I was very pleased to attend the Insurance Sector Fair held in Izmir between June 11-13, together with our Elazığ SAİK Provincial delegates, as the President of the Elazığ Insurance Agents Association and the Vice President of the TOBB Insurance Agents Executive Committee (SAİK) Sector Assembly.

In the meetings, panels, and interviews held at the Izmir Insurance Fair, many important issues such as the future of our sector, digital transformation processes, increasing insurance penetration, and developing the insurance awareness of our citizens were discussed. In addition, the fundamental problems of our sector waiting for a solution were also comprehensively evaluated.

I would particularly like to underline that; insurance agents constitute the backbone of our sector. A strong and competent agency system lies at the foundation of our citizens’ trust in insurance. TOBB Vice President Mr. Ender Yorgancılar, who attended the fair as a speaker, stated in his speech that insurance companies should abandon different pricing practices for distribution channels and digital sales, and conveyed the demand for equal and fair treatment of agents to the President of the Insurance Association of Turkey (TSB), Mr. Ahmet Yaşar. We would like to thank Mr. Ender Yorgancılar for his sensitivity on behalf of SAİK, to which I am affiliated, and our Elazığ Insurance Agents Association.

However, one of the most important problems we have faced in our sector in recent years is unfair competition, the practice of some insurance companies offering different prices to distribution channels, and unauthorized insurance activities. Individuals and organizations operating in violation of the legislation and acting as insurance intermediaries without having the necessary authorizations both victimize our citizens and harm our agents who have been practicing their profession with effort for years. Our SEDDK President Mr. Davut Menteşe, who gave a speech at the panel, announced that they will not compromise on unauthorized insurance and that structures engaging in unauthorized agency activities and distributing screens will be subject to penal sanctions by the end of 2026. We would like to thank Mr. Davut Menteşe for this resolute stance and TSB President Mr. Ahmet Yaşar, who contributed to the growth of our sector, on behalf of myself and our Elazığ Insurance Agents Association.

In addition, the unfair competition environment created by various commission refunds and similar practices damages the institutional structure of our sector, reduces service quality, and undermines professional ethical values. Insurance is not solely a price-oriented activity; it is a professional occupation that requires knowledge, consultancy, trust, and a sustainable service approach.

As TOBB SAİK and professional organizations, our goal is; to prevent unregistered and unauthorized activities, to eliminate unfair competition, to protect the rights of insurance agents, and to help our sector gain a stronger structure. We will continue to support the efforts carried out in this regard and to be the voice of our colleagues.

I believe that strong agents mean a strong insurance sector; and a strong insurance sector means a strong economy and a safe future. With this understanding, we will continue to work for the development of our sector and continue to fight resolutely to protect the dignity of our profession.

Best regards,

M. Harun Barut
President of Elazığ Insurance Agents Association
Vice President of TOBB SAİK Sector Assembly