Britam General Insurance has unveiled a new Loss of Licence insurance product designed specifically for Kenya’s professional and trainee pilots, a first-of-its-kind solution in the country aimed at cushioning aviation professionals against income loss resulting from medical disqualification or incapacity.
The cover addresses a long-standing gap in Kenya’s aviation insurance sector, where pilots depend heavily on maintaining medical fitness to sustain their careers. All pilots registered in Kenya under the age of 65 can buy the cover.
The cover extends to various scenarios, including on-duty injuries, accidents outside work, and medical conditions that develop during a pilot’s career.
Pilots with pre-existing conditions may still apply, though they must provide full disclosure and medical documentation for underwriting review. Kenya’s aviation industry has expanded steadily over the last decade, driven by the growth of both domestic and international flight routes.
Yet behind this progress lies a unique professional vulnerability: pilots’ livelihoods hinge entirely on maintaining stringent medical and regulatory standards. A single medical event or temporary disability can ground a pilot indefinitely, cutting off income and disrupting family stability.
“A pilot’s career is a significant investment, and the loss of their licence, even temporarily, can have serious financial consequences,” said James Mbithi, Chief Executive Officer of Britam General Insurance. “Our new Loss of Licence Cover is designed to provide peace of mind. It acts as a financial safety net, ensuring that an unforeseen illness or injury does not mean the end of a livelihood.”
Britann’s new solution addresses this vulnerability through two distinct coverage options. For more serious cases, the permanent loss of licence cover offers long-term financial protection when medical conditions permanently prevent a pilot from returning to the cockpit.
For temporary medical suspensions, pilots receive short-term compensation to support living expenses while undergoing recovery or reassessment. In cases where the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) or a recognised medical examiner declares a pilot permanently unfit to fly, Britam offers a larger, final benefit payout, cushioning them against total career loss.
The insurer emphasised that the cover applies to both professional pilots and trainee pilots, reflecting an inclusive approach that recognises the high costs of aviation training and the financial pressures faced by pilots at all stages of their careers.
The cover extends to pilots working under Kenyan carriers and foreign pilots employed in Kenya under valid contracts. However, for non-Kenyan licence holders, the policy applies only while the pilot is actively flying for a Kenya-based airline. Coverage ceases if the pilot relocates to work for an overseas airline, even in a commercial pilot capacity.
The company said the product was developed after extensive consultation with aviation regulators, airline operators, and medical examiners. “We listened to the real concerns of pilots and aviation stakeholders,” added Mbithi. “The aim was to craft a solution that not only meets compliance standards but also genuinely protects professionals whose livelihoods depend on their health.”
The introduction of this policy comes at a time when the global aviation industry is undergoing a major post-pandemic transformation, with airlines ramping up recruitment to meet rebounding travel demand. Kenya’s aviation sector, valued at over KSh 250 billion, continues to attract local and foreign investment, but the lack of specialised insurance for flight crew has long been viewed as a weakness in the ecosystem.
However, certain exclusions apply to the policy. Coverage does not extend to licence loss resulting from criminal acts, deliberate exposure to danger (except when saving a life), active duty with armed forces, participation in war or terrorism and undisclosed pre-existing conditions. The policy also does not cover licence suspension due to negligence or non-compliance at work.
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