• By Raymond Momanyi

How to Buy a COMESA Yellow Card Online in Kenya

Learn how to buy a COMESA Yellow Card online in Kenya. See the documents, countries, application steps, verification process and cross-border travel checklist.

You can buy a COMESA Yellow Card online in Kenya by submitting your vehicle, insurance, route and travel details to an authorised insurance provider or intermediary, receiving a quotation, making payment through the approved channel and receiving a digitally issued certificate.

Although the process can be completed remotely, the COMESA public verification portal is not necessarily a direct consumer checkout platform. The Yellow Card is issued through participating insurance companies and approved distribution channels using the Digital Yellow Card system. The official system supports digital issuance, certificate verification and cross-border claims administration. (YC Comesa)

Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd can help Kenyan motorists apply for and obtain the appropriate Yellow Card before starting a regional road journey.

What Is a COMESA Yellow Card?

The COMESA Yellow Card is a regional third-party motor insurance certificate for vehicles travelling between participating countries in Eastern and Southern Africa.

It provides third-party legal liability protection in accordance with the compulsory motor insurance laws and applicable compensation limits of the country where an accident happens. It is intended to facilitate the movement of vehicles, people and goods while providing a coordinated system for handling claims involving visiting motorists. (COMESA)

The Yellow Card can generally be used for:

• Private vehicles
• Commercial vehicles
• Trucks and pickups
• Buses and vans
• Tour vehicles
• Taxis
• Motorcycles
• Company vehicles

The official COMESA Yellow Card FAQ confirms that the scheme is available for both private and commercial vehicles, although premium rates may differ according to vehicle type and use. (COMESA Yellow Card)

Can You Buy a COMESA Yellow Card Fully Online?

The application process can normally be handled remotely through email, WhatsApp or an insurer’s digital service channel.

You may be able to:

1. Submit the required documents electronically.
2. State the countries and travel period.
3. Receive a quotation remotely.
4. Pay using an approved digital payment method.
5. Receive the certificate electronically.
6. Verify the certificate through the official system.

The final certificate is generated through the Digital Yellow Card infrastructure used by participating insurers. The system is designed to support efficient issuance, verification and claims handling. (YC Comesa)

However, applicants should not purchase a certificate from an unknown website or social-media account merely because it advertises “instant COMESA insurance.” The certificate should be issued through a participating insurer or authorised intermediary and must be verifiable.

How to Buy a COMESA Yellow Card Online Through Imana

Step 1: Confirm your complete route

List every country that your vehicle will enter—not only the final destination.

For example:

Kenya → Uganda → Rwanda → Uganda → Kenya

In this case, both Uganda and Rwanda should be considered when arranging the certificate.

For a longer journey such as:

Kenya → Tanzania → Zambia → Zimbabwe

the application should reflect Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe as part of the journey.

The official Digital Yellow Card platform currently lists recognition in Burundi, Djibouti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. (YC Comesa)

Always confirm the latest territorial position before departure because participation and operational arrangements can change.

Step 2: Confirm that your Kenyan motor policy is valid

The COMESA Yellow Card is normally issued in connection with an underlying domestic motor insurance policy.

Check that your Kenyan policy:

• Has not expired
• Covers the correct registration number
• Reflects the correct vehicle class
• Shows the correct use of the vehicle
• Remains valid for the intended travel period

A private vehicle should not be declared as commercial, and a commercial vehicle should not be submitted as a private car.

Where your Kenyan policy expires during the trip, arrange renewal before requesting a Yellow Card that is intended to cover the full journey.

Step 3: Prepare the required documents

The documents required may vary by insurer and vehicle type, but commonly requested items include:

• Copy of the current Kenyan motor certificate
• Copy of the vehicle logbook
• National ID or passport
• KRA PIN where required
• Vehicle registration number
• Vehicle make and model
• Vehicle class and use
• Travel dates
• Countries to be visited
• Transit countries
• Applicant’s contact details

Where the driver is not the registered owner, additional documents may include:

• Owner’s authorisation letter
• Company authority letter
• Lease agreement
• Employer’s permission
• Financier’s consent
• Driver’s identification

Commercial vehicles may require additional permits, driver information or transport documentation.

Step 4: Submit your application to Imana

Send the required information to Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd through the official quotation or communication channel.

Your message should clearly state:

• Vehicle registration
• Vehicle class
• Current insurer
• Departure date
• Return date
• Destination countries
• Transit countries
• Whether the vehicle is privately or commercially used

A clear application may read:

“I need a COMESA Yellow Card for vehicle KXX 000X. It is a private vehicle insured in Kenya. I will travel from Kenya through Uganda to Rwanda from 10 September to 22 September 2026.”

This reduces back-and-forth communication and helps the agency request the correct quotation.

Step 5: Receive and review the quotation

The quotation may depend on:

• Vehicle category
• Vehicle usage
• Required duration
• Countries being visited
• Underlying insurer
• Applicable tariff
• Certificate or administration charges

Do not assume that another motorist’s price will apply to your vehicle.

A private car, motorcycle, commercial truck and passenger-service vehicle may attract different rates. Current tariffs should be confirmed at the time of application rather than copied from an old poster or social-media post.

Before paying, check that the quotation relates to the correct:

• Vehicle
• Cover period
• Travel route
• Vehicle class
• Insurance product

Step 6: Pay through the approved channel

Use only payment details officially supplied by Imana or the issuing insurer.

Before making payment:

• Confirm the business name
• Confirm the amount
• Confirm the quotation reference
• Avoid personal payment instructions from unknown contacts
• Keep the payment confirmation

A payment receipt alone is not a Yellow Card. Wait until you receive the issued certificate and verify its details.

Step 7: Receive your Digital Yellow Card

After successful processing, the certificate may be sent electronically.

The Digital Yellow Card system was developed to improve certificate issuance, verification and claims handling across the regional scheme. (YC Comesa)

The certificate should show important information such as:

• Name of the insured
• Vehicle registration number
• Vehicle details
• Issuing insurer
• Certificate number
• Start date
• Expiry date
• Countries or territorial validity
• Verification information

Read every field carefully.

A small registration-number error can become a serious problem at a border or after an accident.

Step 8: Verify the Certificate Before Travelling

The COMESA Yellow Card website provides certificate-verification facilities, and Kenya has also participated in the rollout of USSD-based Yellow Card verification. (COMESA Yellow Card)

Confirm that:

• The certificate exists in the verification system
• The vehicle registration is correct
• The certificate is active
• The start and expiry dates are correct
• The issuer is recognised
• The route is covered
• The displayed details match your vehicle

Do not alter the document or travel with a certificate that cannot be verified.

How Long Does Online Processing Take?

Processing time depends on:

• Whether all documents have been provided
• Accuracy of the vehicle information
• Payment confirmation
• Issuing-insurer availability
• Vehicle class
• Whether additional approval is required
• Time and day of application

A straightforward private-vehicle application may be processed more quickly than an incomplete commercial-vehicle application.

Apply before the travel date rather than waiting until you are already at the border.

A last-minute application can be delayed by:

• Expired domestic insurance
• Unclear logbook copies
• Incorrect registration details
• Missing authorisation letters
• Payment verification
• Undeclared transit countries
• System or connectivity challenges

How Much Does a COMESA Yellow Card Cost Online?

There is no single universal price for every applicant.

The premium may vary according to:

• Private, commercial or motorcycle class
• Length of cover
• Vehicle use
• Applicable insurer tariff
• Current pricing rules
• Administration or certificate charges

Online application does not necessarily make the insurance cheaper than an office application. Its main advantage is convenience: documents, quotation, payment and certificate delivery can be managed remotely.

Request a current quotation using your actual vehicle and travel information.

What Does the COMESA Yellow Card Cover?

The Yellow Card primarily provides cross-border third-party motor liability protection.

It may respond to eligible legal liability involving:

• Third-party bodily injury
• Third-party death
• Third-party property damage
• Medical expenses relating to eligible road-accident victims
• Claims administration through the relevant bureau system

The applicable compensation and legal limits are generally determined by the compulsory third-party motor insurance laws of the country where the accident occurs. (COMESA)

What Does It Not Cover?

The COMESA Yellow Card does not automatically provide comprehensive protection for your own vehicle.

It generally should not be relied upon for:

• Accidental damage to your own car
• Theft of your vehicle
• Fire damage
• Mechanical breakdown
• Windscreen damage
• Roadside assistance
• Recovery of your vehicle
• Loss of personal belongings
• Damage to cargo
• Medical expenses for the driver as a traveller
• Trip cancellation
• Hotel costs

These risks may require separate covers such as:

• Comprehensive motor insurance with territorial extension
• Travel insurance
• International medical insurance
• Goods in Transit Insurance
• Personal Accident Insurance
• Roadside assistance
• Marine cargo insurance

Ask Imana whether your Kenyan comprehensive motor policy can be extended to cover own damage outside Kenya.

Can You Buy a Yellow Card Without Comprehensive Motor Insurance?

The Yellow Card is linked to valid domestic motor insurance, but the underlying Kenyan policy does not necessarily have to be comprehensive in every case.

A vehicle with an eligible third-party Kenyan motor policy may potentially obtain a Yellow Card, subject to the issuing insurer’s terms.

However, the Yellow Card will not upgrade third-party cover into comprehensive cover.

A motorist with third-party-only insurance may therefore have:

• Third-party protection in Kenya
• Regional third-party protection under the Yellow Card
• No cover for accidental damage to their own vehicle

That distinction should be understood before starting a long cross-border journey.

Can You Buy a Yellow Card After Leaving Kenya?

It is best to arrange the certificate before departure.

Where a motorist is already outside the home country, issuance or extension may depend on the insurer, National Bureau and local rules.

The official Yellow Card FAQ states that when a certificate expires while the motorist is still abroad, the motorist should contact the National Bureau of the country being visited to obtain local third-party insurance for a limited period. (COMESA Yellow Card)

Do not assume that the expired certificate will continue protecting you.

What Happens If Your Yellow Card Is Lost?

Because the system is digital, you may still have access to an electronic copy. However, loss or theft should be reported promptly to the issuing insurer or intermediary.

The official FAQ advises motorists to report a lost or stolen Yellow Card to the insurance provider and local authorities so the certificate can be cancelled within the Digital Yellow Card system. (COMESA Yellow Card)

Keep:

• A copy on your phone
• A copy in cloud storage or email
• A printed copy in the vehicle
• The certificate number
• Issuer and emergency contacts

What to Check Immediately After Receiving the Certificate

Use this checklist:

•  Insured name is correct
•  Registration number is correct
•  Vehicle class is correct
•  Make and model are correct
•  Start date is correct
•  Expiry date covers the return trip
•  Destination countries are included
•  Transit countries are included
•  Issuing insurer is recognised
•  Certificate can be verified
•  Emergency contacts are saved
•  Kenyan motor certificate remains valid

Report any error before crossing the border.

Cross-Border Travel Documents to Carry

The Yellow Card is only one part of a complete cross-border file.

Depending on your route, you may also need:

• Passport or accepted travel document
• Visa or entry authorisation
• Valid driving licence
• Original logbook or accepted copy
• Current Kenyan motor certificate
• Owner’s authorisation letter
• Financier’s consent
• Vehicle inspection documents
• Road-user permits
• Commercial-vehicle permits
• Cargo documentation
• Travel insurance certificate
• Hotel confirmations
• Emergency contact information

Entry, immigration and vehicle requirements differ by country and can change. Check with the relevant authorities before departure.

What to Do After an Accident Abroad

Protect people first

Check for injuries and call local emergency services.

Notify the police

Follow the accident-reporting law of the country where the incident happened.

Document the scene

Where safe, record:

• Vehicle positions
• Damage
• Registration numbers
• Road conditions
• Driver details
• Witness contacts
• Police details

Contact the insurer or National Bureau

Notify the issuing insurer, Imana or the relevant Yellow Card National Bureau as soon as possible.

Kenya’s National Bureau is listed by the Yellow Card scheme as Kenya Reinsurance Corporation. (COMESA Yellow Card)

Keep all documents

Claims documentation may include the original Yellow Card, accident report, police report and relevant medical reports. (rctg-mis.bondapplication.comesa.int)

Avoid admitting liability or entering into an informal settlement without advice from the insurer.

Benefits of Applying Online Through Imana

Buying through a recognised intermediary can help you:

• Submit documents remotely
• Confirm the right vehicle category
• Identify all transit countries
• Review the certificate period
• Obtain a current quotation
• Receive the certificate electronically
• Correct errors before departure
• Understand the policy limitations
• Access guidance after an incident

The goal is not simply to purchase “a Yellow Card.”

It is to obtain a valid certificate that accurately matches your vehicle, route and travel period.

Common Online Application Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors:

Mentioning only the final destination

Transit countries matter. Declare the entire route.

Using an expired motor certificate

The underlying Kenyan policy should remain valid.

Choosing an incorrect vehicle class

A commercial vehicle should not be declared as private.

Using unclear documents

Blurry or incomplete documents delay processing.

Buying from an unknown seller

Use an authorised insurer or intermediary and verify the certificate.

Selecting inadequate dates

Allow enough time for the outward and return journeys.

Assuming it covers your own vehicle

The Yellow Card mainly provides third-party liability protection.

Waiting until the border

Apply early enough to correct errors.

Buy a COMESA Yellow Card Online Through Imana

Planning to drive from Kenya into Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe or another participating country?

Send Imana:

• Vehicle registration number
• Current Kenyan motor certificate
• Copy of the logbook
• Destination countries
• Transit countries
• Departure date
• Return date
• Vehicle class
• Owner and driver details

Visit the Imana COMESA Yellow Card Insurance page or the Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd website to request a quotation.

Plan the Rest of Your Journey with MyKava

A regional journey may also require:

• Hotel accommodation
• Flight bookings
• Airport transfers
• Safari arrangements
• Group travel coordination
• Corporate travel support
• Personal travel insurance

Visit MyKava Travel & Insurance to plan the wider journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a COMESA Yellow Card on WhatsApp?

The application may be handled remotely through an authorised agency’s official WhatsApp channel. You will still need to provide the required documents, receive a quotation, pay through the approved channel and obtain a valid digital certificate.

Is there an official COMESA online checkout page?

The official system supports issuance and verification, but motorists usually obtain the certificate through a participating insurance company or authorised intermediary rather than purchasing directly from a public self-service checkout portal. (YC Comesa)

Is the online certificate genuine?

A digital certificate is genuine when issued through the authorised Digital Yellow Card system and when its details can be verified.

Can one Yellow Card cover several countries?

Yes, provided the countries are recognised within the scheme and fall within the certificate’s territorial validity.

Can a motorcycle obtain a Yellow Card online?

Yes, subject to the insurer’s eligibility, documentation and applicable tariff.

Can a commercial vehicle obtain one?

Yes. The scheme accommodates private and commercial vehicles, although prices and application requirements may differ. (COMESA Yellow Card)

Does it cover my vehicle if it overturns?

Not automatically. Damage to your own vehicle requires comprehensive insurance with an appropriate territorial extension.

Can I travel immediately after paying?

Travel only after receiving the certificate, checking its details and confirming that it is active.

What happens if I enter a country not covered by my certificate?

You may not have valid regional third-party insurance for that country. Contact the issuing insurer before changing your route.

How do I verify the certificate?

Use the official Yellow Card verification facilities or applicable verification channel and confirm that the displayed details match your vehicle. (COMESA Yellow Card)

Should I print the digital certificate?

Carry both an accessible electronic copy and a printed copy. Connectivity can be unreliable at some borders or along remote routes.

How early should I apply?

Apply several working days before departure where possible, particularly for commercial vehicles or complicated multi-country routes.

Plan with MyKava. Protect with Imana.

Planning a local or international journey?

MyKava Travel & Insurance can help you compare flights, arrange hotel accommodation, book airport transfers and plan local safaris.

Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd can help you arrange travel insurance, international medical insurance and COMESA Yellow Card Insurance.

Research → Compare → Book → Insure → Travel

Apply online. Verify your certificate. Cross the border prepared.

Premiums, participating countries, territorial arrangements, documentation requirements and certificate-processing times may change. This article provides general information and does not replace an issued Yellow Card, domestic motor policy or official border requirements.

Prepared by Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd in collaboration with MyKava Travel & Insurance.

Date published: 5 August 2026