Britam General Insurance (NSE:BRIT) has launched Kenya’s first ever “loss of license” cover, that safeguards pilots and trainees from financial hardship if they lose their medical clearance due to illness or injury.
The insurance policy comes in two forms: a temporary cover that provides monthly income for up to a year, and a permanent cover that pays a lumpsum for total disability. This is available to all pilots registered with Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) who are below 65 years of age.
The policy is a great relief as it cushions pilots whose licenses are suspended, addressing one of the aviation industry’s biggest risks because a sudden illness or accident can cost a pilot their license to fly, cutting off their livelihood.
“A pilot’s career is a significant investment, and the loss of their license, even temporarily, can have serious financial consequences,” – Britam General Insurance CEO James Mbithi.
Britam highlighted that under the temporary cover, pilots receive monthly payments equivalent to 2 percent of the insured sum for physical illness or injury and 0.5 percent for psychological illness, for up to 12 months. The permanent cover pays 100 percent of the insured sum for total disability and 25 percent for psychological illness.
Britam added that the total insured amount is capped at five times a pilot’s annual income up to retirement, covering both work and non-work-related incidents.
Britam Move Timely as Sector Expands
The launch coincides with a period of significant expansion in Kenya’s aviation sector, as evidenced by double digit growth in the number of holders of various pilot licenses over the past five years.
Data from KCAA shows that the number of people holding air transport pilot licenses jumped 15.8% in five years to 1,633 in 2024, while those with commercial pilot licenses went up by 16.8% to 2159. The number of personnel with private pilot licenses increased to 2,097, a growth of 21.3% and those with student pilot licenses climbed 16.6% to 3,813 over the same period.
Britam stated that the cover standardly excludes losses due to criminal activity, negligence or incompetence at work or deliberate exposure to danger except when saving a life.
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