Taxi Insurance
The taxi industry is central to UK transport—from London black cabs to app-based services like Uber and Bolt. Standard car insurance excludes hire and reward work, making specialist taxi insurance a legal requirement for all licensed drivers.
Why Taxi Insurance is Essential
Legal Compliance
Required by licensing authorities for all public hire and private hire vehicles.
Passenger Liability
Covers injury or damage claims from passengers throughout their journey.
Income Protection
Protects your livelihood with cover for vehicles, equipment, and potential income loss.
Peace of Mind
Reassurance for both drivers and passengers that proper protection is in place.
Public Hire vs Private Hire
Public Hire (Hackney)
Can be hailed on the street or picked up at taxi ranks. Includes London black cabs and licensed hackney carriages nationwide.
- ✓ Street hailing permitted
- ✓ Taxi rank pickups
- ✓ Higher premium (more exposure)
- ✓ Frequent passenger turnover
Private Hire (Minicab)
Must be pre-booked through a licensed operator or app. Includes Uber, Bolt, Ola, and local minicab firms.
- ✓ Pre-booking only
- ✓ App-based services
- ✓ Often lower premium
- ✓ Licensed operator required
Important: Attempting public hire work on a private hire policy is a serious breach that can invalidate your cover and result in licensing action.
Types of Cover
Comprehensive Cover
Third-party claims, passenger liability, and damage to your own vehicle. Standard for professional taxi work.
Fleet Taxi Insurance
For firms operating multiple taxis under one policy with centralised administration.
Public Liability Add-On
Covers claims outside road use—passengers injured whilst boarding or property damage from opened doors.
Loss of Earnings
Protects your income if your vehicle is off-road following an accident.
Legal Expenses
Pays for legal defence in disputes, claims, or licence appeals.
Personal Accident
Benefits for injuries from assault or accidents—important for late-night urban work.
Who Needs Taxi Insurance?
Black Cab Drivers
Uber Partners
Bolt Drivers
Minicab Firms
Chauffeurs
Airport Transfers
Taxi Fleet Owners
School Transport
Patient Transport
Pitfalls to Avoid
Standard Insurance
Using personal car insurance for taxi work is illegal—it excludes hire and reward.
Undeclared App Use
Failing to declare ride-hailing app work can invalidate your policy.
Wrong Licence Category
Public hire work on private hire insurance—or vice versa—voids cover.
Undisclosed Drivers
Not declaring all drivers in multi-vehicle operations creates exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Uber drivers need taxi insurance?
Yes. Private hire taxi insurance is mandatory for all app-based ride-hailing services.
What's the difference between public and private hire?
Public hire taxis can be hailed on the street; private hire must be pre-booked through an operator or app.
Does taxi insurance cover passengers?
Yes. Passenger liability is included as standard in taxi insurance policies.
Can firms use fleet taxi insurance?
Yes. Fleet policies are common for firms operating multiple vehicles with centralised management.
Does taxi insurance cover downtime?
Some policies include loss of earnings cover when your vehicle is off-road after an accident.
Can electric taxis be insured?
Yes. Specialist EV taxi policies are available, though battery and repair costs may affect premiums.
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