Short answer
DASK earthquake insurance is compulsory for most homes in Turkey, whoever the owner is: the land registry will not register a sale without a valid policy. It pays for earthquake damage to the building up to the sum insured, but not for contents or flood, which need separate home insurance.
In this article
If you own a flat or holiday home in Türkiye (Turkey), you will meet DASK earthquake insurance at the land registry, at the water company and, after a quake, when you claim. Compulsory Earthquake Insurance (Zorunlu Deprem Sigortası) is provided by the Turkish Catastrophe Insurance Pool (Doğal Afet Sigortaları Kurumu, DASK, in English TCIP) under the Disaster Insurance Law No. 6305.
This guide covers the obligation, the cover, flood and contents, and how foreign owners claim from abroad. For insurance disputes generally, see our page on insurance law.
Is DASK earthquake insurance compulsory for foreign owners?
Yes. The obligation attaches to the property, not to your nationality. Independent units under the Condominium Law, residential buildings on registered private land, and shops or offices inside such buildings must be insured. The owner, or the holder of a usufruct right, takes out the policy and renews it every year (Law 6305, Art. 10). State staff housing and public buildings, village houses of permanent village residents and buildings used entirely for non-residential purposes are excluded.
The law enforces the obligation at three points:
- Land registry: the title deed office will not register transactions on an insurable unit, such as a sale, unless a valid policy is shown (Art. 11/2). If you are buying property in Turkey, expect this check.
- Utilities: new water and electricity subscriptions are checked for a policy (Art. 11/3).
- Mortgage loans: if the borrower does not buy the policy, the lending bank takes it out and renews it, informing the borrower (Tariff, Art. 7/2).
There is no fine for years without a policy, according to DASK, but there is also no cover. Since 05.09.2026, a policy ends on the date a sale is registered at the land registry, and the buyer needs a policy of their own. On application by the policyholder or the previous owner, the premium for the unused days is refunded to the policyholder (General Conditions C.4, amended in RG 21.08.2026). If you plan to sell property in Turkey from abroad, tell your attorney-in-fact. For other changes of owner, such as inheritance, the policy continues: the heirs must notify the insurer within 15 days of learning of it and obtain an endorsement. Whether the land registry asks for a policy in the heirs' names is not settled, so check in advance.
What does DASK cover, and what does it not?
| Covered | Not covered |
|---|---|
| Damage caused directly by an earthquake | Furniture, belongings and other movable property |
| Fire, explosion, tsunami and landslide caused by the earthquake | Flood, storm and any damage not caused by an earthquake |
| Structural and common parts: foundations, main, shared and retaining walls, roofs, stairs, lifts, corridors | Debris removal, loss of rent, alternative accommodation, business interruption |
| Total and partial damage, up to the sum insured | Death, bodily injury and non-pecuniary damages; defects that develop over time |
DASK may refuse to insure buildings built against the regulations and the project, and it does not insure buildings whose load-bearing system was weakened by alterations (Art. 10/4). If damage results from such an alteration, the owner loses the right to compensation (Art. 12/2).
How much does DASK pay after an earthquake?
The sum insured is the gross floor area multiplied by a unit cost for the construction type (reinforced concrete or other), and it cannot exceed a maximum. The tariff indexes these amounts monthly. As of 17.10.2026, the maximum is TRY 2,552,268 per dwelling (applicable since 01.10.2026); the tariff sets TRY 2,605,100 from 01.11.2026. A deductible of 2% of the sum insured applies to each loss, and all damage within a 72-hour period counts as one loss.
Compensation is the rebuilding cost at local market prices, capped at the sum insured. Declare the floor area and construction type correctly: if your declaration was wrong, the payout is reduced in proportion to the premium that should have been paid (General Conditions C.2). Premiums depend on the risk zone, construction type, floors and building age. Renewing within 30 days of expiry gives a 20% discount.
Do you need extra home insurance for flood and contents?
Yes, if you want that protection. The floods that hit İstanbul, Kocaeli, Sakarya and other provinces from 14.10.2026 are a reminder that DASK covers only the building and only earthquake-related damage. Flood, burst pipes, storms, burglary and your furniture require private home insurance (konut sigortası). Under the standard Fire Insurance General Conditions, flood and water inundation (sel ve su baskını) are excluded unless added by an additional agreement. Many home packages include it, but check your policy schedule.
If your home is worth more than the DASK maximum, private insurers can cover the excess with voluntary earthquake insurance, but only once a DASK policy exists (General Conditions C.3). A tenant may buy DASK as policyholder on the owner's behalf, but compensation is always paid to the owner registered on the title deed.
How do you make a DASK claim from abroad?
DASK claim, step by step
Report the damage within 15 working days
Notify DASK or the insurer that issued the policy within 15 working days of learning of the loss (General Conditions B.1). Under TTK Art. 1446, late notice as a rule leads only to a fault-based reduction if it increased the loss, but do not rely on that. You can call ALO DASK 125 or use the online claim notification, which accepts a foreigner identification number or a tax number together with the policy number or address code.
Prepare the documents
DASK asks for the identity document of the right holder, current title deed information, the full address of the damaged unit and a phone number. Report any other policy that also covers earthquake.
Give the loss adjuster access
An independent adjuster inspects the unit. If you are abroad, someone holding your power of attorney can let them in and receive notices.
Receive the payment
Once the amount is final and the documents are complete, DASK must pay within one month (Law 6305, Art. 13/2; General Conditions B.4). Co-owners and heirs are paid according to their shares.
Challenge a low offer
Object to DASK in writing with your own evidence, such as an independent expert report. If DASK rejects it or does not reply in writing within 15 working days, you can apply to the Insurance Arbitration Commission (Sigorta Tahkim Komisyonu), which also hears DASK disputes and needs no prior mediation. The alternative is the commercial court where DASK is located or the loss occurred (General Conditions C.6); before suing, mediation is generally required (TTK Art. 5/A, or the consumer rules if you act as a consumer).
On limitation, the general conditions say two years from the end of the contract (C.7), the Turkish Commercial Code two years from when the claim falls due and at most six years from the loss (TTK Art. 1420). Which rule prevails is disputed, so do not wait.
Whether a particular loss is covered depends on the policy, the building and the adjuster's findings. For your specific situation, individual legal advice is recommended.
Frequently asked questions
Is DASK mandatory for foreigners who own property in Turkey?
Yes. DASK depends on the property, not on the owner's nationality. Homes in condominium buildings and residential buildings on registered private land must be insured, and the owner must renew the policy every year. Without a valid policy, the land registry will not register a sale, and new water and electricity subscriptions are checked for a policy. There is no fine for past years, but there is no cover either.
Does DASK cover flood damage in Turkey?
No. DASK covers only damage caused by an earthquake and by fire, explosion, tsunami or landslide resulting from it. Flood needs private home insurance, and under the standard fire insurance conditions flood and water inundation are covered only if added by an additional agreement. Check that your home policy schedule lists flood cover.
What happens if my DASK policy expired before the earthquake?
The policy runs for one year, and cover ends on the expiry date if it was not renewed. Damage after that date is not paid, even if you renew later. Renewal within 30 days of expiry still earns a 20% discount, but it does not cover the gap. You can renew up to 60 days before expiry, so set a reminder.
How do I report earthquake damage to DASK from abroad?
Report within 15 working days of learning of the damage. You can call ALO DASK 125 or use the online claim form on dask.gov.tr with your foreigner identification number or tax number and the policy number or address code. Someone in Turkey with your power of attorney can then let the loss adjuster in and handle the paperwork.
Does DASK cover furniture and personal belongings?
No. DASK covers the building only, including structural and common parts such as foundations, walls, roofs, stairs and lifts. Furniture, appliances and other belongings, as well as rent loss and alternative accommodation, are excluded. To protect them, you need a private home or contents insurance policy, which tenants should also consider for their own belongings.
Sources
- Legislation Disaster Insurance Law No. 6305 (Afet Sigortaları Kanunu), Art. 2, 10–13
- Official source DASK, Compulsory Earthquake Insurance Tariff (RG 31.12.2025, No. 33124) with monthly maximum sums
- Official source DASK, Compulsory Earthquake Insurance General Conditions (amended RG 21.08.2026, No. 33347)
- Official source DASK, Online claim transactions (English)
- Legislation Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102 (Türk Ticaret Kanunu), Art. 5/A, 1420, 1446