Car insurance in Ghana — third-party law, types

Short answerChecked 31 October 2026

In Ghana every vehicle used on a public road must have at least third-party motor insurance, which covers injury or damage you cause to others (National Insurance Commission). The obligation comes from the Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Act, 1958 (No. 42), which the Insurance Act, 2021 (Act 1061) lists among the compulsory insurances. There are three levels of cover: third-party, third-party, fire and theft, and comprehensive. A valid Ghana Card is required to buy or renew a policy, and the policy must come from one of the 25 non-life insurers licensed by the NIC.

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Answers come from the law, the regulator and the insurers' own documents, with the source under each answer. General information, not advice.

What excess will I pay on a claim?Am I covered if I use the car for business?What should I check before I renew?

On this page · 6 sections

The three levels of cover
Rules every driver should know
Hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run vehicle
Making a motor claim
FAQ
Sources

The three levels of cover

Cover	What the NIC says it covers
Third-party liability	Injury or damage to others. Minimum limit: GH₵7,000 (can be increased)
Third-party, fire and theft	Liability plus fire and theft risks
Comprehensive	Third-party liability plus own-vehicle damage, theft, fire and natural disasters

From the NIC's insurance products page and FAQ. What a given policy pays is set by its wording: compare levels on third-party vs comprehensive.

Rules every driver should know

Ghana Card: "A valid Ghana Card is now required to buy or renew a motor insurance policy" (NIC FAQ).
Licensed insurer only: insuring a risk in Ghana with an insurer not licensed under Act 1061, without the Commission's authorisation, is an offence (section 221 of the Insurance Act).
Twelve months: a compulsory insurance contract is, except in exceptional cases, for a period of twelve months (section 220(1)).
No new car for an old one: insurance in Ghana generally pays money (indemnity), repairing the vehicle or settling the loss, rather than supplying a new vehicle (NIC FAQ).
Your contribution to a claim: it can come from the excess, from betterment when worn parts are replaced with new ones, or from the extent of the repairs (same FAQ).

Hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run vehicle

The Motor Compensation Fund (Act 1061, sections 228 to 231) compensates people injured, and the dependants of people killed, in a motor accident who cannot obtain compensation from an insurance company. It is financed by a share of the motor contribution the NIC receives on every sticker an insurer issues (section 230).

The NIC says claims are generally for death or bodily injury, not property damage: report the accident to the police, keep the medical records and costs, then submit the claim to the Commission with the police report and medical evidence (NIC, Motor Compensation Fund).

Making a motor claim

Notify your insurer promptly: most policies set a period for reporting a loss (NIC consumer education).
Get a police report for an accident or theft, take photographs and keep receipts.
Fill in the claim form truthfully and completely: false information is grounds for rejecting the claim.
Keep a written record of every exchange. If the claim is rejected or unreasonably delayed, complain to the insurer, then to the NIC (how to complain).

Delays in paying injury, death and own-damage claims are the most frequent reasons for complaints against non-life insurers in the NIC's 2024 figures: see complaints by insurer.

Already insured?

Check my motor certificate Understand my policy Prepare a claim

Next step

1. Find the cover that fits

Frequently asked questions

Is car insurance compulsory in Ghana?

Yes. Every vehicle used on a public road must have at least third-party motor insurance (NIC), under the Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Act, 1958.

What are the types of motor insurance in Ghana?

Three: third-party; third-party, fire and theft; and comprehensive, which also covers damage to your own vehicle (NIC).

Do I need a Ghana Card for car insurance?

Yes. The NIC says a valid Ghana Card is required to buy or renew a motor insurance policy.

How much is third-party insurance in Ghana?

Tulinde does not publish premiums: the premium is set by the insurer. The NIC's annual report says the Motor Insurance Database has improved compliance with the motor tariff. Ask at least two licensed insurers for a written quote.

Who pays if I am hit by an uninsured car?

The Motor Compensation Fund, managed under the NIC, can compensate injury or death caused by an uninsured or untraced vehicle. Report to the police and keep medical evidence.