Finding the right private hire insurance

If you’re a private hire (minicab) taxi driver, it’s important that you have the right level of insurance to make sure that you, your passengers and vehicle are all protected. As a taxi driver, you are covering far greater distances than most average road users and probably spend a lot of time driving around towns and cities, which can increase the chance of an accident.

WHAT ARE PRIVATE HIRE (MINICAB) TAXIS?

Put simply, private hire taxis or minicabs are pre-booked either by phone, email or in the booking office and cannot be flagged down by customers. This can include:

• Those who cater for social events, such as; proms, stag and hen dos and corporate events.
• Contract workers (e.g drivers who do school runs for the council).

WHAT ARE PUBLIC HIRE TAXIS?

Public hire vehicles or Hackney carriages are licensed to be either pre-booked, pick up customers from a taxi rank or be hailed on the street. Some of the most famous examples of a public hire vehicle are London’s black cabs.

WHEN IS PRIVATE HIRE TAXI INSURANCE NEEDED?

Having the right level of cover will ensure you can get on with your day-to-day work, safe in the knowledge that you are protected. Having a comprehensive insurance policy covers you for third party liability (including your passengers) and will protect you financially against fire and theft. As a Minicab driver, you are usually required to take out insurance every 12 months unless this has been agreed otherwise with your insurers.

IMPORTANCE OF HAVING THE RIGHT LEVEL OF INSURANCE IN PLACE

Not having the right level of insurance in place means you might not be legally covered to operate a taxi or operate as a taxi driver. Remember, ordinary car insurance will not cover you to drive a taxi for hire and reward, so you must have specific private hire cover. Not having the correct insurance could lead to your policy being voided or cancelled and leave you exposed to costs if:

• You’re involved in an accident and have claims made against you.
• You injure someone or damage property.

You can also be put at risk of:

• Potential convictions and fines – which can lead to increased premiums.
• Claims being refused or insurer seeking recovery for the outlay.

HOW STAVELEY HEAD CAN HELP

Staveley Head is here to help you get the right insurance for your needs at the right price. You can do this by calling our specialist taxi insurance team on 0800 0815 025 or by getting an online quote.