What is high-value life insurance?
High-value life insurance means cover of about USD 1 million or more. Kenyan term plans publish limits of KES 80 to 100 million, so larger sums are usually written internationally in US dollars, where plans go to USD 5 million and beyond and can be owned by a trust or a company.
Kenyan and international limits
Published Kenyan term limits reach KES 80 million (about USD 616,000) and KES 100 million (about USD 770,000) with medicals.
Source: Prudential Life Kenya: PRUTerm; Britam Life: Tegemeo
International life plans offer cover from about USD 250,000 to USD 5 million for internationally mobile people, whole of life up to about USD 7.5 million, and up to USD 20 million or more for high-value cases.
Source: International life insurers' published product terms, checked 29 Oct 2026
Several global insurance groups behind international life plans hold S&P AA ratings. Kenyan insurers carry national-scale ratings such as AAA(KE), which rank them within Kenya and cannot be compared with global scales.
Source: S&P, Moody's and AM Best rating pages; GCR Ratings (Oct 2026)
Who needs USD 1 million or more
- Business owners whose families depend on the business
- Families with large loans, property or school fees abroad
- Shareholders funding a buy-out
- Parents planning an inheritance for several children
- Professionals with a high income to replace
How high-value cover is structured
Written in trust
Trustees receive the money and follow your instructions, without waiting for a grant.
Company-owned
The business owns the policy for key person or buy-out cover.
Split cover
Shilling cover for Kenyan costs plus dollar cover for the rest.
Joint life
Two lives on one policy, often for estate planning.
Underwriting for large sums
- Proof of income and net worth that justifies the sum
- A full medical, often with blood tests
- Sometimes a financial questionnaire from your accountant
- Allow several weeks: we prepare the file with you
Estate planning
Kenya has no estate or inheritance duty: the Estate Duty Abolition Act 1982 ended it for deaths on or after 1 January 1982.
Source: Estate Duty Abolition Act 1982
If an international policy pays into the estate instead of a named beneficiary, the family may need a grant of probate in the insurer's country, or a Kenyan grant resealed there; Kenya itself reseals grants from Commonwealth countries.
Frequently asked questions
How much life cover can I get?
Kenyan term plans publish limits of KES 80 to 100 million. International plans go to USD 5 million for mobile families, about USD 7.5 million for whole of life and USD 20 million or more for high-value cases.
What does international life cover not pay for?
Each plan lists its exclusions. The usual ones are:
- Suicide in the first year, or two on some plans
- Death from a condition you did not disclose
- War or terrorism in countries your home government advises against visiting
- Death while living in or visiting a country the plan excludes
- Alcohol or drug misuse, and criminal acts
Read the country list and exclusions before you buy, and tell us about any risky job or travel.
What does high-value underwriting involve?
Proof of income and net worth to justify the sum, a full medical, and sometimes a financial questionnaire. Applying early avoids delays.
Should a high-value policy be written in trust?
Often, yes. Trustee or company ownership keeps the payout out of probate and puts it where you want it; Kenya has no estate duty, but a grant still takes time.
Do I lose anything by choosing international cover?
Three things: the 15% insurance relief (it needs a shilling policy payable in Kenya), the Policyholders Compensation Fund (it covers Kenyan insurers only) and the IRA complaints route. Your protection then comes from the insurer's home-country rules, which can be stronger for large sums.
Is international life insurance legal in Kenya?
Insurance on someone living in Kenya with an insurer outside Kenya needs the Commissioner of Insurance's written approval under the Insurance Act; a policy is not void just because that step was missed. We explain how your cover is arranged before you apply.
Planning a large sum?
Tell us the sum, your age and what the cover is for. We compare international plans for high-value cases and guide you through underwriting.
Licensed by IRA · No obligation · We reply within 1 hour
Sources (10)
- Prudential Life Kenya: PRUTerm; Britam Life: Tegemeo
- International life insurers' published product terms, checked 29 Oct 2026
- S&P, Moody's and AM Best rating pages; GCR Ratings (Oct 2026)
- Estate Duty Abolition Act 1982
- Law of Succession Act Cap 160, s.77
- KRA; PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries (Kenya)
- PCF Regulations (LN 86/2010); The Star (24 Jun 2026)
- Isle of Man Life Assurance (Compensation of Policyholders) Regulations 1991
- Insurance Act Cap 487, s.20 (Kenya Law)
- Insurance Act Cap 487, s.2 (Kenya Law)
Facts and published prices checked 28 Oct 2026; last reviewed October 2026 by Naveah Capital. Prices shown are insurers' published starting prices and planning estimates in Kenya shillings; they are not a quote. 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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