The Association of Tanzania Insurers (ATI), with reference to the official seasonal outlook issued by the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA), wishes to alert members and stakeholders that the Vuli rainfall season (October–December 2026) is expected to be significantly influenced by a strong El Niño. Above-normal to normal rainfall is forecast in several parts of Tanzania, with a heightened possibility of heavy rainfall, flooding, excessive soil moisture, rising river and reservoir levels, erosion, water ingress and related disruption in exposed locations.

Seasonal forecasts are probabilistic. The timing, intensity and impact of rainfall may vary materially by location and may change as updated forecasts are issued. Stakeholders should therefore continue to follow official TMA, disaster-management and local-authority advisories.

Purpose of this advisory

This communication is intended to promote early action, loss prevention, business continuity and proper understanding of insurance arrangements. It is a general risk advisory and must not be interpreted as confirmation that any loss is associated with El Niño, rainfall or flooding.

A. ACTIONS FOR POLICYHOLDERS, BUSINESSES AND ASSET OWNERS

• Review the policy schedule, wording and endorsements with the insurer or intermediary and confirm, in writing, the insured perils, locations, property, activities, sums insured, limits, deductibles and any applicable flood, storm, business interruption or other extensions.
• Ensure declared values and sums insured remain adequate. Update asset registers, stock declarations and photographs, and disclose material changes in occupancy, storage. construction, operations, exposure or prior loss circumstances.
• Clear drains, gutters, culverts and water channels; inspect roofs, doors, windows and boundary walls; raise stock, records and electrical equipment above expected water levels; protect generators, switchgear and control panels; and provide safe temporary barriers, pumps and dewatering arrangements where appropriate.
• Back up critical data, test emergency communication and business-continuity arrangements, identify alternative suppliers or operating locations, and keep emergency services, contractors, insurers and intermediaries contact details readily available.
• Where stock or equipment must be relocated, do not assume that cover follows automatically. Before movement, where practicable, notify the insurer or intermediary and obtain written confirmation or endorsement for the temporary location, storage conditions and transit. Maintain a documented inventory and evidence of movement.
• Implement outstanding risk-improvement recommendations issued by insurers, risk surveyors, engineers or competent authorities, and retain evidence of completion.

B. Sector-specific precautions and coverage checks

Motor vehicles

Do not drive through flooded roads or moving water. Move vehicles from low-lying parking areas. If a vehicle is submerged or water enters the engine, do not attempt to restart it; arrange safe professional recovery and notify the insurer promptly.

Owners should verify whether they have comprehensive or other own-damage cover; third-party-only insurance does not cover damage to the insured vehicle.

Construction and engineering risks

Review temporary works, excavations, scaffolding, slope stability, drainage, dewatering, material storage, plant protection and emergency shutdown arrangements.

Confirm that the policy period remains valid and promptly disclose any extension of time, suspension, change in method, location or scope requiring insurer approval.

Agriculture and livestock

Follow TMA agricultural advisories, improve field drainage, review planting calendars, protect inputs and arrange safe livestock movement.

Confirm the insured crop, location, season, peril, sum insured and policy trigger. Under index or parametric covers, payment depends on the stated index or trigger and not solely on evidence of loss at an individual farm.

C. Actions for insurers and insurance intermediaries

• Identify policyholders and accumulations exposed to flood and severe-weather hazards and provide timely, clear and policy-specific risk-prevention and coverage guidance.
• Review insured locations, values, policy limits, flood and storm extensions, business-interruption triggers, deductibles, warranties, survey recommendations, underwriting controls, catastrophe accumulations and reinsurance protections.
• Record all advice, quotations, changes, endorsements and coverage restrictions in writing. Communications should avoid language that could reasonably be understood as a blanket confirmation of cover or claim payment.
• Strengthen claims-response readiness, including emergency contact channels, surveyor and loss-adjuster capacity, salvage arrangements, data backup and catastrophe reporting procedures.
  

D. IF LOSS OR DAMAGE OCCURS

1. Protect life and safety first, contact emergency authorities where necessary, and take reasonable steps to prevent or reduce further loss without placing any person at risk.
2. Notify the insurer or intermediary immediately through official channels, quoting the policy number and providing the date, time, location, circumstances and apparent cause of loss.
3. Take photographs and videos, preserve records, damaged property and other evidence, and retain invoices and receipts for reasonable emergency expenses.
4. Do not dispose of damaged property or commence permanent repairs before the insurer or appointed surveyor has had a reasonable opportunity to inspect, except where action is required for safety, public health or to prevent further damage. In such cases, document the condition and actions taken as fully as possible.
5. Notification or registration of a claim does not amount to confirmation of coverage or admission of liability. Each claim will be assessed on its facts and in accordance with the applicable policy and law.
   
   

Conclusion

Insurance is an important financial resilience mechanism. However, it is not a substitute for prevention, good maintenance, sound risk management or compliance with policy obligations. ATI urges all members and stakeholders to act early, closely monitor official weather updates, protect lives and assets, and seek written clarification of their individual insurance arrangements before the onset of heavy rainfall.

This advisory is general in nature. In the event of any inconsistency, the terms of the relevant insurance policy and applicable law will prevail.

Elia Kajlbo
For: Chairman – Association of Tanzania Insurers