Full Article: The Complete Guide to Earthquake Insurance (DASK) and Building Insurance in Turkey 2026

Turkey is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, and for this reason, having earthquake insurance for all residential properties in this country is Mandatory It is. But did you know that mandatory DASK insurance only covers a small portion of your financial protection?

In this comprehensive guide, everything you need to know about DASK earthquake insurance and building insurance in Turkey in 2026 Understood, we will review it. From costs and coverage, to the claims filing process and important legal points.

According to official statistics, out of a total of approximately 20 million residential units In Turkey, alone 58.5 percent They are covered by mandatory earthquake insurance. This means close to half of the country's properties lack this vital insurance. . In Istanbul, this coverage rate is slightly better, around 63.4 percent is .

What is DASK insurance and why is it mandatory?

DASK Turkish phrase abbreviator Turkish Natural Disaster Insurance Institution It means «Natural Disaster Insurance Institution.» This governmental institution was established in 2000 to provide insurance coverage for earthquake-related damages throughout Turkey. .

Legal basis

Mandatory earthquake insurance based on Law No. 6305 The Natural Disaster Insurance Law, enacted in 2012, is mandatory for all residential properties. .

Who should have DASK insurance?

Status	Obligation
All residential properties	✅ Required
Independent units in residential buildings	✅ Required
Commercial units in residential buildings	✅ Required
Government buildings	❌ Exempt
Buildings without permits or unauthorized buildings	❌ Exempt (but not insurable)
Abandoned or dilapidated buildings	❌ Exempt

DASK Insurance Consequences

Without valid DASK insurance, you You can't:

• Transfer the official property deed (tapu). 
• Register water, electricity, and gas utilities in your name 
• Get a housing loan from Turkish banks

🛡️ DASK Insurance Coverages (What does it cover?)

✅ Covered Losses

DASK insurance only The main structure of the building Covers against damages arising from the following events :

Event covered	Explanation
Earthquake	Direct damage to the structure
Earthquake-induced fires	In the event of an earthquake
Earthquake-induced explosion	In the event of an earthquake
Earthquake tsunami	In the event of an earthquake
earthquake-induced landslide	In the event of an earthquake

Underlying structural elements

• Foundation and main walls
• Ceilings and floors
• Stairs and common hallways
• Elevator and its shafts (structure)
• Shared walls between units
• Roofs and chimneys 

❌ Covered Losses They are not

Loss	DASK Coverage
Furniture, appliances, and personal belongings	❌ No
Interior repairs and decoration	❌ No
Lost rent (rental income)	❌ No
Temporary accommodation cost	❌ No
Loss from flood, non-earthquake fire, theft	❌ No
Building defect damage	❌ No

⚠️ Franchise (Deductible)

In every loss, 2 percent The insured amount will be deducted as the franchise. For example, if the insurance amount is 2,000,000 Lira, the franchise will be 40,000 Lira and you will receive the remaining amount. .

DASK insurance cost in 2026

DASK insurance premium is calculated based on the following formula :

Gross area × cost per square meter × risk group rate × adjustment factors

Base amounts for 2026

Parameter	Amount (LIRA)
Cost per square meter (reinforced concrete – beam 1404)	11,357 lira
Cost per square meter (Other Buildings - April 2025)	7,571 lira
Maximum coverage per unit (Beam 1404)	2,407,723 lira

Important note: DASK maximum coverage 2.4 million lira (approximately $65,000). This amount is not sufficient for expensive properties, and you will definitely need to get supplemental insurance. .

Annual premium based on risk group (for a 100 sq m unit)

Risk group using Turkey earthquake mapThe soil conditions and type of building are determined .

Risk group	Annual insurance premium (Lira)
Group I (highest risk)	About 3,117
Group II	Approximately 2,774
Group III	About 2,354
Group IV	Approximately 2,211
Group V	Approximately 1,658
Group VI	Approximately 1,183
Group VII (Lowest Risk)	Around 807

Adjustment coefficients

Factor	Coefficient
Building before the year 2000	+10%
Building ≤ 3 stories	-10%
Building ≥ 8 stories	+10%
Extension within 30 days of expiry	-20%

🏠 Supplemental Building Insurance (Home Insurance)

As we saw, DASK only covers structural damage caused by earthquakes, and for complete protection of your investment, you need Supplementary building insurance You have .

Here's the translation: 🔍 Difference between DASK and supplementary insurance

Feature	DASK (Required)	Home Insurance (Optional)
Earthquake cover (structure)	Yes	✅ Yes (Supplementary)
Furniture and belongings	❌ No	Yes
Fire (non-earthquake)	❌ No	Yes
stolen	❌ No	Yes
Flood and waterlogging	❌ No	Yes
Civil liability	❌ No	Yes
Lost rent	❌ No	✅ Yes (Optional)
Temporary accommodation	❌ No	✅ Yes (Optional)

Supplementary insurance cost

The cost of supplementary insurance depends on the following factors :

• Area and property value
• Material quality and decoration
• Location
• Value of belongings and furnishings
• Selective coatings

Estimated Annual Cost (2026):

Type of clothing	Approximate cost (lira)
Basic package (50 square meters, 1+1)	1,500 – 3,000
Full package (Includes furniture and rent)	3,000 - 6,000
Luxury Real Estate	Ten thousand and up

Completion Insurance

If you are considering buying property Pre-order You need to become familiar with another type of insurance: Project completion insurance.

What is project completion insurance?

This insurance protects buyers of pre-sale properties against the following risks: :

• Bankruptcy or inability of the manufacturer
• The project remained unfinished.
• Excessive delay in delivery

Key features:

Feature	Explanation
Cover	In case of constructive failure, the insurance or payment will be refunded or the project will be completed.
Insurance premium rate	Usually 0.6 to 1.4 percent Total project value
Risk reduction	The insurer checks the financial capability and the contractor's history before accepting.
Spectacles	Insurer the manufacturing process until receipt Occupancy Permit Supervises

This insurance is for projects Urban regeneration و Presale is of particular importance .

📋 Steps to Register a DASK Claim

If an earthquake occurs and your property is damaged, follow these steps:

Step 1: Report damage

• With 125 Call the DASK hotline.
• Or via Website dask.gov.tr Register
• Or via e-Government System Take action 

Stage 2: Document Submission

• Policy number
• Property deed (tapu)
• Identification documents (passport or residence permit) 

Step 3: Expert Visit

Insurer Official expert He dispatches for damage assessment. .

Step 4: Receive Compensation

After confirmation, compensation will be paid. Standard processing time 30 to 45 days is .

⚠️ Note: In case of dissatisfaction with the insurer's decision, you can appeal to Insurance Arbitration Commission Complain. This commission offers a faster and less expensive method than court for damages up to approximately 300,000 lira. .

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Should foreigners also buy DASK?

Yes. All owners of residential property in Turkey, regardless of nationality, are required to purchase mandatory earthquake insurance. To purchase DASK, Turkish Tax Number و Passport Need .

Is DASK sufficient to obtain residency?

No. DASK is mandatory for property transfer and registration of deeds, but to obtain residency, the property itself must meet the required conditions (value of $200,000, etc.).

3. What is the cost of DASK insurance in Istanbul?

The cost varies depending on your property's risk group. For a 100-square-meter apartment in Istanbul, the annual premium can range from approximately 1,600 to 3,100 lira Variable .

4. Does DASK cover furniture damage?

No. DASK only covers damage to the main structure of the building. For coverage of furniture and personal belongings, you must purchase supplementary insurance (Konut Sigortası). .

5. Can I buy DASK online?

Yes. You can do this through the websites of reputable insurance companies or the e-Devlet system. You can also get help from an authorized insurance agent. .

6. What is the maximum DASK coverage in 2026?

Maximum coverage per residential unit up to July 2025 Equal to 2,407,723 lira This amount is updated monthly based on the Producer Price Index (PPI). .

Free consultation

If you are planning to buy property in Turkey and need advice on the required insurance, our team is ready to help.

WhatsApp https://wa.me/905395005000

🌐 Website: https://aloturkey.org