Insuring an apartment or house in Almaty

I help insure apartments and houses in Almaty against the risks that actually happen: earthquakes, water leaks, claims from tenants and ownership disputes. Fewer than 2% of people in Kazakhstan insure their home, even though a policy usually costs about 0.1–0.3% of the insured value a year.

Why insure an apartment in Almaty

Almaty sits in a seismic zone, and water leaks happen all the time in high-rises. One serious incident can cost more than ten years of premiums.

I spent many years in construction and renovation and have seen one burst pipe ruin the finishes on three floors at once. An owner without insurance pays for their own repairs and the neighbors' too.

What risks can you insure property against in Kazakhstan

Earthquake

This is the main risk in Almaty. Make sure earthquake is named in the policy, and look at the payout limit and deductible for that specific risk.

Water leaks and damage to finishes

This covers the apartment itself, the finishes and the furniture. It usually also includes liability to neighbors if water from your place gets into theirs.

Landlord liability

If you rent the apartment out, especially by the day, the policy covers damage tenants cause to your property or to neighbors. For an investor this is a standard part of costs.

Title insurance

This protects you against losing ownership, for example if heirs turn up or the sale is challenged. In Kazakhstan only a few insurers offer it and there are almost no public rates, so I request terms from the insurer for the specific deal.

How much does home insurance cost in Kazakhstan

A rough guide is 0.1–0.3% of the insured value a year. According to zakon.kz, a 20 million ₸ property with a 1% deductible costs about 24,000 ₸ a year. Simple packages through eGov Mobile start at 1,500 ₸ a month, but their coverage is limited.

For a premium apartment with expensive finishes the price is higher because the insured value is higher. I compare several offers and look at what is actually covered as well as the final figure.

What I check in an insurance contract

Whether earthquake is included and what its limit is
The deductible and how it is calculated
Whether finishes and furniture are insured or only the structure
Liability to neighbors and tenants
Exclusions: wear and tear, old pipes, the property standing empty longer than a set period
Deadlines and the procedure for reporting a claim

Insuring a new build and protecting off-plan buyers

A buyer of an apartment under construction is protected by the guarantee from the Single Operator, Kazakhstan Housing Company (KZhK), rather than by insurance: if the guarantee is triggered, completion of the building is arranged. So when you buy a new build I check the guarantee first, and we insure the apartment once you have the keys.

Mandatory disaster insurance for housing is also under discussion. I check the status of this rule separately as of your purchase date.

This is general information. Legal and tax details depend on your status, so before any deal I confirm them with a notary and a lawyer.

I'll find a policy for your apartment

Send me the property's value and what it's for: to live in or to rent out. I'll compare offers and show you what each one actually covers.

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Questions and answers

How much does it cost to insure an apartment in Almaty?

Usually 0.1–0.3% of the insured value a year. For example, a 20 million ₸ property with a 1% deductible costs about 24,000 ₸ a year. The exact price depends on coverage, the deductible and the value of the finishes.

Does home insurance in Kazakhstan cover earthquakes?

Only if that risk is named in the contract. Many basic packages leave it out or set a low limit, so check this clause first.

Do I need insurance if I rent my apartment out?

Yes, especially for daily rentals. Landlord liability cover pays for damage tenants cause to your property and to neighbors.

What is title insurance and is it available in Kazakhstan?

It insures you against losing ownership, for example in a dispute with heirs. In Kazakhstan a few companies offer it, there are almost no public rates, and terms are requested for each deal.

Is home insurance mandatory in Kazakhstan?

For mortgaged apartments the bank requires it. Mandatory disaster insurance for housing is under discussion, so check its status as of your purchase date.

Does a policy cover a new build during construction?

Off-plan buyers are protected by the guarantee from the Single Operator (KZhK), not by insurance. The apartment is insured after you get the keys.