What insurance does an office need in Kenya?
An office-based firm in Kenya typically needs an office insurance package covering computers, furniture and documents, money and public liability, plus WIBA for staff, which is compulsory for every employer. Professional firms usually add professional indemnity, and firms holding client data often add cyber cover. Small office packages typically start from about KES 20,000 a year before levies.
Covers an office needs
Contents: fire and burglary
Furniture, fittings and equipment against fire, selected perils and forcible break-ins.
Laptops and portable equipment
All risks cover for accidental damage or theft, including away from the office.
Electronic equipment
Servers, printers and IT equipment against breakdown and accidental damage, plus data restoration.
Professional indemnity
Claims that your advice or service caused a client financial loss.
Points to check for office firms
- Some office packages are written only for commercial office premises and consulting rooms, so a home office may not qualify.
- Contents cover may extend only partly to items taken out of the office; insure laptops under all risks if staff work remotely.
- Office packages cover your premises and equipment, not mistakes in your professional work; that needs professional indemnity.
- No general law requires public liability, but many landlords and corporate clients ask for it in the lease or contract.
- Fidelity guarantee and business interruption can be added if staff handle client money or you could not trade after a fire.
What office insurance typically costs
| Type of business | Typical starting premium | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum premium, insurer A's SME package | 10,000 | Published minimum for the whole package |
| Minimum premium, insurer B's package (two options) | 15,000 / 35,000 | Published minimums by option |
| Small office | from about 20,000 | Market estimate |
| Retail shop | from about 25,000 | Market estimate |
| Restaurant | from about 45,000 | Market estimate |
| Professional firm | from about 35,000 | Market estimate |
| Logistics business | from about 150,000 | Market estimate |
Indicative annual cost of an SME package (KES a year)
- Typical starting premium
- 10,000
- Basis
- Published minimum for the whole package
- Typical starting premium
- 15,000 / 35,000
- Basis
- Published minimums by option
- Typical starting premium
- from about 20,000
- Basis
- Market estimate
- Typical starting premium
- from about 25,000
- Basis
- Market estimate
- Typical starting premium
- from about 45,000
- Basis
- Market estimate
- Typical starting premium
- from about 35,000
- Basis
- Market estimate
- Typical starting premium
- from about 150,000
- Basis
- Market estimate
Frequently asked questions
What insurance does an office need in Kenya?
An office typically needs an office package covering computers, furniture and documents against fire, burglary and accidental damage, with money and public liability cover, plus WIBA for staff, which is compulsory for every employer. Professional firms usually add professional indemnity, and firms that hold client data often add cyber cover. Small office packages start from about KES 20,000 a year before levies.
What is an SME insurance package?
An SME package (also called a business combined or office package) puts several covers into one policy with one premium and one renewal date. Fire and perils is usually the compulsory core; you then choose sections such as burglary, money, all risks, public liability, WIBA, goods in transit, fidelity guarantee and business interruption. Each section has its own sum insured or limit, so you insure only what your business actually has.
Can I insure a home-based or online business?
Yes, but tell the insurer the business runs from your home. Some office packages are written only for commercial premises, so a home business is often quoted section by section: all risks for laptops and phones, stock cover, public liability if clients visit, and cyber cover if you take payments or hold customer data online. Do not assume your home policy covers business stock or equipment; ask before you rely on it.
What is all risks insurance for business equipment?
All risks insurance covers specified portable items, such as laptops, phones, cameras, surveying and medical equipment and tools, against accidental loss or damage, including theft, anywhere within the territory you choose: Kenya, East Africa or worldwide. You list each item and its value. Expect an excess of about 10% of each loss and exclusions for wear and tear and mechanical breakdown.
Is public liability insurance mandatory in Kenya?
No Kenyan law we reviewed requires businesses in general to carry public liability insurance. In practice it is often a contract condition: landlords, shopping malls, event venues, lenders and tender buyers regularly ask for a certificate and a minimum limit before you can move in, trade or sign.
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Sources
- Work Injury Benefits Act 2007, s.7(1)
- Insurer burglary wordings and SME package pages (Oct 2026)
- OSHA 2007 ss.78-82; National Building Code 2024 (LN 47); insurer FAQs
- Indicative premium rates published by Kenyan insurers and anonymised market estimates, gathered October 2026
Facts and published prices checked 17 Oct 2026; last reviewed October 2026 by Naveah Capital. Premiums shown are indicative published rates and market estimates before levies, not a quote or a promise. Naveah Capital Insurance Agency is an IRA-licensed insurance agency in Nairobi; this page is general information, and your policy wording decides your cover.
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