Updated 31 October 2026
The quickest insurance checker in Kenya is the Association of Kenya Insurers’ (AKI) USSD code *352#, or its free Bima Yangu app, which scans the QR code on your digital motor insurance certificate and tells you whether the cover is genuine, expired, invalid or not yet started. AKI warned in a May 2026 advisory that some motorists are driving with tampered, cancelled or fake certificates without knowing it, and urged every driver to check before they drive.
This guide explains the three ways to verify a certificate, what each result means, the penalty for driving uninsured, and what to do if your check fails.
Ways to check motor insurance in Kenya at a glance
| Method | What you need | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Dial *352# | Any phone, certificate details | Drivers without a smartphone |
| Bima Yangu app (AKI) | Smartphone, certificate QR code | Fast scan, also reporting claims |
| DMVIC verification page | Certificate number plus registration or chassis number | Checking from a computer |
| Call AKI | 0709 640 000 or info@akinsure.com | Disputes and invalid results |
Why checking matters
Kenya moved to digital motor insurance certificates in 2020, issued through the Digital Motor Vehicle Insurance Certificate (DMVIC) system run by the insurance industry. AKI says digital certificates made it easier to get proof of cover, but “some dishonest people have found ways to tamper with the certificates, leaving unsuspecting motorists with fake, cancelled, or invalid cover.” A sticker on the windscreen is therefore not proof that the policy is live.
Motor insurance is compulsory: every vehicle on a Kenyan road must have at least third-party cover. According to AKI, driving without valid insurance can lead to a fine of up to KSh10,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both. The bigger risk is financial. If you crash with an invalid policy you may have to pay for your own repairs, the other vehicle, damaged property and injured people’s medical bills yourself.
Method 1: Dial *352#
AKI’s short code works on any phone and needs no data bundle or app. Dial *352#, choose the motor insurance verification option and enter the details requested from your certificate. The reply confirms the status of the certificate and, where it is genuine, the cover period. AKI says the same short code offers the services in the Bima Yangu app for people without a smartphone.
Method 2: Bima Yangu app
AKI launched the Bima Yangu app in August 2023 by merging two earlier apps. It is free on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. To check a policy:
- Install and open Bima Yangu.
- Choose the motor certificate verification option.
- Scan the QR code printed on your digital certificate.
- Read the status and confirm the dates and vehicle registration match yours.
The app also lets you report a motor claim (accident, stolen parts or stolen vehicle), geolocate the accident scene, upload photos, videos, your driving licence and police abstract, and track the claim. It links you to nearby ambulance and towing services, and it can verify a life insurance tax relief certificate by scanning its QR code.
Method 3: DMVIC online verification
The DMVIC verification page lets you check from a browser. Enter the certificate number together with the vehicle registration or chassis number. This is handy for fleet managers, car buyers and employers checking many vehicles.
What the results mean
| Status | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Genuine / active | The policy is live | Confirm the dates and number plate match |
| Upcoming | Cover starts on a later date | Do not drive until the start date |
| Expired | The policy period has ended | Renew before driving |
| Cancelled or invalid | You are not covered, even with a sticker | Contact your insurer, then AKI |
What to do if your certificate shows invalid
- Stop driving the vehicle until you have valid cover, because you carry the full legal and financial risk.
- Contact the insurer named on the certificate with your receipt and policy documents. Our insurer contacts guides list customer care lines.
- Contact your agent or broker if you bought through one, and ask for proof the premium was remitted.
- Report to AKI on 0709 640 000 or info@akinsure.com, and to the Insurance Regulatory Authority if an intermediary sold you a fake policy.
- Buy only from licensed insurers and intermediaries and pay to official paybills, not personal numbers.
Tips for buyers of used cars and fleet owners
When buying a used car, verify the seller’s certificate before a test drive on public roads, and remember cover does not transfer automatically to a new owner. Fleet and matatu operators should check every vehicle’s certificate at renewal and after any change of insurer. AKI recommends making verification routine, “just like servicing your car.” If you need to claim after an accident, see our guide on how to make an insurance claim.
Frequently asked questions
Is *352# free?
It is AKI’s public verification code. Your network may apply standard USSD charges.
Can I check life insurance too?
Yes. Bima Yangu verifies life insurance tax relief certificates, which entitle you to 15% relief on premiums up to KSh5,000, according to AKI.
What is the minimum cover required?
Third-party insurance is the legal minimum for every vehicle on Kenyan roads.
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