Taxi Insurance
Wide Insurance Panel With 80+ Providers
Cover Options Designed Around Your Business
Excellent Customer Reviews
Taxi Insurance
Whether you’re a self-employed taxi driver, private hire operator, chauffeur, or run a taxi business with multiple vehicles, having the right taxi insurance is an important part of protecting your business.
Taxi vehicles are used differently from standard cars. You may carry passengers throughout the day, cover higher annual mileage, work during evenings and weekends, and operate in busy urban areas. Your insurance therefore needs to reflect the way your vehicle and business are actually used.
At 1st Choice Insurance, we help taxi drivers and operators arrange insurance suited to their individual circumstances. From a single public hire or private hire vehicle to larger taxi operations, our experienced team can help you understand the available cover and arrange a policy around your requirements.
Get a Taxi Insurance Quote Today
Looking for taxi insurance for your vehicle or business? Our team can discuss your requirements and help you find suitable cover.
Call 03301 081615 or complete our quote form below.
What Is Taxi Insurance?
Taxi insurance is a type of motor insurance designed for vehicles used to carry passengers for hire and reward.
Unlike standard private car insurance, taxi insurance takes into account the commercial use of the vehicle. This can include carrying passengers for payment, higher mileage, multiple drivers and the requirements associated with operating a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle.
The cover available will depend on your vehicle, how it is used, your drivers and the requirements of the relevant licensing authority.
Taxi insurance can be arranged for a range of vehicles and businesses, from individual drivers operating one vehicle to companies running several taxis.
Why Do You Need Taxi Insurance?
If you use a vehicle to carry passengers for payment, you need insurance that covers this specific use. A standard private car insurance policy will not normally provide cover for taxi or private hire work.
Having the appropriate taxi insurance in place helps protect you against the financial consequences of accidents, damage to your vehicle and third-party claims, subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of your policy.
It can also form part of the requirements for operating a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle, although specific licensing requirements vary between local authorities.
Your insurance should accurately reflect how you use your vehicle. For example, whether you operate as a public hire taxi, private hire driver or chauffeur can affect the type of policy required.
Types of Taxi Insurance
There are different types of taxi insurance available depending on your business and the type of service you provide.
Public Hire Taxi Insurance
Public hire taxis, including Hackney carriages, can generally be hailed from the street or picked up from designated taxi ranks.
If you operate a public hire taxi, you need insurance that reflects the way your vehicle is licensed and used. Cover can be arranged for a range of public hire vehicles, subject to insurer criteria and local licensing requirements.
Private Hire Taxi Insurance
Private hire vehicles must generally be pre-booked through an operator, booking office or other permitted booking system and cannot normally be hailed from the street.
Private hire taxi insurance is designed around this type of passenger transport and can be arranged for individual drivers, operators and businesses.
Chauffeur Insurance
Chauffeurs and executive car operators have different requirements from traditional taxi businesses. You may operate higher-value vehicles, provide pre-booked journeys and work with corporate or private clients.
Chauffeur insurance can be arranged to reflect your vehicle, business activities, drivers and passenger-carrying requirements.
Taxi Fleet Insurance
If you operate several taxis, a taxi fleet policy may allow multiple vehicles to be insured under one policy.
This can make managing your vehicles and insurance administration easier, particularly where your business is growing or operates a number of vehicles.
Find out more about Taxi Fleet Insurance.
What Can Taxi Insurance Cover?
Depending on your circumstances and the policy selected, taxi insurance can include a range of cover options.
Vehicle Damage
Comprehensive cover can protect your taxi against accidental damage, subject to the terms of the policy.
This can be particularly important for taxi operators who rely on their vehicle for their income.
Third-Party Liability
Motor insurance provides cover for your legal liability to third parties arising from the use of your insured vehicle, subject to the policy terms.
This can include claims relating to injury or damage caused to another person or their property.
Fire and Theft
Depending on the level of cover selected, your taxi may be insured against loss or damage caused by fire or theft.
Breakdown and Recovery
Breakdown assistance can sometimes be added to a taxi insurance policy. This can provide roadside assistance or recovery if your vehicle breaks down, depending on the level of cover selected.
Replacement Vehicle
Some policies may offer a replacement vehicle following an insured incident, subject to availability, policy terms and the type of vehicle required.
This can help reduce disruption if your taxi is temporarily unavailable.
Legal Expenses
Legal expenses cover may be available as an optional addition, depending on the policy. This can provide assistance with certain legal costs arising from covered circumstances.
Benefits of Taxi Insurance
Protection for Your Taxi Business
For many drivers, their vehicle is essential to their ability to work. Having appropriate insurance in place can provide financial protection against insured accidents, theft, fire and third-party claims.
Cover Designed Around Taxi Use
Taxi insurance is designed for vehicles used to carry passengers for hire and reward rather than ordinary private use. This means your policy can be arranged around your actual business activities.
Support with Licensing Requirements
Taxi and private hire licensing requirements can vary between local authorities. Having the appropriate insurance is an important part of operating legally, alongside meeting the other requirements that apply to your business and vehicle.
Protection Against Third-Party Claims
Accidents can result in claims for injury or damage to property. Motor insurance provides protection for covered third-party liabilities, helping to reduce the financial impact of an incident.
Options for Different Types of Drivers
Whether you are an individual driver, chauffeur, private hire operator or taxi company, policies can be arranged around different business structures and driver arrangements.
Additional Cover Options
Depending on your requirements, additional protection may be available for areas such as breakdown recovery, legal expenses, windscreen damage and replacement vehicles.
Support as Your Business Changes
Your insurance needs can change if you replace your vehicle, add another driver, change your type of work or expand your business. Keeping your insurer or broker informed allows your policy to be reviewed when your circumstances change.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taxi Insurance
Is taxi insurance a legal requirement?
If you use a vehicle for taxi or private hire work, you need appropriate motor insurance that covers its use for hire and reward. The specific requirements for licensing can vary between local authorities.
Can I use standard car insurance for taxi work?
Standard private car insurance does not normally cover using your vehicle to carry passengers for payment. You need a policy that specifically covers the appropriate hire and reward use.
What is the difference between public hire and private hire taxi insurance?
Public hire taxis can generally accept passengers without a prior booking, while private hire vehicles must normally be pre-booked. The type of licence and use of the vehicle will determine the appropriate insurance requirements.
Can I insure more than one taxi?
If you operate multiple taxis, a taxi fleet insurance policy may allow you to cover several vehicles under one policy. The eligibility requirements will depend on the insurer.
Can different types of vehicles be covered?
Depending on the insurer, a policy may be able to accommodate different vehicle types. This can include cars, MPVs and other licensed passenger vehicles.
Can I add another driver to my taxi insurance?
Driver arrangements vary between policies. Additional drivers may be added where permitted by the insurer, subject to their eligibility and the terms of the policy.
Does taxi insurance cover passengers?
Motor insurance provides cover for liabilities arising from the insured use of the vehicle, including covered passenger-related liabilities. The exact terms and exclusions depend on the policy.
Is breakdown cover included with taxi insurance?
Breakdown and recovery cover is not necessarily included as standard. Depending on the policy, it may be available as an optional addition.
Can my taxi insurance be changed if my circumstances change?
Yes. If you change your vehicle, add or remove drivers, alter your business activities or make other significant changes, you should contact your insurer or broker so your cover can be reviewed.
Request a quote - it’s simple
We’re here to help Monday-Friday, 9am-5pmÂ