Insurance & Protection

How you're covered when you rent or share a car on ardena

01 / Important to know

Ardena is not an insurer.

We do not sell insurance products. What we offer is an optional damage waiver during booking. The vehicle's actual insurance is held by the host.

  • Not an insurance contract. The Ardena Damage Waiver is a contractual cost-cap arrangement between Ardena and the renter, not a policy of insurance and not regulated under the Insurance Act (Cap. 487, Laws of Kenya).
  • Insurance sits with the host. Every host who lists a vehicle on ardena must maintain valid motor insurance on the vehicle as a condition of listing. That host policy is the only insurance covering the vehicle.
  • The waiver is optional. Renters may choose to add the damage waiver at booking. If they decline it, the renter is responsible for the full cost of any damage they cause, subject to the host's recovery rights.
  • This page is a summary. The binding terms are the Damage Waiver Schedule shown in the booking flow and the Legal and Terms & Conditions pages.
  • Daily fee

    The waiver is charged per day of the booking. Example pricing: from KSh 600/day, with the exact amount for each vehicle shown in the booking summary before payment.

  • Reduces renter cost

    If accidental damage occurs during the booking, the waiver caps the renter's out-of-pocket contribution towards the repair cost.

  • Per-incident cap

    Ardena's contribution under the waiver is capped per incident. The cap for each vehicle is published in the Damage Waiver Schedule shown at booking. Costs above the cap remain the renter's responsibility.

  • Conditional

    Cover under the waiver applies only when the rental is used in line with our Terms and the exclusions listed below do not apply.

02 / What we offer

The Ardena Damage Waiver.

An optional add-on, selected at booking, that caps how much a renter pays out of pocket for accidental damage to the rental vehicle.

03 / Worked example

A side mirror, broken on day two.

A practical illustration of how the waiver and the host's insurance combine to handle a typical incident.

Scenario. A renter books a vehicle for 3 days and adds the damage waiver at KSh 600 per day (total waiver fee: KSh 1,800). On day two, the renter clips a pillar in a parking lot and breaks the driver-side mirror. There is no third-party involvement, no injury, and the rest of the vehicle is fine.

What the renter does. The renter reports the damage to Ardena within 24 hours through the app, with photos. No police report is required because no third party or injury is involved.

How the cost is handled. The host obtains a repair quote. Ardena contributes towards the repair cost up to the per-incident cap shown in the Damage Waiver Schedule for that vehicle. Any amount above the cap is the renter's responsibility. The host's underlying motor insurance is not normally triggered for damage of this size — it is reserved for larger incidents or third-party claims.

If the renter had declined the waiver. The renter would be liable for the full repair cost. Ardena would still help coordinate, but no Ardena contribution would apply.

If the exclusions applied (for example, the renter was driving under the influence — see section 05), the waiver would not apply even though it was purchased, and the renter would be liable for the full cost. The host's insurer may also decline cover for the same reasons.

  • Valid motor insurance is mandatory. Every host must hold a current motor insurance policy on each vehicle they list. Third-party cover is the legal minimum under the Insurance (Motor Vehicles Third Party Risks) Act (Cap. 405, Laws of Kenya); comprehensive cover is strongly recommended.
  • Cover must extend to rental use. The host is responsible for confirming with their insurer that the policy permits the vehicle to be rented to verified third parties through a platform. Many standard private-use policies exclude rental use; an endorsement or commercial-use policy is usually required.
  • The policy must remain active. Cover must be in force for the entire period the vehicle is listed and during every booking. Hosts must upload a copy of the policy and renew it before expiry.
  • Ardena verifies, does not underwrite. Ardena checks that the documents uploaded are valid on their face. We do not issue, underwrite, or guarantee any host policy, and we are not liable for shortfalls or refusals by a host's insurer.

04 / Host responsibility

Hosts carry the insurance.

The host's own motor insurance is what protects the vehicle and third parties during a booking. The waiver sits on top — it does not replace this.

05 / Exclusions

When the waiver does not apply.

In these situations the damage waiver is void for that incident, the renter is liable for the full cost, and the host's insurer may also decline cover.

  • Driving under the influence. Operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or any other substance that impairs the ability to drive safely or is prohibited under the Traffic Act (Cap. 403, Laws of Kenya).
  • Unauthorised driver. The vehicle is driven by anyone other than the verified renter or an additional driver approved on the booking through the app.
  • Use outside the booking. Use for commercial purposes (taxi, ride-hail, courier, delivery), driving lessons, hire to a third party, racing, off-road use the vehicle is not rated for, or any illegal activity, unless the booking expressly permits it.
  • Crossing borders. Driving the vehicle outside the Republic of Kenya, unless the booking expressly permits cross-border travel and the host's insurer has confirmed cover.
  • Gross negligence or intentional acts. Damage caused by reckless, grossly negligent, or deliberate conduct.
  • Late or no report. Failure to notify Ardena within 24 hours of an incident, or failure to obtain a police abstract where one is required (e.g. any accident involving a third party, injury, or theft).
  • Mechanical and pre-existing. Mechanical breakdowns, wear and tear, and damage that existed before the booking started (which the renter should record at check-in).
  • Personal belongings. Loss or damage to items left inside the vehicle. These are never covered by the waiver or the host's motor insurance.
  1. 01

    Make the scene safe

    Stop, switch on hazards, and check for injuries. If anyone is hurt or there is a third party involved, call the police on 999 / 112 immediately.

  2. 02

    Get a police record

    For any accident involving a third party, injury, or theft, obtain a police abstract (and a P3 form if required). This is mandatory for both the waiver and the host's insurer.

  3. 03

    Report to Ardena within 24 hours

    Open the app and submit an incident report, or email support@ardena.co.ke. Include photos of the damage, the location, and any police paperwork.

  4. 04

    Cooperate with the assessment

    Provide any further details requested, including a written statement and quotes for repair. Late or incomplete reporting may void the waiver for that incident.

06 / If something happens

Reporting an incident.

Follow these steps so the waiver and the host's insurer can do their job. Missing any of them — especially the 24-hour window — can leave the renter liable for the full cost.

Questions

Need to talk to us about a claim?

For anything about the damage waiver, host insurance, or an open incident, the fastest paths are below. Full legal terms are on the Legal page.