Insurance comparisons for East Africa
Short answerChecked 23 September 2026
The same question, four countries, one table. Every figure comes from the country guides and their official sources.
Kenya
- All comparisons in KenyaTypes of cover and insurers compared
- Comprehensive vs third-party car insurance in Kenya: what each covers and what sets the priceWhat the Cap. 405 minimum pays for, what only a broader policy covers, and how to compare quotes.
- SHA vs private medical insurance in Kenya: what each coversCompulsory SHA vs optional private cover: price, waiting periods, hospitals — and when to combine them.
- Top 10 insurance companies in Kenya (2025): the IRA ranking by premiumThe top 10 general insurers and the life insurers of Kenya ranked by premium, with claims ratios — from IRA Kenya's 2025 figures.
- Insurance complaints by company in KenyaComplaints filed against each insurer, compared with its size.
- Compare two insurers in KenyaPick two insurers and see them side by side: size, claims ratio, complaints.
Uganda
- All comparisons in UgandaTypes of cover and insurers compared
- Third-party vs comprehensive car insurance in UgandaIRA's three motor covers side by side: third party, accident fire & theft, comprehensive.
- Top insurance companies in Uganda (2025): the IRA ranking by premiumThe top 10 general and the life insurers of Uganda ranked by premium, with loss ratios — from IRA Uganda's 2025 figures.
- Insurance complaints by company in UgandaComplaints filed against each insurer, compared with its size.
- Compare two insurers in UgandaPick two insurers and see them side by side: size, claims ratio, complaints.
Tanzania
- All comparisons in TanzaniaTypes of cover and insurers compared
- Third-party vs comprehensive car insurance in TanzaniaWhat the legal minimum pays for, what you only get with a broader policy, and how to compare quotes.
- NHIF Tanzania packages 2026: prices and benefits comparedThe five packages with real prices and benefits, Toto Afya and Umoja Afya, the basic package, and registration.
- Largest insurance companies in Tanzania (2024), comparedEvery insurer ranked by premium — from the regulator's 2024 figures.
- Insurance complaints by company in TanzaniaComplaints filed against each insurer, compared with its size.
- Compare two insurers in TanzaniaPick two insurers and see them side by side: size, claims ratio, complaints.
Ethiopia
- All comparisons in EthiopiaTypes of cover and insurers compared
- Third-party vs comprehensive vehicle insurance in EthiopiaEthiopia's compulsory cover already includes property damage. What comprehensive adds: your own vehicle.
- Largest insurance companies in Ethiopia (30 June 2025), comparedAll 18 insurers compared on the regulator's figures: capital and branches.
- Compare two insurers in EthiopiaPick two insurers and see them side by side: capital and branches.
South Africa
- All comparisons in South AfricaTypes of cover and insurers compared
- Third party vs comprehensive car insurance in South AfricaSide by side: what third party, third party fire and theft and comprehensive cover — and what none of them do.
- Hospital plan vs comprehensive medical aid vs hospital cash planMedical scheme hospital plan, comprehensive option or hospital cash plan: what each pays.
- Insurance complaints by company in South Africa (NFO figures)The NFO's 2025 complaint counts per insurer, non-life and life, and why a count is not a quality score.
Botswana
Ghana
- All comparisons in GhanaTypes of cover and insurers compared
- Third-party vs comprehensive car insurance in GhanaThird-party pays others; comprehensive also pays for your own car. The law only requires third-party.
- Complaints against insurers in Ghana, company by company (NIC 2024)626 complaints in 2024. Impact Life (125), SIC Life (85) and StarLife (55) received the most; among non-life insurers, Star Assurance (16) and Prime (15).
Malawi
Namibia
Nigeria
Rwanda
Zambia
Zimbabwe
- All comparisons in ZimbabweTypes of cover and insurers compared
- Third-party vs comprehensive car insurance in ZimbabweThird-party = the legal minimum for harm to others; comprehensive adds your own car.
- Medical aid societies in Zimbabwe compared: CIMAS, PSMAS and how to chooseCIMAS and PSMAS from their own pages: packages, membership, claims and contacts.
Regional overviews
- Motor insurance compared: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and South AfricaWhat third-party cover pays, the limits, the penalties and how to check a cover — country by country.
- Public health insurance compared: SHA, NHIF, CBHI, Uganda and South AfricaSHA in Kenya, NHIF in Tanzania, CBHI in Ethiopia, and Uganda's still-missing scheme — who pays what.
- How fast must insurers pay? Claim deadlines in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and South Africa90 days in Kenya, 10–20 working days in Uganda, 45 days in Tanzania — and what happens if they are missed.
- Work-injury cover for employers: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South AfricaWIBA in Kenya, WCF 0.5% in Tanzania, compulsory insurance in Uganda, employer liability in Ethiopia, COIDA in South Africa.
- Insurance markets compared: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South AfricaPenetration from 0.3% of GDP in Ethiopia to 2.39% in Kenya, premiums and licensed insurers.
- Insurance groups across East Africa: who is licensed whereBritam, Jubilee, ICEA LION, Sanlam Allianz, CIC… which companies each group holds, country by country.