Third-Party Car Insurance Claims in Kenya: Step-by-Step Guide
Third-party insurance is the minimum legal cover on Kenyan roads, but the claims process can feel unclear after an accident. This guide explains what to do, who to notify, and what documents to keep.
A practical guide to third-party car insurance claims in Kenya, including who claims from whom, documents needed, and what to do after an accident.
What third-party insurance covers
Third-party insurance is liability cover. If your vehicle causes an accident, it may respond to claims for injury, death, damage to another person's vehicle, or damage to third-party property such as a wall, gate, building, or roadside structure. It does not usually cover damage to your own vehicle.
If you caused the accident
Report the accident to the police, notify your insurer or agent immediately, avoid admitting liability at the scene, collect evidence, and cooperate with your insurer. Your insurer will review the third-party claim and may admit liability, negotiate settlement, request more documents, investigate, or defend the claim.
If another driver caused the accident
Your own third-party policy will usually not repair your car. You normally need to pursue the at-fault driver or their insurer, so collect the vehicle registration, driver and owner details, insurer details, certificate information, OB number, police abstract, accident photos, and witness contacts where available.
What to do immediately after an accident
Start with safety and medical needs. Once it is safe, take photos and videos before vehicles are moved, exchange details, collect witness contacts, report to the nearest police station or officers at the scene, get the OB number, and notify your insurer or agent even if you do not expect your own policy to repair the car.
Documents commonly needed
Common documents include a completed claim form, police abstract, OB number, insurance certificate, logbook copy, driving licence, national ID, accident photos, damage photos, assessment report or repair estimate, witness statements, driver statement, medical reports, P3 form where applicable, and any demand letter or third-party correspondence.
How the claim process usually works
The usual sequence is accident documentation, police reporting, insurer notification, claim form completion, vehicle assessment or inspection, liability review, then settlement or dispute handling. Do not start major repairs before assessment unless the insurer has advised otherwise or urgent safety repairs are unavoidable.
If the other driver refuses to cooperate
Record the registration number, take photos, report the accident to police, give police all available information, notify your insurer or agent, and try to obtain the other vehicle's insurance details through the police process. Do not rely only on verbal promises at the scene.
If the other driver has no valid insurance
Recovery may be harder because you may need to pursue the driver or vehicle owner directly. This is one reason comprehensive cover can be useful: depending on policy terms, your insurer may repair your vehicle first and then pursue recovery from the responsible party.
Private settlements and common mistakes
Private settlement can work for minor damage, but it should be written, signed, and supported by payment proof. Avoid private settlement where there are injuries, serious damage, unclear fault, public service vehicles, company vehicles, or potential future claims. Also avoid admitting liability, failing to report to police, repairing before assessment, submitting incomplete documents, or ignoring letters from third parties or lawyers.
Practical checklist after a third-party accident
Check for injuries, move to safety if necessary, call or report to police, take photos and videos, record vehicle registration numbers, exchange driver and insurance details, collect witness contacts, get the OB number, notify your insurer or agent, apply for the police abstract, fill the claim form, submit required documents, wait for assessment before repairs, and keep all receipts and correspondence.
Need help understanding what to do next?
If you are dealing with an accident, documents, or a claim update, talk to us on WhatsApp and we will help you think through the next practical step.