Insurance in North Cyprus – The Complete Guide

Insurance in North Cyprus - Whether you live in North Cyprus, are planning to move here, or you own property on the island, understanding how insurance works is essential. The TRNC offers a wide range of insurance services for residents, expats, students, property owners, businesses, and tourists. This guide explains everything you need to know about insurance in North Cyprus in simple terms — including the types of insurance available, what they cover, and how to choose the right policy.

_________________________________________________________________________

⭐ Overview of Insurance in North Cyprus

Insurance in Northern Cyprus is provided by licensed local companies offering motor, home, health, travel, life, and commercial insurance. Some policies are optional, while others are mandatory. Many insurers also offer English-language services, making it easy for expats and international property owners to get covered.

Key points:

• Motor third-party insurance is mandatory for all vehicles.

• Health insurance is increasingly common for residents and students.

• Home and property insurance is highly recommended due to storms, floods, and earthquakes.

• A wide range of business and liability insurance options are available for company owners.

_________________________________________________________________________

🚗 1. Motor Insurance (Traffic & Kasko)

Motor insurance is the most widely used type of insurance in North Cyprus. If you drive a car, scooter, motorbike, or van, you must have at least compulsory third-party traffic insurance.

Types of Motor Insurance

✔ Compulsory Traffic Insurance (Third-Party)

Legally required. Covers damage you cause to others — their vehicle, property, or injuries.

✔ Full Comprehensive (Kasko)

Recommended. Covers:

• Your own vehicle

• Fire, theft, floods, storms

• Accidental damage

• Windscreen

• Natural disasters

• Optional extras (replacement car, any-driver cover, etc.)

✔ Partial Kasko

More affordable — covers collisions but not theft, natural disasters, or other risks.

Typical Costs

• Third-party: Low annual cost

• Full Kasko: €300–€500 per year, depending on the car and driver profile

If you own a foreign-registered vehicle, premiums may be higher.

_________________________________________________________________________

🏠 2. Home & Property Insurance

Whether you live in a villa, apartment, or holiday home, property insurance is strongly recommended. The island experiences storms and occasional flooding, and insurance protects you against costly damage.

Types of Home Insurance

✔ Building Insurance

Covers the structure of the property:

• Walls, roof, windows

• Permanent fixtures

• Outbuildings, pools, solar systems (depending on policy)

✔ Contents Insurance

Covers household items and personal belongings:

• Furniture

• Appliances

• Electronics

• Theft & burglary

✔ Combined Home Insurance

Most popular — includes both building and contents.

Common Risks Covered

• Fire & smoke

• Flood

• Storm damage

• Earthquake

• Bursting pipes

• Burglary

• Vandalism

Tip: If you rent out your property, consider landlord liability and loss-of-rent cover.

_________________________________________________________________________

❤️ 3. Health Insurance

North Cyprus offers both private and public healthcare, but private insurance is often preferred by residents and expats.

Who Needs Health Insurance?

• Foreign residents

• Students

• Workers

• Anyone wanting fast access to private hospitals

Typical Coverage Includes:

• Hospitalisation

• Emergency treatment

• Surgery

• Specialist consultation

• Diagnostic tests

• Optional dental and optical packages

International health insurance is also widely used by expats who travel frequently.

_________________________________________________________________________

✈️ 4. Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects you while travelling to or from Cyprus and is especially important for tourists and expats.

Covers:

• Emergency medical treatment abroad

• Lost or delayed luggage

• Trip cancellation

• Personal liability

• Repatriation

Policies are available for single trips or annual coverage.

_________________________________________________________________________

🏢 5. Business & Commercial Insurance

If you own or operate a business in North Cyprus — whether a shop, restaurant, property development company, rental business, or office — commercial insurance is essential.

Available Business Insurance Types

• Commercial building insurance

• Shop/office insurance

• Business interruption

• General liability

• Employer liability

• Professional indemnity

• Fleet / commercial vehicle cover

• Construction & worksite insurance

These policies protect your business from unexpected losses and legal claims.

_________________________________________________________________________

🧍‍♂️ 6. Life & Personal Accident Insurance

Many insurers offer financial protection for families and individuals through:

• Life insurance

• Personal accident insurance

• Critical illness cover (limited availability)

These policies provide financial support in cases of disability, injury, or death.

_________________________________________________________________________

🐾 7. Specialist Insurance Options

Some insurers also offer:

• Pet insurance

• Agricultural insurance

• Boat/marine insurance

• Student group medical insurance

• Fire-only disaster cover

Not all companies offer these, so you may need to check providers individually.

_________________________________________________________________________

🏦 Major Insurance Companies in North Cyprus

Here are the key insurers offering services across the TRNC:

• Can Sigorta — Excellent for home, motor, travel & liability

• Kıbrıs Sigorta — Strong for traffic and full kasko policies

• Azant Insurance — Very expat-friendly, great English support

• Şeker Sigorta — Trusted local provider

• Trust Insurance Cyprus — Great for commercial and motor fleets

• Koopbank Insurance (Koop Sigorta) — Stable and long-established

• Yakın Doğu Sigorta — Excellent healthcare support (Near East Hospital)

• İktisat Sigorta — Bank-linked, good all-round coverage

• Limasol Sigorta — Popular with landlords and property owners

Each offers different strengths, so it’s worth comparing policies before buying.

_________________________________________________________________________

✔ Tips for Choosing the Right Insurance in North Cyprus

1. Check whether natural disasters are included — not all policies cover earthquakes or floods automatically.

2. Look for English-speaking support if you’re an expat.

3. Compare coverage, not just price — cheap policies often lack essential protections.

4. If you own a villa, protect outbuildings, solar systems, and pools.

5. For vehicles, consider full kasko to avoid major out-of-pocket repairs.

6. For health insurance, check which hospitals are covered and whether preexisting conditions apply.

_________________________________________________________________________

📌 Final Thoughts

Insurance in North Cyprus is affordable, widely available, and essential for protecting your home, vehicle, health, and business. With the right policy, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that you’re covered against unexpected events.

Whether you're a resident, investor, landlord, student, or tourist — there’s an insurance option tailored for your needs.