PSV Motorcycle Insurance in Kenya: Cost, Cover and How to Buy
PSV motorcycle insurance in Kenya is the cover a boda boda needs to carry fare-paying passengers, combining third-party liability with passenger liability, and it starts from about KES 3,000 a year. A private policy is not built for this work, so a claim involving a paying passenger can be declined.
Key takeaways
- PSV cover adds passenger liability to third-party cover.
- Indicative premiums: KES 3,000 - 6,500 a year depending on engine size and insurer.
- It does not cover your own bike or injuries unless you add comprehensive or personal accident cover.
- Always confirm the insurer is licensed at ira.go.ke.
What Is PSV Motorcycle Insurance in Kenya?
PSV stands for public service vehicle. A PSV motorcycle is any motorcycle, usually a boda boda, that carries fare-paying passengers. Its insurance combines third-party liability, which pays other road users you injure or whose property you damage, with passenger liability, which pays passengers injured while on your bike.
It is a different product from the cover for a privately used bike. For the full picture of every class, read our guide to motorcycle insurance in Kenya.
Is PSV Motorcycle Insurance Compulsory in Kenya?
Third-party insurance is required for motor vehicles used on public roads under the Insurance (Motor Vehicles Third Party Risks) Act, Cap 405. Rules aimed specifically at passenger-carrying boda bodas have been proposed by Treasury and the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) on more than one occasion, and Parliament rejected an earlier attempt. Reports on the current position are mixed.
Check the latest status with the IRA or our team before you rely on any single answer. The practical point does not change: if a passenger is hurt and you have no valid PSV cover, the compensation claim lands on you personally.
What Does PSV Motorcycle Insurance Cover?
Typically covered
- Injury or death to third parties and damage to their property
- Compensation claims from passengers on your bike, up to the policy limit
- Legal costs linked to covered claims, subject to policy terms
Typically not covered
- Damage to or theft of your own motorcycle (needs comprehensive cover)
- Your own injuries (needs personal accident cover)
- Riding without a valid licence or under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Use outside the declared class
PSV vs Private Motorcycle Insurance
| Feature | Private cover | PSV cover |
|---|---|---|
| Intended use | Personal riding | Carrying fare-paying passengers |
| Third-party liability | Yes | Yes |
| Passenger liability | Generally no | Yes, to policy limits |
| Claim with a paying passenger | May be declined | Designed for it |
| Typical starting price (KES/yr) | 1,500 | 3,000 |
Many operators buy private cover because it is cheaper. That saving disappears the first time a passenger claim is declined.
How Much Does PSV Motorcycle Insurance Cost in Kenya?
These are indicative annual premiums from our insurer panel. Your exact price appears when you request a quote.
| Cover | Typical annual premium (KES) |
|---|---|
| PSV / boda boda, under 150cc | 3,000 - 5,500 |
| PSV / boda boda, 150cc - 250cc | 4,000 - 6,500 |
| Comprehensive, bike valued KES 60,000 - 100,000 | 8,000 - 14,000 |
Premium depends on engine size, the insurer, the passenger liability limit and any add-ons. Levies and stamp duty are added to the quote. Prices change over time.
How to Buy PSV Motorcycle Insurance in Kenya Online
- Confirm your use class. Carrying fare-paying passengers means PSV cover, not private.
- Gather your details. Registration number, engine capacity, chassis number, ID and KRA PIN.
- Compare PSV quotes. Enter your details and compare licensed insurers side by side.
- Choose limits and add-ons. Check the passenger liability limit and consider personal accident cover.
- Pay by M-Pesa. Confirm the STK push on your registered number.
- Receive your certificate. Your digital certificate arrives on WhatsApp after payment.
Documents you will need
- National ID or passport number
- KRA PIN
- Motorcycle registration number and logbook details
- M-Pesa-registered phone number
- SACCO membership or operating details, where applicable
5 Mistakes That Get PSV Motorcycle Insurance Claims Declined
- Using private cover for passenger work. The use class does not match.
- Buying a roadside sticker. If no licensed insurer stands behind it, nothing pays out.
- Ignoring the passenger liability limit. A low limit may not cover a serious injury.
- Riding without a valid licence. It is a standard exclusion.
- Admitting liability at the scene. Leave that to the insurer.
Add-ons Worth Considering With PSV Cover
- Personal accident cover for your own injuries
- Comprehensive cover for theft and accident damage to the bike, essential if it is on hire purchase
- WIBA if you employ riders
PSV Motorcycle Insurance for SACCOs and Fleet Owners
One uninsured rider can create a claim that threatens a whole SACCO. We arrange fleet quotes, the right class for each bike, and claims support. Request a fleet quote on WhatsApp.
How to Claim on PSV Motorcycle Insurance
- Get medical help for anyone injured.
- Report to the police and get an OB abstract.
- Photograph the scene and record witness details.
- Notify your insurer and GetCovered promptly.
- Do not admit liability or agree payment at the scene.
PSV Motorcycle Insurance in Kenya: FAQs
What is PSV motorcycle insurance in Kenya?
It is cover for a motorcycle that carries fare-paying passengers, such as a boda boda. It combines third-party liability with passenger liability, so injured passengers and other road users can claim compensation from the insurer.
How much is PSV motorcycle insurance in Kenya?
Indicative annual premiums on the GetCovered Kenya panel are about KES 3,000 - 5,500 for bikes under 150cc and KES 4,000 - 6,500 for 150cc - 250cc. The final price depends on the insurer, engine size and policy limits.
Is PSV motorcycle insurance compulsory in Kenya?
Third-party cover is required for motor vehicles on public roads under Cap 405. Rules specifically for passenger-carrying boda bodas have been proposed more than once, so confirm the current position with the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA). Without cover, you remain personally liable for compensation.
Does PSV motorcycle insurance cover the rider?
Not by default. PSV cover protects third parties and passengers. Your own injuries need a personal accident add-on.
Does PSV motorcycle insurance cover my bike if it is stolen?
No. Theft, fire and accident damage to your own bike need comprehensive cover, which can be bought on top of PSV liability.
Can I use private motorcycle insurance for boda boda work?
You should not. A private policy is rated for personal use, and a claim involving a fare-paying passenger can be declined.
What is the difference between PSV and private motorcycle insurance?
PSV cover is written for passenger-carrying use and includes passenger liability. Private cover is for personal use only and generally excludes paying passengers.
Can a SACCO or fleet owner insure many boda bodas at once?
Yes. Fleet and multi-motorcycle quotes are available, with the correct class of cover for each bike and WIBA for employed riders.
What documents do I need to buy PSV motorcycle insurance?
National ID or passport number, KRA PIN, motorcycle registration number and logbook details, an M-Pesa-registered phone number, and SACCO or operating details where applicable.
How do I confirm my PSV insurance certificate is genuine?
Check the insurer name, policy number, registration number and dates, then confirm the insurer is licensed on the IRA register at ira.go.ke.
Get PSV Motorcycle Insurance in Kenya Today
Compare licensed insurers, pay by M-Pesa and get your certificate on WhatsApp. See also our full guide to motorcycle insurance in Kenya.
