Motorcycle compulsory traffic (third-party) insurance is one of the biggest fixed costs a bike owner has to pay every year. How much the premium comes to varies considerably with where you live, your no-claims step, the engine capacity and the insurer. In Istanbul, the gap between a rider on step 2 and a rider on step 8 can be close to five times. In this guide we explain the premium examples actually recorded in 2026, how the step system works, and what you can do to lower your premium.
Motorcycle traffic insurance premiums actually recorded in 2026
We could not get hold of the current maximum (ceiling) premium table for motorcycles for this article; ceiling premiums are updated monthly, and the latest table can be followed through the Insurance Information and Monitoring Centre (SBM). The figures below are the median premiums published by an insurance broker platform from motorcycle sales made in January 2026. Because they rest on a single source, use them to get an idea, not as an exact tariff.
| Province | Step | Median premium (January 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | Step 2 | 14,063 TL |
| Istanbul | Step 4 | 7,800 TL |
| Istanbul | Step 6 | 5,770 TL |
| Istanbul | Step 8 | 2,843 TL |
| Ankara | Step 4 | 6,672 TL |
| Izmir | Step 4 | 9,118 TL |
Two conclusions come out of the table. The first is the step effect: in Istanbul a rider on step 8 pays about a fifth of what a rider on step 2 pays. The second is the province effect: on the same step 4, the Izmir median is about 2,450 TL higher than Ankara's. It was announced that a further average increase of 4 per cent was made to traffic insurance ceiling premiums in August 2026, so premiums paid in the second half of the year may be above the January figures.
How does the step system work?
Compulsory traffic insurance has 9 steps in total, from 0 to 8. Drivers entering the system for the first time start on step 4.
- For every claim-free year you move up a step and your premium falls. Step 8 is the most favourable level.
- A claim in which you are at fault lowers your step and raises your premium. Steps 0–3 mean a higher premium for drivers with a claims history.
- If you renew the policy before it expires and then have an accident, your step is reported to be dropped by one level in the next period.
At the start of 2026 there were reports that the no-claims entitlement would be tied to the driver rather than the vehicle. The Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency (SEDDK) corrected these reports, stating that policies are still issued in the name of the vehicle operator. When you change bikes, ask your insurer before renewing how your step will be transferred to the new bike.
Cover limits 2026
| Cover | Per person / per vehicle | Per accident |
|---|---|---|
| Property damage | 400,000 TL (per vehicle) | 800,000 TL |
| Medical expenses, disability and death | 3,600,000 TL (per person) | 10,800,000 TL |
Traffic insurance covers, within these limits, the damage you cause to others through your fault; it does not cover damage to your own bike. In a serious accident the loss can exceed these limits, and the claim for the excess can be directed at you. That is why it makes sense to consider extra voluntary financial liability (İMM) cover. You need comprehensive (kasko) insurance for damage to your own bike and for theft; we explain the difference between the two products in the insurance and kasko guide.
Other factors affecting the premium
- Engine capacity: the premium generally rises as the bike gets bigger. As a rough starting estimate, the Pusulamoto cost calculator uses 6,500 TL up to 125 cc, 7,500 TL up to 250 cc, 8,500 TL up to 650 cc and 10,000 TL above that (around step 4); you can change this value to match your own quote.
- Type of use: commercial use such as courier work has to be declared correctly. For courier bikes, see the details in the courier bike guide.
- Company: below the ceiling premium, companies can set prices freely; for the same bike and step there can be a marked difference between quotes.
What to look at when comparing quotes
Because traffic insurance is compulsory and the cover limits are the same for everyone, at first glance the cheapest quote looks the best. But there are details that make a difference between policies:
- İMM cover: some quotes include a certain voluntary financial liability limit in the package and some do not. A quote offering a higher İMM at the same price is often better.
- Extra services: additional covers such as roadside assistance, towing and legal protection are not available at every company for motorcycles. Ask whether a towing service is really provided for motorcycles.
- Registration details: the engine capacity, type of use and plate details in the quote must match the registration document exactly. A policy issued with wrong information can cause problems when you claim.
- Start date: make sure the new policy starts before the old one ends or on the day it ends; there should be no uninsured day in between.
If you have just bought the bike, have the policy ready before the delivery day; do not ride on the road for even a single day without insurance.
How to lower your premium
- Get several quotes. This is the easiest and most effective method. Ask for prices from several companies or broker platforms on the same day.
- Do not let the policy lapse. An expired policy can mean both the risk of a traffic fine and the loss of your step; add the renewal date to your calendar.
- Weigh up small claims. Having a small at-fault claim paid by the insurer lowers your step; sometimes paying for the damage yourself can be cheaper in the long run. Work out the numbers together with your insurer.
- Factor the premium in when choosing a bike. Staying under 250 cc gives an advantage in ÖTV, in MTV and generally in insurance. Details are in the ÖTV guide.
- Protect your step. When changing bikes, consult your insurer about transferring the step before you sell the old bike.
Example of annual compulsory costs
For a rider in Istanbul on step 4 with a 1–3-year-old 125 cc bike, the rough total of the compulsory items is:
| Item | Annual amount |
|---|---|
| Traffic insurance (January 2026 median) | 7,800 TL |
| MTV (100–250 cc, 1–3 years old, 2026) | 1,069 TL |
| Inspection (1,674 TL, every two years; annual share) | 837 TL |
| Total | 9,706 TL |
Since the first inspection of a new bike is at the end of the 3rd year, there is no inspection item in the first years. As you can see, by far the biggest compulsory cost is traffic insurance.
If you ride without insurance
A bike without traffic insurance can be impounded, and a sale cannot be completed at the notary either. We could not verify the 2026 fine for riding without insurance following Law No. 7574. All fines are in the traffic fines guide and the sale process is in the notary sale guide.
Conclusion
In 2026 the motorcycle traffic insurance premium ranges from a few thousand lira to over fourteen thousand lira depending on province and step. According to the January 2026 medians, a rider on step 4 in Istanbul pays about 7,800 TL and a rider on step 8 about 2,843 TL. The biggest savings come from claim-free years and comparing quotes. See your total annual cost with the cost calculator; to factor insurance in when choosing a bike, use the bike finder.
Frequently asked questions
How much is motorcycle traffic insurance in 2026?
It varies with province and step. In sales made in January 2026, the step 4 median was reported as 7,800 TL in Istanbul, 6,672 TL in Ankara and 9,118 TL in Izmir.
Which step does someone buying a new bike start on?
Drivers entering the system for the first time start on step 4. The steps run from 0 to 8.
Does traffic insurance cover my own bike?
No. Traffic insurance covers the damage you cause to others through your fault. For damage to your own bike you need kasko.
Is insurance cheaper for a 125 cc bike?
In general the premium falls as engine capacity gets smaller, but the province and step effect is often more decisive than capacity. Get a quote for an exact figure.