Kenya Insurer launches vehicle policy for rich customers

Kenya Orient Insurance on Tuesday introduced a product targeting VIPs who cannot afford to have a vehicle breakdown while on transit.

Company managing director, Mr Muema Muindi, said the product OrientXtense was introduced in response to an urgent need by affluent Kenyans who suffer massive losses when their vehicles experience mechanical or electrical hitches.

“In a way, we are extending the motor vehicle warranty after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired as we have cover for VVIPs under the platinum label, VIPs (gold) and the small owners of economic vehicles for personal use only have the silver label,” he said at the launch.

The new policy, the first of its kind in East Africa, covers vehicles less than 12 years old and those that have covered less than 200,000 kilometres.

The vehicles’ engines should not have been modified.

However, before the cover is provided, motorists will have to undergo a thorough background check on their driving history as well as have the select motor vehicle undergo a comprehensive inspection by AA Kenya.

Mr Muema said the insurance is also best suited for corporate companies for their VIP vehicles, ensuring no time is wasted that could lead to cancellation of meetings or delay in carrying out various tasks by professionals such as doctors, engineers, lecturers and senior government officials.

The MD said the locally innovated product was the work of its team comprising Ms Jacky Ndung’u, Ms Lydiah Mwirigi, Mr Benjamin Mwangangi and Ms Catherine Mugecha, who conducted desktop research on other jurisdictions where the product had been launched to address the needs of traders and VVIPS.