What is Compulsory Third-Party Liability Insurance (ZMS)?
Zorunlu Mali Sorumluluk (ZMS) Sigortası — Compulsory Third-Party Liability Insurance — is the mandatory motor insurance policy in Turkey. If you are at fault in a traffic accident, the policy pays for property damage and bodily injury caused to third parties, up to the policy limits.
The policy is purely liability-based. Damage to your own vehicle and your own personal injuries are not covered. For those risks, Kasko and personal accident insurance are needed.
Coverage limits are set and updated annually by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance. In serious accidents, the actual damage may exceed these limits; the shortfall falls on the policyholder personally. Pairing ZMS with Kasko and personal accident insurance provides comprehensive protection.
Coverage
What ZMS covers
Third-party property damage
Repair costs of the third party's vehicle or other property up to the policy limit.
Third-party bodily injury
Medical costs, disability compensation, and death benefits for injured or deceased third parties.
Legal liability
The insurer defends and settles third-party legal claims up to the policy limit.
What ZMS does NOT cover — supplemented by Kasko and personal accident insurance
Your own vehicle
Damage to your own vehicle is entirely excluded from ZMS.
Your own injuries
The insured driver's own injuries or death are not covered by ZMS.
Excess above limit
Any amount above the ZMS limit becomes your personal liability.
Limit risk: Serious accident claims can exceed ZMS limits. Without Kasko and personal accident cover, you may face significant out-of-pocket costs.
Exclusions
Note: The following are typically excluded from standard policies. Always read the policy wording carefully.
- Damage to the insured driver's own vehicle
- The insured driver's own injuries or death
- Accidents caused while driving without a licence or under the influence of alcohol
- Use of the vehicle outside its registered registration category
- Intentional acts by the insured
- Claims exceeding the ZMS policy limit
Who is it for?
- All motorised vehicle owners: Cars, motorcycles, trucks, minibuses — legally required.
- Commercial vehicle operators: Limit selection and add-ons are more critical in commercial use.
- Anyone not purchasing Kasko: At minimum, ZMS satisfies the legal obligation, but your own vehicle remains unprotected.