Table of Contents
What Insurance Does Uber Require?
Instadoc-Approved Insurance Explained
Your Main Uber Insurance Options
Can You Combine Uber and Uber Eats?
How Much Does Uber Insurance Cost?
Common Insurance Mistakes Uber Drivers Should Avoid
Uber Insurance with Acorn Insurance
If you want to drive for Uber in the UK, you must have private hire vehicle (PHV) insurance that includes hire and reward cover.
Standard car insurance does not cover carrying paying passengers. Driving for Uber without specialist private hire insurance could invalidate your policy and lead to refused claims.
In London, Uber requires drivers to use an Instadoc-approved insurance provider. Acorn Insurance is an Instadoc-approved provider and arranges specialist private hire vehicle (PHV) insurance for Uber drivers across the UK.
This guide explains what Uber requires, the different types of cover available, and how to choose the right option for your working pattern.
What Insurance Does Uber Require?
Uber drivers must:
- Hold a valid private hire licence
- Have private hire insurance that includes hire and reward cover
- Ensure insurance documents are valid and uploaded correctly
Private hire insurance for Uber is specifically designed for drivers who carry pre-booked passengers through an operator such as Uber.
A typical PHV policy can include:
- Hire and reward cover
- Third-party liability
- Optional comprehensive cover
- Optional extras such as legal expenses
Insurance requirements may vary depending on your local licensing authority, so drivers should check the conditions that apply in their area.
Instadoc-Approved Insurance Explained
If you are licensed in London, Uber requires your insurance to come from an Instadoc-approved provider.
Instadoc is Uber’s integrated document verification system. It allows insurance policies to be automatically validated through Uber’s platform, helping confirm your eligibility to drive.
Using an approved insurer helps:
- Reduce document upload delays
- Avoid verification issues
- Speed up activation on the Uber app
Acorn Insurance is an Instadoc-approved provider. This means policies arranged through Acorn Insurance meet Uber’s verification requirements in London.
You can view Uber’s official insurance requirements and the current list of approved providers here: www.uber.com/gb/en/drive/requirements/phv-insurance/
Acorn Insurance works with Uber to support driver partners across the UK by arranging private hire insurance that meets Uber’s platform requirements.
Drivers outside London should still ensure their policy meets all private hire licensing requirements before accepting trips.
Your Main Uber Insurance Options
Not all Uber drivers work in the same way. Some drive full-time. Others work part-time or combine rideshare with delivery platforms.
Here are the main insurance routes available.
1. Annual Private Hire Insurance
An annual PHV policy provides continuous cover for 12 months. Typically suited to:
- Full-time Uber drivers
- Drivers working most weeks of the year
Advantages:
- No gaps in cover
- Stability for licensing
- Often more cost-effective over a full year
2. Short-Term or Flexible Policies
Some insurers offer shorter-term or flexible options.
These may include:
- 7-day policies
- 30-day policies
- 90-day policies
Typically suited to:
- Part-time drivers
- Drivers testing Uber before committing long-term
- Seasonal drivers
Flexible policies may cost more proportionally, but they can suit drivers with irregular working patterns.
3. Combined Work and Personal Use Cover
Many Uber drivers use one vehicle for both:
- Passenger work
- Personal driving
Some PHV policies can be arranged to include both uses under one policy. This helps avoid confusion about when your vehicle is covered.
Drivers should always confirm exactly what is included in their policy wording.
Can You Combine Uber and Uber Eats?
Many drivers combine passenger journeys with food delivery.
Policies can often be arranged to reflect multiple types of hire and reward activity. However, all work activities must be disclosed accurately.
If your working pattern changes — for example, if you begin delivering food in addition to passenger trips — this may represent a change in circumstances and should be disclosed to your broker or insurer.
Failure to disclose material changes could affect the validity of your cover.
How Much Does Uber Insurance Cost?
The cost of Uber insurance depends on factors such as:
- Age and driving history
- Claims history
- Vehicle type and value
- Location
- Annual mileage
- Level of cover selected
Private hire insurance is generally more expensive than standard car insurance because it reflects increased road exposure and commercial use.
Drivers should review:
- Excess amounts
- Policy exclusions
- Cancellation terms
- Optional add-ons
Understanding what is and is not included helps ensure the policy offers fair value for your needs.
Common Insurance Mistakes Uber Drivers Should Avoid
Using standard car insurance
Social, domestic and pleasure cover does not include hire and reward.
Not declaring Uber work
Failing to disclose commercial passenger use may invalidate your policy.
Not updating your insurer when work changes
Adding food delivery or other activities should be disclosed.
Letting cover lapse
Gaps in insurance could affect licensing and your ability to accept trips.
Uber Insurance with Acorn Insurance
Acorn Insurance arranges specialist private hire vehicle (PHV) insurance for Uber drivers across the UK.
In London, Acorn Insurance is an Instadoc-approved provider, meaning policies arranged through Acorn Insurance meet Uber’s verification requirements and can be validated through Uber’s integrated system.
Acorn Insurance offers:
- Annual private hire insurance
- Short-term and flexible options: 7-day, 30-day and 90-day
- Comprehensive, third-party fire & theft and third-party only cover
- Policies that can reflect both Uber passenger work and Uber Eats activity
Because many Uber drivers combine multiple income streams, cover can be arranged to reflect different types of hire and reward use, helping drivers avoid gaps in protection. As with any private hire policy, drivers should ensure all work activities are disclosed accurately and notify their broker if circumstances change. Further details about Uber’s requirements can be found on Uber’s official website, alongside information about Uber-specific cover arranged through Acorn Insurance. You can also review our guide to Uber Driver Requirements in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need special insurance to drive for Uber? Yes. You need private hire insurance that includes hire and reward cover. Standard car insurance is not sufficient. Is Uber insurance different from taxi insurance? Uber drivers require private hire insurance. This differs from public hire (black cab) insurance. Is Instadoc approval required everywhere? Instadoc-approved insurance is required for Uber drivers licensed in London. Requirements may vary elsewhere, so drivers should check their local authority and Uber’s guidance. Can I drive part-time? Yes, but you still need full private hire insurance. Some drivers choose flexible policy options depending on how often they work.