Question 1

What is minibus insurance?

Accepted Answer

Minibus insurance is motor insurance for a vehicle with 9 to 16 passenger seats. It is a legal requirement for any minibus used on the road, and a standard car or van policy will not cover one. The policy has to be written for how the minibus is used, such as private use, an organisation's own transport, Section 19 permit work or hire and reward, and for the drivers who will drive it.

Question 2

Are minibuses expensive to insure?

Accepted Answer

Minibuses usually cost more to insure than cars because they carry more people, and the price depends on the details rather than a standard rate. The main factors are the number of seats, how the minibus is used, whether passengers pay, the ages and experience of the drivers, where it is kept, any adaptations, and the claims history. Driver training and a clean claims record can help. We compare terms from our panel of insurers for your circumstances rather than quoting a typical figure.

Question 3

Can I drive a 12 seater minibus on a car licence?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes. If you passed your car test before 1 January 1997 you usually hold D1 entitlement (not for hire or reward) and can drive it. If you passed later, you can generally only drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats on a car licence if you are 21 or over, have held your licence for at least two years, are driving voluntarily for a non-commercial body, the vehicle is within the weight limit, and you are not towing a trailer. Check your entitlement with DVLA, and remember the insurer may set a higher minimum driver age.

Question 4

Is a 7 seater classed as a minibus?

Accepted Answer

No. A minibus has 9 to 16 passenger seats. A 7 or 8 seater, meaning up to 8 passenger seats plus the driver, is classed as a car and can be driven on a normal car licence and insured on a car policy, although taxi and private hire use still needs hire and reward cover.

Question 5

Can I drive a 20 seater minibus?

Accepted Answer

A vehicle with more than 16 passenger seats is a bus or coach rather than a minibus. Driving one needs category D entitlement, and using it to carry passengers for payment normally needs a PSV operator licence or a large bus permit. It is insured as a PSV, not on a minibus policy.

Question 6

Do I need hire and reward cover for a minibus?

Accepted Answer

You need it whenever passengers pay for the journey, directly or indirectly, including fares, a contribution to costs or a membership fee that covers transport, and whenever the minibus is hired out. Work under a Section 19 or Section 22 permit counts as carriage for payment, so the policy must be written for it. A minibus insured only for social, domestic and pleasure use is not covered for those journeys.

Question 7

Can a school or charity insure several minibuses on one policy?

Accepted Answer

Usually, yes. Several minibuses, or minibuses alongside cars and vans, can often be insured on one fleet policy with a single renewal date, on an any-authorised-driver or named-driver basis. Insurers will want to see how drivers are checked and trained. We can advise on whether a fleet policy or individual policies suit your organisation better.

Minibus Insurance