Author: Raymond
Category: PSV Matatu and Bus Insurance

PSV Matatu & Bus Insurance Cost Kenya | Quotation Guide

See indicative PSV matatu and bus insurance costs in Kenya by seating capacity and cover period. Compare Third Party and Comprehensive quotes.

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Author: Raymond Momanyi, Founder & CEO, Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd

How much does matatu or bus insurance cost in Kenya? Use indicative 7- to 50-seat Third Party rates and Comprehensive calculations to prepare a budget, then obtain a live quotation through Imana.

How Much Is PSV Matatu and Bus Insurance in Kenya? Third Party and Comprehensive Cost Guide

The cost of insuring a PSV matatu or bus in Kenya depends on one question before almost everything else: how many passengers is the vehicle licensed to carry?

For Third Party Only insurance, seating capacity is a primary rating factor. A 14-seater matatu is not priced like a 33-seater bus, because the possible passenger exposure in one accident is different.

Comprehensive PSV insurance is calculated differently. The own-damage component is usually based on the accepted value of the vehicle, with indicative rates commonly falling between 3.5% and 6%, depending on the insurer, year of manufacture, vehicle value, route, use, claims history and overall risk. The applicable Third Party PSV premium stands separately and must also be considered in the total quotation.

This guide uses an indicative capacity-based rate card to help matatu and bus owners prepare a budget. The figures are not binding premiums. Final prices depend on the underwriting insurer, current rates, licensed seating capacity, route, vehicle condition, period of cover and nature of the risk.

Request a live PSV insurance quotation or call/WhatsApp +254 796 209 402.

Direct answer: how much is PSV matatu or bus insurance?

Using the indicative budgeting card supplied for this guide:

A 7-seater PSV is shown at approximately KSh 70,025 annually.
A 14-seater matatu is shown at approximately KSh 88,357 annually.
A 25-seater matatu or minibus is shown at approximately KSh 122,493 annually.
A 33-seater bus is shown at approximately KSh 156,132 annually.
A 45-seater bus is shown at approximately KSh 229,377 annually.
A 50-seater bus is shown at approximately KSh 245,761 annually.

Short-period options of 30 days, 14 days and 7 days also appear on the indicative card. Availability is not guaranteed across every insurer or risk.

The quoted amount can change when the insurer assesses the route, vehicle, operator, claims record and underwriting conditions. Always obtain written terms identifying the exact vehicle registration, PSV class, seating capacity and cover period.

Why Third Party PSV insurance is based on seating capacity

A matatu or bus carries passengers for hire or reward. The greater the licensed seating capacity, the greater the number of people who may be affected in a single road accident.

That exposure explains why Third Party PSV premiums rise as the vehicle moves from a small shuttle or seven-seater to a 14-seater matatu, 25-seater minibus or full-size bus.

The vehicle owner must disclose the licensed capacity, not the usual number carried on a quiet day. Under-declaring seats to obtain a lower premium can result in the wrong certificate, regulatory trouble and serious claim complications.

Is Third Party PSV insurance mandatory in Kenya?

Kenya’s Insurance (Motor Vehicles Third Party Risks) Act requires vehicles used on public roads to carry insurance against specified third-party risks. A vehicle transporting fare-paying passengers must hold the appropriate PSV insurance certificate for its actual use.

Third Party insurance is the legal minimum, but it does not ordinarily pay for accidental damage, theft or fire affecting the insured matatu or bus itself.

Insurance also does not replace NTSA licensing, inspection, roadworthiness, driver qualification, passenger-capacity restrictions or other transport requirements. The operator must keep both insurance and operational compliance valid.

Indicative Third Party matatu and bus rates by seating capacity

The following figures come from the supplied capacity-based rate card and are presented only as budgeting examples.

Seven-seater PSV

Seven days: approximately KSh 2,150
Fourteen days: approximately KSh 3,786
Thirty days: approximately KSh 6,305
Annual cover: approximately KSh 70,025

Fourteen-seater matatu

Seven days: approximately KSh 2,750
Fourteen days: approximately KSh 4,750
Thirty days: approximately KSh 7,925
Annual cover: approximately KSh 88,357

Twenty-five-seater matatu or minibus

Seven days: approximately KSh 3,700
Fourteen days: approximately KSh 6,665
Thirty days: approximately KSh 10,985
Annual cover: approximately KSh 122,493

Thirty-three-seater bus

Seven days: approximately KSh 5,150
Fourteen days: approximately KSh 8,370
Thirty days: approximately KSh 13,945
Annual cover: approximately KSh 156,132

Forty-five-seater bus

Seven days: approximately KSh 9,700
Fourteen days: approximately KSh 12,225
Thirty days: approximately KSh 20,398
Annual cover: approximately KSh 229,377

Fifty-seater bus

Seven days: approximately KSh 10,350
Fourteen days: approximately KSh 13,123
Thirty days: approximately KSh 21,872
Annual cover: approximately KSh 245,761

These rates should not be copied directly into a payment request or insurance certificate. Ask Imana to confirm which licensed insurer is currently accepting the class and what final amount applies.

Short-period versus annual Third Party PSV cover

Short-period cover may help an operator who needs temporary insurance or cannot immediately meet the annual premium. However, a cheaper short certificate does not necessarily mean a lower long-term cost.

Consider these questions:

Will the vehicle operate throughout the year?
What would repeated short-term certificates cost over 12 months?
Can the operator reliably track every expiry date?
Does the insurer offer the same terms for short and annual periods?
Could an accidental lapse stop the vehicle from operating?

For a 14-seater on the indicative card, the 30-day amount is about KSh 7,925 while the annual amount is KSh 88,357. Twelve separate 30-day periods would total about KSh 95,100 if the price remained unchanged and every renewal were available. Annual cover is therefore worth comparing against repeated short-term purchases.

Short-term availability and pricing can change without notice. Never operate after the certificate expires.

What Third Party PSV insurance covers

Subject to the law, policy terms and limits, Third Party PSV cover is designed to respond to qualifying legal liability involving:

Death or bodily injury suffered by third parties
Passenger injury or death under the applicable PSV wording
Damage to other people’s property, subject to the policy limit
Legal defence or related costs where provided by the policy

The certificate must correspond with the vehicle’s correct PSV category and passenger capacity.

What Third Party PSV insurance does not cover

Third Party Only cover does not ordinarily protect the owner against:

Accidental damage to the insured matatu or bus
Theft of the insured vehicle
Fire damage to the insured vehicle
Mechanical or electrical breakdown
Wear and tear or poor maintenance
Lost daily income while the vehicle is off the road
Political violence or terrorism unless specifically included
Loss outside the declared use, route or territory

If repairing or replacing the vehicle after an accident would seriously damage the business, the owner should compare Comprehensive PSV cover.

How Comprehensive PSV insurance is calculated

Comprehensive matatu and bus insurance adds protection for eligible accidental damage, theft and fire affecting the insured vehicle, alongside the relevant third-party liability protection.

The Comprehensive own-damage premium is generally calculated as:

Accepted vehicle value × insurer’s Comprehensive rate = basic own-damage premium

For budgeting, the rate may fall between approximately 3.5% and 6%. The final rate depends on factors such as:

Year of manufacture
Accepted market value
Make, model and parts availability
Licensed seating capacity
Urban, rural or long-distance route
Claims history
Vehicle condition and valuation
Tracking and security controls
Driver and fleet-management controls
Insurer appetite for the PSV class
Selected excesses and optional extensions

The Third Party PSV component remains separate. The exact way the insurer presents and combines the components will appear in the written quotation.

Comprehensive calculation example for a 14-seater matatu

Assume a 14-seater matatu has an accepted value of KSh 2,500,000.

At a 3.5% Comprehensive rate:

KSh 2,500,000 × 3.5% = KSh 87,500

At a 6% Comprehensive rate:

KSh 2,500,000 × 6% = KSh 150,000

The indicative annual 14-seater Third Party premium is KSh 88,357. A simple budgeting range before statutory charges, optional extensions and underwriting adjustments would therefore be:

Lower illustration: KSh 87,500 + KSh 88,357 = KSh 175,857
Upper illustration: KSh 150,000 + KSh 88,357 = KSh 238,357

This is not a binding quotation. An insurer may apply a minimum premium, different rating structure, excess, security requirement, valuation condition or additional charge.

Comprehensive calculation example for a 33-seater bus

Assume a 33-seater bus has an accepted value of KSh 6,000,000.

At 3.5%, the illustrative own-damage component is KSh 210,000. At 6%, it is KSh 360,000.

Adding the indicative annual Third Party capacity premium of KSh 156,132 produces a broad budgeting range of approximately KSh 366,132 to KSh 516,132, before statutory charges, extensions and underwriting adjustments.

The final quotation may sit outside that illustration depending on the year, route, claims record, vehicle condition and insurer.

Why vehicle value and year of manufacture matter

The value represents the insurer’s potential exposure to repair or replace the vehicle following an insured loss. The year of manufacture affects parts availability, repair costs, inspection requirements and the insurer’s acceptance rules.

An insurer may:

Require an approved valuation
Apply a higher rate or excess to an older vehicle
Restrict Comprehensive cover beyond a certain age
Request tracking or other security measures
Offer Third Party cover where Comprehensive terms are unavailable

Declare a realistic value. Underinsurance may reduce the claim settlement, while overinsurance does not guarantee payment above the vehicle’s actual recoverable value.

Important Comprehensive PSV benefits and extensions

Depending on the insurer and quotation, Comprehensive PSV cover may include or offer:

Accidental damage
Theft and fire
Passenger and third-party liability
Windscreen cover
Towing and recovery
Road rescue
Political Violence and Terrorism
Excess Protector
Entertainment or communication equipment
Loss-of-use or courtesy-vehicle benefits where available

Check every limit, excess and condition in writing. The word “Comprehensive” does not mean that every event or expense is automatically insured.

Third Party versus Comprehensive: which should a PSV owner choose?

Third Party may suit an operator who needs the legal minimum and can financially absorb the loss of or damage to the vehicle. It protects against specified external liabilities but leaves the owner’s asset exposed.

Comprehensive may be the stronger option when:

The matatu or bus is financed
The vehicle represents a major investment
The operator cannot afford large accident repairs
The vehicle is essential to daily income
Fire or theft would threaten the business
A SACCO, financier or contract requires broader cover

Price matters, but the real question is what happens to the business when the vehicle cannot return to the road.

What commonly changes the final PSV quotation?

Even with the same seating capacity, two operators can receive different terms. Insurers may consider:

Route and operating territory
Urban or long-distance use
Accident and claims history
Age and condition of the vehicle
Licensed seating capacity
Driver experience and PSV compliance
Fleet size and maintenance controls
Tracking and anti-theft measures
Previous insurer and continuity of cover
Chosen policy period
Optional benefits
Prevailing statutory charges
The insurer’s current appetite and capacity

That is why the rate card should open the budgeting conversation, not close the underwriting process.

Documents needed for a matatu or bus quotation

An insurer or intermediary may request:

Vehicle logbook or acceptable proof of ownership
National ID or passport
KRA PIN
Vehicle registration number
Make, model and year of manufacture
Licensed seating capacity
Exact use and route
Desired cover period
Previous policy or certificate
Claims history
Current valuation for Comprehensive cover
Financier’s interest, if applicable
Relevant NTSA or operator documentation

Incomplete or inconsistent information can delay the quotation or produce the wrong class of cover.

How to compare PSV matatu and bus insurance quotations

Compare every quotation using the same declaration:

Same vehicle class
Same licensed seating capacity
Same cover period
Same Third Party or Comprehensive basis
Same vehicle value
Same passenger-liability terms
Same extensions
Same statutory charges
Same excesses and claims conditions

Do not compare a 30-day price with an annual premium as though they buy the same period. Do not reduce the declared seat capacity to make one quotation look cheaper. And do not choose an insurer solely because the headline amount is lower.

Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd helps owners compare available quotations from licensed Kenyan insurers and understand the differences before buying.

Claims: what to do after a PSV accident

Protect passengers and obtain emergency assistance first. Then:

Report the accident to the police where required.
Notify the insurer or Imana immediately.
Record the scene, vehicles, passengers, witnesses and third parties.
Preserve photographs, police records and driver documents.
Do not admit liability or negotiate an unauthorised settlement.
Do not begin major repairs before insurer inspection or approval.
Submit the completed claim form and supporting evidence.
Cooperate with the insurer, investigator, assessor and approved repairer.

Use Imana’s Claims Assistance service and read the Motor Insurance Claims Process in Kenya.

Related PSV insurance guides

This article is the dedicated matatu and bus price guide. For broader information and quotation support, visit:

Frequently asked questions

How much is annual Third Party insurance for a 14-seater matatu?

The indicative rate card used for this guide shows approximately KSh 88,357 annually. The final premium depends on the insurer, route, risk and current charges.

How much is 30-day insurance for a 14-seater matatu?

The supplied card shows approximately KSh 7,925 for 30 days. Confirm that the option is available for the specific vehicle before payment.

How much is annual Third Party insurance for a 33-seater bus?

The indicative card shows approximately KSh 156,132 annually. This is a budgeting guide, not a binding quotation.

Is matatu insurance calculated using vehicle value?

Third Party PSV insurance is primarily capacity-rated. Comprehensive own-damage cover is calculated using the accepted vehicle value and insurer’s rate, while the PSV Third Party component stands separately.

What percentage is Comprehensive matatu insurance?

An indicative budgeting range is approximately 3.5% to 6% of the accepted vehicle value. The year, route, condition, claims history and underwriter can change the rate.

Does Third Party insurance repair my matatu after an accident?

No. Third Party Only does not ordinarily pay for accidental damage to the insured vehicle. Comprehensive cover is needed for eligible own-vehicle damage.

Can matatu insurance be purchased for seven or fourteen days?

The supplied card contains short-period options, but availability depends on the insurer and risk. Confirm the start date, expiry date and exact vehicle details before operating.

Can I pay annual PSV insurance in instalments?

Some underwriters or financing arrangements may offer instalments. Instalment terms, total cost and consequences of missed payments must be confirmed in writing.

Is passenger liability included?

The PSV certificate and policy must correspond with the correct passenger-carrying class and licensed capacity. Review the policy wording and liability limits rather than assuming every certificate is identical.

Where can I compare matatu and bus insurance quotations?

Imana helps PSV operators compare current quotations from selected licensed insurers and choose between Third Party and Comprehensive protection.

Compare PSV quotations through Imana

Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd is a Westlands-based insurance intermediary helping individuals, families and businesses compare insurance quotations from licensed Kenyan insurers across Motor, Medical, WIBA, PSV, Travel, Motorcycle, Cyber, SME/Corporate and other insurance classes.

From a seven-seater shuttle to a full-size bus, the right cover starts with the right declaration: correct class, correct capacity, correct period and correct value.

Request a PSV quotation: https://imana.co.ke/motor-quote
PSV Insurance: https://imana.co.ke/psv-insurance
Insurance authority and guides: https://imana.co.ke
Quotation comparison platform: https://imanainsurance.com
Travel and insurance services: https://mykava.co.ke
Call/WhatsApp: +254 796 209 402
Email: insurance@imana.co.ke
Office: 4th Floor, Krishna Centre, Woodvale Grove, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya

Final word

For a matatu or bus owner, insurance is not a sticker placed on the windscreen and forgotten. It is a wall around passengers, an income-producing asset and the business built behind it.

Use the rate card to prepare. Use the vehicle’s real capacity and value to compare. Then obtain written terms before the wheels begin to turn.

Compliance disclaimer

The prices and calculations in this article are indicative budgeting examples drawn from a supplied PSV rate card. They are not binding quotations and may change without notice. Final premiums, availability, instalment terms, benefits, limits, excesses, exclusions and underwriting conditions depend on the selected insurer and nature of the risk. Comprehensive calculations exclude charges and optional extensions unless expressly stated. Cover begins only after the underwriter accepts the risk, applicable requirements are satisfied, payment is received and valid policy documentation confirms inception. Claims are determined by the underwriting insurer according to the policy wording, evidence, circumstances and applicable law. Imana Insurance Agency Kenya Ltd acts as an insurance intermediary.

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