Home or home contents insurance is additional insurance taken out to complement existing building or earthquake insurance. It is meant to cover possessions, furnishings, white goods, electronic devices, and other personal items. The coverage and cost will vary considerably depending on the type of property owned and whether it is rented out or not.
Home contents insurance in Turkey will generally cover:
- The theft of your possessions,
- Damage to your possessions caused by all the circumstances listed in your building’s insurance,
- And depending on your policy, accidental damage to your possessions.
Types of Home Insurance in Turkey
In Turkey, must insure homes against earthquakes as it is located in a seismically active zone. For that, the government mandates that every house has a primary type of insurance called DASK.
However, the coverage of DASK is minimal and only valid in cases of natural disasters. So, you may want to purchase private home insurance. Most Turks do not take out additional insurance for their houses unless they take out a mortgage when they buy it.
Home insurance can be divided into 3 types:
- Insurance for when the property is the principal residence
- Insurance for a holiday home
- Insurance for homes that will rent out for most of the whole the year
Turkish companies often do not categorize their policies into these categories but instead tailor your policy to your specific circumstances, adding different clauses and charging premiums accordingly to suit your needs.
For example, if you will vacate your home for more than a month or more, you will be offered a specific type of insurance, and if you plan on renting it out, you will be able to add extra insurance, at an additional cost, to cover that as well.
Holiday Home Insurance in Turkey
When taking out insurance for your holiday home, you need to ensure that there is an additional cover for periods when the property is empty. Some companies impose maximum day limits, while some may not have any restrictions.
You should also ask if you need to take additional security measures when you are away, such as installing security cameras to make a claim.
If you are renting out your holiday home, the insurance will also need to cover possible damage caused by the tenant(s) as well as theft.
Home Contents Insurance Costs in Turkey
The premiums on Turkish contents insurance will vary from company to company and the extent of coverage afforded by your policy.
Home contents insurance is relatively affordable in Turkey. However, if your property will be empty for long periods or if your items/the contents of your home are of high value, the insurance company will require you to pay more significant amounts for protection.
Where your property is located will also be a determining factor for your premiums.
Taking out both building insurance and contents insurance for your home from the same company and at the same time will usually be much cheaper than mixing and matching policies from different insurers.
Seasonal holiday rentals that are furnished tend to have higher insurance premiums.
How to Choose Home Insurance in Turkey
When choosing home insurance in Turkey, you should always research the insurer. A quick Google search and checking customer rating sites such as “Şikayet var” will let you know if there are any complaints about the company or delays in insurance claims. If they have a poor record, it is best to stay away.
The second thing you need to be careful about is the coverage offered by the insurance. Some policies may not provide cover for certain features. For example, if you have a swimming pool, you should specifically ask if the policy covers that.
You should read your policy with care and pay extra attention to all the fine print. If you are unsure about the policy or do not have enough knowledge, getting professional help from an experienced insurance broker would be brilliant.
The insurer may also require you to make special security arrangements, such as installing burglar alarms or cameras on your property. Before you commit, make sure you know what you are getting for your money.
Make sure to compare several options before you commit to one.
Applying for Home Insurance in Turkey
Applying for home insurance nowadays is quick and easy. Most insurers will only ask you to submit a form online with minimal information such as your name, email, and contact number.
Some companies also have online cost calculators that give you an estimate of the different costs for varying types of home contents insurance or levels of coverage.
If you are insuring a building, you will be asked to provide the full address of the property, its title deed, and information such as its construction year, building style, the total number of floors, and its damage status.
If you are insuring a flat, you may also be asked to submit information about its gross area and the purpose it is used for.
How to Make a Home Contents Insurance Claim in Turkey
Your first step will be to phone your insurance company and tell them in detail what has happened. If you do not speak Turkish or feel there is miscommunication, you may have to enlist the help of a professional interpreter.
You should then submit your claim in writing via a claim form backed with supporting evidence. It could be photographs and an estimate for repair work, for instance. Your company will guide you on what steps to take.
However, if the claim amount is significant, the insurer will send an assessor to report on the damage.
You will be paid for the damages after you have agreed on how the claim will be dealt with.
Canceling a Contract or Changing Providers
House and contents insurances are renewed annually. If you want to continue your policy with another provider, you should let the representative know before your contract’s deadline. A month to 3 months before is a reasonable timeline.
If you want to cancel a home insurance contract, you will have to go over it to see if an escape clause allows you to end it prematurely. However, most contracts stipulate a fine or higher premium if you want to end it early.
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