Britam Holdings has unveiled a new micro-insurance product aimed at easing the financial burden of funeral expenses for Kenyan families, as insurers increasingly target low- and middle-income households with affordable cover.
The product, branded Heshima Farewell Plan, is offered through Britam Connect and is regulated by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA).
The policy is designed to provide financial and logistical support for burial and related expenses arising from both natural and accidental deaths. The product reflects growing demand for last-expense insurance in Kenya, where funeral costs can place significant strain on households.
Flexible Cover Across Income Segments
The Heshima Farewell Plan is structured into four tiers, Basic, Standard, Executive and Platinum, offering cover ranging from Ksh100,000 to Ksh500,000 depending on the level selected.
Each package includes a mix of cash benefits and in-kind funeral services such as mortuary fee payments, hearse transport across the country, coffins, wreaths and funeral programmes. Higher-tier packages also include obituary placements in the Daily Nation and upgraded funeral arrangements.
The plan also provides cash reimbursements for funeral-related expenses such as clothing for the deceased, with payouts ranging from Ksh7,000 under the Basic plan to Ksh30,000 under the Platinum package.
Heshima Farewell Plan is accessible to a wide demographic, with eligibility starting from as young as one month old for children, while principal members and spouses must be aged between 18 and 70 years at entry. The policy is renewable up to an exit age of 80 years.
Parents and in-laws can also be covered, with entry allowed up to age 80 and exit at 85. An extended family option is available for registered groups with at least 50 members, signaling a push to tap into chamas and informal sector groups.
The plan is priced to appeal to cost-sensitive consumers. For nuclear families, annual premiums range from Ksh1,000 to Ksh1,850, depending on the level of cover. For extended families, including parents and in-laws,premiums range from Ksh4,000 to Ksh12,600.
Additional children can be added at a cost of Ksh200 per year.
The policy allows multiple claims within the cover period, a feature that could appeal to larger households.
Waiting Periods
Britam has set specific waiting periods, including one month for natural death, three months for parents and in-laws, and six months for deaths arising from pre-existing conditions. Accidental deaths are covered immediately with no waiting period.
To process claims, beneficiaries are required to submit documentation including identification, burial permits or death certificates, and police abstracts in cases of accidental death.
The policy excludes deaths arising from criminal activity, substance abuse, or participation in high-risk activities such as extreme sports. It also excludes cases involving fraudulent disclosure or intentional harm.
Market Context
The launch comes at a time when insurers in Kenya are increasingly innovating to reach underserved segments through micro-insurance products. Funeral cover, in particular, has gained traction due to the high cultural and financial significance of burial rites.
By bundling financial payouts with practical funeral services, Britam is positioning the Heshima Farewell Plan as a comprehensive solution that reduces both financial stress and logistical challenges during bereavement.
Britam Connect, the micro-insurance arm behind the product, operates across several regional markets including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, South Sudan, Mozambique and Malawi, underscoring the group’s strategy to scale inclusive insurance solutions beyond Kenya.
Read: Britam Launches Heshima Farewell Plan Providing Upto Ksh500K in Funeral Expenses
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