Question 1

What insurance do you need to be a taxi driver?

Accepted Answer

You need a taxi or private hire motor policy written for hire and reward, because standard car insurance excludes carrying passengers for payment. The legal minimum under the Road Traffic Act 1988 is third party cover, but the policy must match your licence: public hire for a hackney carriage, private hire for a pre-booked vehicle. Your licensing council checks the certificate and may set extra conditions, and many operators and councils expect public liability as well.

Question 2

How much does taxi insurance cost?

Accepted Answer

There is no standard price: each insurer rates the risk itself. The factors that move it most are public hire or private hire use, the licensing area, the vehicle and its value, your age, driving and taxi experience, claims and convictions, where the vehicle is kept overnight, and whether it is one vehicle or a fleet. Because insurers weigh these differently, it is worth having a broker put the same risk to more than one.

Question 3

What's the difference between public hire and private hire insurance?

Accepted Answer

Public hire covers hackney carriages (black cabs) that can be hailed on the street. Private hire covers PHVs that must be pre-booked. The licensing and insurance requirements differ, and you must have the correct cover for your licence type.

Question 4

Do I need special insurance for Uber or Bolt?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you need private hire insurance that specifically covers rideshare work. Standard motor insurance doesn't cover carrying passengers for payment. Your policy must meet the platform's requirements and your local licensing authority's rules.

Question 5

Can I use my taxi for personal use as well?

Accepted Answer

Most taxi policies include social, domestic, and pleasure use alongside your taxi work. However, you should check your policy wording – some may restrict personal use or require it to be declared.

Question 6

What happens if I lose my taxi licence?

Accepted Answer

Loss of licence cover provides a payout if you lose your taxi licence due to medical reasons beyond your control. This can help cover lost income while you're unable to work. It doesn't cover licence loss due to driving offences.

Question 7

Do I need public liability insurance as a taxi driver?

Accepted Answer

Public liability isn't legally required for taxi drivers, but it's strongly recommended. It protects you against claims from passengers (e.g., for injuries getting in/out) and can be required by some operators or licensing authorities.

Question 8

Is PHV insurance the same as taxi insurance?

Accepted Answer

PHV insurance is one kind of taxi insurance. It covers a private hire vehicle that may only carry passengers booked in advance through a licensed operator or app. A hackney carriage that picks up from ranks and street hails needs public hire cover instead, and a private hire policy never covers plying for hire. The insurance, the vehicle licence and the driver licence all have to describe the same use.

Question 9

How many vehicles do you need for taxi fleet insurance?

Accepted Answer

We arrange taxi fleet insurance for operators with three or more taxis or private hire vehicles on one policy, usually with named or any-driver options and one renewal date. With one or two vehicles, each is normally insured on its own taxi policy. See our taxi fleet insurance page for how fleet cover works.

Taxi & Private Hire Insurance