05.09.2026 21:01
A new period has begun in Compulsory Earthquake Insurance. As of September 5, the existing policy of a sold dwelling will no longer be transferred to the new owner. The policy will terminate with the sale, and the premium for the unused days will be refunded to the previous homeowner.
The new regulation, announced with the communiqué of the Insurance and Private Pension Regulatory and Supervisory Agency (SEDDK) published in the Official Gazette last month and set to take effect on September 5, has terminated the practice of transferring the Compulsory Earthquake Insurance (CEI) policy to the new property owner in the event of a sale.
According to information obtained from the Natural Disasters Insurance Institution (DASK), as of this date, when a residence is sold, the CEI policy belonging to the previous homeowner will not be transferred to the new homeowner. The existing policy will terminate as of the date the sale is registered at the land registry, upon the application of the previous homeowner to their insurance company or agency for cancellation. During the land registry transaction, it will also be checked whether the person purchasing the residence has a CEI policy in their own name.
From the perspective of those selling their homes, the premium amount corresponding to the unused days of the terminated policy will be refunded to the policyholder or the person who purchased the policy upon the application of the insured or the previous homeowner. Thus, instead of transferring the previous homeowner's policy to the new homeowner with an additional document after the sale, it will be essential for the CEI policy to be issued in the name of the new owner of the residence.
The new regulation covers not only the sale of the residence but also other situations where the titleholder of the residence changes, excluding sales. In cases other than sales and similar transactions, the existing CEI policy will not terminate and will continue with the new titleholder of the residence.
Due to transactions other than sales, the new titleholder will be required to notify the insurance company that mediated the policy within 15 days from the date they learn of the existence of the existing policy. Upon receipt of the notification, the relevant insurance company or agency will process the titleholder change into the policy within 24 hours and provide the updated policy to the new titleholder.
"FOR PREMIUM REFUND PROCEDURES, YOU CAN CONTACT THE RELEVANT INSURANCE COMPANY OR AGENCY"
Balkır Demirkan, Secretary General of DASK, who made evaluations regarding the said regulation, stated that as an institution they closely follow the needs of the insured and the requirements arising in practice, and they work in continuous consultation with SEDDK by identifying the needs for the more effective operation of the CEI system.
Explaining why the regulation was needed, Demirkan drew attention to the importance of making the processes in the CEI system clear and understandable for citizens, as well as ensuring that the application is carried out in the same way for all parties.
Demirkan noted that with the new regulation, it is aimed to make the process regarding how the existing policy will continue in the event of a change in the ownership of a residence clearer, to strengthen the unity of practice, and to ensure that the policy is issued in the name of the correct person.
Referring to the operation of the premium refund process for the unused period for citizens selling their homes, Demirkan stated, "Our citizens can contact the insurance company or agency that issued their policies for procedures related to premium refunds. The refund amount will be calculated based on the unused period of the policy, taking the registration date at the land registry as the basis."
Demirkan, stating that insurance companies and agencies will undertake an important role in the new practice, especially in titleholder changes other than sales, reported that in addition to processing the change into the policy and providing the updated policy to the new titleholder within 24 hours upon the notification of the new titleholder of the residence, they will also be the application point for citizens in applications regarding the refund of premiums for unused days in policies terminated due to sale.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THOSE BUYING AND SELLING HOMES IN THE NEW PERIOD
Balkır Demirkan made the following recommendations to citizens who will buy or sell homes after September 5: "In the new period, it is important for our citizens to consider CEI policies as part of the process, especially in home purchase and sale transactions. Our citizens selling their homes need to know that their existing policies will terminate with the sale transaction at the land registry and contact their insurance companies or agencies for the premium refund for the unused days of the policy. For our citizens purchasing homes, it will be checked before the land registry transaction whether they have a valid CEI policy in their own names."
Reminding that in titleholder changes other than sales, the existing policy will continue with the new titleholder provided an additional document is issued, Demirkan concluded his words as follows: "In this case, the new titleholder is required to notify the insurance company that mediated the policy within 15 days from the date they learn of the existence of the existing policy. Following the notification, the necessary policy update will be carried out by the insurance company or agency within 24 hours. Our citizens can primarily contact the insurance company or agency that issued their policies for procedures regarding their CEI policies. If they cannot reach their insurance company or agencies or need information and support regarding the process, they can reach our institution through the 'I have a message for DASK' section on our website dask.gov.tr."