How much does DASK home insurance cost?

What is DASK and why does a property owner need it?

DASK (Doğal Afet Sigortaları Kurumu) is mandatory earthquake insurance for housing in Turkey. The policy operates within the state system Turkish Catastrophe Insurance Pool (TCIP) and is mandatory for all residential properties registered in the land registry and privately owned. Without a valid DASK policy, you cannot register ownership (TAPU), connect water and electricity, or sell the property.

Given Turkey's high seismic activity, DASK is not just a bureaucratic formality but a real financial protection tool. In the event of a devastating earthquake, the state compensates the owner for damage within the insured amount, allowing the home to be restored without catastrophic personal costs.

What the DASK policy covers and does not cover

Understanding the boundaries of insurance coverage is a key point that is often overlooked. DASK exclusively protects the structural elements of the building:

• foundation, load-bearing walls and floors;
• roof, staircases, corridors and entrance areas;
• common structures of an apartment building.

The insurance covers damage caused directly by an earthquake, as well as resulting fires, explosions, and landslides. However, it's important to understand that the policy does not cover:

• furniture, household appliances, and electronics;
• personal belongings, clothing, and interior items;
• temporary living expenses (rent during repairs);
• loss of income from being unable to rent out the property.

That is why many owners additionally take out private home insurance (Konut Sigortası), which covers the listed risks.

How the cost of DASK is calculated: formula and factors

The price of a DASK policy is not fixed — it is calculated using a state-approved formula. The general logic is as follows:

1. Sum insured = gross floor area (m²) × cost per square meter set by the state for the specific type of construction.
2. Insurance premium = sum insured × tariff coefficient.

The following factors affect the final cost:

• Building construction type: reinforced concrete, steel frame, stone, wood. For reinforced concrete buildings, the cost per square meter is lower than for stone or wooden structures.
• Number of floors: the more floors, the higher the risk coefficient.
• Region and seismic activity zone: Turkey is divided into five risk zones — from the most dangerous (first) to the least dangerous (fifth). Property in Istanbul or Izmir will cost more than in Antalya or Mersin.
• Year of construction: modern buildings constructed to new earthquake-resistant standards have lower coefficients.

Current rates and real figures for 2025

As of January 1, 2025, the cost per square meter for calculating the sum insured has increased significantly. While in 2024 it was 3,016 TL/m² for reinforced concrete buildings, later raised to 6,000 TL/m², in 2025 the following base values apply for different types of structures:

• Reinforced concrete buildings: ~6,000 TL/m²;
• Other types of structures (stone, wood, etc.): ~7,571 TL/m².

The maximum guaranteed amount under the DASK policy has been increased to 1,272,000 TL. This means that damage exceeding this limit is not covered by the insurance — the rest falls on the owner or is compensated through additional private insurance.

Estimated annual cost of DASK for different types of housing (including the tariff coefficient):

• 1+1 apartment (55–65 m²): 700–900 TL per year;
• 2+1 apartment (85–100 m²): 1,100–1,500 TL per year;
• 3+1 apartment (120–150 m²): 1,800–2,500 TL per year;
• Villa (200+ m²): from 3,500 TL per year.

In foreign currency terms, this is roughly from 20 to 150 dollars/euros per year — a very affordable amount compared to the potential damage.

How and where to get a DASK policy

You can get DASK in several ways:

• At an insurance company office: almost all Turkish insurers (Türkiye Sigorta, Allianz, Aksigorta, Anadolu Sigorta, etc.) provide this service.
• At a bank branch: many Turkish banks act as intermediaries for DASK issuance.
• Online: on the official website dask.gov.tr or through insurance companies' websites, you can calculate the cost and pay for the policy remotely.
• Through a real estate agent: often realtors handle DASK issuance during transaction support.

To apply, you need: TAPU (title deed), identity document (kimlik or foreign passport for foreigners), and Turkish tax number (Vergi No). The procedure takes 15–30 minutes, and the policy becomes effective immediately after payment.

Fines and consequences of not having DASK

Turkish law does not provide for a direct monetary fine for not having DASK — the police do not issue tickets for expiration. However, the consequences of not having a policy are quite serious:

• You cannot connect or transfer water and electricity to your name;
• A sale transaction will not be registered in the cadastre without a valid policy;
• In the event of a claim, the owner bears all financial burden;
• Banks will not approve a mortgage loan secured by uninsured property.

Additional insurance: when DASK alone is not enough

The mandatory DASK policy is only a basic minimum. For comprehensive property protection, experts recommend obtaining private home insurance (Konut Sigortası). It covers:

• Interior decoration, furniture, and household appliances;
• Risks of flooding, theft, fire (not related to an earthquake);
• Civil liability to neighbors (e.g., if a pipe burst in your apartment damages the apartment below).

The cost of private insurance is comparable to DASK — about 1,500–3,000 TL per year for a standard package. Together, both policies form a reliable insurance perimeter, protecting both the building's structure and everything inside.

Conclusion

DASK insurance is a mandatory but not burdensome condition for property ownership in Turkey. The annual cost ranges from 700 to 3,500 TL (20–100 euros) depending on the size and location of the property, and taking out the policy takes just a few minutes. Saving on DASK is unwise: the absence of a policy blocks key property operations, and in the event of an earthquake leaves the owner alone with tens of thousands in home restoration costs. Take care of insurance in advance — it's a small price for real financial security.