insurance.
What Affects the Price of Car Insurance in North Cyprus?
Car insurance prices in North Cyprus are not the same for everyone; each policy is priced on the vehicle and your driving history. The main factors are:
Vehicle age and engine size: Higher engine power usually means higher risk and premium.
Type of use: Private, commercial and rental use are priced differently.
Claims-free history: Drivers with no accident record can get better offers.
Cover limits: The scope and limits you choose in kasko directly affect the premium.
Currency: If you paid for your car in foreign currency, a policy in GBP or EUR helps protect the car's real value in a claim.
The most accurate way to see your price is to get a quote with your own vehicle's details.
How to Check Car Insurance in North Cyprus
A North Cyprus car insurance check is done free of charge through the online system of the North Cyprus Insurance Information Centre (KKSBM), where motor policies and claim records from TRNC insurers are collected. Turkey's e-Devlet / SBM services do not cover TRNC-plated vehicles.
You need two things: the vehicle's plate number and the registered owner's ID card number.
Checking a policy step by step
Go to web.kksbm.org and open Poliçe ve Hasar Sorgulama > Poliçelerim (Policy and Claim Search > My Policies). You can also go straight to the motor policy search screen. The site is in Turkish.
Enter the plate number without spaces (Plaka).
Enter the ID card number (Kimlik Kartı Numarası).
Fill in the verification code (Doğrulama) and click Ara (Search).
Check the policies, insurer and policy dates listed for the vehicle.
Checking claim history
Under Hasarlarım (My Claims) in the same menu you can see accident and damage records reported to insurers for the vehicle. This is especially useful when buying a used car.
Other ways to check
Your policy document: The expiry date is printed on the policy. Policies bought online are also in your email.
Your insurer: If you are an Aveon Insurance customer, you can ask about your policy at our branches or on +90 392 228 71 60.
What If No Policy Shows Up?
If the result is empty, first check the plate and ID number; spaces and wrong characters are the most common errors. If the details are correct, the policy may have expired or been issued very recently. New policies can take a short while to appear in the system.
Driving with an expired policy is the same as driving uninsured. Renew your policy before you use the car.
Why Check Insurance When Buying a Used Car
The used car market in North Cyprus is busy, so we recommend two checks before you buy:
Policy check: Is the car's insurance current, and with which insurer?
Claim check: Has the car been in an accident, and how many claims are on record?
When the car changes hands, the previous owner's traffic policy can be transferred, or cancelled and replaced with a new one. Decide this with your insurer, bringing the sale document.
Driving a Turkish-Plated Car to North Cyprus
The TRNC is not part of the Green Card system. A Green Card or Turkish traffic policy is therefore not valid in North Cyprus. Drivers arriving with a Turkish-plated car must buy temporary North Cyprus car insurance at the customs entry point.
A Turkish kasko policy only applies if TRNC or abroad cover has been added to it. Get written confirmation from your insurer before you travel.
Car Insurance in North Cyprus with Aveon: Online and Fast
With Aveon Insurance you can arrange your compulsory traffic insurance fully online. On the online traffic policy screen, enter your registration details and pay; your policy is issued in about two minutes and sent to your email.
Kasko, partial kasko and pert kasko need an assessment of your vehicle. Just fill in the quote form and our team will come back with the best-fitting option. If you prefer to meet in person, visit our head office in Nicosia or our branches in Kyrenia and Famagusta.
Knowing what to do after an accident matters as much as the policy itself. Our 24/7 incident line: +90 542 869 90 00. See our claims page for the steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the North Cyprus car insurance check free?
Yes. Policy and claim searches through the North Cyprus Insurance Information Centre are free.
What information do I need to check car insurance in North Cyprus?
The vehicle's plate number and the registered owner's ID card number.
Can I check a TRNC-plated car's insurance on Turkey's e-Devlet?
No. e-Devlet and SBM show policies issued in Turkey. For TRNC-plated vehicles, use the KKSBM system.
Can I drive in North Cyprus without traffic insurance?
No. Traffic insurance is compulsory. Driving uninsured leads to administrative penalties, and you pay the other party's losses yourself after an accident.
Does traffic insurance pay for damage to my own car?
No. Traffic insurance only covers the other party's losses. For your own car you need kasko, partial kasko or pert kasko.
How long does it take to get an online traffic policy?
On Aveon Insurance's online system it takes about two minutes, and the policy is emailed to you instantly.
Protect your car today. Create your online traffic policy or get a quote for kasko.