Photo: Bahnfrend, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Comprehensive vs third-party car insurance in Kenya
What each covers and what sets the price
Free, no obligation. Only insurers and brokers licensed by IRA Kenya receive your request.
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Side by side
| Third-party only | Comprehensive | |
|---|---|---|
| Required by law | Yes — the minimum (Cap. 405, s.4) | No — optional |
| Death or injury to other people | Yes — up to KES 3 million per person required | Yes — often with higher limits |
| Damage to other people's property | Not required by the Act — depends on the policy | Usually included — check the limit |
| Damage to your own vehicle | No | Yes, after the excess |
| Theft or fire of your vehicle | No | Usually included |
Third-party, fire and theft sits in between: third-party cover plus theft and fire of your own vehicle, without accident damage. Names differ between insurers — the policy schedule is what counts.
What a premium looks like: insurers set their own rates and IRA publishes none. Some insurers publish their schedules — see the cheapest car insurance in Kenya for published third-party and comprehensive rates, Britam comprehensive car insurance and Jubilee car insurance for what those insurers say they include.
Which one do you need?
- Older, low-value car you could replace yourself: third-party may be enough.
- Car on hire purchase or a bank loan: the lender will usually require comprehensive cover.
- Matatu, taxi or ride-hailing car: you need a commercial or PSV policy that covers fare-paying passengers.
- Car you could not afford to replace: comprehensive protects the asset.
Six questions to ask before you sign
- Is the insurer on the IRA list?
- What is the excess, and is there an excess protector option?
- Is third-party property damage included, and up to what amount?
- Is there political violence and terrorism cover, or courtesy car cover?
- How is the value set after a write-off — and when does the insurer revalue the car?
- Which garages and assessors does the insurer use, and how long does a claim take?
Already insured?
Next step
Frequently asked questions
Is comprehensive insurance compulsory in Kenya?
No. Only third-party cover is compulsory under Cap. 405. A lender or a leasing company may require comprehensive cover.
What is an excess?
The part of each claim you pay yourself. Some insurers sell an 'excess protector' that removes it for an extra premium.
Is 3rd party car insurance enough in Kenya?
It is enough to drive legally (Cap. 405, s.4), but it never pays for your own car. If you could not replace the car yourself, or a lender has an interest in it, a comprehensive policy is the one that protects it.
How do I check if my insurance is comprehensive or third party?
Read the policy schedule: it names the cover type. A DMVIC check on *352# or verify.dmvic.com confirms the certificate is genuine and in force, but the schedule is what says whether your own vehicle is covered.