“After the 17 August 1999 Marmara earthquake, earthquake insurance was made compulsory for all property owners, regardless of nationality. Property owners in Turkey are required by law to purchase insurance against earthquakes, which covers the costs of repairing damage caused by an earthquake or any natural disaster.”
Compulsory Earthquake Insurance is an insurance product that covers dwellings. This type of insurance offered by the Natural Disaster Insurance Institution, or “DASK“, is compulsory. The duration of compulsory earthquake insurance is 1 year. While DASK cannot be canceled, the DASK provision continues in the case of the sale of the owner.
The purpose of the establishment of the Natural Disasters Authority (DASK), which was established because of the 17 August 1999 earthquake, is to provide coverage against the material damages that the earthquake may cause in the dwellings. These material damages include covering the direct material damages that occur in cases such as fire, tsunami, explosion, and landslide that may occur because of the earthquake in cash within the scope of the policy limits.
What happens if DASK is not done?
Although DASK insurance is compulsory, there is no criminal action if it is not taken. However, if DASK is not done.
- Electricity, water, and natural gas subscription transactions cannot be made.
- House purchase-sale transactions or transfer transactions cannot be carried out in the title deed.
- In case of a possible earthquake and when the property in question is damaged after the earthquake, the disaster assistance of the state cannot be utilized.
Who Pays DASK?
Compulsory earthquake insurance is paid by the insurant in the policy. The insurant does not have to be a homeowner. However, regardless of who is the insurant, the insured in the policy is the landlord.
Compulsory earthquake insurance in houses with tenants can be taken out by the tenant or landlord. However, in both cases, the policy is issued on behalf of the landlord and the landlord is insured. When the insurant is also the landlord, the tenant does not have any payment responsibility for the insurance.
How to Get DASK?
Compulsory earthquake insurance can be taken out through the agents of authorized insurance companies. Or the application process can be carried out through the web and mobile applications of insurance companies. DASK prices are fixed. The premium to be paid does not vary according to the insurance company. Anyone who declares their housing and identity information can take out compulsory earthquake insurance.
Required Documents for Application
Identity and contact details of the insured:
- Name Surname
- Address
- Phone
- Mobile phone
- R. identity number
- Tax identification number (for legal entities)
Information on the building to be insured:
- Street address
- Title deed information
- Year of construction
- Building style
- Total number of floors
- Damage status
Information on the apartment to be insured.
- Gross area (m²)
- Usage
DASK Prices and Calculation
When DASK is made, the insurance premium price is determined according to the building age, apartment features, earthquake risk and surface area of the region. At the same time, Compulsory Earthquake Insurance offers a certain coverage fee depending on the costs. Together with the increase in construction costs, the amount of coverage is taken as the basis of the total expense when the building is to be rebuilt. At the same time, when the value of the structure exceeds the maximum coverage amount, the insured person can optionally take out earthquake insurance if he wishes.
Property Types Included in Earthquake Insurance
In accordance with Disaster Insurance Law No. 6305, the buildings defined below are covered by DASK insurance.
- Independent sections within the scope of justification no. 634 of the Condominium Law
- All buildings constructed as dwellings on immovable properties are subject to private ownership and registered in the title deed.
- Independent sections within these buildings are used for purposes such as commercial houses and offices
- Dwellings built by the state due to reasons such as natural disasters or created by giving loans by the state are buildings within the scope of DASK.
In addition, Compulsory Earthquake Insurance is valid for some buildings that meet the above conditions. These.
- Cooperative houses whose title deeds have not yet been allocated.
- Buildings that have not yet been corrected in the title deed and whose qualifications appear in the title deed as land or similar.
- And finally, it secures buildings that have been established as floor elevations.
Buildings Outside the Scope of Dask
- Ruined and derelict buildings that are not suitable for use as dwellings and are decided to be demolished by authorized public institutions and organizations because they are in disrepair.
- Buildings and houses registered to the village population and built-in village built-up areas and village hamlets.
- Buildings without a project and built without engineering services.
- Buildings used entirely for commercial or industrial purposes.
- Buildings that are found to be carrying out applications that adversely affect or weaken the carrier system.
- Buildings constructed in violation of the relevant legislation and project in a way that adversely affects the bearing part of the building.
