• By Raymond Momanyi

What Documents Do You Need to Buy Insurance in Kenya?

Buying insurance in Kenya is much easier when you have the right documents ready. Whether you are buying motor insurance, medical cover, travel insurance, WIBA, business insurance or bonds, missing documents can delay your quote, policy issuance or claims process. 

At Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd and MyKava Travel & Insurance, we help clients prepare the correct information before cover starts. 

 
Many clients want insurance urgently but do not have the required documents.
 
This leads to delays, wrong details on certificates, failed verification, claim issues or back-and-forth communication.
 
For example, a motor insurance certificate with the wrong registration number can cause problems. A travel insurance certificate with the wrong passport number can affect visa processing. A medical cover application with missing age details may delay onboarding.
 

 
Insurance is a contract. The insurer needs correct information before accepting the risk.
 
Documents help confirm:
 

•  Identity 
•  Ownership 
•  Risk details 
•  Value of insured property 
•  Travel details 
•  Business activity 
•  Employee exposure 
•  Payment reference 
•  Policyholder details 

Wrong information can affect claims later.
 

Documents for Motor Insurance

 
For private, commercial, PSV, motorcycle or tuktuk insurance, you may need:
 

•  Vehicle registration number 
•  Logbook copy 
•  National ID or passport 
•  KRA PIN 
•  Vehicle value 
•  Valuation report for comprehensive cover 
•  Previous insurance details where applicable 
•  Driver details where required 
•  Usage details: private, commercial, PSV, school bus, motorcycle, tuktuk 
•  Seating capacity for PSV 
•  Payment confirmation 

Documents for Medical Insurance

 
For individual, family, child-only, senior, SME or corporate medical cover, you may need:
 

•  Full names 
•  Date of birth 
•  ID number or passport number 
•  KRA PIN where applicable 
•  Phone number and email 
•  Dependants’ details 
•  Relationship details 
•  Medical history declaration where required 
•  Employer details for staff medical 
•  Payment confirmation 

Documents for Travel Insurance

 
For travel insurance, you may need:
 

•  Passport details 
•  Full names as per passport 
•  Date of birth 
•  Destination country 
•  Travel dates 
•  Purpose of travel 
•  Phone number 
•  Email address 
•  KRA PIN where applicable 
•  Visa requirement details where applicable 

Documents for WIBA and Staff Covers

 
For WIBA, GPA, Group Life or staff medical insurance, employers may need:
 

•  Company name 
•  KRA PIN 
•  Business registration documents 
•  Nature of business 
•  Number of employees 
•  Employee categories 
•  Estimated annual wages 
•  Staff list where required 
•  Job descriptions 
•  Claims history if any 

Documents for Business Insurance

 
For fire, burglary, public liability, professional indemnity, goods in transit and other business covers, you may need:
 

•  Business registration documents 
•  KRA PIN 
•  Location of premises 
•  Nature of business 
•  Value of stock 
•  Value of equipment 
•  Value of furniture and fittings 
•  Security details 
•  Previous claims history 
•  Professional qualifications where applicable 
•  Contract details where required 

Documents for Bonds

 
For tender security, bid bonds and performance bonds, you may need:
 

•  Tender document 
•  Tender number 
•  Procuring entity details 
•  Bond amount 
•  Validity period 
•  Company registration documents 
•  KRA PIN 
•  Directors’ details where required 
•  Financial documents where applicable 
•  Award letter for performance bonds 

Mistakes to Avoid

 
Avoid:
 

•  Sending unclear photos 
•  Giving wrong ID or passport numbers 
•  Using old vehicle values 
•  Declaring wrong vehicle use 
•  Forgetting KRA PIN 
•  Waiting until the last minute 
•  Buying insurance under the wrong name 
•  Paying before confirming policy details 
•  Ignoring policy documents after purchase 

Imana Wisdom

 
The right documents make insurance faster, cleaner and safer. Before buying cover, prepare your details and confirm everything before the certificate or policy is issued.
 
Need help comparing insurance quotes in Kenya?
Talk to Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd or MyKava Travel & Insurance for motor, medical, travel, WIBA, PSV, business and personal insurance covers.

Call/WhatsApp: +254 796 209 402 | +254 113 619 635
Visit: www.imana.co.ke | www.mykava.co.ke