Author: Brian Nyabayo Ndege | Reviewer: GetCovered Kenya Editorial Team
Directline Assurance Kenya Overview
Directline Assurance Company Limited commenced operations in late 2005 as Kenya's first niche underwriter focusing strictly on motor vehicle insurance, with a specialized mandate for Public Service Vehicles (PSVs). Over the past two decades, Directline has grown to become a dominant force in the Kenyan transport sector, historically controlling a massive share of the matatu and bus insurance market.
While the company heavily markets its motor insurance platforms (like BimaTap and Bima Boda), Directline is actually a fully licensed general insurer capable of underwriting a wide variety of commercial and property risks.
Directline Assurance Company Profile
Information
DetailsCompany | Directline Assurance Company Limited
Country | Kenya
Headquarters | Hazina Towers, 17th Floor, Monrovia Street, Nairobi
Established | 2005
Insurance type | General Insurance (Niche focus on Motor/PSV)
IRA status | Licensed General Insurer (2026)
Key products | Motor PSV, Motor Private, Motorcycle, WIBA
Official website | directline.co.ke
Last verified | August 2026
DetailsCompany | Directline Assurance Company Limited
Country | Kenya
Headquarters | Hazina Towers, 17th Floor, Monrovia Street, Nairobi
Established | 2005
Insurance type | General Insurance (Niche focus on Motor/PSV)
IRA status | Licensed General Insurer (2026)
Key products | Motor PSV, Motor Private, Motorcycle, WIBA
Official website | directline.co.ke
Last verified | August 2026
Is Directline Assurance Licensed in Kenya?
Yes. According to the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) 2026 gazette notice, Directline Assurance Company Limited is fully licensed to operate as a general insurer in Kenya.
The company is authorized to underwrite the following insurance classes: 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), and Miscellaneous (14).
Important Note: Directline Assurance is not licensed to underwrite Medical Insurance (Class 12) or any Long-Term (Life) Insurance products for the 2026 period.
Insurance Products Offered by Directline Assurance
Motor PSV Insurance
Directline's flagship offering is its highly structured PSV Motor Insurance, designed specifically to align with National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) regulations. They offer Third-Party Only (TPO), Third-Party Fire and Theft (TPFT), and Comprehensive options across several vehicle classes:
- PSV Matatu & Bus: Ranging from 6-seater vans to 105-seater buses, offering crucial passenger liability and third-party injury protection.
- PSV Taxi & App-Hailing: Specialized covers for standard yellow-line taxis and digital ride-hailing vehicles (Uber, Bolt, Little Cab, Faras).
- PSV Private Hire: Policies tailored for chauffeur-driven corporate fleets and tour vehicles.
- PSV Tuk-tuk: Targeted policies covering 3-passenger tuk-tuks.
Motor Private & Commercial Insurance
Beyond PSVs, Directline provides standard Motor Private and Motor Commercial policies. Their comprehensive plans cover accidental damage, fire, theft, and third-party liabilities, with optional enhancements like "BimaPlus" for excess waivers and political violence cover.
Motorcycle Insurance
Their Bima Boda product offers extremely flexible, short-term payment arrangements (e.g., monthly premiums) to accommodate the cash-flow realities of Kenya's vast boda-boda sector.
Business and General Insurance
Leveraging their broad general license, Directline also underwrites Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA) compliance covers, Fire, Theft, Engineering, and Personal Accident policies, typically cross-selling these to fleet owners and SACCOs they already insure.
Directline Assurance Claims Process
Given the high-frequency claims environment of the PSV sector, Directline has established specific protocols:
- Notification: Policyholders must report accidents immediately. The company mandates strict adherence to providing a valid police abstract, a detailed claim form, and the driver's license/PSV badge.
- Assessment: Directline utilizes a network of authorized motor assessors to evaluate vehicle damage before any garage repairs are approved.
- Turnaround: While the company advertises a 24-hour claims response time for initial lodging, actual financial settlement turnaround times and regulatory claims ratios for 2026 are not publicly verifiable from primary sources.
Directline Assurance Customer Service
Directline has actively pushed for digital transformation while maintaining a dense physical footprint:
- Digital Portals: Their BimaTap platform allows private and commercial drivers to purchase or renew TPO policies online with simple USSD or web interfaces.
- Branch Network: Headquartered at Hazina Towers in Nairobi, they operate an extensive network of 19 branches nationwide to serve route-specific transport networks.
- Contact Center: The company operates 24/7 support lines (+254 711 030 000 / +254 730 130 000).
What Directline Assurance Does Well
- PSV Market Expertise: Deep understanding of the regulatory and operational risk realities of the Kenyan transport sector.
- Flexible Payment Terms: Weekly, monthly, and annual policy arrangements catering to the informal economy.
- NTSA Alignment: Policies structured to keep public transport operators compliant without administrative friction.
Things to Consider Before Choosing Directline Assurance
- Niche Focus: Infrastructure is heavily skewed toward high-volume motor claims.
- No Health or Life Products: You cannot bundle fleet insurance with corporate medical or group life policies.
Who May Consider Directline Assurance?
Directline Assurance is the premier choice for:
- Matatu SACCOs and Bus Fleets.
- Digital Ride-Hailing Drivers.
- Boda-Boda Operators.
- Private Drivers seeking digital TPO renewals.
Directline Assurance vs Other Insurance Companies in Kenya
Unlike general insurers like APA or CIC, Directline focuses on public transport dominance. Their specialized knowledge and flexible premium structures for PSVs are difficult for traditional insurers to match.
How to Get Insurance from Directline Assurance
Customers can purchase policies instantly via the BimaTap digital platform, visit Hazina Towers, or walk into any of the 19 regional branches.
GetCovered Kenya can help commercial operators compare Directline’s motor insurance premiums against other leading providers to ensure cost-effective compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Directline Assurance licensed in Kenya? Yes, they are fully licensed by the IRA for general insurance business in 2026.
What insurance does Directline offer?
What insurance does Directline offer? Primarily Motor PSV, Commercial, Private, and Motorcycle insurance, plus general covers like WIBA.
Does Directline offer medical or life insurance? No, they are not authorized for these classes according to the 2026 IRA registry.
Does Directline cover Uber and Bolt drivers?
Does Directline cover Uber and Bolt drivers? Yes, they offer specific PSV App-Hailing policies for vehicles seating 3 to 7 passengers.
How do I pay for my Directline motor insurance?
How do I pay for my insurance? Payment can be made via M-Pesa or bank transfer on flexible schedules.
Where is Directline Assurance located?
Where is Directline Assurance located? Headquarters is at Hazina Towers, 17th Floor, Nairobi, with 19 branches nationwide.