Home Insurance in North Cyprus

North Cyprus home insurance is an insurance structure based on the separate assessment of the physical structure of the home and the belongings inside it.

CAN Sigorta Home Insurance is arranged through two main sections:

• Building Insurance

• Contents Insurance

In addition, depending on the structure of the home, the way it is used and the selected covers, different risks, fixed systems, external structures and liability covers can also be included in the policy.

CAN Sigorta Home Insurance Summary

Main cover and service areas:

• Fire

• Explosion

• Lightning

• Smoke

• Flood and inundation

• Storm

• Pipe burst and water leakage

• Theft and attempted theft

• Malicious acts

• Strike, lockout and civil commotion

• Impact by land vehicles

• Impact by aircraft

• Impact by sea vessels

• Landslip

• Inadequate insulation

• Earthquake, if selected

• Glass breakage

• Electronic device damage

• Machinery breakdown

• Accidental breakage

• Food spoilage

• Air-conditioner leakage

• Neighbour liability

• Third-party liability

• Landlord and tenant liability

• Debris removal

• Personal accident, if selected

• Solar panels and renewable energy systems

• Pool and pool equipment

• Garage, boundary wall, terrace, veranda and other fixed external structures

• 24/7 Assistance service

• Assignment of an independent loss adjuster within 24 hours when necessary

• Average claim resolution time: 4.8 days

The scope of cover and services is arranged according to the structure and the way the insured home is used.

Building and Contents Insurance

Building Insurance

Building Insurance secures the physical structure of the home and the fixed elements included in the policy.

The main elements that can be assessed within the building scope:

• walls,

• roof,

• flooring,

• fixed installations,

• permanent fixtures,

• fixed heating systems,

• boilers and similar mechanical equipment,

• technical systems integrated with the building,

• other physical structure elements included in the policy.

In villas and detached homes, the main building alone should not be taken into account.

Items located together with the home:

• swimming pool,

• pool pumps,

• pool filter systems,

• other fixed pool machinery,

• garage,

• boundary and garden walls,

• terrace,

• veranda,

• pergola,

• entrance doors,

• solar energy systems,

• solar water systems,

• other permanent external structures and equipment

must be clearly declared if they are to be included within the insurance cover.

Contents Insurance

Contents Insurance covers the movable belongings inside the home.

Among these:

• furniture,

• white goods,

• televisions,

• electronic devices,

• personal belongings,

• household equipment

may be present.

The building value and the contents value are assessed separately from each other.

Especially in furnished homes, it is important to clearly determine which belongings are included within the insurance cover.

Main Risks Assessed Under Home Insurance

Fire, Explosion, Lightning and Smoke

Fire is one of the fundamental risks of home insurance.

Physical damage occurring to the building, fixed installations or insured belongings due to fire is assessed within the relevant cover.

Physical damage occurring due to explosion, lightning and smoke can also be handled within the relevant covers.

Flood and Inundation

Physical damage can occur to the building or insured belongings due to heavy rainfall, surface water accumulation or flooding coming from the surroundings.

In particular:

• ground-floor flats,

• villas at garden level,

• homes located in low-lying areas,

• buildings with basement or storage areas

may be more exposed to water-related damage.

Damage caused by flood and inundation is assessed within the relevant cover.

Escape of Water

As a result of a pipe burst or water leakage from the plumbing:

• wall,

• ceiling,

• floor,

• fixed cupboard,

• furniture,

• electrical or electronic equipment

can be damaged.

Especially in homes that are unused for long periods, a small water leak being noticed late can cause the damage to grow.

Storm

Strong wind and storms can cause different types of physical damage, particularly in villas, detached homes and residences with open areas.

Damage occurring to the roof, veranda, pergola, solar panels and other fixed external structures or equipment can be assessed within the relevant cover.

Theft and Attempted Theft

The theft of the home or insured belongings, or physical damage occurring during an attempted theft, is assessed within the relevant cover.

During an attempted theft:

• door,

• window,

• lock system,

• glass,

• fixed structural elements

can be damaged.

Malicious Acts

The deliberate causing of physical damage to the building, fixed structures or insured belongings by third parties can be assessed within the scope of malicious acts.

Strike, Lockout and Civil Commotion

Physical damage that may occur to the insured building or belongings as a result of strike, lockout and civil commotion can be assessed within the relevant cover.

Impact by Land Vehicles

A land vehicle may strike:

• the insured building,

• the boundary wall,

• the entrance door,

• the garage,

• another fixed structure included in the policy.

The resulting physical damage can be assessed within the relevant cover.

Impact by Aircraft

Damage caused by aircraft or parts separating from them to the insured building or fixed structures included in the policy can be assessed within the relevant cover.

Impact by Watercraft

Physical damage caused by a sea vessel striking the insured building, a quay, a jetty or another fixed structure included in the policy can be assessed where the relevant cover is included.

Landslip

As a result of a landslip:

• the building,

• the boundary wall,

• the terrace,

• the pool,

• other fixed structures included in the policy

physical damage can occur.

Such damage can be assessed within the relevant cover.

Inadequate Insulation

Physical damage caused by water or moisture can occur due to inadequate insulation in the roof, terrace, external facade or similar parts of the residence.

Where it is included in the policy, damage occurring to the insured building or belongings due to inadequate insulation can be assessed within the relevant cover.

This risk becomes particularly important for homes with terraces, top-floor flats, detached residences and during periods of heavy rainfall.

Earthquake Cover

Where earthquake cover is selected, the building and the insured elements specified in the policy are assessed in terms of physical damage caused by earthquakes.

Whether or not earthquake cover is included in the policy is clearly determined at the time of arrangement.

Glass Breakage

Accidental breakage occurring in doors, windows or other fixed glass surfaces included in the policy can be assessed within the relevant cover.

Electronic Device Damage

Electronic devices included in the policy can be assessed separately in terms of the relevant physical damage.

Where televisions, electronic household equipment and other devices are to be included within the insurance cover, it is important that they are defined correctly.

Machinery Breakdown

Sudden and unexpected physical failures can occur in fixed mechanical systems used inside the residence or in connection with the building.

Where it is included in the policy, within the scope of Machinery Breakdown cover, in particular:

• fixed heating systems,

• central heating equipment,

• boilers and similar mechanical systems,

• fixed technical equipment connected to the building,

• swimming pool pumps,

• pool filter systems,

• other fixed machinery that keeps the pool running

can be assessed.

Where these systems are to be included within the insurance cover, it is important that they are defined correctly when the policy is prepared.

Accidental Breakage

The sudden and unexpected breakage of, or physical damage to, fixed elements located inside the home and included in the policy can be assessed within the relevant cover.

Food Spoilage

Food stored in a refrigerator or freezer may spoil following a power failure or another insured event specified in the policy.

Where Food Spoilage cover is included, the cause of the event, the condition of the appliance and the applicable policy limit are assessed together.

Air-Conditioner Leakage

Water escaping suddenly and unexpectedly from an air-conditioning system may damage walls, ceilings, floors, fixed cupboards or insured contents.

Damage caused by air-conditioner leakage can be assessed where the relevant cover is included and the event falls within the policy terms.

Liability and Additional Covers

Neighbour Liability

Material damage can occur to a neighbouring residence or to property belonging to a neighbour as a result of an event originating from the insured home.

For example, where a water leak originating from the insured home damages a flat below or beside it, the event can be assessed within the scope of Neighbour Liability.

Neighbour liability focuses on the damage that an event occurring in the insured home causes to another residence nearby.

Third-Party Liability

Where a visitor, guest or another third party suffers bodily or material harm as a result of an event connected with the insured home, Third-Party Liability may come into play.

This liability is particularly relevant where a home has:

• swimming pools,

• balconies,

• terraces,

• stairs,

• garden entrances,

• doors,

• visitor areas.

These features can increase the possibility of bodily injury or property damage involving a visitor or another third party.

Neighbour Liability and Third-Party Liability are assessed as separate risk areas.

Debris Removal

Costs can arise for the removal of debris occurring after an insured event.

Debris removal costs are assessed where the relevant cover is included in the policy.

Personal Accident Cover

Where Personal Accident cover is selected, the relevant personal accident covers can be assessed for the persons specified in the policy as a result of a sudden and unexpected accident occurring in the insured residence.

Landlord and Tenant Liability

A landlord's liability arising from the building or fixed installations and a tenant's liability arising from their use of the home may be assessed differently.

For example, water overflowing due to a tenant's use may damage the flat below. An event caused by a structural defect in a fixed installation may instead bring the landlord's liability into consideration.

The scope of Landlord and Tenant Liability is assessed according to each party's relationship with the property and the terms stated in the policy.

Fixed Elements That Can Be Insured with the Home

Solar Energy Systems

Solar energy systems are used in many villas and detached homes in North Cyprus.

The following located on the home:

• solar panels,

• solar water systems,

• inverters,

• fixed battery systems,

• other energy equipment fixed to the roof or the structure

must be clearly declared when the policy is prepared if they are to be included within the insurance cover.

Solar energy systems must be defined correctly, particularly in terms of storm, fire, lightning and other physical damage.

Swimming Pool and Pool Equipment

In villas and detached homes, a swimming pool can constitute an important fixed structure beyond the main building.

The following, to be included within the insurance cover:

• the pool structure,

• pump systems,

• filter equipment,

• other fixed pool machinery and equipment

must be stated when the policy is prepared.

The structural part of the pool and the mechanical equipment that keeps the pool running should be assessed separately.

Garage, Boundary Wall, Terrace and Other External Structures

The insured physical structure of a home may not consist of the main building alone.

The following, to be included in the policy:

• garage,

• boundary and garden walls,

• terrace,

• veranda,

• pergola,

• entrance doors,

• water tanks,

• cisterns,

• quays and jetties,

• fixed garden structures,

• other permanent external structures

must be clearly declared.

Assessment According to How the Home Is Used

Villa Insurance

In villa insurance, the correct definition of the fixed structures, energy systems and mechanical equipment located outside the main building is particularly important.

A villa may have:

• swimming pool,

• pool pumps and filter systems,

• solar panels,

• inverters,

• fixed battery systems,

• solar energy systems,

• fixed heating systems,

• pergola,

• garage,

• veranda,

• terrace,

• boundary wall,

• entrance door

may be present.

The elements to be insured must be additionally stated when the policy is prepared.

Apartment Flat Insurance

In apartment flat insurance, the individual flat must be separated from the common building areas.

In the assessment:

• fixed installations inside the flat,

• belongings,

• water leakage,

• damage that may be caused to neighbouring flats,

• balconies,

• glass,

• common building systems

can be important.

The flat's own area and the common areas that are the responsibility of the apartment or estate management should not be assessed in the same way.

Home Insurance for Landlords and Tenants

Home insurance is not arranged only for property owners. Tenants can insure their own belongings and appropriate liability risks arising from their use of the residence.

For a landlord, the building, fixed installations and declared external structures may be central. For a tenant, furniture, electronic devices, personal belongings and tenant liability may be more relevant.

In a rented home, the landlord's building and fixtures should not be combined with the tenant's belongings under one undifferentiated insured value. Ownership, use and responsibility for the contents should be clearly separated when the policy is arranged.

Holiday and Seasonally Used Homes

Many homes in North Cyprus are not used throughout the whole year.

When a home stands empty for a long time:

• water leakage,

• electrical problems,

• storm damage,

• attempted theft

such events can be noticed late.

For this reason, whether the home is used continuously, seasonally or will stand empty for a long time must be stated correctly.

Homes Used for Short-Term Rental

Homes used for short-term rental via Airbnb, Booking.com or similar have a different usage profile from continuously occupied residences.

This type of use must be clearly stated when the insurance is arranged.

Changing guests, property managers, cleaning teams, guest liability and possible loss of rental income require separate assessment. Further details are available on the North Cyprus Airbnb and Short-Term Rental Insurance page.

Rebuild Value and Market Value Are Not the Same

The sale or market value of a home is not the same as the rebuild value taken into account for insurance purposes.

The market value may contain:

• land value,

• location,

• view,

• demand in the area,

• plot size,

• investment potential,

• rental yield

such elements that are independent of the physical structure.

What matters in home insurance is the rebuild cost of the insured building and the fixed structures included in the policy.

For example, the rebuild cost of a villa with a market value of £400,000 due to its land and location does not have to be the same amount.

The building's insured value must reflect the actual rebuild cost of the physical structure.

24/7 Assistance Service

A 7-day, 24-hour Assistance service is provided within CAN Sigorta Home Insurance.

In eligible home emergencies involving plumbing, electricity, locksmith assistance or similar urgent needs, the appropriate service can be organised. The scope and applicable limits are assessed according to the policy terms.

This service is particularly relevant for homes that remain vacant for part of the year, periods when the owner is outside North Cyprus, and situations where delayed intervention could allow damage to grow.

For example, if a local property manager discovers a water leak in a home that has been closed for an extended period, suitable plumbing assistance may be organised through the 24/7 Assistance line.

24/7 Assistance is a service feature and is assessed separately from the claim covers provided by the home insurance policy.

The Claims Process

At CAN Sigorta, following the notification of a residential claim, an independent loss adjuster can be assigned within 24 hours where deemed necessary.

The independent loss adjuster technically assesses how the damage occurred, the damaged building or contents elements and the physical impact of the event.

At CAN Sigorta, the average resolution time for residential claim files is 4.8 days.

This time expresses the average of the processes of receiving the claim notification, carrying out the necessary technical inspections and assessing the file.

What Determines the Price of Home Insurance?

The home insurance premium is not the same for every residence.

In pricing, mainly:

• building value,

• contents value,

• the type of home,

• its size,

• the way it is used,

• continuous or seasonal use,

• whether or not it is rented out,

• the selected covers,

• the pool,

• pool machinery,

• fixed heating systems,

• solar energy systems,

• the presence of a garage and other fixed external structures

are taken into account.

Information Required for Home Insurance

When home insurance is prepared, the following are basically assessed:

• the region where the home is located,

• whether it is a villa or an apartment flat,

• building value,

• contents value,

• its approximate size,

• owner or tenant status,

• the actual way it is used,

• continuous or seasonal use,

• pool and pool machinery,

• fixed heating systems,

• solar energy system,

• garage,

• terrace,

• boundary wall,

• water tank or cistern,

• quay or jetty,

• other fixed external structures

are assessed.

Where necessary, up-to-date photographs of the home, the external structures and the fixed systems to be insured may also be requested.

Frequently Asked Questions About Home Insurance

Is home insurance compulsory in North Cyprus?

Home insurance is generally arranged on an optional basis. Different requirements may apply where a mortgage, tenancy agreement or another legal arrangement is involved.

Can a tenant arrange home insurance?

Yes. A tenant can insure their own contents and suitable liability risks. The landlord's building and fixtures are assessed separately from the tenant's belongings.

What information is required for home insurance?

The property's location, type, approximate size, actual use, rebuild value and contents value are assessed. Details of pools, solar systems, external structures and other fixed equipment may also be required.

Is earthquake cover automatically included?

Whether earthquake cover is included is clearly determined when the policy is arranged. Where selected, the applicable co-insurance and excess conditions apply.

Are swimming pools and solar panels automatically insured?

Pools, pumps, filters, solar panels, inverters and fixed battery systems must be clearly declared and reflected in the insured value if they are to be included.

Must long periods of vacancy be declared?

Yes. Seasonal use or extended vacancy can affect how quickly water leaks, storm damage and attempted theft are noticed. The home's actual occupancy pattern must be stated when the policy is arranged.

Is a short-term rental property assessed in the same way as a standard home?

No. Properties rented through Airbnb, Booking.com or similar platforms require separate assessment of their use, changing guests and associated liability risks. Further details are available on the North Cyprus Airbnb and Short-Term Rental Insurance page.

North Cyprus Home Insurance: The Basis of Assessment

CAN Sigorta Home Insurance is arranged through two main structures: Building Insurance and Contents Insurance.

This structure can include: fire, flood and inundation, storm, theft, strike, lockout and civil commotion, impact by land vehicles, landslip, inadequate insulation, glass breakage, electronic device damage, machinery breakdown, neighbour liability, third-party liability, solar energy systems, pool and other fixed external structures.

Machinery Breakdown allows the assessment of fixed heating systems connected to the building along with pool pumps, filter systems and other fixed pool machinery.

Earthquake and Personal Accident covers can be added to the policy if selected.

Within CAN Sigorta Home Insurance, the claims process is additionally supported with 24/7 Assistance, the assignment of an independent loss adjuster within 24 hours where necessary and an average claim resolution time of 4.8 days.

CAN Sigorta has been operating in the field of insuring home and property risks in North Cyprus since 1958.

The key point in home insurance is the separate assessment of building and contents, the correct definition of the home's actual use, the clear declaration of fixed systems and external structures, and taking the actual rebuild value of the physical structure as the basis instead of the market value.