About Acorn Insurance
Acorn Insurance is a UK-based specialist insurance broker, arranging cover for taxi drivers, car drivers, van owners, motor traders, fleet operators and homeowners across the United Kingdom.
Founded in 1982, Acorn has built more than four decades of specialist insurance experience and is recognised as the UK’s largest taxi insurance specialist. For many of our customers, finding insurance can be more challenging; we have built our reputation on understanding these needs and helping customers arrange practical cover that reflects how their vehicles and properties are actually used.
While remains a defining strength of the Acorn Insurance brand, our underwriting extends across a range of specialist products including
While taxi insurance remains a defining strength of the Acorn Insurance brand, we also arrange specialist car insurance, van insurance, motor trade insurance, fleet insurance and home insurance through a panel of insurers.
Taxi Insurance
Taxi insurance is a specialist class of motor insurance, shaped by licensing regulations, local authority requirements and the professional demands placed on drivers.
Acorn Insurance is the UK’s largest taxi insurance specialist. We work with licensed taxi and private hire drivers across local authorities nationwide, arranging cover designed specifically for:
- Public hire taxis
- Private hire vehicles
- Minicabs
- Executive and chauffeur vehicles
- Taxi fleets
Our scale in this sector reflects decades of experience and a detailed understanding of the environment professional drivers work within.
Taxi insurance requires dedicated systems, claims knowledge and access to specialist underwriting expertise. At Acorn, this has been developed over many years through our work with insurer partners and the wider Acorn Group, underpinning our role as the UK’s largest taxi insurance specialist.
Car Insurance
Alongside our taxi specialism, Acorn Insurance arranges car insurance for drivers whose circumstances may not always align with standard market criteria.
Since the launch of our dedicated private car product in 2011, we have continued to help drivers from a broad range of backgrounds and driving histories arrange cover, including where they may have found it difficult to obtain insurance elsewhere. Our approach is pragmatic, focusing on customers whose circumstances may not fit standard insurer criteria.
We work with drivers seeking car insurance who may not be fairly represented by standard products, while maintaining clear, responsible standards in how we arrange cover.
Young Driver Telematics Insurance
Acorn Insurance also arranges telematics‑supported young driver insurance. Telematics insurance, often referred to as black box insurance, uses driving data to help your insurer understand how the vehicle is driven based on individual driving behaviour. This approach is used specifically within our young driver insurance offering and offers a more structured, data‑informed way to support newly qualified drivers.
Van Insurance
Acorn Insurance arranges van insurance for individuals and businesses who rely on their vehicles for trade, transport and day‑to‑day operations.
Van usage varies – from sole traders carrying equipment to small businesses and delivery drivers. Our approach recognises these differences. We can arrange insurance for:
- Sole traders and self‑employed professionals
- Tradespeople and contractors
- Small business van owners
- Courier and delivery drivers
- Vans used for personal use, including Social, Domestic and Pleasure (SDP)
When arranging commercial vehicle insurance, insurers will usually consider factors such as payload, mileage, vehicle modifications, where the vehicle is kept overnight, driver profile and how the vehicle is used for business.
Motor Trade Insurance
Acorn Insurance supports motor traders across the UK, including:
- Vehicle dealers
- Mechanics and repairers
- Valeters
- MOT centres
- Part‑time traders
Motor trade insurance often combines cover for vehicles being driven on the road with protection for activity at your premises. We work with a panel of insurers with specialist motor trade underwriting expertise to help arrange cover that reflects how your business operates.
Fleet Insurance
We arrange fleet insurance solutions for businesses operating multiple vehicles.
Businesses with fleets have different needs to single‑vehicle policies. We work with insurers who can consider a wide range of fleet types and usage patterns. When arranging fleet insurance, we help you present information such as driver details, vehicle usage and claims history so insurers can assess your fleet and offer suitable cover.
Home Insurance
Acorn Insurance also arranges home insurance for properties and homeowners who don’t fit a standard insurance model.
Home insurance arranged by Acorn Insurance may be suitable where property construction type, previous claims history, occupancy status, location profile or other risk characteristics differ from mainstream insurer criteria.
Home insurance forms an established part of Acorn Insurance’s broader specialist insurance capability.
Our Approach
Since 1982, our focus has been consistent: helping customers with more complex needs arrange specialist insurance, drawing on access to underwriting expertise within the Acorn Group and from our panel of insurers, alongside data insight and long‑term market understanding.
Taxi drivers, van operators, private car drivers, motor traders, fleet businesses and homeowners all have different needs and work in different ways.
We use technology and data insight to help match customers with suitable insurance options from our panel of insurers. The insurers we work with are responsible for underwriting and pricing the policies we arrange; our role is to present your circumstances clearly so they can decide whether, and on what terms, to offer cover. We always aim to support good outcomes for customers, in line with our regulatory obligations.
Claims Management
All claims on policies arranged by Acorn Insurance are managed by Acorn Claims, another business within the Acorn Group.
Acorn Claims supports customers throughout the claims process, from initial notification through to investigation, repair and settlement where appropriate. The team works closely with the relevant insurer and any approved repair networks to help ensure claims are handled efficiently and in line with policy terms.
Managing claims through a dedicated operation helps Acorn Insurance maintain oversight of the claims journey and focus on delivering good outcomes for customers when they need support most.
This integrated approach forms an important part of Acorn Insurance’s broader commitment to long‑term customer service.
Part of the Acorn Group
Acorn Insurance is part of the Acorn Group, an established UK‑based insurance group with a long history in specialist insurance distribution, underwriting and claims services. The Group has been operating for over 40 years and today supports more than 500,000 customers across the UK, reflecting sustained growth and deep experience in specialist insurance markets.
The Acorn Group has invested significantly in underwriting capability, data, technology and claims infrastructure over several decades. This long‑term investment gives Acorn Insurance access to specialist underwriting and pricing insight, supporting our ability to operate at scale – particularly within the UK taxi insurance market – while insurers remain responsible for setting underwriting criteria and prices.
Acorn Insurance remains the Group’s principal insurance brand and the UK’s largest taxi insurance specialist.
Our History
Acorn Insurance was founded in 1982 to arrange insurance with a specialist approach than was typically available in the standard market.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, the business developed increasing expertise in specialist segments, including taxi insurance. Strategic partnerships, technology investment and underwriting development strengthened our position within the UK taxi and private hire market.
The launch of a dedicated specialist private car product in 2011 broadened our offering, enabling us to serve drivers who don’t fit a standard insurance model.
Continued investment in data capability, pricing science and claims management has supported sustained growth across taxi, private car, commercial motor and non-standard home insurance lines.
Today, Acorn Insurance combines over four decades of specialist underwriting experience with modern pricing and technology capability, maintaining its leadership position in UK taxi insurance while supporting drivers, businesses and homeowners nationwide.
Acorn Articles & Guides
What Do I Need to Do to Legally Become a Taxi or Private Hire Driver in the UK?
If you’re asking “what do I need to do to legally become a taxi or private hire driver?”, you’re not alone. Many people…
Do I Need Taxi Insurance When I’m Not Taking Trips?
If you’re a taxi or private hire driver, you may have asked yourself: Do I still need taxi insurance (Hire and Reward) when I’m not actively carrying…
How Does the Vehicle I Drive Affect My Taxi Insurance Cost?
The vehicle you drive can have an impact on your taxi insurance cost. Factors such as the car’s value, engine size, fuel type…
Annual vs Short-Term Taxi Insurance: Which Is Right for UK Drivers?
Annual taxi insurance is usually the best option if you plan to drive regularly throughout the year, as it provides continuous cover and can…