Compulsory Earthquake Insurance (DASK) Guide: How to Secure Your Home and Future in Turkey?

Due to its geographical location, Turkey is a country situated on active fault lines. The painful experiences we have had in the past have repeatedly shown us that we must learn to live with the reality of earthquakes and take appropriate precautions. The most fundamental and legally mandatory of these precautions is the Compulsory Earthquake Insurance, widely known in Turkey by its abbreviation: DASK.

Often viewed simply as a "procedure to be quickly handled" when moving into a new home to open electricity and water subscriptions or to complete property purchase transactions at the title deed (Tapu) office, DASK is actually the most important lifeline that allows your home and family to get back on their feet financially in the event of a potential disaster. So, what exactly does DASK cover, how are the 2026 DASK prices calculated, and how can you get the best policy? Here are all the details homeowners and tenants need to know.

What is DASK (Compulsory Earthquake Insurance)?

Offered by the Turkish Catastrophe Insurance Pool (TCIP / DASK), Compulsory Earthquake Insurance is an insurance system that covers the physical damages directly caused to your building by an earthquake and the disasters that may occur as a result of an earthquake, such as fire, explosion, tsunami, and landslide, in cash within the limits specified in your policy.

Its main purpose is to secure the damages in buildings (even if they are completely destroyed) so that citizens can safely resume their lives after an earthquake, and to alleviate the financial burden on the state through an insurance pool system.

What Are the Crucial Differences Between DASK and Home Property Insurance?

One of the most confusing issues for property owners in Turkey, especially foreigners, is mixing up DASK with Private Home Insurance (Konut Sigortası). To avoid any future grievances, it is essential to understand the differences between these two types of insurance:

• Mandatory Status: DASK is legally mandatory; you cannot buy or sell a house or start official utility subscriptions without having it. Private Home Insurance, on the other hand, is completely optional (unless you have taken out a mortgage).
• Status of Belongings: DASK only protects the physical structure of the building (walls, columns, roofs, etc.). The furniture, electronic devices, or white goods inside your home are NOT covered by DASK. Private Home Insurance covers both the building structure and the belongings inside your home.
• Coverage Limits: DASK has a maximum limit called the "Maximum Coverage Amount," which is determined annually by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance. Whether you have a luxury villa or a standard apartment, DASK pays up to this maximum limit. If the value of your home is well above this limit, you should absolutely get Private Home Insurance on top of DASK to secure the difference.

What Does the DASK Policy Cover and Not Cover?

DASK secures the fundamental building blocks of a structure. Regardless of the extent of the damage (partial damage or total collapse), the following building parts are covered by DASK:

• Foundations and main walls
• Common walls separating independent units (apartments)
• Garden and retaining walls
• Ceilings and floors
• Stairs and elevators
• Roofs and chimneys

So, what does DASK NOT cover?

• Debris removal costs
• Loss of rent
• Temporary residence (hotel, etc.) or new moving expenses
• All kinds of household goods, electronic devices, or valuables
• Bodily injuries, death compensations, and claims for non-pecuniary damages

Note: You can secure all these "excluded" risks with a comprehensive Private Home Insurance policy that you take out in addition to DASK.

The Biggest Question Mark: What is the UAVT Address Code and How to Find It?

The first term a foreigner encounters when trying to get DASK is usually the UAVT Address Code. Standing for "National Address Database" (Ulusal Adres Veri Tabanı), the UAVT is a unique 10-digit identification number assigned to every residence, workplace, and independent unit within the borders of Turkey.

When issuing a DASK policy, it is vital to enter the address into the system without any errors. A policy issued to the wrong address may prevent you from receiving compensation in the event of damage. To prevent this confusion, the government has assigned this 10-digit code to all buildings.

Finding your UAVT code is very easy: By logging into the e-Government (e-Devlet) system and checking the "NVİ Adres Bilgilerim" (My Address Information) section, or by entering your province, district, neighborhood, street, and door number information on the address code inquiry screen on the official DASK website, you can instantly learn your apartment's 10-digit code.

How Are DASK Prices and Premiums Calculated?

DASK policy prices are not at the discretion of private insurance companies. Prices are determined according to a standard tariff updated annually by the DASK institution. Therefore, concepts like "Cheapest DASK" or "Discounted DASK" do not actually exist; the premium amount is calculated by the system using the same parameters for everyone. The following factors play a role in the DASK calculation process:

1. Earthquake Risk Zone: Turkey is divided into 5 different earthquake risk zones. As the risk degree of the region where the house is located increases (e.g., 1st-degree earthquake zone), the policy premium naturally increases.
2. Building Construction Style: Whether the building is constructed with reinforced concrete, masonry, or other construction types affects the calculation.
3. Gross Area of the Apartment (Square Meters): As the square meter size of your home increases, the premium amount to be paid also increases.
4. Construction Year of the Building: Since older buildings are considered to have a higher risk ratio, the age of the building is also a multiplier used in premium calculation.
5. Renewal Discount: The duration of a DASK policy is 1 year. If you regularly renew your policy every year before it expires, the system offers you a loyalty and "Renewal Discount," lowering your premium.

DASK Requirement for Utility Subscriptions and Property Sales

When you purchase a property in Turkey, you must present a current and valid DASK policy for that property in order to complete the transfer transactions at the title deed (Tapu) office. Similarly, when you are transferring the electricity, water, and natural gas subscriptions of a newly rented or purchased home to your name, the relevant distribution companies will first check your DASK policy number from the system. No official subscription process can be initiated for a residence without a policy or with an expired one.

Get Your DASK Policy in Seconds with https://www.google.com/search?q=Sigortateklif.com.tr

Even though DASK prices are standardized by the government, the speed, convenience, and reliability offered by the platform where you buy the insurance make a huge difference. Especially while racing against time during the rush of moving or title deed procedures, you don't want to deal with bureaucracy.

Renewing or creating your DASK policy from scratch takes only seconds on https://www.google.com/search?q=Sigortateklif.com.tr.

• Easy Inquiry: Simply log into our system with your ID number or UAVT address code.
• Fast Payment: Pay your premium amount, calculated based on the current 2026 tariffs, securely with your credit card through our 3D secure infrastructure.
• Instant Approval: The moment your payment is completed, your official DASK policy is sent to your e-mail address and simultaneously registered in the systems of the relevant institutions (Title Deed, Electricity, Water, Gas, etc.) and e-Government.

We cannot know when disasters will knock on our door, but being prepared is in our hands. To secure your home and the future of your loved ones, and to handle your official procedures smoothly, fill out our DASK Calculator form above right now and secure your policy instantly.