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Travel insurance and the COMESA yellow card in Tanzania

Travel insurance and the COMESA yellow card in Tanzania

Reviewed on by the Tulinde editorial team · how we check facts

Short answerChecked 23 September 2026
Tanzania is not a COMESA member but takes part in the COMESA yellow card scheme: the card covers third-party liability when you drive into 12 other countries. Check a card by dialling *149*46*7#. Visitors to Zanzibar must buy the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation's inbound travel policy: US$44 per visitor for up to 92 days.

Driving abroad: the COMESA yellow card

The yellow card is accepted in Burundi, DR Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It covers bodily injury, death and property damage to third parties, with optional emergency medical cover for the driver and passengers.

Tanzania's limitsAmount
Bodily injury / deathTZS 20 million per claim, TZS 60 million in aggregate
Property damageTZS 50 million

Limits from the COMESA yellow card site. The national bureau in Tanzania is NIC Insurance (contact). Check a card free by USSD on *149*46*7# (Orange, Yas, Airtel) (source).

After an accident abroad: tell the local police and that country's national bureau at once, and keep the original card and the police and medical reports (claims).

Zanzibar: mandatory travel insurance for visitors

Since 1 October 2024, every foreign visitor to Zanzibar must hold the inbound travel insurance of the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (Embassy of Tanzania). From the official FAQ and plans page:

  • Price: US$44 per visitor, all charges included; children under 3 free, ages 3–17 half price; family plans up to 9 people.
  • Validity: up to 92 consecutive days in Tanzania; not renewable.
  • Cover: emergency medical expenses, repatriation, personal accident, baggage delay, theft and loss, legal expenses and personal liability. No terrorism cover.
  • Only the ZIC policy counts: a foreign travel policy is not accepted. International students in Zanzibar are exempt.
  • Claims: 0800 008 005 or [email protected], 24/7.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Tanzania part of the COMESA yellow card?

Yes. Tanzania is not a COMESA member but participates in the yellow card scheme; NIC Insurance is its national bureau.

How much is Zanzibar travel insurance?

US$44 per visitor for up to 92 days, according to the official Zanzibar inbound insurance FAQ. Children under 3 are free and ages 3–17 pay half.

Can I use my own travel insurance for Zanzibar?

No. The official FAQ says only the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation policy is accepted.

Sources

  1. COMESA Yellow Card — overview
  2. COMESA Yellow Card — limits of liability by member state
  3. COMESA Yellow Card — USSD verification
  4. COMESA Yellow Card — Tanzania national bureau
  5. COMESA Yellow Card — claims
  6. Embassy of Tanzania in Rome — mandatory Zanzibar inbound travel insurance from 1 October 2024
  7. Zanzibar inbound travel insurance — official FAQ
  8. Zanzibar inbound travel insurance — plans