Essential Office Insurance for Small Businesses in Kenya: Step by Step Guide

Running a business in Kenya comes with its fair share of risks. One day everything is running smoothly, the next it’s a break-in, a fire, a burst pipe, or an unexpected injury at work. For many small businesses, situations like these don’t just slow things down — they can seriously affect cash flow or even force operations to stop.

That’s why office insurance matters. Instead of dealing with many separate covers, it brings all the essential protections your business needs into one simple, manageable policy.

At Step by Step Insurance Agency, we keep things practical. We take time to understand how your business runs, what you own, and the risks you face every day. Then we help you choose only the covers that make sense for your situation — nothing complicated, nothing unnecessary. The aim is simple: protect your business properly so you can focus on growing it, one step at a time.

1. Who Needs Office Insurance in Kenya?

Although commonly referred to as office insurance, this cover is suitable for a wide range of non-motor business operations operating from commercial premises.

It is ideal for:

• Corporate offices and professional consulting rooms
• Retail shops (boutiques, grocery stores, bakeries)
• Salons, barber shops, restaurants, and eateries
• Cyber cafés and electronics shops
• Clinics, training centers, and other service-based businesses

Whether you are a tenant insuring contents only or a property owner insuring the building, office insurance can be structured to suit your exact setup. For more specific information, see our detailed guide on office insurance coverage in Kenya.

2. Core Sections of Office Insurance Cover

Office insurance is modular. This means you can choose specific sections based on your risk exposure instead of paying for unnecessary cover.

A. Protection for Buildings & Business Assets

i) Fire & Perils

This is the foundation of most business insurance policies. It protects your building and/or contents against major risks.

Covers loss or damage caused by:

• Fire, lightning, and explosion
• Floods, storms, and earthquakes
• Riots, strikes, and malicious damage
• Burst pipes and accidental impact

Who is covered?

• Tenants: Office contents such as furniture, electronics, machinery, stock, and fixtures
• Landlords: The physical structure of the building

ii) Burglary

This section covers loss or damage due to theft or attempted theft.

Important condition: For a burglary claim to be valid, there must be visible evidence of forcible and violent entry or exit.

Not covered:

• Theft by employees or household members
• Loss due to negligence or unsecured premises

B. Portable Equipment & All Risks Cover

Modern businesses rely on portable equipment used both on and off the premises.

The All Risks section provides cover against accidental loss or damage anywhere in Kenya (subject to policy terms).

Commonly covered items:

• Laptops, desktops, servers, and projectors
• Mobile phones and office electronics
• Cameras, tools, and specialized equipment

⚠️ Important: You must clearly indicate whether these items are used on-premises, off-premises, or both when setting up the policy.

C. Financial Protection & Business Continuity

i) Money Insurance

Protects your business against loss of:

• Cash
• Cheques
• Postal orders and stamps

Coverage applies while money is:

• On your premises
• In transit to or from the bank

It also covers damage to safes or strong rooms following theft or attempted theft.

Exclusions include:

• Employee fraud or dishonesty
• Accounting or clerical errors
• Loss from locked cash boxes without signs of forcible entry
• Loss occurring when premises are closed

ii) Loss of Profits (Business Interruption)

If an insured event (such as fire or flood) disrupts your operations, this cover compensates for:

• Loss of gross revenue
• Additional expenses incurred to keep the business running

This ensures your business survives financially, even when operations are temporarily halted.

D. Liability Covers – Legal Protection

i) Work Injury Benefits Act (WIBA) – 2007

Mandatory for employers in Kenya, WIBA covers your legal liability for:

• Employee injury
• Occupational illness or disease
• Death arising out of and in the course of employment

ii) Employer’s Liability (Common Law)

This goes beyond WIBA and covers:

• Legal compensation awarded under common law
• Legal defense costs from employee lawsuits

Coverage continues even in the event of the employer’s death, extending protection to legal representatives.

iii) Public Liability

Protects your business against claims from third parties (customers, visitors, suppliers).

Covers:

• Accidental injury, illness, or death
• Damage to third-party property
• Legal defense costs

❗ Professional negligence is excluded. ❗ Off-site activities (training, installations, maintenance) must be declared for cover to apply.

3. Setting Up Your Policy the Right Way

A. Accurate Asset Schedules

All insurable items must be:

• Listed
• Valued correctly
• Matched to their physical location

Special notes:

• All Risks items must indicate usage location
• Tenant’s Liability may extend up to 10% of contents sum insured

B. Keep Your Policy Updated

Your policy should always reflect your current business reality.

Notify Step by Step Insurance Agency immediately if you:

• Buy new equipment
• Renovate or expand
• Change business operations

This helps prevent claim delays or underinsurance.

4. Why Choose Step by Step Insurance Agency?

At Step by Step Insurance, we don’t just sell policies — we protect livelihoods.

• ✔ Tailor-made insurance solutions
• ✔ Trusted Kenyan underwriters
• ✔ Simple explanations, no jargon
• ✔ Ongoing support when you need it most

We help you bundle all relevant covers into one policy, one premium, one point of contact.

5. Get Covered Today

Don’t wait for a loss to realize the value of proper protection.

Step by Step Insurance Agency — protecting your business, one step at a time.