Taxi insurance: Public or private hire, one quote that fits the badge.

Taxi cover from brokers who deal with local councils, badges and platform drivers every day. A few quick questions and we match you.

Public and private hire
Uber, Bolt and local firms
No obligation

Get taxi quotes

What taxi insurance can cover

Whether you drive a black cab, a private hire saloon or an app car, the policy has to match the plate and the licence.

Private hire
Public hire and hackney carriage
Uber and app drivers
Hire and reward
Breakdown and legal cover
Named drivers
Fleet taxi policies

Do I need taxi insurance to carry paying passengers?

Yes. Carrying passengers for money is hire and reward use, and ordinary car insurance does not cover it. A taxi needs a policy set up for public hire or private hire, to match your licence. Driving passengers for payment on a standard car policy can leave you uninsured, which is a criminal offence.

Every vehicle on a public road must have at least third-party cover under the Road Traffic Act. For a taxi, that cover must include the hire and reward use you actually do.

Your council will usually want to see a valid taxi insurance certificate before it licenses the vehicle, and you'll need to keep it in force while the licence is active.

What is the difference between private hire and public hire insurance?

Public hire covers hackney carriages, the taxis that can be hailed in the street or picked up at a rank. Private hire covers cars that must be booked in advance through a licensed operator. Your insurance has to match the type of licence you hold, because the risks and rules are different.

Type of job	Public hire (hackney carriage)	Private hire
Street hails	Yes	No
Taxi ranks	Yes	No
Pre-booked jobs	Yes	Yes

A private hire driver who picks up a street hail is breaking the rules of their licence, and a private hire policy is unlikely to cover that journey. Only take pre-booked work.

Who licenses taxis in the UK?

Taxi and private hire licensing is handled by local councils. In London, it's done by Transport for London. The driver, the vehicle and, for private hire, the operator each need a licence. Every council sets its own conditions, and they can differ from one area to the next.

Tell the broker which council licenses you. Some insurers only quote in certain areas, and some councils have their own requirements for the vehicle or the policy.

Am I covered for Uber, Bolt and other app work?

Uber and Bolt work is private hire, so you need a private hire licence and a private hire policy, with the app firm acting as the operator. Some other apps send jobs to hackney carriages, so tell the broker exactly how you get your work, including school runs, airport work or contract jobs.

If you work for several apps or local firms, say so. A policy can usually be set up to cover all of them, but only if the insurer knows.

What does taxi insurance usually cover?

Taxi insurance comes in the same three levels as car cover: third party only, third party fire and theft, and comprehensive. All of them include hire and reward use for carrying passengers. What's added on top, such as public liability or breakdown, depends on the policy you choose.

Third party only: the legal minimum. Covers injury to other people, including your passengers, and damage to their property.
Third party, fire and theft: adds cover if your car is stolen or catches fire.
Comprehensive: also covers damage to your own car, even if the accident was your fault.
Public liability: covers claims from passengers or the public for injury or damage outside the driving itself, such as helping someone with luggage.
Optional extras: breakdown cover, motor legal expenses, a replacement vehicle, windscreen cover.

What isn't covered by taxi insurance?

Common exclusions include journeys outside your licence type, such as street hails on a private hire policy, drivers who aren't named, wear and tear and mechanical failure. Loss of earnings while your taxi is off the road is often not included unless you add it. Read the policy wording before you rely on it.

Work that doesn't match your licence or the area you're licensed in.
Drivers not named on the policy.
Theft when the car is left unlocked or with keys in it.
Loss of earnings, unless the policy includes it.

What affects the price of taxi insurance?

Insurers look at how likely a claim is and how much it might cost. For taxis, the main factors are the type of licence, the car, where you work and which council licenses you, how much you drive, and your licence, claims and convictions history.

Licence type: public hire or private hire.
The licensing council and where you usually work.
The car: make, model, value, number of seats and any adaptations.
Mileage and hours: full-time or part-time, days or nights.
The drivers: ages, how long each has held a licence and a taxi badge.
Claims and motoring convictions, usually over the last five years.
Taxi no-claims bonus, voluntary excess and how you pay.

How can I bring down the cost of taxi insurance?

Make sure every detail is accurate, then look at what you control. Keeping the car secure and off the road overnight, limiting the named drivers, choosing a sensible excess and building a taxi no-claims bonus can all help. A broker can quote a few options so you can compare.

Park on a drive or in a garage overnight if you can.
Only name drivers who really drive the car.
Consider a higher voluntary excess, but only one you could afford if you claim.
Pay annually if you can. Paying monthly is often a credit agreement and can cost more overall.
Keep proof of your taxi no-claims bonus. Some insurers may consider private car no-claims too.
Ask about a dash cam. Some insurers take one into account, so it's worth mentioning.

What do I need to get a taxi insurance quote?

Have your car's registration, your driving licence details and your taxi badge details ready. The broker will ask whether you do public or private hire, which council licenses you, how many seats the car has, and about any claims or convictions. Proof of no-claims bonus may be asked for later.

Registration number, or make, model and year.
Driving licence details for you and any other drivers.
Taxi badge and licensing council.
Public hire or private hire, and any apps or operators you work for.
Number of passenger seats.
Claims and convictions, usually for the last five years.
Your no-claims bonus and when you want cover to start.

Taxi insurance questions

What happens after I submit?

Your details go to specialist brokers who deal with taxi insurance every day. One of them will call you to run through your options and quotes.

Is there any obligation?

None. You can take a quote, ask for changes, or walk away. Nothing is bought until you say so.

Who are the brokers?

UK-based insurance brokers authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Kompare Limited is on the FCA's Financial Services Register under Firm Reference Number 794660.

How long does it take?

The form takes about two minutes. Brokers usually call back during working hours.

Do I need my badge before I get a quote?

You can ask for quotes before it arrives, but you'll need the badge details before a policy can start.

Can I use my private car insurance for taxi work?

No. A standard car policy doesn't cover carrying passengers for payment. You need a public hire or private hire policy that matches your licence.

Do I need public liability insurance as a taxi driver?

It isn't a legal requirement for every driver, but some councils and operators ask for it. Check your licence conditions and your operator's terms.

Can I use my taxi for personal journeys?

Most taxi policies include social, domestic and pleasure use alongside hire and reward. Check your certificate to be sure.

Does my taxi insurance cover me in another council's area?

It depends on your licence and your policy. Your licence rules decide where you can work, and the policy has to match. Ask the broker if you work across council areas.

Can I get taxi insurance as a new driver?

Yes, though insurers look closely at how long you've held a full licence. Some councils also set a minimum licence period before they'll grant a badge. Tell the broker your situation.

Is there such a thing as taxi fleet insurance?

Yes. If you run two or more taxis, a fleet policy can cover them together. Tell the broker how many vehicles and drivers you have.

Written and checked by the Kompare team · Last updated November 2026

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