DASK Insurance When Buying a Home in Turkey: What to Check

When buying a home in Turkey, review the property's DASK earthquake-insurance documentation with the insurer and land registry before completion. The document needs to be checked for the actual home and transaction; a seller's old policy or a figure copied from a previous year's guide is not enough to plan around.

Use this checklist to assemble a clear insurance file and identify what remains to be confirmed. The insurer should explain the applicable cover, limits, exclusions and procedure for your case.

Match the policy to the home

Compare the policy's address and unit information with the property records supplied for the sale. Ask the insurer to explain how the declared area, construction information and building details have been recorded. If an address or measurement differs, ask the responsible professional to reconcile it before relying on the document.

Keep the policy number, insurer contact and a readable copy with your purchase file. Ask which supporting documents are needed to correct an error and who is responsible for making the correction.

Confirm the policyholder for the ownership change

Before the title appointment, ask whose name must appear on the policy and which evidence the registry accepts. Confirm what happens to the seller's cover, when your own arrangements must be in place and whether the insurer requires another action after completion. Record the answer and the date rather than assuming that an existing policy transfers unchanged.

The current DASK frequently asked questions provide an official starting point. Ask the insurer and registry to apply the current guidance to your proposed sale.

Read the limits and exclusions

Ask for the policy's insured amount, applicable limits, premium, renewal date and adjustment terms. Use the dated DASK tariff information with the insurer. A maximum stated simply as “2026” can become stale and should not determine your budget or expectations.

Ask which damage, possessions, additional expenses or liabilities are outside the policy and whether separate cover is appropriate for your intended use. Do not treat an insurance document as an engineering assessment of the building. If condition or structural safety matters to your decision, arrange the relevant professional inspection.

Keep insurance and handover checks together

Ask utility providers separately what they need when setting up or changing a subscription. Do not assume that the requirements of one provider answer those of every other provider.

After the purchase

Check that the insurance file reflects the completed transaction and keep renewal reminders with the home's other recurring costs. Record building-management contacts, equipment information and any inspection reports separately so insurance, maintenance and condition are not confused.

For help preparing the purchase file, bring the current policy, the property documents and your unanswered questions to your adviser before agreeing to a completion schedule.