Author: Raymond
Category: Motor Insurance in Kenya

Motor Insurance Kenya: 50 FAQs, Costs & Cover | Imana Insurance

Get answers to 50 motor insurance questions in Kenya. Understand costs, cover, excess, renewals and claims. Compare quotes with Imana Insurance.

Motor Insurance in Kenya: 50 Questions Answered About Prices, Cover and Claims

By Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd
Updated: 6 October 2026

What does motor insurance cover? How much should you pay? Will your insurer repair your car after an accident?

The answers depend on your vehicle, its use, and the policy you choose. Third-party insurance covers specified liabilities to other people. Comprehensive insurance adds protection for your vehicle against insured losses, but limits, excesses and exclusions still apply.

This guide answers 50 questions about car and motor insurance in Kenya. It covers private cars, commercial vehicles, taxis, quotations, optional benefits, renewals and claims.

Explore Imana’s motor insurance options or contact Imana for a quotation.

Understanding Motor Insurance in Kenya

1. What is motor insurance?

Motor insurance is a contract that covers specified financial losses and liabilities arising from the use of an insured vehicle. Depending on the policy, it may cover liability to other people, damage to your vehicle, fire or theft. The policy schedule and wording define the protection you have.

2. Is motor insurance compulsory in Kenya?

Yes. Subject to statutory exceptions, Kenya’s Insurance (Motor Vehicle Third Party Risks) Act requires insurance or qualifying security against specified third-party risks when a vehicle is used on a road. Comprehensive insurance provides additional protection beyond that requirement. Reference: Kenya Law, Cap. 405

3. What are the main types of motor insurance?

The main options are Third-Party Only, Third-Party Fire and Theft, and Comprehensive. Separately, your vehicle must be insured for its actual use, such as private use, transporting goods, or carrying passengers for hire or reward.

4. What does Third-Party Only insurance cover?

Third-Party Only covers specified legal liabilities arising from injury or death caused to other people by your vehicle. Policies may also cover third-party property damage, subject to limits. Check the benefits and limits in your quotation. It does not cover damage to your own vehicle.

5. Does third-party insurance pay to repair my car?

Your own Third-Party Only policy does not pay for your vehicle’s accident repairs. If another driver is responsible, you may pursue a claim against that driver or their insurer. Liability must be established; payment is not automatic.

Read Imana’s existing guide to third-party motor insurance quotations in Kenya.

6. What does Third-Party Fire and Theft insurance cover?

It combines specified third-party liabilities with protection against insured fire and theft losses affecting your vehicle. It generally does not cover your own vehicle’s collision damage unless that loss falls within the insured risks. Ask whether this option is available for your vehicle.

7. What does comprehensive motor insurance cover?

Comprehensive motor insurance generally covers third-party liabilities and insured accidental damage, fire and theft affecting your vehicle. Other included benefits vary. For example, Britam lists malicious damage, windscreen and certain accessory benefits on its comprehensive product page. Always check your chosen policy’s limits.

8. Does comprehensive insurance cover everything?

No. “Comprehensive” describes a broad scope of cover, not unlimited protection. Exclusions, benefit limits, permitted vehicle use, territorial restrictions and excesses still apply. Ask for the policy wording and schedule so you can understand what is covered before paying.

9. Should I choose comprehensive or third-party insurance?

Consider your vehicle’s value, your budget, and whether you could afford repairs or replacement after a major loss. Third-party cover leaves your own vehicle unprotected against damage and theft. Comprehensive offers broader protection. A lender may also specify the cover required for a financed vehicle.

10. What is the best motor insurance in Kenya?

The best policy is the one that fits your vehicle, use and financial needs. Compare cover limits, exclusions, excesses, claims arrangements and optional benefits alongside price. Ask Imana to explain differences between quotations rather than choosing solely by the lowest premium.

Motor Insurance Prices and Quotations

11. How much does motor insurance cost in Kenya?

There is no single price for every vehicle. The premium depends on the insurer, cover, vehicle value, age, use, driver profile and claims history. Additional benefits can increase the total. Request a current quotation that identifies the cover period and all payable charges.

12. How is a comprehensive insurance premium calculated?

An insurer may apply a percentage rate to the vehicle’s insured value, subject to a minimum premium. Optional benefits and applicable charges are then added. Compare the final payable amount and benefits, since the headline percentage alone does not show the full cost.

13. Can you show a verified motor insurance pricing example?

CIC’s Motor Private brochure, version August 2021, lists a 6% basic rate for vehicles valued between KSh 500,000 and KSh 1,500,000, subject to a KSh 37,500 minimum premium.

Under that historical table, a vehicle valued at KSh 1,000,000 would attract a KSh 60,000 basic annual premium, before additional benefits and applicable charges.

Source checked on 6 October 2026. This is a historical example, not a current Imana quotation.

14. Why do insurers quote different premiums for the same car?

Insurers assess risk differently and may offer different benefits, limits and excesses. One quotation may include an extension that another charges separately. Ask for a comparison using the same vehicle value, use, cover period and requested benefits.

15. Why does the vehicle’s use affect the premium?

Private driving, goods transport and passenger transport create different risks. Disclose the actual use when requesting a quotation. Commercial insurers may consider the vehicle’s age, make, driver experience and scope of cover when setting terms.

16. What details are needed for an initial quotation?

Have your vehicle’s make, model, year, registration number, estimated value and actual use ready. Specify the cover required, preferred start date and optional benefits. The insurer may also ask about your age, drivers and claims history.

17. What documents are needed to arrange the policy?

Requirements vary, but may include your ID or passport, KRA PIN, logbook, completed proposal form, and valuation or inspection report. Company-owned vehicles may require business documents. Imana can confirm the requirements for the insurer and vehicle category selected.

18. Why is a vehicle valuation important?

A valuation helps establish the vehicle’s current insurable value. It can affect the premium and policy terms. Britam states that an estimated premium can change after valuation. Confirm whether valuation is required and when it must be completed.

19. Can older or low-value vehicles get comprehensive insurance?

Eligibility depends on the insurer. There is no single age or value threshold that applies to every provider. Share the vehicle’s year, condition and value with Imana so available options can be checked. Avoid assuming a previous insurer’s restrictions apply everywhere.

20. How can I reduce my motor insurance premium?

Compare equivalent quotations, use an accurate vehicle value, and select benefits that meet your needs. Ask about available discounts and their conditions. If considering a higher excess, first check whether you could comfortably pay it after a claim.

Excess and Optional Motor Insurance Benefits

21. What is an insurance excess?

Excess is the portion of an insured loss that you bear yourself. It may be a fixed amount or a percentage, sometimes with a minimum. Your policy schedule specifies the applicable excess.

22. How do I calculate my excess?

Check what the percentage applies to: the claim amount or the vehicle’s insured value.

Illustration dated 6 October 2026: If the excess is 5% of a KSh 1,000,000 insured value, subject to a KSh 20,000 minimum, it equals KSh 50,000. This illustrates the calculation, not an insurer’s quoted terms.

23. What is excess protector?

Excess protector is an extension that covers a specified excess on an otherwise admissible claim, subject to its terms. Confirm the types of excess covered, any limits, and what remains payable. It does not turn an excluded loss into a covered claim.

24. Does excess protector cover theft excess?

Only if the extension includes it. Own-damage protection and theft protection can be separate. CIC’s historical brochure lists own-damage excess protection separately from theft-and-own-damage protection. Ask for the wording applicable to your quotation.

25. Are additional benefits automatically included in comprehensive insurance?

No. Some packages include selected benefits; others offer them at an extra premium. Britam’s application lists excess protector, political violence and terrorism, loss of use, personal accident and AA membership as optional selections. Check your own quotation.

26. What does Political Violence and Terrorism cover mean?

It is an extension for specified losses arising from political violence or terrorism, according to the endorsement. Do not assume ordinary riot cover provides identical protection. Madison lists this among its additional motor benefits.

27. Is windscreen damage covered?

Some comprehensive packages include windscreen cover up to a stated limit. Check whether the limit suits the replacement cost of your windscreen and whether an excess applies. Britam lists windscreen cover among its comprehensive benefits.

28. Will insurance provide a courtesy car or loss-of-use payment?

Only where the policy includes that benefit. It may provide alternative transport expenses rather than a replacement vehicle. Confirm the qualifying claim, waiting period, daily allowance, maximum period and overall limit.

29. Does motor insurance cover injuries to the driver?

Do not assume vehicle damage cover includes the driver’s personal injuries. Ask whether personal accident or medical benefits are included, who qualifies, and what limits apply. If offered separately, consider the extension alongside your other accident or medical cover.

30. Are towing and roadside assistance the same thing?

They can provide different services. Accident towing may form part of a motor policy, while roadside assistance may address specified emergencies or breakdowns. Check the trigger, service area, financial limit and approved provider. Madison lists towing and roadside assistance separately.

Private, Commercial, Taxi and Cross-Border Cover

31. What is private motor insurance?

Private motor insurance is intended for vehicles used within the private-use terms stated in the policy. Explain how you use the vehicle, including commuting or business activities, so the insurer can confirm suitability. See Imana’s car insurance page.

32. What is commercial motor insurance?

Commercial motor insurance is arranged for eligible business uses, such as transporting goods or equipment. The correct category depends on the vehicle and activities involved. Tell Imana what you carry, whose goods they are, and where the vehicle operates.

33. What insurance do Uber, Bolt and other taxi drivers need?

Declare that the vehicle carries paying passengers and request appropriate taxi or passenger-service cover. Private-use cover should not be assumed suitable. Madison describes PSV insurance as cover for vehicles carrying passengers for hire or reward.

34. Does motor insurance cover passengers?

Passenger liability and benefit terms depend on the policy and vehicle use. Confirm the insured seating capacity, eligible passengers and applicable limits. Taxi, bus and other passenger-service vehicles need cover suited to their operations. Avoid treating every passenger benefit as identical.

35. Does truck insurance cover the goods being transported?

Do not assume protection for the truck includes its cargo. Goods in transit and carrier’s liability address different risks and may require separate arrangements. Madison lists these among commercial motor extensions.

36. Can several vehicles be insured under a fleet arrangement?

Ask for a fleet quotation when insuring several vehicles. Eligibility, discounts and policy structure depend on the insurer. Provide a vehicle schedule showing values, registration numbers and uses. Fleet terms should still be checked vehicle by vehicle.

37. Is my Kenyan motor insurance valid outside Kenya?

Check the territorial limits and obtain any necessary extension before travelling. Your own-vehicle cover and third-party liability abroad are separate considerations. Britam states that its Kenya geographical scope can be extended to other East African countries on request.

38. What is COMESA Yellow Card insurance?

The COMESA Yellow Card is a regional third-party motor insurance scheme for travel in participating countries. It should not be treated as comprehensive protection for your vehicle. Confirm destination eligibility, travel dates and benefits before departure. Reference: COMESA Yellow Card scheme

Buying, Renewing and Updating Motor Insurance

39. Can I request motor insurance online or through WhatsApp?

You can start an enquiry through Imana’s website and request help with comparing cover. Submit accurate vehicle information and confirm the insurer, premium, dates and payment instructions before proceeding. See Imana’s existing article about requesting comprehensive cover through WhatsApp.

40. Can I pay motor insurance premiums in instalments?

Availability depends on the insurer and financing arrangement. Instalments may involve premium financing or short-term cover, with different costs and conditions. Confirm the cover period issued and payment obligations in writing.

41. How do I renew my motor insurance?

Contact Imana before expiry. Review the vehicle value, use, claims history, benefits and excesses. Complete any required valuation, accept the agreed terms, and make payment through the approved process. Obtain confirmation of the new cover period and documents.

42. What should I do if my motor insurance has expired?

Arrange valid cover before using the vehicle on a road. Confirm the new policy’s start date and time. Do not assume payment renews cover retrospectively or that there is an automatic grace period. Kenya’s compulsory insurance requirement applies when the vehicle is used on a road.

43. What happens to my insurance when I sell the car?

Notify the insurer or Imana and obtain instructions on cancellation or any permitted adjustment. The buyer should arrange their own valid cover. Motor insurance should not be assumed to transfer automatically with ownership.

44. Must I tell my insurer if my vehicle’s use changes?

Yes. Tell the insurer before starting a different use, such as taxi work or commercial deliveries. Request confirmation of the appropriate cover and any endorsement required. Madison identifies unauthorised vehicle use among policy exclusions.

Motor Insurance Claims in Kenya

45. What should I do immediately after a road accident?

Attend to safety and seek emergency assistance where necessary. When safe, take photographs and record other drivers’ details, registration numbers and witness contacts. Notify Imana and your insurer promptly. Obtain police documentation as required for the incident.

46. What documents are needed for a motor claim?

Common requirements include a completed claim form, photographs, police abstract, driving licence, ID and logbook. Additional documents depend on the loss. Britam’s Kenya claims guide asks customers to photograph the scene, obtain an abstract and prepare their licence, ID and logbook.

47. Can I repair the vehicle before the insurer approves the claim?

Ask the insurer for instructions before authorising repairs. Policies may have an authorised repair limit, but this is not unrestricted permission. Confirm the assessment, garage and approval process. Madison expressly links repair authority to the policy’s authorised repair limit.

48. What should I do if my vehicle is stolen?

Report the theft to the police and notify your insurer promptly. Follow the insurer’s theft-claim requirements and provide accurate details of the circumstances. Third-Party Only does not cover your vehicle’s theft; check your fire-and-theft or comprehensive policy.

49. How long does a motor insurance claim take?

There is no reliable single timeframe for every claim. Timing depends on documentation, assessment, investigations and the type of settlement or repair. Ask for the next required action and a progress update. Submit requested documents promptly and retain copies.

50. Why might a motor insurance claim be declined or reduced?

A claim may fall outside the insured risks, vehicle use or policy conditions. An excess or benefit limit can also reduce the amount payable without making the whole claim invalid. Request the insurer’s written explanation and the policy provision relied upon.

Request a Motor Insurance Quotation from Imana

Choosing motor insurance means comparing the protection you receive as well as the premium you pay.

Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd helps you explore motor cover options and understand the quotation before you decide.

For an initial enquiry, prepare your:

Vehicle make, model and year.
Registration number and estimated value.
Actual vehicle use.
Preferred cover and optional benefits.
Required start or renewal date.

Call Imana: 0796 209 402
Explore cover: Motor Insurance
Visit: 4th Floor, Krishna Centre, Woodvale Grove, Westlands, Nairobi. Contact information

Request a quotation that clearly shows the insurer, insured value, cover period, total premium, excesses and selected benefits.

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