How Protect My Taxi Can Keep Minicab Owners Secure in 2024

Protect My Taxi Blog

If you own a private hire vehicle or black cab in the UK, you understand the need to find a trustworthy and affordable insurance company. You are also aware of the challenges in locating one that meets your needs and expectations.

There have been many challenges over the last several years, and there are future uncertainties in the reward and hire-driving industry. The COVID-19 epidemic, the Brexit transition, new Clean Air Zones, and rising competition from ride-hailing apps are all impacting the way cabbies and fleet owners run their businesses and live their lives. 

To stay on top of a changing environment, you need to make sure you have access to insurance providers that specialise.  Protect My Taxi is a specialised broker for Taxi Fleet Insurance Quotes that provides affordable and all-inclusive insurance options for drivers of all kinds of taxis, including Uber and minicab drivers. Our experts protect your vehicle and future in 2024 and beyond.

This blog post will discuss Protect My Taxi’s primary features and advantages.

  • Safety and Security
  • Money Saving Benefits

Add a few beneficial car-owner suggestions as well: 

  • Why should they consider becoming taxi or PHV drivers in 2024?
  • How to Protect My Taxi may assist them in overcoming obstacles and seizing chances in the business.
  • How to receive a quotation and compare pricing from the best taxi insurance companies in the UK.

Safety and Security

Both taxi drivers and passengers place a high priority on security and safety but you should  make sure your vehicle is covered from damage and theft. 

According to the Department for Transport, 2,040 registered personal injury traffic incidents involving taxis and private hire vehicles in the UK in 2020. Furthermore, according to a Suzy Lamplugh Trust survey, 31% of PHV and taxi drivers and 37% of respondents had both experienced verbal and physical abuse in the previous year.

To protect users, particularly young children, and older people, the government adopted new required laws for taxi businesses in England and Wales in 2020. These guidelines call for licensing authorities to consider the usage of CCTV in cars, as well as improved DBS criminal record checks for drivers every six months and driver safety training.

The purpose of these new regulations and legislation is to lessen the possibility of harm coming to young passengers and other susceptible groups, as well as to increase uniformity and transparency in the licensing process. They also want to safeguard the taxi industry’s professionalism and good name.

However, adhering to these rules and regulations may take time and effort. You must choose the best Private Hire Fleet Insurance company to fulfill the standards and safeguard your interests.

We work as a bridge to comply with new regulations and laws, to protect you and your clients, and to provide you with public liability insurance coverage of up to £5 million, legal assistance to recover your damages and losses following an event that was not your fault, and breakdown coverage that includes roadside, recovery, and home assistance.

Protect Your Ride

Ensuring your safety in a taxi goes beyond just riding securely—it’s about actively securing the entire taxi experience. From safeguarding vehicle documents to conducting routine checks, these measures not only protect passengers but also contribute to the overall safety of the taxi itself. Enhancements are crucial for deterring disruptive behavior and ensuring a swift response to any incidents. Discover and rectify potential vulnerabilities, making your taxi a safer space for everyone by applying these tips:

  • Safeguard vehicle documents and maintain comprehensive records.
  • Securely store keys, limit access and keep them in a restricted area.
  • Conduct routine checks to keep vehicles in optimal condition.
  • Enhance safety and deter disruptive behavior with in-car CCTV cameras.
  • Integrate panic buttons and other security features into your mobile app.
  • Monitor and control vehicle movement using geofencing technology.
  • Collaborate closely with local law enforcement for a quick response.
  • Perform periodic security audits to discover and fix issues.

Protect Your  Business

Beyond the ride, ensuring the security of your taxi business is paramount. This involves a multifaceted approach, considering various aspects like insurance coverage, driver training, and premises security. Prioritizing safety in the overall taxi experience goes hand in hand with providing passengers a reliable and trustworthy choice. Pay attention to these considerations:

  • Utilize a robust insurance policy covering vehicles, drivers, and premises.
  • Provide continual training on safety, defensive driving, and emergency response.
  • Employ alarms central locking and educate drivers on secure parking practices.
  • Conduct background checks for premises security staff.
  • Maintain an updated emergency contact list for swift communication.
  • Implement a system for quick reporting of incidents by drivers and staff.
  • Periodically educate staff on the latest security threats and best practices.
  • Ensure taxi company Wi-Fi networks are secure to prevent unauthorized access.
  • Opt for drivers with clean driving records and over 25 for enhanced vehicle protection.
  • Install CCTV, security lighting, and alarms to fortify property security.
  • Establish unambiguous delivery instructions and formulate plans for potential incidents.

Money Saving Benefits

In 2019, travel made up £80.80 a week on average for households in the UK, or 14% of total weekly expenses, according to the Office for National Statistics. In addition, the average yearly cost of a taxi or PHV license in 2020 increased by 4.6% to £340. The RAC Foundation conducted research in 2018 and found that the average annual cost of taxi insurance in the UK was £1,241, with variations between £887 in London and £1,787 in Manchester.

Your goal is to save as much money as you can on unnecessary spending while still getting excellent value. Take note of your insurance savings to offset some of the various costs of being a minicab driver, like petrol, repairs, maintenance, and other running costs.

The basis of creative concepts and techniques for providing value while saving money are applying the latest and most recent trends and standards, comparing and handling terms and expenses, and using analytics and data.

That’s why we aim to save you money and increase value with our competitive and comprehensive customised insurance solutions. To achieve this goal, we provide quotations from the best UK taxi insurance carriers and allow you to compare taxi insurance UK features and pricing from the best in the market.

We also offer advice and aid in transitioning to electric or hybrid vehicles, which are becoming more prevalent and affordable in the UK. We will support you in lowering your environmental impact and fuel spending. Because environmentally friendly cars are less likely to be involved in accidents or cause damage, you may be eligible for a lower insurance cost too.

Takeaway:

Protect My Taxi is a reliable partner for PHV and taxi operators in bridging the gap between potential profits and bureaucratic hurdles in a dynamic sector. Our devotion remains unwavering in the face of altering legislation and volatile markets. Our competitive options demonstrate our commitment to value, whether it’s the versatility of our tailored fleet or the flexibility of our Chauffeur Insurance Policy; we provide the assurance of full coverage. We will protect your investments as the market evolves and support your journey to wealth and sustainability in 2024 and beyond.

Source

Taxi and private hire vehicle licensing best practice guidance for licensing authorities in England – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

New standards to improve safety for taxi and private hire vehicle passengers – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Taxis and private hire vehicles in the UK transport system: how and why are they changing? (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022 | Local Government Association

Family spending in the UK – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)

New car mileage based on analysis of MOT data (racfoundation.org)