Black Cab Insurance
Black Cab Insurance Quotes
Cover for licensed hackney carriage drivers.
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What Is Black Cab Insurance?
Black cab insurance is specialist hire and reward cover for licensed hackney carriage drivers who pick up passengers from the street or at a taxi rank, protecting both the driver and the purpose-built vehicle they operate.
London's iconic black cabs and hackney carriages across the UK need a policy that covers public hire work – standard car insurance does not meet the legal requirement. Driving a hackney carriage without valid hire and reward cover is an offence under Section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
Black cab premiums run higher than standard taxi insurance because purpose-built vehicles like the LEVC TX cost upward of £65,000 new, making repair and replacement bills far more expensive.
How To Compare Black Cab Insurance Quotes
Comparing quotes from specialist black cab insurers is the fastest way to find cover at the right price, and an online comparison tool lets you see prices side by side in minutes.
Enter your details
Provide your hackney carriage badge number, vehicle registration, driving history, and the licensing authority that issued your badge.
Choose your cover level
Select third-party only, third-party fire and theft, or fully comprehensive. Most black cab drivers choose comprehensive because the high vehicle value makes own-damage cover a must-have.
Review your quotes
The Financial Conduct Authority recommends comparing quotes from at least three providers before buying. Check the excess, mileage limits, and whether breakdown cover is included.
Buy online
Once you find the right policy, most insurers let you buy and receive your documents the same day so you can start working immediately.
What Does Black Cab Insurance Cover?
A black cab policy covers you for carrying passengers who hail your taxi on the street or pick you up at a rank, plus third-party injury, property damage, and – on higher tiers – your own vehicle.
Third-party liability
Every black cab policy includes third-party liability as standard. This pays for damage to other vehicles, property, or injuries to passengers and pedestrians caused by an accident that is your fault.
Fire and theft protection
TPFT and comprehensive policies add cover if your vehicle is stolen or damaged by fire. Purpose-built cabs parked on London streets face higher theft risk, making this cover worth considering.
Own-vehicle damage
Comprehensive cover pays to repair or replace your own cab after an accident, regardless of who was at fault. With an LEVC TX costing upward of £65,000, this is the most popular choice among London cabbies.
Passenger liability
Black cab policies include passenger liability to cover medical expenses and compensation if a fare-paying passenger is injured during a journey. This is separate from your third-party liability for other road users.
Public liability
Some policies bundle public liability insurance to protect you against claims from passengers injured while getting in or out of your cab, not just during a road traffic incident.
Employer’s liability
If you employ other drivers or support staff, employer’s liability cover is a legal requirement with a minimum of £5 million. Most insurers offer £10 million as standard.
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What Levels Of Cover Are Available?
Black cab insurance comes in three standard cover levels, each offering a different degree of protection for your cab and your livelihood.
| Cover level | What it covers | Typical annual cost | Best for |
| Third-party only (TPO) | Damage to others only | £1,500–£3,000 | Older hackney carriages with low value |
| Third-party, fire and theft | TPO + fire and theft of your cab | £2,000–£3,500 | Cabbies with secure overnight parking |
| Fully comprehensive | TPO + TPFT + own-vehicle damage | £2,500–£5,000 | Most working black cab drivers |
Most London cabbies opt for comprehensive cover because the LEVC TX and other purpose-built cabs are expensive to repair or replace.
What Types Of Black Cab Insurance Can You Get?
Beyond the cover level, a black cab policy is built around who is allowed to drive the cab.
Sole driver policy
Only the named policyholder can drive the cab. This is the cheapest option if you are the sole operator and never let anyone else behind the wheel.
Named driver policy
Up to two or three additional drivers can be named on the policy. Useful if you share your cab with a family member or another licensed driver on different shifts.
Any driver policy
Any licensed hackney carriage driver can drive the vehicle. This is the most flexible option and is commonly used by taxi fleet operators who rotate multiple drivers through a single cab.
What Is Not Covered By Black Cab Insurance?
Black cab insurance covers hackney carriage work, but several common situations fall outside the standard policy wording.
Driving under the influence
Any claim made while the driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be rejected. The insurer may also void the entire policy.
Private hire work
A black cab policy covers public hire only. If you also take pre-booked fares through an app or operator, you need separate private hire insurance or a dual-use policy.
Personal use without dual cover
A standard black cab policy covers you while working. If you also use the vehicle for personal trips, you need a dual-use policy that includes social, domestic, and pleasure use.
Unlicensed or unnamed drivers
If someone who is not named on the policy or who does not hold a valid hackney carriage licence drives the vehicle, no cover applies.
General wear and tear
Routine maintenance, mechanical breakdown, and cosmetic deterioration are not covered. Only sudden, accidental damage triggers a valid claim.
How Much Does Black Cab Insurance Cost?
Most black cab drivers pay between £2,500 and £5,000 per year for fully comprehensive cover, though costs vary widely depending on your vehicle, location, and driving record.
| Cover level | Typical annual cost |
| Third-party only | £1,500–£3,000 |
| Third-party, fire and theft | £2,000–£3,500 |
| Fully comprehensive | £2,500–£5,000 |
Black cab premiums run higher than standard taxi insurance because purpose-built vehicles cost more to repair and London drivers face higher traffic density and accident rates.
A 38-year-old Knowledge holder in London driving an LEVC TX with four years’ no-claims might pay around £3,800 per year for comprehensive cover. Paying monthly at 10% interest adds £380, bringing the total to £4,180.
Monthly payments
Spreading the cost monthly typically adds 8–11% to the total – on a £4,000 policy that means paying £320–£440 in interest charges over the year.
Read more about taxi insurance costs to see how your area and vehicle type compare.
What Affects Your Black Cab Insurance Premium?
Black cab premiums depend on a combination of driver, vehicle, and location factors that insurers weigh differently.
Vehicle type and value
An LEVC TX costs far more to insure than an older TX4 or a converted Mercedes Vito. The higher the vehicle value, the more comprehensive cover costs.
Your driving record
A clean licence with no points or convictions attracts the lowest premiums. Even a single SP30 speeding conviction can push your quote up by 10–20%.
No-claims bonus
Building a no-claims bonus on a hire and reward policy can cut your premium by 30–50% over five claim-free years. Not all insurers accept a bonus earned on a personal car policy, so check when comparing.
Licensing area
London cabbies typically pay the most in the UK due to higher traffic density and accident rates. Drivers licensed by Transport for London also need to meet stricter vehicle standards, which pushes premiums up.
Annual mileage
Full-time drivers covering 25,000 miles or more per year pay more than part-time drivers doing half that distance. Accurate mileage estimates help avoid overpaying.
Age and experience
Most insurers set a minimum age of 25 for black cab cover, and drivers under 30 face the highest premiums. Costs drop noticeably after 30 and again after 40.
Overnight parking
Parking in a locked garage or off-street driveway overnight reduces theft and vandalism risk, which lowers your premium compared with on-street parking in London.
Claims history
Even a single fault claim in the past three years can push premiums up by 20–40%. Keeping a clean claims record is one of the most effective ways to control costs.
How To Save Money On Black Cab Insurance
Black cab premiums are among the highest in UK motor insurance, but several practical steps can bring the cost down without reducing your cover.
Compare quotes every renewal
Loyalty rarely pays with insurance. Comparing quotes from specialist black cab insurers each year is the single biggest way to cut costs.
Build your no-claims bonus
Each claim-free year earns a discount that compounds over time. After five years you could save 30–50% on your base premium.
Increase your voluntary excess
Raising your excess from £250 to £500 typically reduces the annual premium by 5–10%. Only choose an excess you can afford to pay if you need to claim.
Fit a telematics device
A telematics black box tracks your driving and rewards safe habits with lower renewal quotes. Careful drivers can see reductions of 15–30% after the first year.
Pay annually if possible
Paying the full premium upfront avoids the 8–11% interest markup that monthly instalments carry. On a £4,000 policy, that saves £320–£440.
Secure overnight parking
Parking your cab in a locked garage or gated compound overnight can cut your premium by 5–15% compared with leaving it on a London street.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Black cab insurance covers hackney carriages that can be flagged down on the street or pick up from a rank. Private hire insurance covers vehicles that only accept pre-booked fares through an operator or app.
Yes – if you use your LEVC TX as a licensed hackney carriage you need specialist black cab cover. The high vehicle value makes comprehensive cover the most popular choice among LEVC drivers.
Yes – most specialist black cab insurers now cover the LEVC TX and other electric or hybrid hackney carriages. Some offer discounts for lower-emission vehicles.
The Knowledge is the iconic exam London taxi drivers must pass to earn a TfL hackney carriage licence. Having it shows insurers you are an experienced, committed driver, which can help reduce your premium.
According to Department for Transport statistics, London had around 15,000 licensed hackney carriages as of 2024, with the majority now being LEVC TX electric cabs.
Some drivers hold both licences, but you would need a policy that covers both public and private hire work. Read more about the differences between private hire and taxi vehicles.
Depending on your business structure you may also need public liability and employer’s liability cover. Read our full guide on what insurance taxi drivers need for a complete breakdown.
Yes – purpose-built hackney carriages cost more to repair and replace than standard saloons, so premiums are higher than for a typical private hire or public hire policy.
Uber operates as a private hire service, not public hire. You would need a private hire licence and Uber taxi insurance, not a hackney carriage policy.
Hire and reward insurance covers any vehicle used to carry passengers or goods for payment – black cab insurance is a type of hire and reward cover. Read our guide on hire and reward insurance for a full explanation.
No – a PCO licence is issued by Transport for London for private hire vehicles, not hackney carriages; London black cab drivers hold a separate TfL hackney carriage licence. Read more about PCO insurance if you operate a private hire vehicle.
You would need a dual-use policy or separate chauffeur insurance to cover executive hire work alongside your hackney carriage licence.
