What is DASK?
Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned… One day we enjoy peace with a cup of coffee, another day we’re heartbroken by unexpected news. It’s precisely amidst these ups and downs that certain feelings of confidence give us strength, that make us say, “No matter what happens, we’ll survive.” We often get this feeling from loved ones, and sometimes from assurances that make small but profound impacts on our lives…
There are four letters that everyone living in Turkey knows very well, but whose importance is often only realized in times of need: DASK (Daşkbank Insurance Fund). Whether we own a home or not, we all live hand-in-hand with the reality of earthquakes. That’s why the Natural Disaster Insurance Pool isn’t just a type of insurance; it’s like an invisible friend who says, “I understand you, I’m protecting you.”
Because earthquakes can shake not only buildings but also people’s dreams, order, and sense of security. It’s a security that reassures us in case something happens one day, allowing us to take more confident steps toward the future. While it may seem like a short policy, it carries a profound sense of “don’t worry, we’ll figure it out.”
Why Was DASK Established?
The story of the founding of DASK (Turkish Catastrophe Insurance Pool) is rooted in a reality that looms large in our memories. The 1999 Marmara Earthquake… That night, millions of people’s lives were instantly transformed; homes were destroyed, cities were shaken, and losses were experienced. Not only buildings, but people’s routines, habits, and even their hopes for the future were devastated. While Turkey united in the aftermath of the earthquake, a crucial truth emerged: earthquakes not only impose a physical burden but also a significant economic burden, and this burden was not easy to shoulder alone.
A need arose to frame the reality of earthquakes in a more professional, systematic, and sustainable context. The notion that “if something happens, the state will take care of it” was no longer sufficient. A stronger, more planned mechanism was needed. Thus, the Natural Catastrophe Insurance Pool was established in 2000.
So why was DASK established? It was actually shaped around a few core objectives:
- Reducing the economic devastation caused by an earthquake: When a building collapses or sustains severe damage, not only is debris left behind; it also leaves a family without a home, people who have lost their savings, and the significant financial burden of starting anew. DASK aimed to shoulder some of this burden and help people get back on their feet.
- Reducing the burden on the state: In major earthquakes, it’s extremely difficult for the state to respond to every need, both economically and organizationally. With compulsory earthquake insurance, this burden is shared, and the system becomes more balanced.
- Providing quick compensation to citizens: One of the most challenging moments after an earthquake is uncertainty. Questions like, “What will happen to my house? When will compensation be paid? When can I get back to my life?” can even disrupt sleep. This is where the Natural Disaster Insurance Institution (TDI) stepped in, aiming to provide a more streamlined and expedited process from damage assessment to payment.
- Raising insurance awareness: In a country where earthquakes are an inevitable reality, insurance awareness is not just a choice, but a necessity. The establishment of the Natural Disaster Insurance Institution aimed to spread this awareness throughout society.
What Does DASK Cover?
Many people are still a bit confused about the scope of coverage provided by the Turkish Catastrophe Insurance Pool (TCIP). Questions like, “Does it cover everything?” and “Are my belongings also included in this insurance?” are frequently heard. This curiosity is actually quite natural, because when a major disaster like an earthquake strikes, people want to be covered down to the smallest detail. Therefore, understanding what DASK actually covers is much more important than we think.
- First of all, it’s important to clarify: DASK only covers earthquake-related structural damage to the building itself. In other words, what is fundamentally protected is the physical integrity of your home. This includes the following:
- Foundations: This is the most critical point of a building. It covers earthquake damage to the foundation, such as cracks, collapses, or shifts.
- Main Walls: If the building’s load-bearing columns, beams, and walls are damaged during an earthquake, this is also covered.
- Ceilings and floors: Damage to these sections, which are crucial for structural integrity, is also among the damages covered.
- Staircases: If the stairs connecting the floors are damaged in an earthquake, the policy will be activated.
- Elevator shafts: Structural parts of elevator areas within the building are also covered.
- Door and window joinery: Breakage or deterioration in these sections that affect structural integrity are also covered.
- Gable walls: If gable walls on the building’s exterior are damaged in an earthquake, DASK may also cover this.
- Corridors and common areas: Structural damage to common areas within the apartment building caused by an earthquake is also covered by the policy.
DASK insures the fundamental elements that support a building. Because the most significant loss after an earthquake is the destruction of a building.
However, there’s a crucial distinction here:
DASK does not cover household contents.
Televisions, refrigerators, furniture, computers, personal belongings… Even if these are damaged in an earthquake, DASK will not cover them. Because the purpose of this insurance is to ensure the structural safety of the building and to help people regain a habitable place.
If you want to “keep your belongings safe,” you also need housing insurance. Home insurance covers both your belongings and some additional risks, filling in the gaps left out by DASK..
What DASK Does Not Cover
To clarify DASK’s scope, it’s crucial to understand that this insurance only protects the structural and permanent parts of a building. Contents within the home, electronic devices, furniture, decorative damage, the tenant’s personal belongings, damage to the land or plot, and structural damage resulting from non-earthquake causes such as flood, fire, or theft are not covered by DASK coverage.
Furthermore, if the building is still under construction, it is not covered by this policy. In short, DASK protects the foundation that supports the building in the event of an earthquake; additional insurance is required for belongings and additional components.
Why DASK Is Mandatory
To understand why DASK is mandatory, it’s necessary to view earthquakes not just as an individual problem, but as a major risk affecting society as a whole. Because when such a disaster strikes, it affects not just one person’s home, but the stability of a neighborhood, a city, and even a country. The fundamental purpose of making DASK mandatory is precisely this: to create a common safety net for all segments of society, to ensure that everyone has at least some level of financial security after an earthquake, to promote insurance adoption, and to establish a sustainable risk management system nationwide.
It also has the crucial mission of supporting the orderly functioning of the housing market and easing the burden on both individuals and the state in the event of a potential disaster. The fact that it is virtually impossible to subscribe to water or electricity, conduct title deed transactions, or rent a home without DASK clearly demonstrates the vital role this insurance plays. Therefore, while DASK may seem like a necessity, it is actually a step taken to ensure our collective security.
How is a DASK Policy Calculated?
The reason DASK premiums vary from house to house is that the policy isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, and each building is evaluated based on its own unique circumstances. So, even if you live in the same apartment building as your neighbor, prices can sometimes differ, as many details are taken into account in the calculation process. The earthquake risk zone in which the building is located plays a significant role; a property located in a high-risk area will naturally have a different premium. Furthermore, important factors include the building’s construction year, the strength of the foundation, and the regulations under which it was built.
Construction type is also a factor influencing the calculation; the insurance premium for a reinforced concrete building will not be the same as that for a wood or masonry structure. The number of floors is included in the calculation because it provides information about the building’s height and durability. Of course, the square footage of the property and the resulting total insurance amount also shape the policy amount. When all this information is combined, a highly detailed assessment is made, resulting in the most appropriate DASK premium for that property.
It may sound complex, but the resulting figures are quite accessible to most people. Many people can’t help but remark upon seeing the policy, “That’s actually quite reasonable for such comprehensive coverage.” Having such coverage against a major risk like an earthquake provides significant peace of mind for a small fee.
DASK Prices
DASK prices are more reasonable than many people think and are actually determined by factors such as the earthquake risk in the area where the home is located, the age of the building, the square footage, and the style of construction. In other words, there’s no single standard fee for everyone; each property is evaluated based on its own characteristics.
However, overall, the cost is quite affordable when compared to the security offered by the premium paid. Having significant coverage against financial losses after an earthquake for a small annual payment provides significant peace of mind for many.
