How to check a vehicle's insurance and licence in Zimbabwe

Three checks

1. Ask for the certificate of insurance and read the insurer's name, the vehicle and the dates (Road Traffic Act, s 24A).
2. Find that insurer among the short-term insurers on IPEC's list, or on our copy. If the policy was sold by a broker or agent, check them too: check an insurer, agent or broker.
3. Check the licence with the Vehicle Status feature of ZINARA's website assistant (registration number and owner ID).

Foreign vehicles

A foreign vehicle may use Zimbabwe's roads under a COMESA yellow card instead of a Zimbabwean policy, if the yellow card certificate is carried in the vehicle (Road Traffic Act, s 33). Visiting motorists without one buy cover from the Motor Insurance Pool at the border: the Insurance Council of Zimbabwe says pool insurance is issued by its agents, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and the Automobile Association of South Africa (ICZ). Claims against the yellow card or the pool go to the ICZ: claim process.

Sources

1. Road Traffic Act [Chapter 13:11], Parts IV and V (compulsory third-party insurance, yellow card) — ZimLII copy (Web Archive, 26 March 2024)
2. IPEC — Regulated entities: life assurers, short-term insurers, funeral assurers, microinsurers, reinsurers, brokers, agents and assessors (retrieved 31 October 2026)
3. ZINARA — Vehicle licensing: products (licence, insurance, radio licence), fees under SI 67 of 2024, payment
4. Insurance Council of Zimbabwe — Insurance pools management (Motor Insurance Pool, National Bureau, SRIC)
5. Insurance Council of Zimbabwe — Claim process (COMESA, Motor Insurance Pool, passenger personal accident)