Minicab Insurance
Minicab Insurance Quotes
Hire and reward cover for pre-booked private hire drivers.
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Compare insurance quotes from top minicab insurers including:
What Is Minicab Insurance?
Minicab insurance is a specialist hire-and-reward policy that covers drivers who carry passengers in pre-booked private hire vehicles.
Standard car insurance does not cover you the moment you accept a fare. The Road Traffic Act 1988 requires anyone carrying passengers for payment to hold the correct motor cover.
A minicab policy sits under the wider private hire insurance umbrella. It protects you, your vehicle and your passengers every time you drive for a booking.
Without the right cover, a single accident could leave you personally liable for injury claims, vehicle repairs and legal costs.
How To Compare Minicab Insurance Quotes
Comparing minicab insurance quotes takes a few minutes online and can save hundreds of pounds a year on your premium.
Enter your details
Provide your name, address, private hire licence number and vehicle registration. Include any no-claims bonus years you have built up.
Choose your cover level
Pick from third-party only, third-party fire and theft, or comprehensive. Add optional extras such as breakdown cover or legal expenses.
Review your quotes
Results appear side by side so you can compare price, excess and policy features. The Financial Conduct Authority recommends comparing quotes before choosing a policy.
Buy your policy online
Select the quote that fits your budget and cover needs. Most insurers issue documents the same day.
What Does Minicab Insurance Cover?
A minicab policy covers the risks that come with carrying paying passengers, from road accidents to injury claims.
Third-party liability
Every policy covers damage or injury you cause to other people, vehicles or property. This is the legal minimum under UK law.
Passenger injury
Your passengers are covered for injuries sustained in an accident while travelling in your vehicle. Cover limits vary by insurer.
Vehicle damage
Comprehensive policies pay for repairs to your own vehicle after a collision, vandalism or weather damage. Lower-tier policies do not include this.
Personal injury
Many comprehensive policies include personal injury cover of up to £5,000 for the driver. This pays out if you are injured in an accident, regardless of fault.
Public liability
Public liability cover protects you against claims from members of the public. It applies when a passenger or bystander is injured as a result of your work.
Employers' liability
If you employ other drivers, employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement. It covers claims from staff who are injured or become ill through work.
Windscreen and glass
Comprehensive policies usually include windscreen replacement without affecting your no-claims bonus. Lower-tier policies do not.
Which Vehicles Does Minicab Insurance Cover?
Most standard saloon cars, hatchbacks, MPVs and people carriers qualify.
Popular models include the Toyota Prius, Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Passat.
Ride-hailing app vehicles used through Uber, Bolt or Ola also need a minicab policy. Your vehicle must pass your council's private hire inspection.
What Levels Of Cover Are Available?
There are three standard cover levels, each building on the one below it.
| Cover level | What it includes | Best for |
| Third-party only (TPO) | Covers injury and damage to other people and their property | Drivers on a tight budget who want the legal minimum |
| Third-party, fire and theft (TPFT) | TPO plus cover if your vehicle is stolen or damaged by fire | Drivers who park on-street or in high-risk areas |
| Comprehensive | TPFT plus own-vehicle repairs, windscreen, personal injury and belongings | Most minicab drivers who want full protection |
What Types Of Minicab Insurance Can You Get?
Beyond the cover level, a minicab policy is set by who is allowed to drive the car.
Sole driver vs named driver policies
A sole-driver policy covers only you behind the wheel. A named-driver policy lets you add other licensed drivers to the same vehicle.
Named-driver cover suits owner-operators who share shifts or couples who both hold a private hire licence.
Any-driver policies
Any-driver cover allows any licensed private hire driver to use the vehicle. This option is more common on taxi fleet insurance policies where multiple drivers rotate vehicles.
What Is Not Covered By Minicab Insurance?
Standard minicab policies exclude several common risks, so check your wording carefully before you sign.
Driving without a valid licence
Your insurer will reject any claim if you or a named driver does not hold a valid private hire licence at the time of the incident.
Personal use without off-duty cover
Most policies only cover you while working. If you drive your minicab for personal errands, you need an off-duty extension or a separate social, domestic and pleasure policy.
Uninsured modifications
Aftermarket modifications such as tinted windows, body kits or engine remaps can void your cover unless declared to your insurer in advance.
Street hailing
Minicab insurance covers pre-booked fares only. Picking up passengers who flag you down on the street requires public hire insurance and a hackney carriage licence.
Wear and tear
Mechanical breakdowns and general wear are not covered by any minicab policy. Add breakdown cover separately if you want roadside assistance.
Driving outside your licensed area
Your private hire licence is issued by a specific council. Working outside that area without cross-border permission can invalidate your cover.
Criminal convictions
Unspent motoring or criminal convictions must be declared when you apply. Failing to disclose them gives your insurer grounds to refuse a claim.
How Much Does Minicab Insurance Cost?
Most minicab drivers pay between £1,500 and £4,000 a year, depending on their cover level, location and driving record.
| Cover level | Typical annual cost |
| Third-party only | £1,200–£2,500 |
| Third-party, fire and theft | £1,500–£3,000 |
| Comprehensive | £2,000–£4,000 |
A 35-year-old driver in Birmingham with a Toyota Prius, a clean licence and 3 years of no-claims bonus might pay around £2,800 a year for comprehensive cover.
Paying monthly instead of annually typically adds 8–11% to the total cost – on a £2,800 policy that means £224–£308 in interest.
Read more in our guide to taxi insurance costs.
Why London drivers pay more
London premiums are often 20–40% higher than the national average. Higher traffic density, congestion zone driving and elevated theft rates all push costs up.
Part-time vs full-time drivers
Part-time drivers who cover fewer miles a year often qualify for lower premiums. If you only work evenings or weekends, make sure your insurer knows.
What Affects Your Minicab Insurance Premium?
Insurers weigh a mix of personal, vehicle and business factors when calculating your quote.
Your age and driving history
Younger drivers and those with recent claims or penalty points typically pay the highest premiums. A clean record over several years brings costs down steadily.
Vehicle type and age
Popular minicab models such as the Toyota Prius and Skoda Octavia cost less to insure than luxury saloons or high-performance vehicles.
Location
London-based drivers typically pay the highest premiums because of traffic density, theft rates and accident frequency. Drivers in smaller cities and rural areas generally pay less.
Annual mileage
Higher mileage increases your risk profile. Full-time drivers who cover 30,000+ miles a year pay more than part-time operators.
No-claims bonus
Each claim-free year earns a growing discount on your premium. Some insurers let you protect your no-claims bonus for a small extra fee.
Cover level and voluntary excess
Comprehensive cover costs more than third-party only. Raising your voluntary excess lowers the premium, but increases what you pay if you claim.
Security measures
Fitting a dashcam, GPS tracker or telematics device can reduce your premium. Off-street parking and a locked garage also help.
Most minicab insurers set a minimum age of 21, and some require at least two years of driving experience before they will offer a quote.
How To Save Money On Minicab Insurance
Small changes to your policy setup and driving habits can cut your annual bill by hundreds of pounds.
Compare quotes every renewal
Automatic renewals are almost always more expensive. Use a taxi insurance comparison tool at least three weeks before your policy expires.
Pay annually
A one-off payment avoids the interest charged on monthly instalments. On a £2,800 policy, that could save you up to £308.
Choose your vehicle wisely
Vehicles in lower insurance groups cost less to cover. The Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Passat and Skoda Octavia are popular choices for this reason.
Increase your voluntary excess
A higher voluntary excess lowers your premium. Make sure you can still afford to pay it if you need to claim.
Build your no-claims bonus
Avoid small claims where possible and let your discount grow. Five or more claim-free years can cut your premium by hundreds of pounds.
Add security features
A dashcam, GPS tracker or steering-wheel lock shows insurers you take security seriously. Some providers offer a named discount for approved devices.
Limit named drivers
Adding younger or less experienced drivers to your policy pushes the premium up. Keep named drivers to those who will actually use the vehicle.
Hybrid and electric vehicles can also qualify for lower premiums with some insurers because of their lower running costs and repair bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Minicab insurance covers pre-booked private hire work. Public hire insurance covers vehicles that can be flagged down on the street, such as hackney carriages and London black cabs.
Yes – your local council must issue you a private hire driver licence and a vehicle licence before any insurer will cover you. In London, licences are issued by Transport for London rather than a borough council.
Only if your policy includes off-duty or social, domestic and pleasure cover. Without it, you are uninsured for any journey that is not a booked fare.
PCO insurance is another name for private hire cover, mainly used in London where Transport for London issues PCO licences. Outside London, councils use the term private hire licence instead.
Yes, as long as your policy includes hire-and-reward cover for app-based bookings. Some drivers choose a dedicated Uber insurance policy that is built around ride-hailing work.
Most standard saloon cars, hatchbacks, MPVs and people carriers qualify. Your vehicle must also pass your council's private hire vehicle inspection.
Yes – carrying passengers for a fare counts as hire and reward, so standard social or commuting cover will not protect you. You need a hire-and-reward policy as a minimum.
Most private hire licences allow up to eight passenger seats. Vehicles with nine or more seats need a separate PSV (public service vehicle) licence.
Chauffeur insurance covers executive and luxury vehicle hire, often with higher liability limits. Minicab insurance is aimed at standard private hire work and is usually cheaper.
You risk a fine, licence points and an invalid insurance claim. Only black cab drivers with a hackney carriage licence can legally accept unbooked fares.
Yes. Multi-vehicle or fleet policies cover two or more minicabs under one agreement, often at a lower per-vehicle cost than individual policies.
The Department for Transport reported around 256,600 licensed private hire vehicles in England as of March 2024. See the latest DfT taxi and private hire statistics for a full breakdown.
