Vike Insurance
Get a quote

Property Cover Compared

Homeowners vs Landlord vs Tenants Cover

The main types of home and property insurance in Kenya: what each covers, what it typically costs, and which one (including the bank-required cover for a mortgage) is right for you.

Which home or property insurance do I need?

If you own and live in your home, you need Homeowners (buildings + contents). If you own and let a property, you need Landlord cover, which adds loss of rent and landlord liability. If you rent, you need Tenants / Contents cover. your landlord's policy does not protect your belongings. And if your home is on a mortgage, your bank separately requires fire cover on the structure (noted in its favour). Bank-/mortgage-required cover, which can sit inside a homeowners policy.

Cover
Homeowners
Own & live in it
Landlord
Own & let it
Tenants / Contents
Rent it
Mortgage-Required
Bank condition
Building structure (rebuild value)IncludedIncludedNot includedIncluded
Your own contents / belongingsIncluded Add-onIncluded Add-on
Fire, storm & flood perilsIncludedIncludedIncludedIncluded
Burglary / theft of contentsIncluded Add-onIncludedNot included
Owner's / landlord's liabilityIncludedIncludedNot included Add-on
Loss of rent / rental incomeNot includedIncludedNot included Add-on
Tenant's liability to landlordNot includedNot includedIncludedNot included
Bank noted as loss payee Add-on Add-onNot includedIncluded
Typical annual costFrom ~KES 6,600 (3M home + 500K contents)Rated on value + rentFrom ~KES 4,000Priced on rebuild value
Best forOwner-occupiersOwners who let to tenantsRenters / tenantsAnyone with a mortgage
View Homeowners →View Landlord →View Tenants / Contents →View Mortgage-Required →

Figures are typical illustrations; your premium depends on the property, its rebuild value and contents, location, and the level of cover chosen.

Letting on Airbnb or short-stay? Standard landlord cover often excludes rotating guests, see our Airbnb & short-let cover.

Which should you choose?

Choose Homeowners if…

You own and live in your home and want one policy covering the structure, your contents, and your liability as the owner.

Homeowners cover →

Choose Landlord if…

You own a property and let it to tenants: you need loss of rent, landlord liability, and tenant-damage cover that homeowners policies exclude.

Landlord cover →

Choose Tenants / Contents if…

You rent your home. The landlord insures the building; only a contents policy protects your own belongings and your liability to the landlord.

Tenants / contents cover →

Choose Mortgage-Required if…

Your home is on a loan. Your bank (HFC, KCB, Equity, Stanbic, NCBA…) requires fire cover on the structure, noted in its favour, while the loan is outstanding.

Bank-required cover →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between homeowners, landlord, and tenants insurance in Kenya?
Homeowners insurance covers a property you own and live in. The structure and your contents. Landlord insurance covers a property you own and let to tenants, adding loss of rent and landlord liability. Tenants (contents) insurance covers the belongings of someone who rents, since the landlord's policy does not. Mortgage-required cover is a fourth case: fire cover on the structure that your bank insists on while there is a loan outstanding.
How much does home insurance cost in Kenya?
As rough guides: tenants/contents cover starts around KES 4,000 a year; combined homeowners (buildings + contents) starts from about KES 6,600 a year, as a worked example for a 3M house with 500K contents; and bank-required buildings-only cover is priced against the rebuild value rather than a flat percentage. Landlord premiums depend on the property value and rental income. All figures are illustrative: the premium depends on the sums insured, location, and level of cover.
Does my landlord's insurance cover my belongings if I rent?
No. Your landlord's policy covers the building and any contents the landlord owns. Your own furniture, electronics, and clothing are only protected by your own tenants/contents policy. It is inexpensive and is the only thing that pays out if your belongings are stolen or damaged.
Do I need landlord insurance if I let out my house?
Yes. A standard homeowners policy usually excludes letting, and a claim can be refused if the insurer was not told the property is rented. Landlord insurance is built for letting and adds loss of rent and landlord liability. Switching is straightforward. It is a mid-term endorsement we handle for you.
Does my bank require home insurance for a mortgage?
Yes. Kenyan lenders. HFC, KCB, Equity, Stanbic, NCBA and others: require fire and allied-perils cover on the structure for the life of the loan, with the bank noted as first loss payee. You can usually satisfy this inside your own homeowners policy rather than the bank's in-house cover, which is often more expensive.
Can one policy cover buildings and contents together?
Yes: that is exactly what a combined homeowners policy does, and it is usually the best value: one renewal, one excess, and a cleaner claims experience than separate buildings and contents policies. All-risks cover for items you carry outside the home can be added on top.
What about insuring an Airbnb or short-let property?
Short-let hosting is a different risk that many standard home and landlord policies exclude. If you let on Airbnb, Booking.com, or directly to short-stay guests, you need dedicated short-let cover with guest-damage and guest-liability protection. See our Airbnb & short-let page.
How do I work out the right sum insured for the buildings?
Use the rebuild (reinstatement) cost: what it would cost to rebuild the structure, excluding the land, not the market or purchase price. For most Kenyan homes a starting point is KES 35,000–80,000 per square metre, with a professional valuation recommended for higher-value homes. Under-insurance triggers 'average', which scales down any claim.

Still not sure which cover you need?

Tell us about your property and we'll recommend the right cover and compare quotes from Kenya's leading IRA-regulated insurers.

Ask on WhatsAppTalk to an advisor