What is DASK?
DASK (Doğal Afet Sigortaları Kurumu — Natural Disaster Insurance Institution) is a state-backed earthquake insurance system established after the 1999 Marmara earthquake. It is legally mandatory for registered residential property owners and covers only structural damage to the building caused by earthquake and earthquake-related events.
DASK does not cover contents, standalone fires (without an earthquake), water damage, or rent loss. These risks require a separate voluntary home insurance policy.
The DASK sum insured is updated annually by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance based on construction costs. As prices rise, the limit may fall below full replacement value. Neolife Group recommends pairing your DASK policy with voluntary home insurance to close this gap.
Coverage
What DASK covers
Earthquake-induced structural damage
Damage to the load-bearing structure (foundation, columns, beams, walls) caused directly by an earthquake.
Earthquake-triggered tsunami
Structural damage caused by seismic sea waves directly resulting from an earthquake.
Earthquake-triggered landslide
Ground movement triggered by an earthquake that causes structural damage.
Earthquake-triggered explosion
Explosion occurring during or immediately after an earthquake.
What DASK does NOT cover — supplemented by home insurance
Contents & furniture
No appliances, furniture, electronics, or personal belongings are covered.
Standalone fire
Fire not triggered by an earthquake is excluded — covered by home insurance.
Rent loss
Loss of rental income if the building becomes uninhabitable is not covered.
Water damage
Pipe failures or water from neighbouring flats are excluded.
Coverage gap: The DASK annual limit may be below actual replacement cost. We recommend reviewing your sum insured at each renewal and topping up with voluntary home insurance.
Tenants: Tenants can take out DASK on behalf of the owner. The policyholder is the tenant; the insured party is the owner. Tenants should separately assess contents and liability needs.
Exclusions
Note: The following are typically excluded from standard policies. Always read the policy wording carefully.
- Standalone fire (not earthquake-triggered)
- Contents, furniture, and personal belongings
- Water damage and pipe failures
- Neighbourly liability
- Rent loss and temporary accommodation
- Damage exceeding the DASK sum insured cap
- Non-residential buildings (commercial, office, industrial)
Who is it for?
- Residential property owners: Legally mandatory for registered homes.
- Site management associations: Block-level DASK available for common areas.
- Tenants: Can arrange on behalf of the owner. Contents coverage requires separate home insurance.
- Mortgage holders: Banks typically require DASK as a mortgage condition.