Public & Private Hire Insurance
Public Hire or Private Hire Insurance for my Taxi?
Protect My Taxi offer competitive taxi insurance quotes to UK reward and hire drivers. We ensure that the cab insurance quote they get gives them the correct level of protection for their business.
We allow our taxi drivers to focus on picking up fares knowing that they, their cab, and members of the public are protected. We know that picking up fares on the road can bring its own risk.
The type of insurance you need can be clarified by the table below. It is all based on how you pick up your fares.
| Private Hire Vehicles | Public Hire Vehicles |
|---|---|
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Private Hire Vehicles
- Cannot be hailed on the road.
- Cannot use taxi ranks.
- Must ALWAYS be prebooked through a licensed operator.
- A yellow door sticker & plate must be attached to the rear of the vehicle showing the license.
- The license number should also be displayed on the windscreen.
Public Hire Vehicles
- Can be hailed on the road.
- Can pick up fares from a taxi rank.
- Can be prebooked.
- A fare table & metre must be displayed.
- A white plate at the rear, a tactile plate inside the door & a vehicle badge inside must show the license number.
Protect My Taxi will cover any risk you and your minicab may face on the road regardless of how you pick up your clients. Call us today for a competitive quote or read on for information.
Private Hire Insurance
Private Hire Insurance (also known as PHV insurance) is a specialised type of taxi car insurance specifically designed for prebooked private hire services. This may be for minicabs, coaches, chauffeur-driven cars, and limousine services. It is a legal requirement for drivers who offer pre-booked transportation for passengers.
Clients can come through a booking app, a minicab office, or any other licensed method in advance. It is illegal to pick up a fare that is not prebooked. Vehicles that can carry up to eight passengers can be covered on most private hire policies. They can be:
- Minicabs
- Minibuses
- Chauffeur-driven cars
- Limousine services
Private hire vehicle insurance covers the driver, the taxi, and the passengers in case of accidents or damage.
Public Hire Insurance
Public hire insurance is for taxis that pick passengers up from a variety of public places. This can include train stations, airports, taxi ranks, or by being flagged on the road.
Also known as hackney carriages in London, traditional black cabs are used to provide public hire services. They can, however, be any metered vehicle of up to 8 seats. In London for example, they need to be under 10 years old and meet emissions standards.
You will also need to apply for public hire insurance. Typically, an application process will consist of:
- An initial application & DBS check
- An application appointment
- Skills & knowledge test
- License application review
- License issued
If applying for a PCO license in London, you will also need to sign up and attend a PCO vehicle inspection.
Because of the higher risk of picking up un-booked custom, public hire insurance premiums are more expensive than cheaper private hire insurance. They cover pre-booked fares too so can support higher earning potential.
PCO Insurance
Public Hire Insurance is also known as PCO insurance in London. It covers taxis that can be hailed on the street without advance booking. In London, the department of Transport for London that licenses black taxis and minicabs is called the Public Carriage Office, so the insurance needed alongside this policy is referred to the same.
It is designed for use by taxi drivers who have been licenced by Transport for London (TfL). It is a legal requirement for all taxi drivers in London to have PCO insurance before they can legally operate.
PCO insurance provides coverage for both public and private hire work, although the exact level of cover required will depend on the type of vehicle being used. In addition, this type of policy usually offers features such as breakdown cover and legal protection. Please enquire with your local council to find the specific PCO requirements in the area in which you intend to pick up fares.
Whatever type of vehicle you drive, and however you pick up your fares, Protect My Taxi has you covered with insurance quotes from the best UK taxi insurance companies. Call us today for a quote.
Uber Taxi Insurance
Uber drivers pick up members of the public who book via the Uber app. To drive for them you will need a suitable level of cover, so insurance costs can have a big impact on a driver’s earnings.
Uber don’t provide insurance directly in the UK. You will need find a company that offers Uber approved insurance. These companies have been selected to provide Uber minicab insurance.
Protect My Taxi partners with the leading Uber insurance companies for affordable cover with minimal fuss that allows you to profit from your driving to the fullest.
| Bolt | Mytaxi | Gett |
| Lyft | Hailo | Kabbee |
| ComCab | Radio Taxi | Taxiapp |
Uber drivers often enquire about Uber eats insurance. The good news is that Uber driver’s insurance coverage with our partners include Uber food delivery insurance alongside their Uber cab insurance policies.
Please see our guide to becoming an Uber driver that outlines everything you need to get your licenses and get on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a PCO Licence?
A PCO license is an alternative name for a private hire license. If you drive a London taxi, it is likely that you will need a license from the Public Carriage Office. Once you have secured a PCO license, you will need to compare private hire insurance to insure your vehicle.
What is a private hire license?
In Wales and England, you need a private hire vehicle (PHV) license to drive a taxi. If you do not have this licensed, you may be prosecuted if you work as a taxi driver without one. Licenses are usually issued for 3 years before they need renewing.
How do I get a private hire license?
Before applying for a UK private hire license, you will need to first meet the minimum requirements.
- Be aged 21 or over.
- Have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom.
- Have held a full UK driving license for 12 months.
- Have a full DBS check.
If eligible, your local council may ask for all or some of the following, depending on the area:
- Complete a medical evaluation certifying your fitness to drive.
- Pass a local map test.
- Take a driving test to show you’re safe when carrying passengers.
- Take an English language test to show ability to communicate with passengers.
File a tax registration with HMRC
You will then have to join a registered private hire company or “base” before you receive your license.
How do I get cheap private hire insurance?
Ways to reduce your private higher insurance premium include:
- Paying annually – you will usually get a discount from your insurer over a monthly payment.
- Keeping your vehicle secure – installing an alarm and locking in a garage can help reduce private hire insurance monthly premium costs.
- Building a no claims discount – shows insurers you are a lower risk so give better rates.
- Change your vehicle – if your taxi falls into a lower insurance group or is more efficient, you may be able to reduce your premium.
- Shop around – cheap minicab insurance