Private hire insurance for all minicab, Uber and PHV drivers
Private hire insurance from a panel of trusted UK insurers
A better way to insure your private hire vehicle
Private hire insurance is the specialist cover required for any driver transporting pre-booked passengers in exchange for payment — whether you drive for Uber, Bolt, a local minicab office, or independently. Standard car insurance does not cover hire and reward work, and driving without the correct cover could invalidate your policy entirely and leave you personally liable.
At insurd, we’re an FCA-regulated specialist insurance broker with over 50 years of experience arranging private hire insurance across the UK. We work with a panel of leading UK insurers to find the right policy for your licence type and how you work.
Whether you do a bit of food delivery on the side or want some of the lowest monthly rates on the market, let us quote you for private hire cover today.
24/7 claims service
We’re here for you round the clock when you need us most.
Fairer prices for all
As a specialist insurance broker, we search our panel of leading UK insurers to find the right private hire insurance for you.
World-class support
You’ll get your own UK-based human to look after you for the duration of your policy.
Whether you do a bit of food delivery on the side or want some of the lowest monthly rates on the market, let us quote you for private hire cover today.
What’s more, we don’t insist on installing telematics devices, black boxes, or dashcams. We prefer to get to know you, ensure we can deliver what you need, and find you the lowest price.
We use a combination of technology and private hire insurance knowledge to give you incredible cover at affordable prices.
What does private hire insurance cover?
Accidental damage to your vehicle
Covers the cost of repairs if your vehicle is damaged in an accident. Comprehensive cover protects your own vehicle as well as third-party claims*.
Other bad things that could happen
Covers damage caused by fire, storms, flooding, or deliberate vandalism. Optional replacement vehicle cover keeps you earning while repairs are carried out*.
Broken glass and windscreens
All glass in your vehicle is covered — windscreen, side windows, and rear glass. Glass claims won’t affect your No Claims Discount*.
If you injure someone
Covers legal liability for injuries to third parties and damage to their property. A legal requirement for any vehicle carrying paying passengers for hire and reward*.
Theft
If your vehicle is stolen, you’ll receive a replacement or the market value. Installing approved security devices reduces your risk and can lower your premium*.
* Subject to your chosen level of policy cover and the prevailing policy excess.
Power up your cover with a host of optional extras
Additional cover options that you can
tailor to your own needs, ensuring
complete peace of mind and keeping you
on the road whatever happens.
- Up to £10 million public liability cover: Especially important for local authority or school contracts, public liability cover protects you if a passenger or member of the public makes a claim against you beyond standard motor cover.
- Guaranteed plated replacement vehicle: If your private hire vehicle is off the road following an accident or theft, a guaranteed replacement keeps you earning. Essential for any driver who can’t afford to lose income.
- RAC breakdown, rescue and recovery: A breakdown on a job can be costly and damaging to your reputation. RAC breakdown cover provides roadside assistance, recovery, and home start so you’re never left stranded.
- £100,000 legal expenses cover: Covers legal costs if you need to pursue or defend a claim arising from an accident. Access to legal expertise without the risk of substantial personal legal bills.
- Up to £1,500 excess protection: If you need to make a claim, your policy excess can be a significant unexpected cost. Excess protection covers that amount so you’re not out of pocket when you need your insurance most.
- SmartFob key cover: Replacing a modern vehicle key can cost hundreds of pounds. SmartFob covers the cost of replacement keys and lock replacements if your keys are lost, stolen, or damaged.
What is private hire insurance?
Any driver transporting pre-booked passengers in exchange for payment is legally required to have private hire insurance with hire and reward cover. This applies whether you drive for a platform like Uber, Bolt, Free Now, or other ride-hailing apps, work through a local minicab office, or operate independently. This is different to public hire insurance, which covers black cabs and hackney carriages that can be hailed on the street without a booking.
Types of cover
Private hire insurance policies typically offer various levels of cover:
- Third Party: This is the minimum legal requirement, covering liability for injuries to others and damage to third-party property.
- Third Party, Fire and Theft: In addition to third-party cover, this includes protection against fire damage and theft of the insured vehicle.
- Comprehensive: Offers the highest level of cover, encompassing all the benefits of Third Party, Fire and Theft along with cover for accidental or malicious damage to the driver’s own vehicle.
All private hire insurance policies include hire and reward cover as a legal requirement for carrying paying passengers. Without it, any claim made while transporting a passenger would be rejected.
Driving for Uber or another platform? Read our guide on whether Uber drivers are self-employed and what this means for your insurance.
Looking to insure your minibus? We also offer minibus insurance policies. Own or run more than two vehicles? Take a look at our taxi fleet insurance policies.
What you’ll need to get the best private hire insurance prices
Our mission is to give you the best private hire insurance deal in the shortest possible time. But we’ll need some information from you to make sure we’re giving you an accurate price.
Your personal information (which is 100% secure)
Apart from the obvious reasons, we’ll need your name, address and date of birth to make sure you are who you say you are. Insurance application fraud is at its highest ever level and our background checks ensure everybody pays a fair price.
Your vehicle registration number and details
We’ll search DVLA and SMMT data to ensure we’ve got accurate information about your vehicle.
Your driving licence number and details of your driving history
Providing your driving licence number (“DLN”) allows for validation of your entitlement to drive certain types of vehicles and your driving history. Some of our insurer partners will offer a discount for confirming your DLN.
Details of any No Claims Bonus you’ve earned
If you’ve been insured as a private hire driver previously and are accident-free, the chances are you’ve got a No Claims Bonus (“NCB”). Your NCB will usually reduce your premium by 30-70%, so it’s important you know exactly how many years’ entitlement you have.
Full details of any additional drivers you want to drive your vehicle
You’ll need to provide the same information about any other drivers, and you should have their permission to do so before you get a quote.
How much does private hire insurance cost?
Private hire insurance typically costs more than standard motor insurance due to the additional risks involved with carrying paying passengers. Several factors influence the cost of your policy. If you want to see what drivers in your area are typically paying, take a look at our average taxi and private hire insurance premiums by licensing authority.
Usage and mileage
Private hire drivers typically cover high annual mileage. Accurate declarations ensure your policy reflects your actual risk and keeps your premium fair.
Value of the vehicle
Higher-value vehicles attract higher premiums due to greater repair and replacement costs. Any modifications must be declared accurately; undeclared modifications can invalidate a claim.
Location
Operating in high-crime or high-traffic areas typically results in higher premiums. Licensing authorities in cities like London carry significantly higher average premiums than rural areas.
Type of private hire vehicle
7-seaters, wheelchair-accessible vehicles, and specialist vehicles carry different premiums to standard cars. Passenger capacity, vehicle size, and specification are all considered at underwriting.
Driving record
A clean driving record with a No Claims Bonus can reduce your premium by 30–70%. Previous claims, convictions, or motoring offences will increase costs.
Storage and security
Where your vehicle is kept overnight and the security measures in place affect your premium. Approved alarms, trackers, and secure overnight parking all reduce your risk profile.
How to reduce your private hire insurance premium
Beyond the factors above, there are several practical steps that can help bring your private hire insurance costs down.
- Build and protect your No Claims Bonus — Your NCB is your most valuable discount, reducing premiums by 30–70% over time. NCB protection is worth considering once you’ve built up several claim-free years.
- Install a dashcam — Dashcams provide evidence in disputed claims and deter staged accidents — both increasingly common for private hire drivers. Many insurers now offer premium discounts for their use.
- Choose your vehicle carefully — Engine size, age, and value all affect your premium. A newer, lower-powered vehicle with modern safety features will generally attract a lower premium.
- Store your vehicle securely — Keeping your vehicle in a locked garage or off the road overnight reduces theft and vandalism risk and can lower your premium.
- Increase your voluntary excess — A higher voluntary excess reduces your premium but means paying more if you claim. Only increase it to a level you could genuinely afford.
- Pay annually — Monthly payments include finance interest. Paying your full premium upfront avoids that additional cost.
Private hire insurance frequently asked questions
What's the difference between private hire and public hire insurance?
Private hire insurance covers vehicles that must be pre-booked, such as minicabs or ride-hailing cars. Public hire insurance covers vehicles that can be hailed immediately on the street or at a taxi rank. Read our full guide to private hire vs public hire insurance, or find out more about our private hire insurance and public hire insurance policies.
Can I use my private hire vehicle for social use?
Yes, you can. All of our policies include social, domestic and pleasure use as standard.
Am I covered for food delivery?
If you’re delivering food, as long as you let us know, we can arrange for it to be included in your cover.
Can I pay for my private hire insurance monthly?
Yes. We offer some of the lowest monthly rates on the market and can set up your monthly instalment plan in minutes.
Can I insure my private hire vehicle for a month?
Yes you can. As long as you’re licensed for private hire and subject to our usual acceptability criteria, you can insure your taxi or minicab for 30 days.
Why do I need public liability cover?
Your private hire insurance policy automatically covers you for damage to other people’s property or if you injure someone while driving your taxi. However, especially for local authority or school contracts, you’re still responsible for your fare until they actually reach their destination and public liability insurance will cover you if you’re sued for damages.
What is PCO insurance?
In London, drivers must be licensed by Transport for London's Taxi and Private Hire division, commonly known as the PCO. For private hire drivers — including minicab and Uber drivers operating in London — this means holding a valid PCO private hire licence and arranging private hire insurance with hire and reward cover. If you need PCO-compliant private hire insurance in London, we can arrange this for you. Get a quote today.
Does insurd cover Uber and ride-hailing drivers?
Yes — if you drive for Uber, Bolt, Free Now or any other ride-hailing platform, you need private hire insurance with hire and reward cover. At insurd we can arrange this for you regardless of which platform you drive for. Get a quote today or read our guide to private hire vs public hire insurance.
Do you cover new private hire drivers?
Yes, of course. Provided you’re over 23 years of age we can offer competitive prices for new private hire drivers.
Do I need a PHV licence to get taxi insurance?
Yes. To obtain private hire insurance you must hold a valid Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) licence issued by your local licensing authority. Without it, insurers will not provide hire and reward cover, which is the legal requirement for carrying paying passengers. Your licence must remain valid for the duration of your policy — if it lapses, your cover may be invalidated. If you're new to the industry or approaching renewal, read our full guide to PHV licence renewal for a step-by-step walkthrough of the process.
Why can I trust insurd?
We've been arranging insurance for over 50 years — now trading as insurd — and we're authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Firm Register Number: 308508), and over a thousand real customers have shared their experiences with us on Trustpilot.
You can verify our status directly on the FCA register.
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