DASK Insurance (Compulsory Earthquake Insurance)

Whether an insurance contract is voluntary or mandatory depends on the will of the parties to the contract. Therefore, if a person enters into an insurance contract even though it is not mandatory, this contract is called voluntary insurance. However, if an insurance contract is entered into due to a legal obligation, this contract is called mandatory insurance. One type of mandatory insurance is mandatory earthquake insurance. DASK (Natural Disaster Insurance Institution) is a public institution in Türkiye that provides mandatory earthquake insurance to citizens and is responsible for the management of this insurance. DASK was established after the Marmara Earthquake in 1999 and became operational in 2000. DASK ensures that immovable properties such as houses and workplaces are insured against earthquake risk within the scope of mandatory earthquake insurance. DASK collects insurance premiums and creates a fund to cover the losses of insured persons as a result of possible earthquakes or other natural disasters. In this way, the financial burden of citizens due to losses caused by earthquakes or other natural disasters is alleviated. During natural disasters such as earthquakes in Türkiye, the responsibility for damage assessment and compensation procedures lies with the institution. Damage assessment for buildings affected by earthquakes is carried out using detailed inspections and reports prepared by experts and specialists appointed by the relevant institutions.

These reports determine the extent of the building's damage and the cost of repairs, entitling rights holders to compensation. This compensation may be covered by earthquake insurance policies or paid directly by the institutions. Rightful owners can apply to the institutions for compensation or pursue legal action. Institutions work diligently in damage assessment and compensation processes, striving to ensure that rights holders receive fair compensation.

Firstly, following major disasters such as the Marmara Earthquake of August 27, 1999, and the Bolu-Düzce Earthquake of November 12, 1999, earthquake insurance was made mandatory and came to the forefront in Türkiye. In this context, Decree Law No. 587 on Compulsory Earthquake Insurance was prepared and entered into force on December 27, 1999. Under this law, it became mandatory for all residential, commercial, and other buildings in Türkiye to have earthquake insurance. This step was taken to minimize the potential damage from natural disasters such as earthquakes.

In essence, earthquake insurance had been offered in Türkiye for over 40 years at affordable premiums. However, before the August 17th earthquake, there were only 500,000 home insurance policies, and therefore, out of the 213,000 homes damaged after the earthquake, only 14,000 had earthquake insurance. Consequently, only a limited number of those affected by the earthquake were able to cover their losses through earthquake insurance.

This situation highlights the importance of earthquake insurance. Given the high probability of material losses in natural disasters like earthquakes, earthquake insurance is a crucial tool for homeowners and businesses to mitigate their losses. Therefore, the importance and benefits of purchasing earthquake insurance should be better explained to the public, and awareness should be raised. The slogan "Earthquakes don't kill, buildings do" emphasizes that while earthquakes don't directly take lives, the damage and losses caused by collapsed buildings and structures pose a much greater threat.

Among the precautions that can be taken against earthquakes, constructing earthquake-resistant buildings is crucial. Earthquake-resistant buildings are vital, especially for those living in earthquake-prone regions. Such buildings are more resistant to the effects of earthquakes and therefore help reduce damage and losses.

The second important measure is to distribute the financial burden more evenly through insurance. Earthquake insurance helps protect buildings against earthquake damage, thereby minimizing financial losses after an earthquake. These insurances provide significant financial protection for those living in earthquake-prone areas. For these reasons, those living in earthquake-prone regions can protect themselves and their financial losses by taking measures such as constructing earthquake-resistant buildings and obtaining earthquake insurance.

Furthermore, mandatory earthquake insurance encourages buildings to be constructed in accordance with earthquake regulations, thus increasing the number of earthquake-resistant buildings. This helps reduce loss of life and material damage.

Compulsory earthquake insurance is also important from a disaster management perspective. In large-scale disasters such as earthquakes, insurance companies help victims by quickly compensating for material losses. This also ensures better management of the resources allocated by the state for disaster relief. In conclusion, compulsory earthquake insurance compensates people for their material losses while also encouraging the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings and playing an effective role in disaster management. Therefore, it is important for those living in earthquake zones to have compulsory earthquake insurance. In Turkey, the Disaster Insurance Law, published in the Official Gazette on May 18, 2012, and effective from August 18, 2012, aims to cover material damages that may occur due to earthquake disasters. Within this scope, Compulsory Earthquake Insurance (DASK) is regulated under the second article of this law. DASK is a type of insurance that must be obtained compulsorily in Turkey against earthquake damage that may occur in homes and workplaces. It is also necessary to draw attention to the differences between DASK insurance and home insurance; there are some differences between compulsory earthquake insurance and home insurance. Here are these differences:

1. Coverage: Compulsory earthquake insurance is a type of insurance that covers damages caused by earthquakes. Home insurance, on the other hand, can cover many different risks such as fire, theft, flooding, glass breakage, and natural disasters.
2. Mandatory: As the name suggests, mandatory earthquake insurance is compulsory for all homeowners in Türkiye. Home insurance, on the other hand, is not mandatory but can be purchased optionally by homeowners.
3. Premiums: Mandatory earthquake insurance premiums are calculated based on a specific rate and may vary depending on the location of the building, its age, and other factors. Home insurance premiums, on the other hand, are determined based on the location of the house, its value, its structure, the scope of insurance coverage, and other factors.
4. Damage Compensation: Mandatory earthquake insurance only covers damages resulting from earthquake risk, therefore it pays for damages that occur when an earthquake strikes. Home insurance, on the other hand, covers many different risks, including damages caused by fire, theft, and flooding.
5. Insurance Limit: Mandatory earthquake insurance covers damages up to a certain limit. Home insurance, on the other hand, covers damages up to the specified policy limit.

In conclusion, there are significant differences between mandatory earthquake insurance and home insurance, and both provide protection against different risks. Homeowners can choose the most suitable type of insurance for themselves by evaluating the risks that may occur in their homes and their insurance needs.

To be precise, DASK (Natural Disaster Insurance Institution) is an organization in Türkiye that provides insurance against earthquake risk for residential properties. DASK insurance is limited to damages caused by earthquakes and is mandatory, especially for homeowners living in areas with a high risk of earthquakes.

On the other hand, home insurance is a type of insurance that protects homeowners' homes from a range of risks. These risks may include theft, fire, flooding, natural disasters, terrorism, and many more. Home insurance offers many different coverage and guarantee options, and these options can be tailored to the policyholder's needs and budget. In short, DASK insurance only provides protection against earthquakes, but home insurance can provide protection against various risks. Both types of insurance are important for homeowners, and those who want to own a home are advised to conduct thorough research to determine the most suitable insurance option for them.

In Türkiye, obtaining mandatory earthquake insurance is a legal requirement. Article 10 of the law specifies which types of real estate are subject to mandatory earthquake insurance, while buildings constructed by individuals registered in village populations and permanently residing in villages are exempt from this obligation. Article 11 states that the individuals obligated to obtain mandatory earthquake insurance will be determined by the Natural Disaster Insurance Institution. This institution identifies buildings in Türkiye that are subject to mandatory earthquake insurance and informs the individuals obligated to obtain it.

Furthermore, this insurance is valid until the policy expiration date, and if it is not renewed after the policy expiration date, the insurance coverage will cease. Therefore, DASK insurance contracts must be renewed every year. Failure to renew the insurance contract may result in the termination of DASK coverage, which protects homeowners against earthquake risk. A specific period is usually given before the policy expires for the renewal process, and if the renewal is not completed within this period, the insurance is considered invalid. Since DASK insurance is a type of insurance that must be renewed annually, it is important for homeowners to complete their renewals on time each year. This is necessary to maintain homeowners' protection against earthquake risk and ensure the continuation of the insurance coverage.