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Britam cover to compensate pilots grounded by illness, injury
The policy is available to all pilots under 65 years registered with the KCAA and extends to injuries sustained outside work, including sports-related incidents.
Pilots working with Kenyan airlines will receive compensation from Britam General Insurance under a specialised cover aimed at protecting aviation professionals from income loss when they are grounded due to illness or injury.
The insurance, called Pilot Loss of Licence (LoL) cover, targets both professional and trainee pilots registered with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and will be activated when these professionals lose their license to fly due to illness or injury.
Pilots require both technical skill and strict medical clearance to fly. A sudden illness or accident can cost a pilot their licence to fly, cutting off their main source of income.
Now Britam has introduced the LoL policy to cushion such pilots who are declared medically unfit to fly and lose their right to operate aircraft —whether temporarily or permanently.
“A pilot's career is a significant investment and the loss of their licence, even temporarily, can have serious financial consequences,” said James Mbithi, CEO at Britam General.
“Our new Pilot 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.”
The launch of the cover comes at a time Kenya’s aviation sector is witnessing expansion, with more pilots flying both domestic and international routes.
KCAA data shows that the number of people holding air transport pilot licences jumped 15.8 percent in five years to 1,663 in 2024, while those with commercial pilot licences rose 16.8 percent to 2,159.
The number of personnel with private pilot licences increased 21.3 percent to 2,097, and those with student pilot licences climbed 16.6 percent to 3,813 over the same period.
The temporary LoL cover provides monthly financial support when a licence is suspended due to illness or accident, paying 2 percent of insured sum per month for body injury or general illness and 0.5 percent for classified or psychological illness.
The maximum benefit period is 12 months, with a 90-day waiting period.
The permanent LoL, which caters for more serious illnesses or accidents, will entitle pilots to 100 percent of the insured sum for bodily injury or general illness and 25 percent for classified or psychological conditions, subject to a 180-day waiting period.
Britam said the total insured amount for the permanent LoL will be calculated at five times the pilot’s annual earnings to retirement age, ensuring substantial financial protection proportionate to their career earnings potential.
The policy is available to all pilots under 65 years registered with the KCAA and extends to injuries sustained outside work, including sports-related incidents.
The insurer said the cover comes with certain exclusions including loss of license due to criminal acts, negligence or incompetence at work or deliberate exposure to danger except when saving a life. Active duty with armed forces, participation in war or terrorism and undeclared pre-existing conditions will also be excluded.
