“Before the company issues started, Directline was my go-to for PSV insurance. Premiums were affordable and the process to renew was simple. Very disappointed by the events of mid-2024 which left many of us matatu owners uncertain.”

“Claims processing was always the weak point at Directline — took too long and required many follow-ups. But premiums were fair for PSV. The shutdown news was shocking and left us scrambling to find alternative insurers quickly.”

“Had comprehensive cover with them for two years with no issues. Policy was easy to get through a broker and price was competitive. Sad to see what happened to this company in 2024.”

“After the closure announcement my valid policy became useless at the point of need. I was told by the Directline office that they could not process claims. IRA later confirmed my policy is still valid but the confusion was enormous.”

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Is my Directline Assurance policy still valid?

According to the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), all policies issued by Directline Assurance Company Limited remain in full force and effect, and the insurer remains liable for any claims. Contact IRA directly on +254 020 272 0000 or visit ira.go.ke for the latest guidance.

What happened to Directline Assurance Kenya?

In June 2024, Royal Credit Limited chairman S.K. Macharia announced the immediate closure of Directline Assurance, alleging a fraudulent CR12 ownership document dispute. IRA declared the closure illegal and null and void. By September 2024 the company had halted active insurance operations. The ownership dispute remained before the courts as of 2026.

How do I make a claim on my Directline policy?

Contact the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) on +254 020 272 0000 or email info@ira.go.ke for assistance. IRA has maintained that all Directline policies are enforceable and policyholders have a right to make claims. You can also visit ira.go.ke for guidance.

Who is SK Macharia and what is his connection to Directline?

S.K. Macharia is a prominent Kenyan media mogul and businessman, chairman of Royal Media Services. He is also the chairman of Royal Credit Limited, which is one of the shareholders of Directline Assurance Company Limited. The ownership dispute centres on allegations that the CR12 documents listing the company's shareholders were fraudulent.

What was Directline's market share in PSV insurance?

Before the 2024 dispute, Directline Assurance held a 61.56% market share in motor commercial PSV insurance in Kenya, making it the undisputed leader in matatu and bus insurance, with KSh 3.4 billion in PSV gross premiums out of a total KSh 4.86 billion portfolio.

Can I still buy insurance from Directline?

As of 2026, Directline Assurance's active insurance operations are unclear due to the ongoing ownership dispute. We recommend contacting IRA on +254 020 272 0000 for current status, or considering alternative PSV insurers such as Africa Merchant Assurance, Pioneer Insurance, or GA Insurance.