Orange announced that the company has joined hands with CIC Insurance Group to launch a mobile insurance product, Orange Bima, which gives Orange mobile subscribers the opportunity to insure their mobile devices with sum assured of up to KES 40,000, as well as sign-up for a life cover with a sum assured of up to KES 100,000. Orange Bima offers a low per day premium payment of just KES 1 and subscribers will be able to pay for their premiums using their airtime. ease of Orange Bima comes in enabling Orange Mobile subscribers to also get a life cover by subscribing via USSD *242#, despite the location, be it at home or at the office, and have daily, weekly or monthly deductions from their airtime.

Kuria pointed out that CIC Insurance wants to tap into opportunities offered by rapid growth in the telecommunications sector to widen its market share through its mobile premium payment platform, CIC M-Bima, by targeting mobile subscribers. The device plus life cover will be available to Orange mobile subscribers who purchase devices from Orange shops from August 5, 2014. The policy insures the device against all risks and a life cover against accidental death, and customers will have a choice of either Silver, Gold or Platinum insurance covers, attracting annual premiums of KES 365, KES 1,000 and KES 2,000 respectively.

The life cover is however open to all Orange mobile subscribers, insuring against accidental or natural death, with the choice of Diamond, Platinum and Infinity plans. Annual premium for the Diamond cover will be KES 240, KES 600 for Platinum and KES 800 for the Infinity cover.