DASK Earthquake Insurance in Turkey: Complete Guide (2026)
DASK earthquake insurance in Turkey: what it covers, 2026 costs, supplementary home insurance and how to file a claim, in one complete guide.
Turkey is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, which is why earthquake insurance is mandatory for all residential properties here. But did you know that compulsory DASK insurance is only a small part of your financial protection?
In this comprehensive guide, we cover everything you need to know about DASK earthquake insurance and building insurance in Turkey in 2026: from costs and coverage to the claims process and key legal points.
According to official figures, of roughly 20 million residential units in Turkey, only 58.5 percent are covered by compulsory earthquake insurance. That means nearly half of the country's properties lack this vital cover. In Istanbul the coverage rate is slightly better, at about 63.4 percent.
🏛️ What Is DASK and Why Is It Mandatory?
DASK stands for the Turkish Doğal Afet Sigortaları Kurumu, meaning the "Natural Catastrophe Insurance Pool". This state body was founded in 2000 to provide insurance cover for earthquake damage across Turkey.
Legal Basis
Compulsory earthquake insurance is required for all residential properties under Law No. 6305 (Afet Sigortaları Kanunu), passed in 2012.
📌 Who Must Have DASK Insurance?
| Situation | Requirement |
|---|---|
| All residential properties | ✅ Mandatory |
| Independent units in residential buildings | ✅ Mandatory |
| Commercial units in residential buildings | ✅ Mandatory |
| Government buildings | ❌ Exempt |
| Unlicensed or illegal buildings | ❌ Exempt (but cannot be insured) |
| Abandoned or demolished buildings | ❌ Exempt |
🔴 Consequences of Not Having DASK Insurance
Without a valid DASK policy, you cannot:
- transfer the property's title deed (tapu)
- put water, electricity and gas subscriptions in your name
- get a mortgage from Turkish banks
🛡️ What DASK Covers
✅ Covered Damage
DASK covers only the main structure of the building against damage caused by the following events:
| Covered event | Description |
|---|---|
| Earthquake | Direct damage to the structure |
| Fire caused by an earthquake | If an earthquake occurs |
| Explosion caused by an earthquake | If an earthquake occurs |
| Tsunami caused by an earthquake | If an earthquake occurs |
| Landslide caused by an earthquake | If an earthquake occurs |
Structural elements covered:
- foundation and main walls
- roof and floors
- stairs and shared corridors
- elevator and its shafts (structure)
- shared walls between units
- roof and chimneys
❌ Damage That Is Not Covered
| Damage | DASK coverage |
|---|---|
| Furniture, appliances and personal belongings | ❌ No |
| Interior repairs and decoration | ❌ No |
| Lost rent (rental income) | ❌ No |
| Temporary accommodation costs | ❌ No |
| Damage from flood, non-earthquake fire or theft | ❌ No |
| Damage from building defects | ❌ No |
⚠️ Deductible
On every claim, 2 percent of the insured amount is deducted as a deductible. For example, if the insured amount is 2,000,000 lira, the deductible is 40,000 lira and you receive the remainder.
💰 DASK Cost in 2026
The DASK premium is calculated using the following formula:
Gross floor area × construction cost per square meter × risk group rate × adjustment factors
2026 Base Figures
| Parameter | Amount (lira) |
|---|---|
| Cost per square meter (reinforced concrete, as of July 2025) | 11,357 lira |
| Cost per square meter (other buildings, as of July 2025) | 7,571 lira |
| Maximum coverage per unit (as of July 2025) | 2,407,723 lira |
Important note: The maximum DASK coverage is about 2.4 million lira (roughly $65,000). For higher-value properties this is not enough, and you should definitely buy supplementary insurance.
Annual Premium by Risk Group (for a 100 square meter unit)
The risk group is determined using the Turkey earthquake map, soil conditions and building type.
| Risk group | Annual premium (lira) |
|---|---|
| Group I (highest risk) | about 3,117 |
| Group II | about 2,774 |
| Group III | about 2,354 |
| Group IV | about 2,211 |
| Group V | about 1,658 |
| Group VI | about 1,183 |
| Group VII (lowest risk) | about 807 |
Adjustment Factors
| Factor | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Building built before 2000 | +10% |
| Building with 3 floors or fewer | -10% |
| Building with 8 floors or more | +10% |
| Renewal within 30 days of expiry | -20% |
🏠 Supplementary Home Insurance (Konut Sigortası)
As we have seen, DASK covers only structural earthquake damage, and to fully protect your investment you need supplementary home insurance.
🔍 DASK vs. Supplementary Insurance
| Feature | DASK (mandatory) | Konut Sigortası (optional) |
|---|---|---|
| Earthquake cover (structure) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (supplementary) |
| Furniture and belongings | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Fire (non-earthquake) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Theft | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Flood and water damage | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Third-party liability | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Lost rent | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (optional) |
| Temporary accommodation | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (optional) |
💰 Cost of Supplementary Insurance
The cost of supplementary insurance depends on the following factors:
- the property's size and value
- the quality of materials and decoration
- location
- the value of furniture and belongings
- the coverages you choose
Estimated annual cost (2026):
| Type of cover | Approximate cost (lira) |
|---|---|
| Basic package (50 square meters, 1+1) | 1,500 – 3,000 |
| Full package (including furniture and rent) | 3,000 – 6,000 |
| Luxury properties | from 10,000 upward |
🏗️ Project Completion Insurance (Bina Tamamlama Sigortası)
If you plan to buy an off-plan property, you should know about another type of insurance: project completion insurance.
What Is Project Completion Insurance?
This insurance protects buyers of off-plan properties against the following risks:
- developer bankruptcy or inability to perform
- the project being left unfinished
- excessive delay in delivery
Key Features:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Coverage | If the developer cannot perform, the insurance refunds the money paid or completes the project |
| Premium rate | Usually 0.6 to 1.4 percent of the total project value |
| Risk reduction | Before accepting the risk, the insurer reviews the developer's financial strength and track record |
| Supervision | The insurer monitors the construction process until the occupancy permit (İskan) is obtained |
💡 This insurance is especially important for urban regeneration projects and off-plan sales.
📋 How to File a DASK Claim
If an earthquake occurs and your property is damaged, follow these steps:
Step 1: Report the damage
- Call 125 (the DASK phone line)
- or register through the website dask.gov.tr
- or apply through the e-Devlet portal
Step 2: Submit documents
- policy number
- property title deed (tapu)
- identity documents (passport or residence permit card)
Step 3: Expert inspection
The insurer sends an official loss adjuster to assess the damage.
Step 4: Receive compensation
After approval, compensation is paid. The standard processing time is 30 to 45 days.
⚠️ Note: If you are not satisfied with the insurer's decision, you can file a complaint with the Insurance Arbitration Commission (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu). For claims up to about 300,000 lira, this commission offers a faster and cheaper route than the courts.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Do foreigners also have to buy DASK?
Yes. All owners of residential property in Turkey, regardless of nationality, must buy compulsory earthquake insurance. To buy DASK you need a Turkish tax number and a passport.
2. Is DASK enough to get a residence permit?
No. DASK is required for the title deed transfer and for registering utility bills, but to obtain a residence permit the property itself must meet the necessary conditions (a value of $200,000 and so on).
3. How much does DASK cost in Istanbul?
The cost varies with your property's risk group. For a 100 square meter apartment in Istanbul, the annual premium can range from about 1,600 to 3,100 lira.
4. Does DASK cover damage to furniture?
No. DASK covers only damage to the main structure of the building. To cover furniture and personal belongings, you need supplementary insurance (Konut Sigortası).
5. Can I buy DASK online?
Yes. You can apply through the websites of reputable insurance companies or through the e-Devlet portal. You can also get help from a licensed insurance agent.
6. What is the maximum DASK coverage in 2026?
The maximum coverage per residential unit as of July 2025 is 2,407,723 lira. This amount is updated every month based on the producer price index (ÜFE).
📞 Free Consultation
If you plan to buy property in Turkey and need advice on the insurance you require, our team is ready to help.
📱 WhatsApp: https://wa.me/905395005000
🌐 Website: https://aloturkey.org