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Private Hire vs Public Hire Taxi Insurance

Private Hire vs Public Hire Taxi Insurance

If you carry fare-paying passengers, you require taxi insurance. However, the exact type of cover depends heavily on how passengers are booked. Selecting the wrong policy class violates local licensing regulations.

Feature Private Hire Insurance Public Hire Insurance
Booking Method Pre-booked in advance via an office, website, or mobile app. Hailed on the street, picked up at a taxi rank, or pre-booked.
Uber / App Drivers Yes, Uber and similar ride-hailing app drivers require Private Hire. No, app-based platforms operate on a pre-booked private hire basis.
Vehicles Saloon cars, MPVs, minibuses (without taxi light signage). Traditional black cabs and licensed hackney carriages.
Premium Cost Typically lower than public hire, but varies with driver history. Higher due to the higher risk profile of rank/street hailing.

Learn more about licencing requirements and policy terms in our Taxi Insurance Hub.

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