Uber Insurance

What is Uber insurance?

Uber insurance is simply private hire taxi insurance for a car you drive on the Uber app. There is no separate class of policy called Uber insurance; what you need is a private hire policy that covers you to carry paying members of the public.

Driving for Uber is your office on wheels. Like shops, offices and other businesses, you need business insurance to cover the risks of running your business. In the case of private hire work, that cover is a legal requirement rather than a recommendation. Although the Toyota Prius is the most popular choice for Uber drivers, you can use any car, and whichever car you register with Uber will need more than ordinary car insurance.

Do I need Uber insurance if I already have car insurance?

Yes. A standard car insurance policy is mandatory for any vehicle, but it is insufficient for private hire drivers and you will not be able to work as an Uber driver without the correct cover in place.

There are two reasons for this. First, your car spends far more time on the road than a privately used car, so your cover needs to reflect that. Second, you are driving paying members of the public, which a standard policy does not cover. As the car owner, it is on you to know what cover you need, and the level should be enough to keep you on your feet if your car needs repairs and is off the road for a day or two. That matters even more when Uber is your main source of income.

Am I not already covered by Uber's Partner Protection?

No. Uber offers Partner Protection to every driver, but it covers specific life-changing events while you are on-trip and off-trip. It does not provide the private hire insurance you are legally required to hold as a taxi driver.

You still need your own private hire policy to drive for Uber legally, and Partner Protection sits alongside it rather than replacing it.

What does Uber insurance cover?

A private hire policy for your Uber car should cover your liability to other people, injury to yourself, and damage to your own vehicle. The main elements are:

• Liability cover. Commercial vehicles such as taxis must have some level of liability cover. If you are at fault in a collision, your policy pays for injury to other people and damage to their vehicles, property and other assets. Commercial vehicle liability can also cover your defence fees if the injured party takes legal action against you.
• Your own injury. If the other driver is at fault but is uninsured or under-insured, your own policy has to cover you, so check what it includes.
• Physical damage. Damage to your own vehicle can put you out of business for a short while and cost a good deal to repair. If your car is on finance you still have to make the monthly payments while it is off the road, so this protection is crucial.
• Vandalism, theft, fire and storm damage. Comprehensive cover should also deal with intentional damage and incidents such as a tree falling on your car.
• Collision damage. This is damage only to your own cab with no third party involved, such as scraping a telephone pole or hitting a tree.

When taking out a policy, go through every clause and make sure you are covered for what matters to you.

What is not covered by Uber insurance?

What is excluded depends on the policy you choose, so read the clauses before you buy. Policies vary, and the main gaps to watch for are the ones that relate to your own car rather than other people.

Liability cover alone pays for injury and damage you cause to others but not for damage to your own vehicle. If you want your own car repaired after an at-fault accident, or after vandalism, theft, fire or storm damage, you need comprehensive cover. Collision damage to your own cab where no one else is involved is also only covered if your policy includes it. Uber's Partner Protection is not a substitute for any of this.

How much does Uber insurance cost?

The cost of Uber insurance varies depending on your circumstances, including your age, driving experience, no claims bonus and the vehicle you drive. The only way to get an accurate figure is to complete the form and let specialist insurers quote for your situation.

Your excess level also affects the price. It is not technically a discount, but asking for quotes at a variety of excess levels can help you find cheaper cover. Because so many factors feed into the price, it makes sense to compare several policies from different companies before you buy.

Can I get Uber insurance if I drive in London?

Yes. With 30,000 Uber drivers in London, we help many of them find insurance each week.

Quotes are available to anyone in the UK, whether you are considering becoming an Uber driver and want to know what cover would cost, or you are already operating and want to compare your current policy.

How do I compare Uber insurance quotes?

Complete one short form about you and your car, and specialist private hire insurers on our panel will contact you with quotes tailored to your circumstances. There are no live prices online; instead you discuss your needs directly with insurers who cater for Uber drivers.

Quote Goat is an independent comparison site, so we do not partner with individual companies. Most detailed questions about cover are best answered over the phone when you go through the quotes with an insurer, so have your licence details, no claims history and vehicle information ready.