Compare Taxi Insurance Quotes
Compare taxi insurance policies from up to 5 insurance providers with one short quote form.
- One short quote form
- Suitable for all taxi types
- You could save time and money
How comparing works
Taxi insurance costs can vary significantly between insurers, so comparing quotes from a panel of taxi specialists helps you check you are not over-paying for your cover.Taxi Insurance Comparison In 3 Steps
Complete the form
Provide details about you & your vehicle
Compare prices
Compare prices & taxi insurance policy features
Purchase cover
Purchase cover from your preferred provider
What is taxi insurance?
Taxi insurance is specialist cover for drivers who carry passengers for hire. Standard motor insurance is legally required for every vehicle on the road in the UK, but it does not cover carrying fare-paying passengers, so if you drive a taxi you need a taxi policy in place to protect yourself and your business.
The type of cover you need depends on how you work. If you pick up passengers without a pre-booking, for example people hailing a cab or London black cabs, you need public hire insurance. If every journey is pre-booked, including work through booking apps such as Uber and other minicab services, private hire insurance is the right fit.
All businesses need the correct type of insurance, and that applies to taxi drivers and taxi company owners alike. If you run two or more taxis, you can compare fleet insurance instead of insuring each vehicle separately.
How much does taxi insurance cost?
There is no single price for taxi insurance: insurers calculate it on the level of risk you present, and the only way to know your cost is to get quotes. Taxi insurance is generally more expensive than standard car insurance because of the way taxi drivers work.
- You are on the road for longer than the average driver.
- You often work on congested roads.
- You drive during unsociable hours.
- Your vehicle may be larger than a standard car, putting it in a higher insurance group.
Younger drivers and drivers with convictions can expect to pay more, as insurers see them as a greater risk. Comparing quotes each year, building up a no-claims bonus and choosing a taxi in a lower insurance group all help to keep the cost down.
What types of taxi insurance are there?
The cover you need depends on how you take bookings and how many vehicles you run.
Public hire insurance
For taxis that pick up passengers without a pre-booking, such as cabs hailed in the street or London black cabs.
Private hire insurance
For pre-booked journeys only, including minicabs and drivers working through booking services such as Uber.
Taxi fleet insurance
Covers two or more taxis under one policy, for taxi company owners rather than single-vehicle drivers.
Named driver or any driver cover
You can choose whether your policy covers just you, a set number of named drivers or any driver.
How can I get cheaper taxi insurance?
Taxi insurance is priced on risk, so anything that lowers your risk or lets you compare more widely can help bring the cost down.
Compare quotes
Prices vary significantly between insurers, so get quotes from a panel of taxi specialists rather than accepting the first price you are offered.
Do not auto-renew
Compare taxi insurance quotes each year so you can check you are not over-paying when your current policy comes up for renewal.
Choose a lower insurance group
The insurance group your taxi sits in has a significant effect on the cost, so pay attention to it when buying a vehicle.
Avoid convictions
Motoring and non-motoring convictions both push up the cost, so do not speed, use your mobile at the wheel or commit any offence you would have to declare.
Build a no-claims discount
A no-claims bonus can significantly reduce the cost of insuring a taxi, and a private no-claims bonus may also be taken into account.
Only add the extras you need
Options such as breakdown cover, legal assistance and licence loss cover each add to the price, so choose those that suit your work.
What details do I need to get a quote?
Have these to hand before you start.
Vehicle details
The make and model or registration of your taxi, the type of taxi, the type of use and its approximate value.
Cover details
The level of cover you want, your taxi and any private no-claims bonus, how long you have held your taxi badge, who will be driving and any claims or motoring convictions in the last 5 years.
Your details
Your name, address, date of birth and contact details.
What extras can I add to taxi insurance?
Taxi insurers offer a range of optional extras on top of the core policy, and some may be included as standard depending on the insurer.
- Windscreen damage – often included in the policy, but sometimes offered as an optional extra.
- Licence loss – pays you an income for a period if your licence is taken away.
- Public liability – protects you against claims from members of the public for injury or damage.
- Breakdown cover – covers the costs of a breakdown.
- Home assistance – help if your taxi breaks down or will not start at home.
- Ongoing transfer cover – gets your passengers to their destination if your taxi breaks down mid-journey.
- Legal assistance – covers legal fees and losses after an accident that was not your fault.
- Non-taxi use – cover for using the taxi for your own journeys outside working hours, offered by some insurers and subject to your licensing authority's rules.
Do I need public liability insurance as a taxi driver?
Public liability insurance is not a legal requirement for taxi drivers, but it can be extremely important financially if the unexpected happens. It protects you if passengers in your care are involved in accidents or other unforeseen circumstances, and it is required if you take on local authority or council contracts.
Ready to get taxi insurance quotes?
One short form, then specialist insurers come back to you with tailored quotes.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need public hire or private hire taxi insurance?
Public hire insurance is for taxis that pick up passengers without a pre-booking, such as cabs hailed in the street. Private hire insurance is for pre-booked journeys only, including booking services such as Uber and other minicab services.
How many taxis do I need for fleet insurance?
You can compare taxi fleet insurance policies if you have two or more taxis.
Can I use my taxi for personal use?
You can if your policy covers you for it, so check with your insurer. Some insurers offer non-taxi use cover, subject to your licensing authority's rules. If you want someone else, such as a partner, to drive your taxi for personal use, licensing authority restrictions may prevent it.
Can my taxi insurance start today?
In theory yes, but you need to start by getting a quote. The insurer you choose will confirm when your policy begins.
Is there a limit on the number of drivers on a taxi policy?
No. You can decide whether your policy covers just you, any number of named drivers or any driver.
Can I get taxi insurance as a young driver?
Yes, although your policy is likely to be more expensive because insurers see younger drivers as a higher risk.
Can I get taxi insurance with a conviction?
Yes, it is possible to get taxi insurance as a convicted driver, but your cover may cost more because you will be seen as a greater risk to insure. You will need to declare any claims or motoring convictions from the last 5 years when you get a quote.
Why is taxi insurance more expensive than car insurance?
Taxi drivers spend longer on the road than the average driver, often on congested roads and during unsociable hours, and taxis can be larger vehicles in a higher insurance group. Each of these raises the risk, and therefore the price.
Taxi Insurance for your situation
Other pages that may fit your business, and guides on this topic.
Written by Michael Foote, Insurance & Finance Expert
Founder of Quote Goat, with over 20 years' experience in finance and insurance. He has appeared on TV and in Forbes, The Telegraph and The Metro.
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Quote Goat passes your details to a specialist taxi insurance partner, who will contact you with quotes. This page is general information, not advice. Always check the policy documents to make sure the cover meets your needs.