Marine Insurance Kenya 2026 Complete Guide

Everything you need to know about marine cargo insurance — mandatory local rules, cover types, claims process, and expert tips.

Marine insurance protects goods, cargo, vessels, and freight against physical loss or damage during transit by sea, air, road, or rail.

Whether you're an importer, exporter, transporter, or logistics provider, marine insurance ensures your goods reach their destination — and your balance sheet — intact. At Precise Insurance Agency, we compare plans from leading providers — Jubilee, Britam, CIC, APA, Madison, Old Mutual, and more.

Key protection includes: warehouse-to-warehouse cover, loading and offloading risks, theft, fire, collision, sinking, general average, and more.

Did you know? Since 2017, Kenyan law requires all marine cargo insurance for imports to be placed with locally licensed insurers. As of July 1, 2026, this is now digitally enforced through KRA's customs system.

Regulated by IRA
Marine Insurance Kenya — Cargo and Hull Cover
InstantMarine certificate
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Mandatory Local Marine Insurance Rule 2026

A major change for all importers — effective July 1, 2026.

What changed?

The Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) have implemented a digital enforcement system requiring all importers to secure marine cargo insurance from locally licensed insurers before customs clearance .

Why it matters to you

  • You can no longer use foreign insurance under CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) contracts .
  • Use CFR (Cost and Freight) Incoterms instead — buy transport from supplier, insure locally .
  • Digital marine certificates are submitted automatically to KRA's ICMS system .

Important: Avoid paying twice

The Shippers Council of Eastern Africa (SCEA) warns importers to review existing contracts. If your supplier insists on CIF, you may end up paying for insurance both overseas and locally. Switch to CFR terms to avoid duplicate costs .

Precise Insurance can help: We'll guide you through the new requirements, help you switch to the right Incoterms, and provide compliant local marine insurance — fast.

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Types of Marine Insurance Cover

Cargo Insurance

  • Protects goods in transit — by sea, air, road, or rail .
  • Warehouse-to-warehouse cover — from origin to final destination .
  • Covers loss or damage from fire, theft, collision, rough handling, and more .
  • Essential for importers, exporters, and transporters .

Hull & Machinery

  • Protects the vessel itself — hull, machinery, and equipment .
  • Covers damage from collision, grounding, fire, and storms .
  • Essential for ship owners and operators .
  • Often includes third party liability for damage caused by the vessel .

Inland Transit

  • Covers goods during domestic transport within Kenya .
  • By road, rail, or inland waterways .
  • Essential for local traders and logistics companies .

Open Cover (Annual)

  • A single policy covering all shipments for a 12-month period .
  • No need to purchase cover per shipment .
  • Cost-effective for regular importers and exporters .
  • Automatic cover for all declared shipments .
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What's Covered & What's Not

Covered

  • Loss or damage from fire, theft, collision, sinking, overturning, or rough weather
  • Transit risks by sea, air, road, rail, container, or courier — warehouse to warehouse
  • General Average — shared losses during emergencies at sea
  • Loss during loading and offloading
  • Theft, pilferage, non-delivery, and mysterious disappearance
  • Inland transit within Kenya (port to warehouse)

Not Covered (Exclusions)

  • Willful misconduct of the insured
  • Ordinary leakage, loss in weight, wear and tear
  • Insufficient packing or inadequate storage
  • Inherent vice — goods that spoil naturally
  • Loss from delay or deterioration
  • Nuclear weapons or radiation
  • Insolvency or financial default of vessel owner

Optional extensions: War, strikes, riots, and civil commotions can be added for an additional premium.

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Marine Claims Process

  1. Notify your insurer immediately — Report the incident as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours .
  2. Preserve evidence — Do not dispose of damaged goods. Keep photographs, samples, and relevant documents .
  3. File a claim with relevant authorities — For theft or damage, obtain a police abstract or port authority report .
  4. Appoint a surveyor — The insurer will appoint a surveyor to assess the damage .
  5. Submit required documents — Complete claim form, invoices, packing list, Bill of Lading, survey report, and photos .
  6. Settlement — The insurer processes compensation based on the assessed loss and policy terms .

Timeline: Simple claims can be processed in 2-4 weeks. Complex claims involving general average or legal disputes may take longer .

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Documents Required

For quotes and claims, you'll typically need:

  • Pro Forma or Commercial Invoice
  • Packing List
  • Bill of Lading (sea) or Air Waybill (air)
  • Import Declaration Form (IDF)
  • For claims: survey report, photographs of damage, and a completed claim form

Tip: Keep all documents organized and accessible. Digitization is increasingly important for fast claims processing .

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Top Marine Insurance Providers 2026

Leading insurers for marine cargo in Kenya.

Jubilee Insurance

Comprehensive marine cargo and hull insurance with strong claims history. Wide network and reliable service .

Britam

Strong marine portfolio with flexible open cover options. Known for efficient claims processing and digital certificates .

CIC Insurance

Large market share with competitive rates. Good for SME importers and exporters .

APA Insurance

Trusted marine insurer with strong claims handling. Offers tailored solutions for different cargo types .

Old Mutual

International expertise with local knowledge. Comprehensive marine solutions for large corporates .

We compare all these providers — you get the best coverage at the best rate.

/ 07

Common Marine Insurance Myths Debunked

Myth 1: Marine insurance is only for ocean freight

False. Marine insurance covers goods in transit by air, road, and rail too. Inland transit is a common and important cover for local traders.

Myth 2: CIF covers all my marine insurance needs

With the new mandatory local insurance rule, CIF is no longer sufficient. You need local insurance for customs clearance, even if your supplier provides CIF .

Myth 3: Marine insurance is too expensive

Marine insurance typically costs 0.3-2% of the cargo value — a small price compared to the potential loss of an entire shipment.

Myth 4: Claims are always difficult

With proper documentation and a good insurance agency, claims are straightforward. Most insurers aim to settle within 2-4 weeks for simple claims .

Myth 5: I don't need marine insurance for small shipments

Any cargo, regardless of size, is at risk. Theft, damage, and delays can happen to any shipment. Insurance ensures you're protected .

Get a Marine Insurance Quote

Compare cargo, hull, inland transit, and open cover from leading insurers.

We'll compare plans from Jubilee, Britam, CIC, APA, Madison, Old Mutual and more to find you the best marine cover.

Thank You for Your Request!

Your marine insurance quote request has been received. We'll get back to you within 24 hours with options from top insurers.

For immediate assistance, call +254 726 439 278

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Frequently Asked Questions

Marine insurance covers loss or damage to cargo, vessels, and freight during transit by sea, air, road, or rail. It includes protection against fire, theft, sinking, collision, general average, and warehouse-to-warehouse risks. Optional extensions include war and strikes.
Yes. Since 2017, the Marine Insurance Act (Section 16A) and Insurance Act (Section 20(4)) require that all marine cargo insurance for imports into Kenya be procured from locally licensed insurers. From July 1, 2026, digital enforcement through KRA's ICMS system makes this mandatory for customs clearance.
Effective July 1, 2026, all importers must digitally secure marine cargo insurance from a locally licensed Kenyan insurer before customs clearance. The IRA has developed a digital platform integrating with KRA's ICMS and eCitizen. Importers should use CFR Incoterms to avoid paying for insurance twice.
Contact a licensed insurance agency like Precise Insurance Agency. Provide your cargo type, value, shipping route, and mode of transport. We'll compare quotes from trusted local insurers and provide a competitive rate and a digital marine certificate compliant with KRA requirements.
Typically: Pro Forma/Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading/Air Waybill, and Import Declaration Form. For claims, you'll also need a completed claim form and any survey reports or photographs of damage.
Common exclusions include: willful misconduct, ordinary leakage or wear and tear, insufficient packing, inherent vice, goods deterioration from delay, insolvency of the vessel owner, nuclear risks, and consequential loss. War and strikes are optional extensions.
General Average is a principle where all parties involved in a sea voyage share the losses and costs incurred to save the vessel and cargo during an emergency. If cargo is jettisoned to lighten the ship, all cargo owners share the loss proportionally.
Report the incident to your insurer immediately. Preserve evidence, take photos, and keep all documents. File a police report if applicable. Submit the claim form, invoices, packing list, Bill of Lading, survey report, and photos. We'll guide you through the process.