Insurance in Rwanda

Rwanda's insurance system is regulated nationally under Law N° 030/2021 of 30 June 2021. The law divides insurance into short-term and long-term categories and also recognizes mutual insurance, microinsurance and captive insurance. Operating or distributing insurance generally requires authorization from the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), which licenses providers and conducts off-site and on-site supervision. Unlicensed insurance business can lead to three to five years of imprisonment and a fine of FRW 7,000,000 to FRW 10,000,000, or one of those penalties. Special laws can create compulsory insurance requirements. Private cover is available through licensed insurers, brokers, agents and bancassurance channels. Common products include motor, travel, domestic fire, personal accident, loan protection, education, life, funeral, liability, property and microinsurance cover. Reinsurance supports insurers but is not a substitute for a policy held by the customer. A broker or agent may arrange cover but may not hold the premium; payment should go directly to the ultimate insurer. Before signing, the provider should explain the covered risks, exclusions, costs and claim procedure. Policyholders normally have to provide accurate contract and risk information, pay premiums on time, report material increases in risk and notify the insurer promptly after a loss. There is no single national premium. The price depends on the product, insured risk, contract and provider. The BNR's Gereranya service can help compare tariffs and costs from licensed institutions, but the BNR does not guarantee that every comparison is complete or correct. A policy may not take effect until the premium is paid, depending on its terms. Motor insurance is legally compulsory for road use, and an up-to-date insurance certificate is needed for vehicle inspection and road-document checks. Rwanda National Police (RNP) carries out relevant motor and document controls. Other private products are usually selected according to the risk, the property or activity involved and the financial loss that the policyholder could otherwise bear. RSSB provides statutory protection for occupational hazards for mandatory members. The cover includes work accidents and occupational disease, including qualifying events during work, commuting or work travel. The employer contributes 2% of salary and the employee contributes 0% for this occupational-hazards cover. Benefits can include medical care, a daily sickness allowance, incapacity benefits, a lump sum and survivors' benefits. Temporary incapacity is calculated at 75% of average daily earnings during the preceding three months, for up to 180 days. Permanent incapacity is calculated at 85% of average monthly earnings during the preceding three months. Survivors' benefits include 30% for a spouse, 15% per child where one parent survives, 20% per child where both parents have died and 10% for a direct or adoptive parent. For an occupational-hazards claim, the employer and the area labour inspector should be informed immediately. The employer completes accident declaration A1 in six copies, and the doctor issues medical certificate A2. Extension certificates are issued every 30 days, up to a maximum of 150 days, and the doctor issues A5 after treatment when healing or consolidation is reached. Keep medical bills and food receipts. Access to the claim process uses the employee's RSSB social security number. RSSB also administers maternity insurance. The benefit is 100% of remuneration for 14 weeks when the eligibility conditions are met, including at least one month of contributions before maternity leave and a medical certificate of delivery. The contribution rate is 0.6% of gross salary. Mandatory pension contributions are 12% of contributable remuneration from 1 January 2025, divided into 6% for the employee and 6% for the employer; the scheduled rate is 14% from 1 January 2027. The occupational-hazards contribution of 2% by the employer is additional. EjoHeza is voluntary defined-contribution long-term savings and does not replace mandatory cover. Under the stated current offer, an eligible Ubudehe-4 member who contributes at least FRW 72,000 per year can receive life cover of FRW 1,000,000 and funeral cover of FRW 250,000 in the following year. The offer requires Rwandan citizenship, a permanent NIDA ID and an age of at least 16, and its conditions should be checked before a claim. The National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS), also known as Tekana Urishingiwe Muhinzi-Mworozi, has operated since 2019. It covers crop and livestock risks linked to climate, natural events, disease and other insured damage. The government subsidizes 40% of the premium and the farmer pays 60%. Insurer representatives, agronomists, veterinarians and agricultural extension officers support enrolment through districts and sectors, and MINAGRI can be contacted through 4127. A proof-of-loss claim should follow the current MINAGRI instructions and be submitted within 30 days. The 2026 Green House Crop Insurance product covers specified structures, equipment and crops against risks such as fire, storm, hail and accidental damage. For a private claim, notify the insurer immediately and give detailed written or electronic notice within five working days after learning of the event, unless force majeure prevents this. State the date, time, place and cause, describe the loss, identify affected beneficiaries or third parties, list other relevant policies and preserve possible rights of recovery. The insurer may request documents, further information or access to the property. Incomplete cooperation can reduce liability where it increases the insurer's loss. The insurer should promptly accept the claim in full or in part or reject it; a rejection or partial acceptance must be reasoned in writing within a maximum of 10 working days. After liability is accepted, payment is due within one month after the documents are complete and the amount is agreed, with interest potentially payable for late payment. BNR consumer guidance also refers to a maximum of 30 days for long-term payment after all required documents, investigation of up to six months, short-term verification or an adjuster within 72 hours, a report within 30 days and settlement or rejection within 30 days after the report. A person harmed by an insured third party may bring a direct action against the insurer after proving the insured person's liability. The insurer may not pay someone other than the injured third party without that party's consent, and certain post-event actions by the policyholder cannot be used against the injured third party. The contract sets its period. A fixed-term policy normally requires written or electronic notice 30 days before expiry if notice is required. A breach can lead to termination after 15 days' written notice, while mutual termination does not require notice. After a premium default and the required notice, the effect begins at midnight on the fifth working day for short-term insurance and on the twenty-first working day for long-term insurance. Existing contracts remain valid under the applicable transitional rules. A complaint should first be made formally to the insurer. If the issue remains unresolved, including a delayed claim, it can be escalated to BNR consumer-protection supervision. BNR provides the INTUMWA Chatbot and can be contacted through WhatsApp at +250 791 700 721 or SMS at 6005. Mutuelle de Santé, CBHI and the RSSB Medical Scheme belong primarily to health coverage; they are adjacent to this insurance topic and should not be confused with property, liability, motor, agricultural or income-risk cover.