Travel insurance Zimbabwe — COMESA yellow card

Short answerChecked 31 October 2026

A Zimbabwean motorist with a statutory policy can ask the insurer for a COMESA yellow card for use in designated member states; a Zimbabwean yellow card is not valid inside Zimbabwe (Road Traffic Act, s 38). Foreign vehicles may drive in Zimbabwe on their own yellow card if the certificate is carried in the vehicle (s 33); visitors without one buy Motor Insurance Pool cover at the border. The Insurance Council of Zimbabwe is the National Bureau that handles yellow-card claims (s 31).

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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.

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On this page · 5 sections

The yellow card in the Road Traffic Act
Visitors without a yellow card
Travel insurance for a trip abroad
FAQ
Sources

The yellow card in the Road Traffic Act

Rule	Section
The Insurance Council of Zimbabwe is the National Bureau of Zimbabwe for the COMESA (PTA) protocol	31
A foreign vehicle with a yellow card in force may be used without a Zimbabwean policy, if the certificate is carried	33
The National Bureau compensates death and injury caused by a vehicle covered by a yellow card	34
A claim directly against the National Bureau prescribes two years from the date it arose	36(1)
A resident with a statutory policy from an ICZ member insurer may apply to it for a yellow card; it is not valid in Zimbabwe	38

Text: Road Traffic Act, Part V.

Visitors without a yellow card

The Motor Insurance Pool "provides cover in terms of the Road Traffic Act to motorists visiting Zimbabwe who do not hold a Yellow Card. Pool insurance is issued at border posts by the Pool agents namely the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and the Automobile Association of South Africa" (ICZ). For COMESA and pool claims, ICZ asks for a police report, the driver's licence, the registration book and at least three repair quotations (claim process).

Travel insurance for a trip abroad

Medical and trip cover for travel abroad is a private policy from a registered short-term or life insurer, or an extension of a medical aid package (CIMAS lists Healthguard International packages). Check the insurer on IPEC's list, the countries covered, the medical limit and how the insurer pays a hospital abroad.

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Frequently asked questions

Where do I get a COMESA yellow card in Zimbabwe?

From the insurer of your statutory motor policy, if it is a member of the Insurance Council of Zimbabwe (Road Traffic Act, s 38). It covers you in the designated member states named on the card, not in Zimbabwe.

I am driving into Zimbabwe without a yellow card. What do I need?

Third-party cover from the Motor Insurance Pool, which the ICZ says is sold at border posts by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and the Automobile Association of South Africa.