How do I know if I need private hire insurance?

If you're a professional driver who takes pre-booked fares to carry passengers for hire and reward, you'll need a private hire policy.

Is private hire insurance cheaper than public hire insurance?

It can be, although every quote depends on your own details. Private hire is generally seen as lower risk than public hire, because passengers book in advance rather than hailing you in the street or at a rank.

Can I buy private hire insurance as an Uber driver?

Yes. If you drive for an app-based operator such as Uber, you take pre-booked fares, so you're a private hire driver and need private hire cover. Check whether the operator has any specific requirements for your policy.

What will my private hire insurance cover?

It depends on the level of cover you choose. A fully comprehensive policy will usually cover fire, theft and accidental damage to your vehicle. You may be able to add extras such as public liability, windscreen cover or cover for driving abroad. The broker can explain what's available.

Taxi

Private hire insurance

Private hire insurance for drivers who carry pre-booked passengers, including app-based drivers: the details you'll need and the three levels of cover.

Private hire insurance is designed for drivers who are licensed to carry passengers for hire and reward, where every journey is booked in advance by the customer.

Most private hire drivers work for an operator or run their own business, so being professional with customers matters. The right private hire policy can protect your vehicle as well as your business.

As a private hire driver, your vehicle is your livelihood. A standard car policy won't cover you to carry paying passengers, so you'll need specialist cover in place.

Kompare helps private hire drivers find specialist taxi cover. 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 vehicle. 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 vehicle, 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.

What are the different levels of cover?

When you take out private hire 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 vehicle, 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 vehicle if it's stolen or damaged by fire. It won't pay for repairs to your own vehicle 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 vehicle.

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 work from a rank or pick up passengers who haven't booked, you'll need public hire cover instead. Our taxi insurance page covers private hire, public hire and taxi fleets. Private hire licensing is handled by your local council, or by TfL in London.