Most of Küçükçekmece's building stock dates from 1980–2000. Earthquake insurance is not a theoretical subject in this district — and it deserves attention not because it is compulsory but because it is necessary.
This guide separates two things: what is compulsory (DASK) and what is sufficient (home insurance).
What DASK is, and who must have it
Compulsory Earthquake Insurance (DASK) is mandatory for every owner of a registered home within municipal boundaries.
In practice what enforces it is not a penalty but this: water, electricity and gas connections cannot be arranged for a property without a DASK policy. A policy is also required at the deed transfer and in mortgage processes.
In other words, you cannot move into a flat without DASK.
The 2026 tariff: what changed
A new tariff and premium regime took effect on 1 January 2026. Reflecting rising construction costs and rebuild values:
| Item | 2026 |
|---|---|
| Maximum cover (per dwelling) | ₺2,095,462 |
| Minimum premium (by risk zone) | ₺505 – ₺1,951 |
Premiums are set by earthquake risk zone, construction type (reinforced concrete, masonry, etc.), gross floor area and building age.
İstanbul is a high-risk zone; a premium on a home in Küçükçekmece runs markedly higher than for the same home in a low-risk province.
DASK's most important limit
We state this in bold because too many people learn it at the moment of a claim:
DASK covers the building only. It does not cover your contents, your rent, your temporary accommodation, or damage caused to a neighbour.
The maximum cover is a ceiling. If your home's rebuild cost exceeds ₺2,095,462, DASK does not cover the difference.
To see where that ceiling sits in Küçükçekmece: a 100 m² flat in Atakent has a market value of roughly ₺9.3 million at July 2026 prices. What DASK covers is limited to the rebuild cost element and the maximum sum insured — the land share is outside the scope in any case.
What DASK covers
Physical damage to the building from an earthquake and its direct consequences:
- Foundations, main walls, structural system
- Ceilings and floors, staircases, lifts
- Landings, corridors, roofs, chimneys
- The building's integral parts
Fire, explosion, tsunami and landslide caused by an earthquake are also covered.
Home insurance: the complement to DASK
An optional policy that fills the gaps DASK leaves. It can typically include:
- Contents cover — furniture, appliances, electronics
- Earthquake cover above the DASK ceiling
- Fire, flood, theft
- Glass breakage
- Liability for damage caused to neighbours
- Temporary accommodation / loss of rent — if the home becomes uninhabitable
- For tenants: tenant liability cover
In Küçükçekmece's dense neighbourhoods (Yeşilova ~56,900 people/km², Sultanmurat ~53,000) buildings sit close together, and neighbour liability cover matters more than most people assume.
Are you the tenant or the owner?
This distinction is frequently confused:
The owner must arrange DASK and insures the building. Building cover under a home insurance policy is also theirs.
The tenant is not required to arrange DASK — but their contents are not covered by it. A tenant needs a separate policy for their own belongings. Tenant liability cover, meanwhile, covers their responsibility to the landlord for damage caused by their own fault (fire, water).
So the same flat needs two separate policies, arranged by two different people.
What to check when buying
- Is there a policy, and when does it expire? One is required at transfer.
- Are the details correct? Wrong gross floor area, construction type or build year cause problems at claim time.
- Has the policy been transferred? It must be moved to the new owner.
- Is the cover sufficient? Assess whether the ceiling covers your home's rebuild cost.
- Have you considered additional home insurance? For contents and liability.
The second point is the most skipped: a policy issued with the wrong floor area or construction type shows a lower premium but creates an underinsurance problem when a claim is paid.
For every property in our portfolio we check that a DASK policy exists and that the building details on it match the title and permit records.