Author: Brian Nyabayo Ndege | Reviewer: GetCovered Kenya Editorial Team
Britam Insurance Kenya Overview
Britam Holdings PLC is a leading diversified financial services group listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Having commenced operations in Kenya in 1965, the group has expanded its footprint across East and Southern Africa. Britam is a true corporate giant in the region, operating out of the iconic Britam Tower in Nairobi.
The company is deeply entrenched in the Kenyan market, offering a "one-stop-shop" for general insurance, life assurance, asset management, and property development. They are particularly dominant in the life insurance sector and have recently aggressively expanded their micro-insurance offerings to reach underserved communities.
Britam Company Profile
Information | Details
Company | Britam Holdings PLC
Country | Kenya
Headquarters | Britam Tower, Upper Hill, Nairobi
Established | 1965
Insurance type | General, Life, and Micro-insurance
IRA status | Licensed (2026)
Key products | Medical (Milele), Life (Tegemeo), Motor, Pensions
Official website | britam.com / ke.britam.com
Last verified | August 2026
Company | Britam Holdings PLC
Country | Kenya
Headquarters | Britam Tower, Upper Hill, Nairobi
Established | 1965
Insurance type | General, Life, and Micro-insurance
IRA status | Licensed (2026)
Key products | Medical (Milele), Life (Tegemeo), Motor, Pensions
Official website | britam.com / ke.britam.com
Last verified | August 2026
Is Britam Insurance Licensed in Kenya?
Yes. According to the 2026 Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) gazette notice, Britam operates under three distinct, fully licensed entities in Kenya:
- Britam General Insurance Company (K) Limited: Authorized to underwrite Aviation (01), Engineering (02), Fire Domestic (03), Fire Industrial (04), Liability (05), Marine (06), Motor Private (07), Motor Commercial (08), Personal Accident (09), Theft (10), Workmen’s Compensation / WIBA (11), Medical (12), and Miscellaneous (14).
- Britam Life Assurance Company (K) Limited: Authorized for Life Assurance (31), Annuities (32), Pensions (33a, 33b), Group Life (34), Group Credit (35), Permanent Health (36), and Investments (37a, 37b).
- Britam Microinsurance Company (K) Limited: Licensed to underwrite Micro Insurance (13).
Insurance Products Offered by Britam
Medical Insurance
Britam has one of the most diverse medical insurance portfolios in Kenya, catering to everyone from corporate executives to domestic workers:
- Milele Health Plan: Their flagship comprehensive health cover for individuals, families, and corporates, covering chronic conditions, HIV/AIDS, and critical illnesses.
- Bima Ya Mwananchi: An affordable medical cover designed for low-to-middle-income earners, offering flexible inpatient and optional outpatient benefits.
- Senior Medical Cover: A specialized product for citizens aged 65 and above, providing reliable health insurance without maximum exit age limits.
- Junior Medical Cover: Standalone medical covers specifically designed for children.
- Bima Ya Wafanyikazi: Highly affordable healthcare protection specifically tailored for domestic workers and informal sector employees.
Life Insurance and Protection
Britam Life Assurance is a market leader, offering protective and investment-linked life policies:
- Tegemeo Protection Plan: An affordable life insurance plan designed to cater for financial obligations upon the policyholder's untimely demise.
- CarePlus+ & Whole Life Plans: Providing long-term security and permanent health benefits.
- Heshima Farewell Plan: A structured last expense cover to handle funeral costs for retail and corporate groups.
Motor Insurance
Britam underwrites comprehensive, third-party fire and theft, and standard third-party motor insurance. They cover private vehicles, commercial fleets, and motorcycles, frequently bundling these with digital claims support and roadside assistance.
Business, Property, and Agriculture
They offer extensive property and business insurance solutions (Fire, WIBA, Public Liability). Notably, Britam provides specialized agricultural insurance products, including crop and livestock coverage to protect agribusinesses.
Britam Claims Process
Britam has aggressively digitized its claims process to improve customer experience:
- Motor Claims: Britam features an AI-powered digital claims portal. Customers can capture photos of the accident scene, upload police abstracts and logbooks, and file the claim digitally with AI support for faster processing.
- Medical Claims: Processed seamlessly at their vast network of accredited hospitals. For overseas treatments (e.g., at Max Hospital in India), Britam provides Guarantees of Payment (GOP) within 48 hours for scheduled procedures.
- Life Claims: Requires submission of original policy documents, death certificates, and claimant identification. These can be initiated at any branch or via their financial advisors.
Britam Customer Service
Britam boasts exceptional customer touchpoints:
- My Britam App: A revamped self-service mobile application where clients can view statements, sign up for new products, apply for policy loans, and top up investment accounts.
- Branch Network: Beyond the Britam Tower, they have extensive physical branches across Nairobi (e.g., Absa Plaza, AmBank House) and major regional towns including Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Thika, and Nyeri.
- Contact Center: Available 24/7 via phone (+254 705 100 100) and email.
What Britam Does Well
- Unmatched Product Diversity: Holding licenses for General, Life, and Micro-insurance allows Britam to provide holistic financial planning. A customer can insure their car, their health, their domestic worker, and invest in a pension all under one roof.
- Digital Innovation: The integration of the My Britam App and AI-assisted motor claims puts Britam ahead of many traditional insurers in terms of technological convenience.
- Micro-Health Solutions: Products like Bima Ya Wafanyikazi and Bima Ya Mwananchi demonstrate a strong commitment to financial inclusion, making insurance accessible to the informal sector.
Things to Consider Before Choosing Britam
- Waiting Periods on Micro-Plans: Affordable covers like Bima Ya Mwananchi have strict waiting periods (e.g., 10 months for chronic conditions and maternity, 1 year for non-accidental surgeries).
- Premium Positioning: While their micro-products are cheap, their premium comprehensive covers (like high-limit Milele plans) can be relatively expensive compared to smaller, niche medical underwriters.
Who May Consider Britam?
Britam is an excellent choice for:
- Individuals Planning for the Future: Those seeking life assurance bundled with investment options (Unit Trusts or Pensions).
- Families & Employers: Looking for diverse health covers that can accommodate seniors, children, and domestic staff independently.
- Tech-Savvy Consumers: Customers who prefer managing their policies, loans, and claims directly via a smartphone app.
Britam vs Other Insurance Companies in Kenya
Britam competes directly with other tier-one composite insurers like Jubilee and ICEA LION. Britam's major differentiator is its dominance in Life Assurance and its highly visible push into digital micro-insurance. If you are looking for a highly stable, diversified financial group with a wide physical and digital footprint, Britam is a top contender.
How to Get Insurance from Britam
Customers can initiate policy purchases directly through the My Britam App, via the Britam Connect web portal, at any of their countrywide branches, or through licensed financial advisors and brokers.
GetCovered Kenya can assist you in comparing Britam's Milele Health, Motor, and Life policies with other leading providers. We help you obtain structured quotations to ensure you choose the best financial protection for your specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Britam licensed in Kenya? Yes. Britam operates under three IRA licenses for 2026: Britam General Insurance, Britam Life Assurance, and Britam Microinsurance.
What insurance does Britam offer?
Britam offers a full spectrum of financial services including medical, motor, life assurance, asset management, pensions, agriculture, and property insurance.
Does Britam offer medical insurance for seniors?
Yes, they offer a dedicated Senior Medical Cover specifically designed for individuals aged 65 and above.
Does Britam offer medical insurance for domestic workers?
Yes, they offer Bima Ya Wafanyikazi, an affordable health cover tailored for domestic workers.
How do I make a claim with Britam?
Motor claims can be filed digitally via their AI-supported web portal. Medical claims are handled at panel hospitals, and Life claims require submission of necessary documentation at any branch. You can also manage policies via the My Britam App.
Where is Britam located in Kenya?
Britam's headquarters is the Britam Tower in Upper Hill, Nairobi. They maintain a vast network of branches in almost all major Kenyan towns.