This site uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. By using insurance1.com you accept our use of cookies.
Get a Quote

Private Hire Insurance

Private hire vehicle owners can face lots of challenges when it comes to running a successful business. Vehicles for private hire have become popular in the recent years courtesy of our busy lifestyles and the unreliable nature of flagging a taxi down. If you own and drive your taxi, your car is more than a vehicle – it’s your livelihood. Driving a taxi involves working at odd times of the day and often driving in various intercity areas which could pose a higher risk of an accident. Also, as compared to the standard car insurance policies, you are likely to cover longer distances. Therefore, keeping these aspects in mind, it is imperative that private hire insurance is likely to cost more than a normal car insurance policy. However, if you can find the right policy which will cover your business specific needs as well as arrive at an optimum cost, you will be at peace of mind.

Private Hire Insurance is a vital purchase if you are in the vehicle hiring business. Not only is it a legal requirement but it also serves as a valuable financial safeguard in cases of emergency. Since your vehicle will be on the road far more often than other vehicles, statistically you are more likely to make a claim and therefore, buying adequate protection is vital.

What is Private Hire Insurance?

Private hire insurance is required for those vehicles which are pre-booked and cannot display a lit taxi sign to show their availability. These vehicles are generally booked by individuals or enterprises via telephone, or with increasing popularity, apps. It may seem that the private hire vehicles are at a lower risk than the public hire vehicles however, it is often observed that the vehicles are generally older and in some cases the drivers, younger than their public hire counterparts. Hence, it is imperative to review the insurance policies and their corresponding features before buying one.

What are the levels of Private Hire Insurance cover?

Third party only (TPO)

This is the most basic type of insurance cover and in case you have been involved in an accident on the roads, and any damage which has been caused to the third party will be taken care of. However, if your vehicle is damaged in the process, the TPO will not cover it.

Third Party Fire & Theft (TPF&T)

This level covers your vehicle from damage caused by a fire or theft over and above the benefits offered in the TPO level.

The Comprehensive Insurance policy

Comprehensive insurance is the most advanced form of insurance and includes damage caused to you and your vehicle including all the covers mentioned above.

How to apply for Private Hire Insurance?

There are lots of brokers and insurance providers offering taxi insurance. At Insurance1.com we can help you find a private hire insurance specialist just by completing 1 form.

You need to have your vehicle registration number and your driving license handy to get quotes, as well as being able to prove you have the correct licences for the area you work in.

To make sure you get insurance that will make sure you are covered to legally drive as a private hire driver, you need to be open and honest while disclosing your personal and vehicle details as every piece of information you provide adds up to calculating the amount of premium which you pay. If you fail to disclose important facts, it could result in your policy being invalidated.

interior of an insured private hire vehicle

How to insure multiple vehicles

If you are the owner of multiple private hire taxis and employ a number of drivers, you can insure all of them under one specialised insurance policy. Since you no longer have to manage the paperwork for every vehicle’s insurance policy separately, it could save you a lot of time. Also, the premium for private hire insurance policies for fleets is often comparatively lower than insuring each vehicle individually. Plus, let's face it, you don’t have to remember multiple renewal dates either! If you are interested in insurance a fleet of taxi vehicles visit our taxi fleet insurance page.

How to get a Private Hire Insurance quote?

Search the market, or let Insurance1.com find brokers and insurance providers that specialise in yours risks. We ask a specific set of questions to match you with our book of insurance brokers who are looking for people like you and understand your needs.

Private Hire Insurance | insurance1.com
Product Lowest Price Highest Price Customer Rating
Private Hire Insurance | insurance1.com £358.12 £2395.89 4.82 / 5

Pricing claim generated from smallest and largest base premiums of policies sold from 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2019 from one of our partners.

Customer product rating is based on 912 reviews from a range of 1 to 5, where 5 being the best.