Around Kilyos and Rumelifeneri: Insurance for Holiday Homes and Cars

Kilyos is a Sarıyer neighbourhood on the Black Sea coast, known as a summer holiday area; Rumelifeneri, also on the Black Sea coast, is known for its distinctive village character. Many people who own a home here, including expats and international families, do not use it all year but mainly in summer and at weekends. A home that stands empty from time to time and a car used heavily in season both shape your insurance plan directly. This guide explains how to approach holiday home and car insurance around Kilyos and Rumelifeneri.

The first question for a holiday home: how much is it used?

When a home insurance quote is prepared, you are asked whether the home is used all year or seasonally. This is not a minor detail. In a home that stays empty for long periods, a water leak or attempted burglary is noticed later than in a home where people live. For this reason some policies have specific conditions for periods when the home is unoccupied.

Declare how you use your holiday home accurately. If you close it completely in winter, use it only at weekends or let it from time to time, say so at the quote stage. An incorrect declaration can cause problems at claim time.

A checklist for a home left empty

Just as important as the policy are the precautions you take when closing the home. At claim time the insurer may look at whether reasonable precautions were taken. We suggest making these steps a habit:

• Turn off the main water valve and drain the plumbing if needed.
• Unplug electrical appliances that are not in use.
• Check doors, windows and shutters.
• Try not to leave valuable items in the home.
• Share your contact details with a neighbour or the complex management.
• Take a few photos on the days you close and reopen the home to record its condition.

These photos help show the home’s earlier condition in the event of a claim.

DASK and home insurance apply to holiday homes too

For homes with a title deed, DASK, the compulsory earthquake insurance, is mandatory under Law No. 6305; this does not change if the home is used only in summer. DASK covers earthquake damage to the building up to a set limit. Belongings, flooding, fire and theft need separate home insurance. For homes near the coast, we also suggest asking how storm and rain damage is handled in the policy conditions.

The car and the road in summer

Driving to and from a holiday home means the car is used far more often, and sometimes different family members drive. Traffic insurance, the compulsory motor third-party liability cover, is required under Law No. 2918, the Highway Traffic Law, and pays for damage caused to others within policy limits. Damage to your own car needs kasko, which is comprehensive car insurance.

Before the season, check the following on the car side:

1. Do the traffic insurance and kasko expiry dates fall in the middle of the season?
2. Does the kasko include roadside assistance and towing?
3. Are there any restrictions in the policy for other drivers who will use the car?
4. Under what conditions are services such as glass damage and a replacement car offered?

Setting off with a car whose policy expires mid-season can be one of a holiday’s most unwelcome surprises; checking the date before the season avoids it. For the basics, see compulsory traffic insurance explained.

A note for owners who let their holiday home

Owners who let their holiday home from time to time should always tell the insurer. Damage during periods when a tenant uses the home and liability to third parties may be assessed differently depending on the policy conditions. Discussing lettings at the start prevents disputes later.

Getting a quote remotely

You do not need to come to the office for a quote on your home around Kilyos or Rumelifeneri. Sharing the address, building details, how the home is used, any existing DASK policy and the car’s ruhsat (vehicle registration) details by phone or WhatsApp is enough. If you hold a residence permit, have your foreign ID number (Yabancı Kimlik No) ready. We present quotes from several insurers together with the differences in cover.

The holiday home in winter

Winter is the period most often overlooked for holiday homes. When the season ends the home is closed and nobody may visit until the next summer. Wind and rain are more frequent in winter, and a small problem with the roof, gutters or windows can grow unnoticed for a long time.

• Have the roof, gutters and windows checked before closing for the season.
• Arrange for a relative or the complex management to check the home at intervals over the winter.
• Try to have the home checked after a storm or heavy rain.
• If you notice damage, report it to the insurer without delay and take reasonable steps to stop it getting worse.

When damage is noticed and reported can affect how the claim proceeds. Not leaving the home entirely to itself in winter protects both the home and your ability to rely on the policy.

If you would like your holiday home and car policies ready before the season starts, visit our office at the Maslak Atatürk Oto Sanayi Sitesi, or call +90 530 375 89 61 or message us on WhatsApp for quotes from several insurers. We offer support in English and, with experience since 1996, prepare your policy with you in plain language.