Car insurance in Zambia — third party and RTSA

Short answerChecked 31 October 2026

Yes: in Zambia nobody may use a motor vehicle or trailer on a road without third-party insurance (Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002, section 86). The policy must come from an insurer licensed by the PIA and cover death or bodily injury to other people, at least 166,700 fee units per person and 333,350 fee units per accident (section 88). Driving uninsured is punishable by a fine of up to 3,000 penalty units or up to 12 months in prison for a first offence. The insurer issues a certificate of insurance and a disc that must be displayed on the vehicle (SI 33 of 2015). Damage to your own car is covered only if you buy more than third party.

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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 · 5 sections

What the Road Traffic Act requires
What the PIA tells drivers
Rules that protect you
FAQ
Sources

What the Road Traffic Act requires

Road Traffic Act 2002, section 88(1)(b)	Minimum cover
Death of or bodily injury to any one person	166,700 fee units
Any one accident (or series of accidents from one event)	333,350 fee units
Not required to be covered	Injury to the insured person's own employee at work (that is workers' compensation); contractual liability

Offence (section 86(2)): fine of up to 3,000 penalty units or up to 12 months in prison for a first offence; up to 7,500 penalty units or 12 months, or both, for a second offence.
Insurer: an insurance company registered by the Registrar of Pensions and Insurance (section 88(1)(a)), i.e. on the PIA list.
Certificate: the insurer issues a certificate of insurance for each vehicle (section 94). A police officer may ask you to produce it; you have seven days to produce it at a police station (section 95).
Disc: with the certificate, the insurer issues a disc showing the registration number, engine and chassis numbers and the expiry date, to be displayed clearly on the vehicle (regulations 2 and 3, SI 33 of 2015).
Licensing: no vehicle licence is issued or transferred without a certificate showing that the insurance will be in force (section 98). RTSA lists an "insurance certificate or cover note copy" among the documents for first registration (RTSA).

Text: Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002, Part VII. The Act states the minimum in fee units; their kwacha value is set separately by law.

What the PIA tells drivers

"If you drive a vehicle you need to buy a vehicle insurance policy. It is required by law; it is an offence to drive a vehicle without an insurance cover." After an accident, report it to the police immediately; to claim you need a police accident report and a medical or hospital report (PIA FAQ).

Motor is the biggest class of general insurance: 66% of general insurance premiums in 2025 (PIA, Q4 2025).

Rules that protect you

A general insurance policy ceases to operate if the premium is not paid within 30 days of the due date, and the insurer must cancel it and tell you in writing (Insurance Act 2021, section 26). Pay on time, or you may be driving uninsured.
Premium paid to the licensed broker who arranged the policy counts as paid to the insurer (section 26(4)).
A 3% levy is charged on insurance premiums; VAT is not payable on premiums (Insurance Premium Levy Act 2015, section 4).
RTSA notes that insurance ceases after a change of ownership: the buyer of a used car needs a new policy (RTSA).

Compare the levels of cover: third-party vs comprehensive. Check a policy: check a motor insurance cover.

Already insured?

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Next step

1. Find the cover that fits

Frequently asked questions

Is car insurance compulsory in Zambia?

Third-party insurance is: section 86 of the Road Traffic Act 2002 forbids using a vehicle on a road without it. Comprehensive cover is optional.

What is the fine for driving without insurance in Zambia?

Up to 3,000 penalty units or up to 12 months in prison for a first offence; up to 7,500 penalty units or 12 months, or both, for a second (Road Traffic Act, s.86(2)).

What documents do I need to claim after an accident?

The PIA says a police accident report and a medical or hospital report. Report the accident to the police immediately.

Does my insurance transfer when I buy a used car?

No. RTSA says insurance ceases after a change of ownership; insure the vehicle in your name.