• By Raymond Momanyi

How to Choose the Best Car Insurance in Kenya | Imana

Find the best car insurance cover in Kenya by comparing benefits, premiums, excesses, claims support and comprehensive or third-party options.

Best Car Insurance Cover in Kenya: How to Choose the Right Policy

What is the best car insurance cover in Kenya?

The honest answer is that there is no single insurer or policy that is automatically best for every vehicle owner. A great comprehensive policy for a new family SUV may be unnecessarily expensive for an older, low-value car. A low-cost Third-Party Only policy may work for one driver but expose another to a loss they cannot afford.

The best car insurance is the policy that:

• Covers the vehicle’s correct use
• Protects against the risks that matter
• Has manageable excesses
• Comes from a licensed insurer
• Fits the owner’s budget
• Provides a clear claims process
• Can respond when an insured loss occurs

Price matters. But when comparing motor insurance, the cheapest quotation should never be the whole story.

Is Car Insurance Mandatory in Kenya?

Kenya’s Insurance (Motor Vehicles Third Party Risks) Act requires insurance against specified third-party risks arising from the use of a motor vehicle on a road.

Third-Party Only insurance is generally the minimum statutory level of motor protection. It covers specified legal liabilities arising from injury or death caused to third parties and other liabilities stated in the policy.

However, Third-Party Only insurance does not ordinarily pay for accidental damage to your own vehicle.

Comprehensive insurance goes further by including protection for the insured vehicle against specified risks such as accidental damage, theft and fire.

The Three Main Types of Car Insurance in Kenya

Third-Party Only Insurance

Third-Party Only, commonly called TPO, is the most basic motor insurance option.

It generally covers:

• Third-party bodily injury
• Third-party death
• Third-party property damage, subject to the policy limit
• Legal costs connected to an insured third-party claim

It does not ordinarily cover:

• Accidental damage to your vehicle
• Theft of your vehicle
• Fire damage to your vehicle
• Your personal belongings
• Mechanical breakdown
• Your own medical expenses unless specifically included

TPO may suit motorists who want affordable legal compliance or own vehicles whose market value does not justify comprehensive insurance.

Third-Party, Fire and Theft

Third-Party, Fire and Theft provides the protection available under TPO and adds specified cover for:

• Theft of the insured vehicle
• Attempted theft
• Fire damage

It does not normally cover collision damage to your own vehicle.

This option can provide a middle ground for owners who need more than TPO but cannot justify full comprehensive insurance. Availability varies between insurers and vehicle classes.

Comprehensive Car Insurance

Comprehensive motor insurance provides the broadest of the three standard options.

Depending on the policy, it may cover:

• Accidental damage
• Collision and overturning
• Fire
• Theft or attempted theft
• Third-party bodily injury or death
• Third-party property damage
• Windscreen and window glass
• Towing and recovery
• Legal expenses
• Damage arising from selected natural events
• Malicious damage
• Optional extensions

“Comprehensive” does not mean everything is covered. Every policy still contains exclusions, excesses, limits and conditions.

What Makes a Car Insurance Policy the Best?

Correct vehicle classification

A policy must reflect how the vehicle is actually used.

Motor insurance classifications may include:

• Private vehicle
• Commercial own goods
• Commercial general cartage
• PSV taxi or ride-hailing
• PSV matatu
• PSV bus
• School bus
• Tour vehicle
• Motorcycle
• Tuk-tuk
• Tractor
• Special-type vehicle

A private motor policy should not be used for a vehicle carrying paying passengers or transporting goods commercially. Incorrect classification can create serious problems during a claim.

Suitable sum insured

For comprehensive insurance, the sum insured should reflect the vehicle’s reasonable market value.

Underinsuring the car may result in the average condition being applied, leaving the owner to bear part of an otherwise covered repair.

Overinsuring the vehicle does not guarantee a larger total-loss settlement. Insurance is intended to indemnify the owner, not create a profit.

Practical excesses

The excess is the amount the policyholder must bear when a claim occurs.

A policy may include different excesses for:

• Accidental damage
• Theft
• Total loss
• Young drivers
• Inexperienced drivers
• Unauthorised drivers
• Windscreen damage
• Commercial or PSV use

A cheap premium accompanied by a heavy excess may be poor value when an accident happens.

Useful benefits and extensions

The best policy is not the one with the longest list of benefits. It is the one with benefits that match how and where the car is used.

Clear claims support

Before buying, establish:

• How claims are reported
• Whether repairs use approved garages
• How assessors are appointed
• What documents are required
• Whether towing is available
• How claim updates are communicated
• Whether the intermediary assists with follow-up

A policy reveals its real value after an accident—not when the certificate is issued.

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost in Kenya?

Motor insurance premiums depend on the vehicle, usage and selected cover.

Third-Party Only insurance

Private-car TPO policies may cost approximately KSh 5,000 per year, with the actual amount depending on the insurer and policy structure.

Commercial vehicles, taxis, matatus, buses and other motor classes attract different premiums because their passenger, road and operational exposures vary.

Comprehensive insurance

Comprehensive premiums are commonly calculated as a percentage of the vehicle’s insured value.

Indicative rates may range from approximately 2.5% to 8% of the vehicle’s value per year, subject to minimum premiums, vehicle age, use, insurer and selected benefits.

For example, if a private car valued at KSh 2,000,000 receives a rate of 3.5%:

KSh 2,000,000 × 3.5% = KSh 70,000

The final premium may include statutory levies, stamp duty and optional extensions.

This example is for guidance only and is not an insurance quotation.

What Affects Your Car Insurance Premium?

Insurers may consider:

• Vehicle value
• Make and model
• Year of manufacture
• Engine capacity
• Availability and cost of spare parts
• Private, commercial or PSV use
• Seating capacity
• Driver profile
• Claims history
• Overnight parking
• Security features
• Vehicle condition
• Selected excess
• Geographical use
• Optional extensions
• Insurer underwriting criteria

Two vehicles with the same value can receive different premiums because their repair costs and risk profiles may be different.

Essential Comprehensive Insurance Add-ons

Excess Protector

Excess Protector can cover specified excess amounts following an insured claim.

It does not necessarily remove every excess. Theft, young-driver and unauthorised-driver excesses may be treated differently.

Political Violence and Terrorism

PVT insurance can extend the policy to specified losses arising from political violence, terrorism, sabotage and related events.

Political violence and terrorism should not be assumed to form part of every comprehensive policy.

Road Rescue and Towing

This extension may provide roadside assistance or towing after a breakdown or insured accident, subject to geographical and monetary limits.

Courtesy Car or Loss of Use

Some insurers provide a temporary replacement vehicle or daily transport allowance while the insured car undergoes approved repairs.

Waiting periods, daily limits and maximum durations commonly apply.

Personal Accident

A driver or passenger Personal Accident benefit can provide defined compensation following accidental injury, disability or death.

Do not assume that comprehensive motor insurance automatically pays all medical or disability expenses.

Windscreen and Entertainment Equipment

Check the limits for windscreens, window glass, radios, navigation systems and other fitted accessories.

Declare expensive non-standard equipment before cover begins.

COMESA Yellow Card

Drivers travelling to participating countries may require a COMESA Yellow Card for regional third-party motor liability protection.

The Yellow Card does not replace comprehensive insurance for damage to your vehicle. Confirm the territories and policy arrangements before travelling.

Which Cover Is Best for Different Drivers?

New or high-value private vehicles

Comprehensive insurance is usually the stronger option where replacing or repairing the vehicle would create financial strain.

Financed vehicles

Banks and other financiers commonly require comprehensive cover while they retain a financial interest in the vehicle.

The financier may need to be noted as an interested party.

Older, low-value vehicles

TPO or Third-Party, Fire and Theft may be more practical when the comprehensive premium is high compared with the vehicle’s value.

Taxi and ride-hailing vehicles

Uber, Bolt, Little Cab and other ride-hailing vehicles require the appropriate PSV taxi classification. A private motor policy is not suitable for carrying passengers for hire and reward.

Matatus and buses

These require the correct PSV classification and passenger-liability protection. Premiums depend on seating capacity, route, vehicle type and selected cover.

Commercial pickups and trucks

The policy should reflect whether the vehicle carries the owner’s goods or transports goods belonging to other people.

Goods in Transit or carrier-related liability protection may also be necessary.

Cross-border vehicles

Owners travelling beyond Kenya should confirm:

• Territorial limits
• COMESA Yellow Card requirements
• Comprehensive extensions outside Kenya
• Emergency assistance
• Claims procedures in other countries

How to Compare Car Insurance Quotations

Do not compare only the total premium.

Check:

• Insurer
• Correct vehicle class
• Sum insured
• Comprehensive rate
• Minimum premium
• Accidental-damage excess
• Theft excess
• Young-driver excess
• Windscreen limit
• Entertainment-system limit
• Towing benefit
• Road-rescue benefit
• Approved garages
• Excess Protector
• PVT extension
• Courtesy-car benefit
• Geographical scope
• Instalment conditions
• Claims requirements

Imana Insurance’s motor quotation form allows motorists to request Comprehensive, Third-Party Only or Third-Party, Fire and Theft options. (imana.co.ke)

For broader comparison, use the Imana Insurance quotation platform.

Cheapest Versus Best Car Insurance

Cheap insurance is not automatically bad. Expensive insurance is not automatically good.

A cheaper policy can be suitable if it:

• Covers the correct vehicle use
• Provides the benefits required
• Has acceptable excesses
• Comes from a licensed insurer
• Has understandable claims procedures

However, a low price may reflect:

• Lower limits
• Higher excesses
• Fewer extensions
• Restricted repair arrangements
• Narrower territorial cover
• No Excess Protector
• No courtesy-car benefit
• Reduced towing limits

The real question is not, “Which quotation is cheapest?”

It is, “What protection am I giving up to get this price?”

Why Claims Experience Matters

Premiums are paid before the loss. Service is tested after it.

When evaluating a policy, consider:

• Ease of reporting a claim
• Availability of assessors
• Approved-garage network
• Quality of communication
• Documentation requirements
• Repair-authorisation process
• Treatment of total losses
• Complaint-resolution process

Claims performance should be assessed using credible, recent information rather than rumours, isolated social-media complaints or marketing claims.

Common Reasons Motor Claims Are Delayed or Declined

A motor claim may face difficulties because of:

• Incorrect vehicle use
• Invalid or expired driving licence
• Policy lapse
• Premium default
• Late notification
• Unauthorised repairs
• Missing police abstract
• Material non-disclosure
• Undeclared modifications
• Driving under the influence
• Excluded driver
• Fraudulent documentation
• Loss falling outside territorial limits
• Mechanical breakdown rather than accidental damage

Motorists should read the policy and report changes in the vehicle’s ownership, use or condition.

What to Do After a Motor Accident

Protect life and prevent further damage

Check for injuries, seek medical assistance and move to safety where possible.

Notify the police

Report the accident where legally required and obtain the applicable police documentation.

Record the scene

Take photographs or videos showing:

• Vehicle positions
• Damage
• Registration numbers
• Road conditions
• Traffic signs
• Surrounding area

Collect the names and contact details of witnesses and other drivers.

Notify your insurer or intermediary

Report the accident promptly. Do not wait until repair work has started.

Do not admit liability

Provide factual information without accepting blame or promising payment to another party.

Wait for inspection and authority

Do not carry out substantial repairs without approval from the insurer.

Submit a request through the Imana Insurance claims-support page for guidance.

Documents Commonly Required for a Motor Claim

Depending on the loss, the insurer may request:

• Completed motor claim form
• Police abstract
• Copy of the driver’s licence
• National ID or passport
• KRA PIN
• Vehicle logbook
• Insurance certificate
• Valuation report
• Accident photographs
• Repair estimate
• Third-party details
• Witness information
• Inspection or assessor’s report

Theft, injury, fatality and total-loss claims may require additional documentation.

How to Buy Car Insurance Online in Kenya

1. Share the vehicle details

Provide:

• Registration number
• Make and model
• Year of manufacture
• Vehicle use
• Current value
• Seating capacity
• Claims history
• Preferred cover
• Required extensions

2. Receive comparison quotations

Review the premiums, benefits, limits and excesses from participating insurers.

3. Choose the right option

Select the insurer and policy based on value—not price alone.

4. Submit documents

Common requirements include:

• National ID or passport
• KRA PIN
• Logbook or proof of ownership
• Completed proposal form
• Vehicle valuation for comprehensive cover

5. Pay through an authorised channel

Confirm the payment recipient and obtain an official receipt.

6. Verify the certificate and policy

Check:

• Registration number
• Vehicle class
• Cover dates
• Policyholder name
• Insurer
• Type of cover

Report errors immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best car insurance company in Kenya?

There is no universally best insurer. The appropriate choice depends on vehicle type, use, benefits, premium, excesses, underwriting terms and claims arrangements.

Is comprehensive insurance always the best option?

No. It offers broader protection, but TPO or Third-Party, Fire and Theft may be more economical for some older or low-value vehicles.

Can I use private car insurance for Uber or Bolt?

No. A vehicle carrying passengers for hire and reward should have the appropriate PSV taxi insurance classification.

Can an old car get comprehensive insurance?

Possibly. The insurer may require a valuation, photographs or mechanical inspection. Age restrictions and minimum premiums vary.

Does comprehensive insurance cover floods?

Some policies cover specified flood damage, subject to exclusions and the circumstances of the loss. Deliberately driving into visible floodwater may raise claim issues.

Does comprehensive insurance cover mechanical breakdown?

Ordinary mechanical or electrical failure is generally excluded unless it results directly from an insured event and falls within the wording.

Can I pay comprehensive insurance in instalments?

Some insurers permit instalments under agreed conditions. Failure to pay an instalment can affect the policy or claim.

What is the best insurance for a low-value car?

TPO may be practical where the owner can afford to repair or replace the vehicle. Third-Party, Fire and Theft may offer additional protection where available.

The Bottom Line

The best car insurance cover in Kenya is not a logo, slogan or single premium figure.

It is the policy that properly classifies your vehicle, protects the risks you cannot comfortably carry, provides manageable excesses and gives you a clear route through a claim.

Compare before paying. Read before signing. Disclose before the accident—not after it.

Compare Car Insurance Quotes in Kenya

Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd helps private motorists, businesses, taxi operators and fleet owners compare motor insurance quotations from participating Kenyan insurers.

Start here:

• Compare insurance quotations
• Request a motor insurance quote
• Motor Insurance authority page
• Car Insurance in Kenya
• Claims-support request
• Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd
• Travel and insurance through MyKava

Contact Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd

Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd
4th Floor, Krishna Centre
Woodvale Grove, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya

Call/WhatsApp: +254 796 209 402
Email: insurance@imana.co.ke
Quotation comparison: https://imanainsurance.com
Authority website: https://imana.co.ke
Travel and insurance: https://mykava.co.ke

Author: Raymond Momanyi
Founder & CEO, Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd

Disclaimer: This article provides general information and does not rank or endorse one insurer as universally superior. Premiums, benefits, excesses, eligibility, extensions and claims requirements vary by insurer and vehicle. Review the official quotation, schedule and complete policy wording before purchasing cover.