How do I know if I need black cab insurance?

If you drive a licensed London taxi or hackney carriage, work from taxi ranks or pick up passengers who have not pre-booked, you need specialist public hire cover rather than a car or private hire policy.

I'm under 25. Can I get black cab insurance?

Some insurers will consider younger drivers, but many set a minimum age for taxi cover. Where a policy is available, younger drivers can usually expect to pay more.

Can I buy private hire insurance if I drive a black cab?

No. Private hire insurance only covers vehicles that carry passengers who have booked in advance. If your cab can be hailed in the street or work from a rank, you need public hire cover.

How can I lower the cost of my insurance?

Paying annually rather than monthly can work out cheaper, because monthly instalments may include interest. Some insurers also offer telematics (black box) policies, which may reward careful driving.

Taxi

Black cab insurance

What black cab insurance is, who needs it, the details you'll be asked for and the three levels of cover for licensed London taxi drivers.

You keep London moving around the clock, and passengers rely on you to get them where they need to be. Your cab is your livelihood, so it makes sense to have the right insurance in place to keep it on the road.

Black cab insurance is designed for drivers who have passed the tests needed to work as a licensed taxi driver in London. Because you cover far more miles than the average motorist, you face more risk on the road than most, and your policy needs to reflect the way you work.

Kompare makes the process simple. You fill in a short form and a specialist FCA-authorised broker from our panel contacts you to talk through your cover and quotes. You can read more on our taxi insurance page or see how we work.

What details do I need to provide?

When you ask for a quote, you'll usually be asked for the following.

Details of your vehicle

You don't need to know the exact model of your cab. Your registration number is normally enough to look up the details.

No claims bonus (NCB)

You'll be asked how many years of no claims bonus you have. If you're not sure, you can ask your current insurer for proof.

Named drivers

If anyone else will drive your cab, you'll need their personal and licence details so they can be added to the policy.

Licence details

You'll be asked what type of licence you hold and how long you've held it.

Previous claims

You'll need to say whether you've been involved in any accidents or made any claims in the last five years.

Driving convictions

If you have any penalty points or disqualifications on your licence, you'll need to give the full details. Leaving them out could affect your policy or a future claim.

What are the different levels of cover?

When you take out black cab insurance, you'll choose one of three levels of cover.

Fully comprehensive

This is the highest level of cover. It includes everything in third party, fire and theft, and also covers damage to your own cab, even if an accident was your fault. Policies vary, so check what is included, such as cover for medical expenses.

Third party, fire and theft

This covers you if you're responsible for injury to other people, including passengers, or damage to their property. It also covers your cab if it's stolen or damaged by fire. It won't pay for repairs to your own cab if you cause an accident.

Third party only

This is the most basic level of cover and the minimum required by law. It pays for injury to others and damage you cause to other vehicles and property, but there is no cover for you or your cab. If your vehicle is damaged or stolen, you won't be able to claim for it.

Not sure which cover you need?

If you're unsure which level of cover suits you, get in touch and we can help with any questions. The broker who contacts you can also explain the options before you decide.

If you drive a minicab or another type of taxi, our taxi insurance page covers private hire, public hire and taxi fleets too. You can find official guidance on taxi licensing in London on the TfL website.