Compulsory Earthquake Insurance (DASK), is a type of insurance that provides coverage for homes in Turkey against earthquake and some natural disaster risks, and its procurement is legally mandatory.
Established after the 1999 Marmara Earthquake, this system is operated under the Natural Disaster Insurance Institution (DASK) and aims to cover material damages that may occur due to earthquakes within certain guarantee limits.
🏠 What Risks Does DASK Cover?
Compulsory Earthquake Insurance provides coverage for the following structural damages:
- ✔️ Damages to the building caused by the earthquake
- ✔️ Damages caused by fire, explosion, and landslide resulting from the earthquake
- ✔️ Structural damages caused by tsunami resulting from the earthquake
- ✔️ Damages to the foundation, main walls, load-bearing system, and common areas of the building
- ✔️ Stairs, elevators, roofs, chimneys, and similar structural sections
❌ What Risks Does DASK Not Cover?
The following damages are not covered by Compulsory Earthquake Insurance:
- ✔️ Home furnishings, electronic devices, and personal belongings
- ✔️ Loss of rent and income
- ✔️ Material damages caused by business interruption
- ✔️ Debris removal expenses
- ✔️ Moral compensation claims
- ✔️ Garden arrangements, perimeter walls, pools, and similar elements
It is recommended to take out optional Home Insurance for such risks.
📑 Why Is DASK Mandatory?
Compulsory Earthquake Insurance is not only a legal obligation but also an important financial guarantee.
Its main advantages are:
- ✔️ It is legally mandatory.
- ✔️ A valid policy is required for title deeds and many official transactions.
- ✔️ It may be necessary for water, electricity, and natural gas subscriptions.
- ✔️ It provides coverage against material losses that may occur after an earthquake.
- ✔️ It offers wide coverage with economic premiums through a state-supported system.
👥 Who Should Take Out DASK?
Those who should take out DASK are:
- ✔️ Owners of titled homes
- ✔️ Owners of apartment flats and detached houses
- ✔️ Owners of independent sections with condominium or condominium servitude
- ✔️ Beneficiaries of homes allocated by the state
📅 How Long Is the DASK Policy Valid?
The Compulsory Earthquake Insurance policy is valid for 1 year.
To ensure uninterrupted insurance coverage, the policy must be renewed every year before its expiration.
🤝 Do Not Delay Your Guarantee Against Earthquakes
A significant part of Turkey is located in an active earthquake zone. Therefore, DASK is not only a legal obligation but also an important guarantee that protects your home and financial savings.
Do not neglect to renew your DASK policy regularly to ensure that structural damages that may occur after an earthquake are covered and to avoid any problems in official transactions.