How to Check Vehicle Insurance Status Online in Kenya (AKI App & USSD Code)
Checking whether a vehicle has valid insurance in Kenya no longer requires a motorist to rely only on the paper or digital certificate issued by an insurer.
The Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) has provided digital verification tools that allow motorists to confirm whether a motor insurance certificate is genuine and whether the cover is active.
The two main options are the *352# USSD service and the Bima Yangu mobile app, which is the consumer-facing application developed by AKI. AKI previously introduced a separate Vehicle Insurance Certificate verification application, but its consumer services were later incorporated into Bima Yangu. The current Bima Yangu app is available for Android, while an iPhone version is available through Apple’s App Store.
The verification tools are useful when buying a vehicle, renewing insurance, checking a newly issued certificate or confirming cover after an accident.
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Why Check Your Vehicle Insurance Status?
Motor insurance is mandatory for vehicles being used on Kenyan roads. AKI has repeatedly warned motorists about fraudulent, cancelled and invalid insurance certificates.
A certificate that looks genuine does not necessarily prove that the underlying cover is valid. Digital verification allows a motorist to compare the information held in the industry’s verification system with the certificate presented to them.
According to AKI’s consumer guidance, motor insurance is compulsory in Kenya, while the Association advises consumers to verify insurance information rather than relying solely on documents supplied to them.
The check can be particularly important when purchasing a second-hand vehicle. A buyer who assumes that an existing insurance certificate automatically provides valid cover could discover a problem later, particularly after an accident.
Verification can also help motorists identify fake certificates before they put a vehicle on the road.
How to Check Motor Insurance Using *352#
The *352# USSD service is the simplest option if you do not have a smartphone or prefer to use your mobile phone’s standard dialling function.
AKI says customers without smartphones can use the short code to access the same motor insurance verification service available through its app.
Step 1: Dial *352#
Open the phone application on your mobile phone and dial *352#.
Press the call button using the mobile line you are using.
The AKI verification menu should appear on the screen.
Step 2: Select the certificate verification option
Follow the prompts displayed on your phone.
The service will guide you through the available insurance-related options. Select the option for verifying a motor insurance certificate.
Step 3: Enter the vehicle details
The system will ask for information needed to identify the vehicle or insurance certificate.
Enter the vehicle registration number carefully and provide any additional certificate information requested by the system.
A mistake in the registration number or certificate details can produce a result that does not match the document you are checking.
Step 4: Submit the query
Confirm the details you have entered and submit the request.
The system checks the information against the motor insurance verification database.
Step 5: Read the result
The response can show the insurance company, vehicle information, insurance start and end dates and the status of the certificate.
AKI says its verification system can identify certificates as Genuine, Expired, Invalid or Upcoming, depending on the status returned.
The USSD method is useful when you are buying a vehicle or checking insurance at a location where you do not have internet access.
How to Check Insurance Using the Bima Yangu App
Smartphone users can use the Bima Yangu app to verify their motor insurance certificate.
AKI launched Bima Yangu as a consumer self-service application that combines several insurance-related services, including motor insurance verification and claims reporting.
The application can be downloaded through the Google Play Store for Android devices and the Apple App Store for iPhones.
Step 1: Download the official app
Search for Bima Yangu in your device’s official app store.
Check that the developer is listed as the Association of Kenya Insurers before installing it. The Google Play listing identifies the Association of Kenya Insurers as the developer, while the Apple listing also identifies AKI as the provider.
This is an important precaution because motorists should avoid downloading insurance applications from unknown websites or unofficial links.
Step 2: Open Bima Yangu
Launch the application after installation.
The app provides several insurance services, including motor insurance certificate verification.
Select the option relating to verification of a motor insurance certificate.
Step 3: Scan the certificate
The application can use the phone’s camera to scan the QR code on the digital motor insurance certificate.
Position the QR code within the scanning area and allow the application to read the certificate information.
AKI says the app enables consumers to scan the QR code on a motor insurance certificate and check its status.
Step 4: Review the verification result
The application displays the result after checking the certificate.
The result can indicate whether the certificate is genuine, expired, invalid or upcoming.
A motorist should compare the information displayed by the application with the details appearing on the certificate.
What Information Does the Insurance Check Show?
The verification system is designed to provide more than a simple yes-or-no response.
AKI’s guidance says the verification can provide the insuring company, vehicle details, insurance start date, insurance end date and the status of the certificate.
The information can help a motorist establish whether the certificate corresponds to the vehicle and whether the cover is within its stated period.
A result showing an expired policy, for example, should not be treated as active insurance simply because the driver still has the certificate.
An invalid result should also be taken seriously.
AKI advises motorists whose certificate shows as invalid to contact the Association for assistance.
What Do Genuine, Expired, Invalid and Upcoming Mean?
The verification result can contain different statuses, and understanding them is important.
Genuine means the certificate has been verified as authentic in the system.
Expired means the insurance period has ended and the certificate should not be treated as current cover.
Invalid indicates that the certificate does not have valid status in the verification system. A motorist who receives this result should contact the insurer or AKI rather than assuming the certificate is genuine.
Upcoming can indicate that the cover has been recorded but its start date is in the future. AKI describes this status as insurance starting at a later date.
These distinctions can be especially useful when purchasing a vehicle or renewing insurance.
Why Verification Matters When Buying a Car
Vehicle buyers should consider insurance verification part of their due diligence.
A seller may provide a certificate that appears legitimate, but the buyer should independently verify the information.
Checking the registration number and certificate can help confirm the insurer and policy period recorded in the system.
The exercise is particularly useful where a seller claims that the vehicle has recently renewed insurance.
A buyer should also remember that insurance arrangements can change after a vehicle changes ownership. AKI’s guidance notes that when a vehicle is sold, the previous owner should contact the insurer to cancel the insurance before the new owner receives a certificate under the new arrangement.
Why Verification Matters During Traffic Checks
Motorists are expected to have the required motor insurance when using vehicles on Kenyan roads.
Having a certificate on the windscreen is therefore not a substitute for having valid insurance.
AKI’s recent consumer campaign urged motorists to verify their certificates because fraudulent certificates can leave drivers exposed even when they believe they are insured.
A quick check using *352# can therefore help a motorist identify a problem before it becomes a legal or financial issue.
Why It Matters After an Accident
Insurance verification can become particularly important after a road accident.
A motorist may assume that the insurance certificate will automatically cover a claim. Problems can arise if the certificate is fake, expired, cancelled or otherwise invalid.
AKI’s Bima Yangu app also provides a separate motor insurance claims service. The Association says users can report claims, upload documents and images, geolocate an accident scene and track the progress of a claim through the application.
Verification should therefore be done before an accident occurs rather than waiting until a claim needs to be made.
What to Do If Your Certificate Shows Invalid
An invalid result does not mean you should simply ignore the problem.
Start by checking that the vehicle registration number and certificate information were entered correctly.
If the information is correct but the result remains invalid, contact your insurance company or broker immediately.
AKI has specifically advised motorists whose certificates show as invalid to seek assistance through the Association. Its published contact information includes 0709 640 000 and info@akinsure.com.
Do not continue assuming that you have valid cover until the issue has been resolved.
How to Avoid Fake Motor Insurance Certificates
Motorists should buy insurance through legitimate insurers, licensed agents or brokers.
The Association of Kenya Insurers’ consumer information advises customers to establish whether an insurance intermediary is licensed before transacting with them.
Verification should be performed after purchasing the cover.
Customers should also check that the vehicle registration number, insurer, certificate details and policy dates match the information displayed by the verification system.
A suspiciously cheap insurance offer should also prompt caution, particularly when the seller is unable to provide verifiable details about the insurer.
Can You Check Insurance Without a Smartphone?
Yes.
The *352# service exists specifically to provide insurance-related services to customers who do not have smartphones.
AKI says users without smartphones can dial the short code and follow the prompts to access verification and other services.
This makes the verification process accessible to motorists using basic mobile phones.
Final Advice for Kenyan Motorists
Checking vehicle insurance status in Kenya takes only a few minutes, but the information can prevent serious problems later.
The quickest option is to dial *352# and follow the verification prompts. Smartphone users can install the official Bima Yangu app and use its motor insurance verification feature to scan a certificate’s QR code.
The verification result can reveal the insurer, vehicle details, insurance start and end dates and the certificate’s status.
Motorists should make the check whenever they purchase or renew insurance and whenever they are considering buying a second-hand vehicle.
A certificate that looks official is not enough. AKI’s continued warnings about fraudulent and invalid motor insurance certificates show why independent verification remains important.
The best practice is simple: verify your cover before you need it. A short USSD check or scan through the official app can help confirm that the insurance you paid for is actually recorded as valid
