Mandatory insurance of residential property against fire and natural disasters is a state programme introduced by the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic "On mandatory insurance of residential premises against fire and natural disasters" No. 209 of 31 July 2015. The procedure is set out in the Rules approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic No. 473 of 13 September 2023. The insurer for this class is the State Insurance Organisation (GSO).
Who must hold a policy
The policy is mandatory for owners of residential premises: flats in apartment buildings, individual houses and parts of them, rooms, communal flats and rooms in specialised housing stock. The contract may also be concluded by a family member of the owner or their legal representative. Cover is continuous: the policy is issued for one year and renewed for the entire period the dwelling is in use.
Premises in an unsafe (emergency) condition and premises in buildings scheduled for demolition are not subject to mandatory insurance.
What the policy covers
Under Article 8 of Law No. 209, insured events are:
- fire — the effect of flame, smoke or high temperature, including a fire that started outside the insured premises;
- water ingress resulting from lawful fire-fighting action;
- natural disasters: earthquake of 6 points or above, mudflow, flood, breach of high-altitude lake dams, avalanche, rockfall, landslide, waterlogging and rising groundwater, strong wind with gusts of 25 m/s or more, prolonged rain (60 mm or more over 48 hours), heavy rain or downpour (30 mm or more over 12 hours), heavy snowfall (20 mm or more over 12 hours), blizzard lasting 12 hours or more with wind speed of 12 m/s or more, hail with stones 20 mm in diameter or larger;
- dismantling and relocation of the insured premises to a safe area by decision of the authorised state body when a threat of damage or destruction has been declared.
Cover extends to the structural elements of the dwelling — roof, walls, foundation, windows, doors, gas, water, heating and sewerage systems — as well as finishing elements.
What is not an insured event
No indemnity is paid where the loss results from use of the dwelling for purposes other than intended, military action and its consequences, terrorist acts, civil unrest, the effect of nuclear energy, or wilful acts of the policyholder, the beneficiary or their adult family members. Losses caused by rain, snow, hail or mud entering through open windows, doors or other openings are not covered unless those openings were created by a storm or whirlwind.
Sum insured and price
The sum insured is fixed by law at 1,000,000 KGS; it is the same for everyone and is not chosen by the policyholder. No deductible applies to the indemnity. The annual premium depends on the location of the dwelling:
- urban area — from 1,200 KGS;
- rural area — from 600 KGS.
A 2% sales tax is added to the premium. Socially vulnerable groups, listed by the Cabinet of Ministers, are entitled to a discount, the amount of which is stated in the policy.
When cover begins
The contract takes effect when the premium is paid. The risks of mudflow, flood and landslide are an exception: cover for them begins 10 calendar days after payment. If the premium is not paid by the date stated in the policy, the contract is deemed not to have entered into force.
How to buy a policy
The policy can be bought online on the GSO website, at the head office, at any branch or sales point, or through an insurance agent. Buying online takes a few minutes:
- select the insurance period and enter the owner's details;
- enter details of the dwelling: type of housing, title document, urban or rural location, mortgage and any entitlement to a discount;
- complete electronic identification;
- sign the documents with an electronic signature;
- pay the premium and receive the policy electronically.
Payment can be made online, at a terminal, at a bank or through an agent.
Documents required: the owner's passport and a title document for the dwelling — technical passport, certificate from the ayil okmotu, sale and purchase agreement, inventory number or cadastral plan.
What to do if a loss occurs
- Notify the fire and emergency services immediately.
- Take steps to save the property and to prevent or reduce further loss.
- Notify GSO within 5 calendar days by telephone, fax or e-mail, followed by the written original of the notice.
- Give the insurer's representative access to inspect the premises.
The claim must be accompanied by a copy of the policy, the loss report, documents from the competent state authorities confirming the event, and a copy of the policyholder's passport. The insurer may not request any other documents. The claim is reviewed and paid within 30 calendar days of receipt of the complete set of documents; if the claim is declined, the policyholder is notified in writing with reasons within the same period.
Every regional branch of GSO has a loss adjuster on duty — contact details are published on the housing insurance product page.
The policy and state support
Holding a valid policy for the current insurance period entitles the owner to state subsidies for the construction and reconstruction of housing destroyed by natural disasters in the Kyrgyz Republic (Article 9, part 1, item 6 of Law No. 209).
Liability
Persons who breach the legislation on mandatory insurance bear liability under the civil, administrative and criminal law of the Kyrgyz Republic. Compliance by owners with the duty to conclude a contract is monitored by the authorised state bodies listed by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Legal basis
- Law of the Kyrgyz Republic "On mandatory insurance of residential premises against fire and natural disasters" No. 209 of 31 July 2015;
- Rules of mandatory insurance of residential premises against fire and natural disasters, approved by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 473 of 13 September 2023;
- Law of the Kyrgyz Republic "On insurance and insurance activity" No. 89 of 29 April 2025.
The texts are available in the Documents section.
Questions?
GSO hotline: +996 (312) 65-08-53 — Mon–Fri, 9:00 to 18:00.
Email: info@gso.kg
Head office: 1 Ch. Aitmatov Ave., building 2, Bishkek.
Branch and sales point addresses across all regions are listed under Branches and on the Contacts page.