• By Raymond Momanyi

Motor Insurance Kenya: Choose Cover Wisely | Imana

Compare motor insurance in Kenya with Imana. Understand third-party and comprehensive cover, excesses and exclusions before choosing a policy in 2026.

Motor Insurance in Kenya: A Practical Buyer’s Guide for 2026 and Beyond

The cheapest motor insurance quote can leave you with costs you did not expect after an accident. Before choosing a policy, consider what it covers, what you would contribute towards a claim and whether it reflects how you use your vehicle.

For Kenyan drivers, the decision usually starts with three options: Third-Party Only, Third-Party, Fire and Theft, and comprehensive insurance. Each offers a different level of protection.

This guide explains the differences, the terms worth comparing and the information to prepare before requesting a quote. If you need help reviewing your options, Imana Insurance Agency helps customers compare motor cover from partner insurers in Kenya.

Key Takeaways

• Third-party cover addresses specified liabilities to other people; it does not cover repairs to your own vehicle.
• Comprehensive insurance offers broader protection, but exclusions, limits and excesses still apply.
• Compare quotes using the same vehicle details, insured value, intended use and cover period.
• Declare business use and regular drivers accurately.
• Read the policy schedule and wording before paying for cover.

Why Motor Insurance Matters in Kenya

An accident can create several expenses at once: repairs to your vehicle, damage to someone else’s property and liability for injuries. Theft or fire can also leave you facing the cost of replacing your car.

Motor insurance helps manage the losses and liabilities covered by your policy. The protection you receive depends on the cover selected and its terms.

Kenya’s Insurance (Motor Vehicles Third Party Risks) Act, Cap. 405 generally requires a vehicle used on a road to have insurance or security that complies with the Act’s third-party requirements, subject to statutory exceptions. The compulsory requirements focus on liability for death or bodily injury; do not assume they establish cover for every type of property damage.

Meeting the legal requirement is the starting point. Your next decision is how much protection you want for your own vehicle and finances.

The Three Main Types of Motor Insurance

1. Third-Party Only Insurance

Third-Party Only insurance covers specified legal liabilities to other people arising from the use of your vehicle. Check the policy for the applicable injury and property damage cover, limits and exclusions.

It does not cover accidental damage to your own car or its loss through fire or theft.

For example, if you cause a collision, the policy may respond to a covered claim from the other party. You would need to meet your own repair costs unless you have separate applicable protection.

2. Third-Party, Fire and Theft Insurance

This cover combines third-party liability protection with cover for specified fire and theft losses affecting your vehicle.

It generally does not cover accidental collision damage to your own car. If that protection matters to you, compare it with comprehensive cover.

Ask about availability, theft conditions and the excess before choosing. Imana’s motor insurance guide provides an introduction to these cover categories.

3. Comprehensive Motor Insurance

Comprehensive insurance generally includes third-party liability and cover for specified loss or damage to your own vehicle, including accidental damage, fire and theft.

The name does not mean every loss is covered. Check whether benefits such as windscreen replacement, flood damage, towing or a courtesy car are included, optional or subject to separate limits.

Your own injuries also require attention. Do not assume a motor policy automatically includes personal accident protection for the driver.

How to Compare Motor Insurance Quotes

A useful comparison goes beyond the headline premium. Review these details for every quote.

Premium and Total Cost

The premium is the price of your insurance. Ask for the total payable amount, including applicable charges and selected extras.

Check the period of cover and payment arrangements. Two quotes are difficult to compare if one includes additional benefits or covers a different period.

Excess

The excess is the amount you contribute towards a covered claim. It may be a fixed sum, a percentage or a percentage subject to a minimum.

For illustration, if an otherwise fully covered repair costs KSh 100,000 and a KSh 20,000 excess applies, your contribution would be KSh 20,000. Other policy deductions or limits could affect the settlement.

Ask whether different excesses apply to accidental damage, theft or particular drivers.

Insured Value

For cover protecting your vehicle, check the value recorded in the quotation and policy schedule.

Ask how the insurer establishes that value and calculates a settlement after a total loss. An inaccurate value can affect both the premium and the amount recoverable.

Limits and Optional Benefits

Look for caps on individual benefits, including windscreen cover, towing and replacement transport.

Ask whether optional benefits address risks you actually face. A longer benefits list is useful only when the protection is relevant and the limits are adequate.

Exclusions and Conditions

Read exclusions alongside the covered events. Pay particular attention to:

• Permitted vehicle use.
• Driver qualifications and restrictions.
• Security requirements.
• Geographical limits.
• Claim reporting obligations.
• Any restrictions affecting accessories or modifications.

Ask for clarification in writing if a term is unclear.

Claims Support

Before buying, establish who to contact after an incident and how the claims process works.

Ask about reporting deadlines, required documents, repair authorisation and approved garages. Knowing the process in advance can reduce confusion when you need assistance.

Match Your Cover to How You Use Your Vehicle

A privately used car, a delivery vehicle and a taxi have different insurance needs. Describe what the vehicle actually does when requesting a quote.

Consider:

• Purpose: Personal travel, commuting, business journeys, deliveries or carrying passengers for payment.
• Drivers: You, family members, employees or several regular drivers.
• Travel: Typical journeys and any planned cross-border use.
• Parking: Where the vehicle is usually kept.
• Financial exposure: Whether you could afford major repairs or replacement yourself.

Do not assume private cover includes every work-related activity. Explain the activity and ask the insurer or agency to confirm the appropriate permitted use.

For a financed vehicle, also check your lender’s insurance requirements before choosing a policy.

How Much Does Motor Insurance Cost in Kenya?

There is no single price that applies to every vehicle. Premiums can vary with the cover category, vehicle details, insured value, intended use and insurer’s underwriting terms.

The most useful way to assess cost is to request current quotes using consistent information.

Before deciding, ask:

1. Do the quotes cover the same risks and period?
2. Is the insured value consistent?
3. Are the excesses affordable?
4. Which benefits cost extra?
5. What conditions could affect a claim?

A lower premium may be suitable if you understand and accept the protection offered. The aim is to choose an affordable policy with clear terms that fit your needs.

What to Prepare Before Requesting a Quote

Having accurate information ready makes the quotation process more useful. Depending on the insurer and cover, you may be asked for:

• Vehicle registration details, make, model and year.
• Owner or business details.
• The vehicle’s value, where relevant.
• Its intended use and regular drivers.
• Previous insurance or claims information.
• Details of accessories, modifications or required optional benefits.

Provide consistent information across quotes. Before accepting one, check the vehicle details, cover dates, permitted use, insured value and excesses.

Compare Motor Insurance with Imana

Imana Insurance Agency’s motor insurance service helps drivers compare quotations and select cover based on their vehicle, usage and budget.

When requesting assistance, explain your priorities. You may want to compare the cost of third-party and comprehensive cover, understand an excess or confirm whether business use is included.

Imana acts as an agency; the insurer underwriting your policy provides the cover under its terms. Check the insurer’s name and review the policy documents before purchasing.

Ready to explore your options? Contact Imana to request a motor insurance quote and discuss cover for your vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is motor insurance compulsory in Kenya?

Generally, yes. Kenyan law requires insurance or security meeting the Act’s third-party requirements for vehicles used on roads, subject to statutory exceptions. Check that your policy is active and its vehicle and use details are correct.

Does third-party insurance cover my own car?

No. Third-Party Only insurance does not cover accidental damage to your own vehicle, fire or theft. Compare broader cover if you want protection against those losses.

Does comprehensive insurance cover every type of damage?

No. Comprehensive cover still has exclusions, limits, excesses and conditions. Read the policy schedule and wording together to understand the protection purchased.

Can I insure a vehicle used for both private and business purposes?

Explain both uses when requesting a quote. The insurer must confirm the appropriate cover and permitted use. Deliveries, taxi work and carrying passengers for payment should be declared explicitly.

Can someone else drive my insured car?

That depends on the policy’s driver conditions. Before lending your vehicle, check any named-driver restrictions, licence requirements and applicable excesses.

Can I change my policy after buying it?

Contact the insurer or agency when details change, including vehicle use, ownership or regular drivers. Ask whether an endorsement or replacement policy is required, and obtain written confirmation of the change and its effective date.

How do I make a motor insurance claim?

Notify the insurer or handling agency promptly and follow the policy’s reporting requirements. Keep relevant incident details, photographs and requested documents. Obtain any required authorisation before arranging repairs.

How can Imana help me choose cover?

Imana can help you compare quotations from partner insurers and clarify the options available. Start with its motor insurance page or contact the team with your vehicle details.