Why More Kenyans Are Choosing to Pay in Installments For Health Premiums

What happens when your child falls sick and you don’t have KSh 50,000 lying around? That’s the reality for many Kenyans until now.

For years, health insurance has been viewed as a privilege for the few, a safety net reserved for the formally employed or those with predictable monthly incomes. But that perception is changing fast. A quiet revolution is underway in Kenya’s healthcare financing space, and it’s being driven by innovation, empathy, and technology.

At the heart of this shift is Lipa Pole Pole, a flexible digital insurance installment payment facility offered by insurers like Jubilee Health Insurance that allows Kenyans to access comprehensive health cover without paying the full premium upfront.

For many middle-income earners, freelancers, and small business owners, the idea of paying for an annual health insurance premium in one lump sum can be daunting. Between rent, school fees, and other life expenses, even well-intentioned plans to “get insured this year” often end up shelved. Jubilee Health’s solution addresses this long-standing pain point by making health cover attainable, not as a luxury, but as a manageable monthly commitment.

Consider Sarah, a freelance photographer in Nairobi. Her work is seasonal; some months are good, others lean. For years, she postponed getting health cover because she couldn’t manage the lump-sum payment. “When I heard about Jubilee’s Lipa Polepole option,” she recalls, “I realized I could finally plan my cover around my income flow. It was such a relief.”

Then there’s James, a middle-income earner with two children in school. His salary covers the essentials but leaves little room for large, one-off expenses. “Paying in installments has been a game-changer,” he says. “Instead of worrying about how to pay for the whole year, I just budget for it monthly, like I do with other bills.”

These are the kinds of real-life stories shaping Kenya’s evolving health insurance landscape. The idea of getting a Health Cover Now, and paying in installments, is more than just payment convenience; it’s about financial dignity, inclusivity, and empowerment.

At the core of this solution is Digital Insurance Premium Financing (IPF). This enables customers to apply for a health cover, get approved, and start their cover instantly, all online, without having to pay the full premium upfront. Once approved, the customer begins to enjoy the health cover while repaying the amount in manageable monthly installments.

This digital financing model eliminates the traditional barriers associated with paperwork and long approval times. Everything happens seamlessly through a digital ecosystem, ensuring that no one has to delay their cover because of cash flow constraints.

The simplicity of the process also means that more Kenyans, including those in the informal sector, can access quality healthcare protection without needing to save up large amounts in advance.

Middle-income earners and freelancers form the backbone of Kenya’s economy, yet they are often the most underinsured segment. The flexibility to pay in installments makes it possible for them to enjoy comprehensive medical cover without financial strain.

For freelancers, the benefit is psychological as much as financial, knowing they can get medical care even during low-income months brings peace of mind and stability. For families, it’s the assurance that health emergencies won’t derail their financial plans.

By integrating technology, empathy, and financial innovation, Jubilee Health has made a significant leap toward democratizing health insurance in Kenya. Health Cover Now, Lipa Polepole reflects a growing realization that access to healthcare should not depend on the timing of one’s paycheck.

In a country where medical emergencies are one of the leading causes of financial distress, this initiative offers more than convenience; it offers hope. It’s a bridge between aspiration and access, ensuring that every Kenyan, regardless of income pattern, can secure their health and that of their loved ones.

As the cost of living continues to rise, such flexible, digital solutions to pay for health insurance are not just welcome — they are necessary. Thanks to Jubilee Health’s Lipa Polepole model, the dream of universal health coverage feels a little closer to reality, one installment at a time.

Could this be the bridge your family needs to finally get covered?” or “Explore how to get covered now and pay polepole here: https://jubileeinsurance.com/ke/health/

Read Also: Now That There’s Lipa Pole Pole, There’s No Reason to Miss Out on Health Insurance