Can I use a normal car insurance policy for Uber?

No. Carrying paying passengers needs hire and reward cover. A standard social, domestic and pleasure policy would not cover you while you are working for Uber.

Does Uber provide my insurance for me?

UK private hire drivers are generally expected to hold their own private hire policy. Check your operator's requirements and your council's licensing conditions so you know exactly what cover you need.

Is Uber classed as public or private hire?

Private hire, because every journey is booked in advance through the app rather than hailed in the street or picked up from a rank.

Taxi

Can I drive for Uber on private hire insurance?

Uber work is private hire, so you need a private hire taxi policy with hire and reward cover. Here is what Uber drivers need before going online.

The short answer is yes, as long as the policy is the right kind. Uber is a private hire operator, so you need a private hire taxi insurance policy that includes hire and reward cover. Standard car insurance will not do.

What Uber drivers need

Uber bookings are pre-arranged through the app, which makes the work private hire rather than public hire. To carry fare-paying passengers legally you need a private hire taxi insurance policy with hire and reward cover. Hire and reward is the part of a taxi policy that covers you while you are carrying people for payment.

Before you can go online with Uber you will typically need:

A private hire driver's licence from your local council
A vehicle that is licensed and inspected for private hire
A valid hire and reward insurance certificate

Why ordinary car insurance is not enough

A standard car policy, often called social, domestic and pleasure cover, is written for personal driving. It does not cover you while you carry passengers for payment. If you have an accident during Uber work on the wrong policy, your insurer may refuse the claim, and driving without valid insurance can lead to penalties and put your licence at risk.

It is also worth thinking about how you actually work. If you drive for more than one app or operator, or switch between private hire and other work, make sure the policy reflects all of it.

Getting a quote

Kompare does not sell insurance itself. You fill in a short form on our taxi insurance page and a specialist FCA-authorised broker from our panel contacts you about private hire quotes that match how you work. You can read more about how we work.