Get critical illness cover for financial protection against cancer, heart disease, and other serious conditions. Secure your financial future today.
Critical illness cover provides a lump sum payment if you're diagnosed with a serious condition like cancer, heart attack, or stroke.
Critical illness insurance typically covers 30-50 serious conditions. Here are the most common:
Malignant tumors and cancers requiring surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Some policies cover early-stage cancers while others require advanced stage diagnosis.
Death of heart muscle due to blocked blood supply. Must meet specific diagnostic criteria including enzyme levels and ECG changes.
Brain damage from interrupted blood supply causing permanent neurological deficits lasting at least 24 hours. Must show symptoms for specified period.
End-stage kidney disease requiring permanent dialysis or kidney transplant. Both kidneys must be affected and treatment must be ongoing.
Receipt of a transplant of human heart, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas, or bone marrow. Includes being on an official waiting list for transplant.
Total and permanent loss of use of two or more limbs for at least 6 months. Must be confirmed by neurological evidence and specialist assessment.
Permanent and irreversible loss of sight in both eyes. Usually requires vision worse than 6/60 in both eyes even with corrective lenses.
State of unconsciousness lasting continuously for a specified period (typically 96 hours) with no response to external stimuli, requiring life support.
Chronic degenerative disease of the nervous system resulting in permanent neurological deficit with persisting symptoms for at least 6 months.
Permanent cognitive impairment resulting in significant reduction of mental capacity, requiring continuous supervision for at least 6 months.
Note: Each insurer has specific definitions and diagnostic criteria for covered conditions. Always review your policy document for exact coverage details.
Critical illness premiums vary based on coverage amount, age, health status, and number of conditions covered:
KES 1 Million Cover: KES 15,000 - 40,000 per year
KES 3 Million Cover: KES 40,000 - 100,000 per year
KES 5 Million Cover: KES 70,000 - 180,000 per year
KES 10 Million Cover: KES 150,000 - 350,000 per year
Note: Premiums increase with age. A 30-year-old pays significantly less than a 50-year-old for the same coverage.
Standalone Policy: Dedicated critical illness coverage. Usually more comprehensive with 30-50 conditions covered. Higher premiums but better benefits.
Rider/Add-on: Attached to life insurance policy. Lower premiums (10-25% of base premium) but typically covers fewer conditions (10-20). Good budget option.
Critical illness insurance is essential for various groups in Kenya:
If your family depends on your income, critical illness cover ensures they have financial support while you recover. The lump sum replaces lost income and covers living expenses.
No sick leave or disability benefits means no income when you can't work. Critical illness cover provides the financial cushion you need to focus on treatment and recovery.
If cancer, heart disease, or stroke runs in your family, you're at higher risk. Get coverage early before conditions develop and premiums increase.
CEOs, lawyers, bankers, and other high-stress careers increase risk of heart attack and stroke. Protect yourself against these occupational hazards.
Mortgages, car loans, and business loans don't pause during illness. Critical illness cover ensures you can maintain payments and avoid default during treatment.
Your children's education and wellbeing shouldn't suffer due to your illness. The lump sum ensures their needs are met even if you can't work for months or years.
Smoking, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension significantly increase critical illness risk. While premiums may be higher, coverage is crucial for these high-risk groups.
Critical illness risk increases dramatically after 40. Get coverage before age-related health issues develop and make insurance expensive or unavailable.
See how critical illness insurance protects Kenyan families in real situations:
Mary, 42, Marketing Manager, Nairobi: Diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. Required surgery, chemotherapy, and 9 months off work.
Critical Illness Payout: KES 3,000,000
Treatment Costs: KES 1,200,000 (surgery, chemo, medications)
Lost Income (9 months): KES 900,000
Remaining for Recovery: KES 900,000
Outcome: Mary could afford world-class treatment, maintain her mortgage payments, and support her family without financial stress during recovery.
John, 48, Business Owner, Mombasa: Suffered major heart attack requiring emergency surgery, stents, and cardiac rehabilitation.
Critical Illness Payout: KES 5,000,000
Medical Expenses: KES 2,500,000 (ICU, surgery, follow-up care)
Business Support (6 months unable to work): KES 1,500,000
Lifestyle Changes & Rehabilitation: KES 500,000
Outcome: John hired a manager to run his business during recovery, paid all medical bills, and made necessary lifestyle changes without depleting business capital.
Peter, 55, Teacher, Kisumu: Suffered stroke causing partial paralysis. Required extensive rehabilitation and home modifications.
Critical Illness Payout: KES 2,000,000
Hospital & Rehabilitation: KES 800,000
Home Modifications (wheelchair access): KES 300,000
Ongoing Care & Therapy: KES 600,000
Family Support: KES 300,000
Outcome: Peter's family could afford quality rehabilitation, modify their home for accessibility, and maintain their standard of living despite permanent disability.
Grace, 38, Accountant, Nakuru: Diagnosed with end-stage renal disease requiring permanent dialysis while waiting for kidney transplant.
Critical Illness Payout: KES 4,000,000
Dialysis Costs (ongoing): KES 50,000/month
Transplant Fund: KES 2,000,000 set aside
Income Replacement: KES 1,500,000
Outcome: Grace could afford dialysis three times weekly, maintain her children's education, and save for an eventual kidney transplant without destroying family finances.
Calculate the right coverage amount based on your financial situation:
Calculate 3-5 years of your annual income. If you earn KES 1,200,000 per year, consider coverage of KES 3.6 - 6 million.
Best for: Primary breadwinners, self-employed individuals
Add up all your debts: mortgage, car loans, business loans, personal loans. Your coverage should at minimum clear these obligations.
Example: Mortgage KES 4M + Car Loan KES 1M + Personal Loans KES 500K = KES 5.5M minimum coverage
Research typical treatment costs for critical illnesses. Cancer treatment can cost KES 1-3 million. Heart surgery KES 2-4 million. Add 50-100% buffer for complications and recovery.
Recommended minimum: KES 2-3 million for basic coverage, KES 5-10 million for comprehensive protection
Calculate your total need:
Pro Tip: Don't under-insure to save on premiums. Critical illness treatment costs are rising 10-15% annually in Kenya. What seems sufficient today may be inadequate in 5 years. Consider inflation protection or reviewable coverage amounts.
Critical illness policies have important exclusions and waiting periods:
Most policies require you to survive 14-90 days after diagnosis before the benefit is paid. This prevents claims for immediately terminal conditions.
Common survival periods: 14 days (lenient), 30 days (standard), 90 days (strict)
Typically 90-180 days from policy start before any claims can be made. Pre-existing conditions diagnosed during this period are usually excluded.
Exception: Accidental critical illnesses (e.g., stroke from accident) may be covered immediately
Most policies have entry age limits (typically 18-65 years) and maximum coverage ages (up to 70-75 years). Premiums increase significantly at older ages and some conditions may be excluded.
Standard policies pay out once and then terminate. However, some modern policies offer "multiple pay" or "buy-back" options that allow claims for different critical illnesses over time, though at higher premiums.
Medical insurance pays for treatment costs (hospital bills, doctor fees). Critical illness pays a lump sum upon diagnosis regardless of treatment costs. You can use the lump sum for anything: treatment, living expenses, or even non-medical needs. Both types of cover complement each other.
Standard critical illness policies are "use it or lose it" - premiums are not refundable. However, some insurers offer "return of premium" riders where you get premiums back if you don't claim by a certain age (e.g., 65), though these cost 30-50% more.
Yes, but with conditions. Insurers may charge higher premiums (loading), exclude specific complications, or require medical tests annually. Uncontrolled diabetes or severe hypertension may result in declined applications. It's crucial to get coverage before conditions develop.
Most policies cover diagnoses anywhere in the world, provided the diagnosis is confirmed by a qualified medical practitioner and meets the policy's definition. You'll need to submit proper medical documentation translated to English if necessary.
After diagnosis and satisfying the survival period, claims are typically processed within 14-30 days, provided all documentation is complete. Complex cases requiring medical board review may take 45-60 days.
Rider (attached to life insurance): Cheaper, convenient, but limited conditions and lower limits. Good for basic protection.
Standalone: More expensive but comprehensive coverage with 30-50 conditions, higher limits, and better terms. Recommended if critical illness is your primary concern.
Some policies allow coverage increases at specific milestones (marriage, childbirth) without new medical exams. Otherwise, increasing coverage requires new underwriting, medical tests, and premiums based on your current age and health status.
Get personalized insurance advice and find the perfect coverage for your needs.