WIBA Insurance Kenya: What You Need To Know About Work Injury Benefits Act In Kenya

As you know, accidents happen unintentionally. According to Labour Laws about Health and Safety Act 2007, which was revised in 2010? Compensation is payable per the provisions of the WIBA Insurance Act 2007.It clearly states that it is the responsibility of every employer to obtain an insurance policy for the safety, health, and wellbeing of their employees, working at the organization or business premises.Labor Laws about Health and Safety Act 2010 provides, for the safety, health, and wellbeing of employees and all persons lawfully present at the workplace.

What is WIBA Insurance Policy?

WIBA Insurance Kenya stands for Workers Injury Benefits Act. It is a requirement for businesses or organizations to cover themselves against compensation for injuries caused to their employees.

WIBA Insurance policy covers you as an employer against legal liability under the Labor Laws about Health and Safety Act 2007.

This is a policy that covers the employees of the insured whilst on duty and engaged in the execution of the Insured’s business &/or any project undertaken by the Insured, against accidental bodily injury, disablement, or death.

These are the items covered in WIBA Insurance cover in Kenya;

1. Covers you financially, in case of your employee’s death. The death benefits are payable to beneficiaries of the insured.
2. It protects you financially; against employees’ work-related injuries and occupational diseases.
3. It provides funeral expenses benefits.
4. It provides medical expenses benefits.
5. It also provides total or partial disablement benefits to the insured.

These are the exclusion on WIBA Insurance Policy Kenya;

1. WIBA Insurance Kenya won’t compensate your employees if an accident not resulting in serious disablement or death, is deliberately and caused by the misconduct of your employees.
2. Work Injury Benefits Act policy won’t cover you financially, from accidental death or work-related injuries occurring outside the normal working hours of your employees.
3. It won’t cover any work-related injuries and occupational diseases contracted outside Kenya.
4. Furthermore, WIBA Insurance won’t cover any liabilities arising out of any court proceedings.

Why do you need WIBA Insurance In Kenya?

Besides being a mandatory requirement for employers. It protects you financially against liabilities that arise from your employee’s work-related injuries and occupational diseases.

Because of this, it will be a lot easier to give the company’s financial report when you consider the Work Injury Benefits Insurance Policy (WIBA).

It covers you financially in case of large-scale risks such as fire and road accidents.

When you don’t consider WIBA policy cover in the event of large-scale risks, your company will suffer in terms of finances ending up in bankruptcy.

Difference between WIBA Insurance and Personal Accident Cover

Before you get to know the difference between WIBA and Personal Accident Cover. You need to understand Personal Accident Cover and what items are covered.

Personal Accident Cover provides a compensation plan for you when you get injured in an accident.

Personal Accident Cover provides the following coverage plan;

1. Provides death benefits to the beneficiaries of the insured.
2. It provides total or partial disablement benefits to the insured.
3. It protects you financially when you get injured in an accident.
4. It provides accidental medical expenses for you when injured.
5. It provides funeral expenses benefits.

The main difference between WIBA and Personal Accident Insurance Policy is that WIBA Insurance is only applicable to the workplace while Personal Accident Cover is not.

Advantages of Work Injury Benefits Act in Kenya

1. It is cheaper compared to managing WIBA Kenya risks internally.
2. It gives you peace of mind when risks occur in your organization or company.
3. It protects you financially against liabilities that arise from your employee’s work-related injuries and occupational diseases.
4. It attracts more staff and retains them as it forms one of the welfare benefits.

Disadvantages of Work Injury Benefits Act in Kenya

1. It won’t provide enough coverage for your employees. You need to buy additional coverage on top of what your organization or company provides.
2. WIBA covers are tied to the employment of your employees. When they resign or get fired, the policy won’t cover them.
3. WIBA Insurance cover in Kenya is one-size-fits-all, which doesn’t provide customization where need be.

Is It Risky To Buy WIBA Insurance Policy?

Since WIBA Insurance is a legal requirement for every employer in Kenya to have for a safe and health compensation plan for their employees.

You need to understand how the insurance policies work. Here are a few factors for you to consider when buying WIBA Insurance Kenya;

1. The market reputation of the company insurance is of importance. It is important to check how they have handled past claims. What are some of the feedback from clients?
2. Is your insurance provider accessible? Are they providing their services online? If yes, this will give you peace of mind and saves you time When you need them.
3. You need to know the costs and services offered by your insurance provider. Don’t accept inferior services for low costs, in the long run, it will cost you a lot.

It won’t be risky for you to buy WIBA Insurance Policy when you exercise patience in checking the details of the insurance companies and choose the one that fits your organization or company.

Get WIBA Insurance Quotes In Kenya

As an employer, you should keep records of your employees’ earnings and at all times produce the record when demanded by the director for inspection.

It is your responsibility, to be honest when giving information to the insurer. So, do you want to buy WIBA Insurance Policy?

Contact us at Shimin Insurance Agency and we will help you compare quotes among our trusted partners, and choose the best policy that fits your organization or business insurance needs.

If you are having doubts about our credibility, you can check the insurance regulatory authority website to ensure we are licensed.

Here are a few tips for you to consider when implementing WIBA Business Insurance.

1. Be flexible when implementing it in your workplace. When it does not meet your organization or company’s needs, you can buy an additional coverage plan.
2. Ensure coverage of the welfare of your employees in return you have healthier and more productive employees.
3. Encourage both WIBA and Accident Cover; the latter will cover them when they are no longer in the WIBA Insurance coverage plan.

Cost of WIBA Insurance Kenya

The cost of the WIBA Insurance Policy in Kenya varies for different insurance companies. Although, the cost will depend on the coverage plan you are going for.

It can be high or low; it all depends on the choice of the coverage plan that suits your organization or company’s insurance needs.

Note that, the benefits are calculated based on your employee’s earnings and the nature of the work-related injuries and occupational diseases. You must keep updating records of your employee’s earnings to make work easier when calculating the benefits for compensation.

How to File WIBA Insurance Claim & Documents Required?

Before filing WIBA Insurance Claim, here are the documents that you need to have.

1. Duly filled Dosh forms parts 1&2
2. Original medical bills
3. Medical opinion if required by the company
4. Documents for death claim
5. Provisional document
6. Certified copy of death certificates
7. Identity card in the event of fatal injury
8. Police abstract report in case of road accident
9. Statement by the immediate supervisor

When filing WIBA Claim, here are the steps to follow;

Step1: You need to report fatal work-related injuries and occupational diseases to the director of occupational health and safety before 24 hours lapses. For non-fatal work-related injuries and occupational diseases, you need to report within 7 days.

Step 2: Fill out Labour form Dosh part 1

Step 3: Make sure the attending doctor fills Dosh part 2

Step 4: After filling out Dosh parts 1&2, send the forms to the Labor Office for assessment. Then Labour Office completes the WIBA form after doing the assessment.

Step 5: You should obtain a written statement from the claimant, eyewitness, and the supervisor of the claimant.

Step 6: You should report to the insurer once an injury occurs and request a blank claim form for your completion.

Step 7: Complete the claim form and return it to your insurance provider.

Step 8: This is the final step; your insurance provider pays for compensation to the claimant or the beneficiaries through their bank accounts. Then, the case is closed. If the claimant or the beneficiaries don’t agree to the offer, the legal process commences.

In conclusion, for you to have peace of mind in investing in a WIBA Insurance Policy for your employees’ safety and health compensation plan. You need to have the basic knowledge of WIBA Insurance Policy and how it works.

Are you having trouble getting WIBA Insurance Policy Quotes? Do you have any questions about WIBA Insurance Policy? Don’t stress, find us on our website Shimin Insurance Agency