Kenya Property Guide

Home Insurance in Kenya

Home insurance is a policy that pays to repair or replace your home and belongings if they're damaged, destroyed, or stolen — turning an unpredictable loss into a small, fixed yearly cost. Read the full guide →

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What You Need to Know

Buildings Cover

Buildings insurance protects the physical structure of your home — walls, roof, floors, and fixed fittings like a perimeter wall or water tank. It responds to fire, storm, and impact damage to the structure itself.

This is the cover most mortgage lenders in Kenya require for as long as the property is charged to them as loan security.

Contents Cover (Domestic Package)

Contents insurance covers what's inside the home — furniture, electronics, appliances, and personal belongings — against fire, theft, and water damage.

If you rent, this is the cover you need. Your landlord is responsible for insuring the structure — you're only protecting what's yours.

How Premiums Are Calculated

Insurers price buildings cover at roughly 0.1% of rebuild value per year, and contents cover at roughly 1% of contents value per year — contents cost more to insure because belongings carry higher theft and damage risk than a fixed structure.

Rebuild value is the cost to reconstruct the structure today — not its market value, which includes the land.

Choosing a Policy

Compare at least two or three insurers — premiums and exclusions vary meaningfully for the same cover. Confirm the insurer is licensed by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA).

Ask about claims turnaround time, and review your cover annually — renovations or new furniture can leave your sum insured out of date.

Get an estimate for your own home

Whether you own your home or rent, use our free calculator to see an estimated annual premium before you request quotes.

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Home Insurance Guides

What Does Home Insurance Cover When It Comes to the Building?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is home insurance mandatory in Kenya?

No, home insurance isn't a legal requirement in Kenya. Mortgage lenders, however, typically require buildings insurance for as long as the property is charged to them as loan security.

What is the difference between buildings and contents insurance?

Buildings insurance covers the physical structure — walls, roof, fixtures, and permanent fittings. Contents insurance covers what is inside — furniture, electronics, appliances, and belongings. Tenants generally only need contents cover, since they don't own the structure.

How is my home insurance premium calculated?

Insurers price buildings cover at roughly 0.1% of the rebuild value per year, and contents cover at roughly 1% of the contents value per year, then adjust for construction materials, location, and security.

Should I insure my home for its market value or rebuild value?

Rebuild value, not market value. Market value includes the price of the land, which doesn't burn down or get stolen — insuring for market value means overpaying on premiums.

I rent my home — do I still need insurance?

Yes, if you want your belongings protected. This is usually called a Domestic Package or contents-only policy — it covers your furniture, electronics, and personal items, while your landlord is responsible for insuring the building itself.

Which insurers offer home insurance in Kenya?

Most major general insurers underwrite home insurance in Kenya, including Jubilee, APA, Britam, CIC, and Old Mutual, often sold through banks and brokers. All are regulated by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA).