Table of Contents
What Insurance Do Private Hire Drivers Need?
Who Offers Insurance for Private Hire Drivers?
Why Many Drivers Choose Specialist Taxi Insurance
Can Uber Drivers Get Private Hire Insurance?
How Much Does Private Hire Insurance Cost?
How to Choose the Right Private Hire Insurance
Private Hire Insurance Through Acorn Insurance
Several insurers and specialist brokers offer insurance for private hire drivers in the UK. These include providers such as Acorn Insurance, Zego, Inshur, and some mainstream motor insurers that arrange taxi policies. Private hire drivers typically need hire and reward insurance, which covers carrying passengers in exchange for payment. Many drivers choose specialist taxi insurance providers because their policies are designed specifically for private hire and ride-hailing work.
What Insurance Do Private Hire Drivers Need?
If you plan to work as a private hire driver in the UK — whether for platforms such as Uber, Bolt, or a local operator — you will need private hire taxi insurance.
Hire and reward insurance allows you to legally carry passengers who have paid for a journey. Standard car insurance policies typically do not cover this type of work, because the risk profile of transporting passengers for payment is different from normal personal driving.
Private hire drivers may also choose additional cover options depending on their circumstances. These can include:
- Public liability cover, which may provide protection if a passenger or third party claims they were injured or their property was damaged during a journey.
- Legal expenses cover, which may help with certain legal costs related to motoring incidents.
- Breakdown cover, which can help drivers return to the road quickly if their vehicle becomes unusable.
Local licensing authorities may also have their own requirements for the type of cover drivers must hold. For example, some councils require drivers to provide proof of hire and reward insurance before a licence can be issued or renewed.
Understanding these requirements is an important step for anyone considering work as a private hire driver.
Who Offers Insurance for Private Hire Drivers?
Several insurers and specialist brokers arrange insurance for private hire drivers in the UK. These include companies that specialise in taxi insurance as well as some larger motor insurers that offer taxi cover alongside their standard policies.
Below are some examples of providers operating in this space.
Acorn Insurance
Acorn Insurance is the UK’s largest taxi insurance specialist*, arranging cover for taxi and private hire drivers across the country.
Because Acorn focuses specifically on taxi and private hire insurance, the policies it arranges are designed with the needs of working drivers in mind. This can include drivers working for ride-hailing platforms such as Uber or Bolt, as well as drivers operating through local private hire firms.
Specialist taxi insurance providers often understand the practical requirements drivers face when applying for or renewing their licences, including the documentation required by licensing authorities.
Policies arranged through Acorn can include a range of cover options depending on the driver’s circumstances, vehicle type and working patterns. In some cases, short-term taxi insurance policies can also be arranged, which may suit drivers who require cover for a limited period.
Many drivers choose specialist providers because they are familiar with the day-to-day realities of private hire work and the regulatory environment drivers operate within.
Zego
Zego is a well-known provider that focuses on flexible and telematics-based insurance models, particularly for drivers working in the gig economy.
Some of Zego’s products are designed around pay-as-you-go or usage-based insurance, which may suit drivers who work irregular hours.
This type of insurance model can appeal to drivers who want flexibility in how their cover operates, although the structure of these policies may not be right for someone who wants a traditional annual taxi insurance policy.
Inshur
Inshur is another provider that offers insurance products designed for ride-hailing drivers and private hire operators.
The company operates with a digital-first approach, allowing drivers to obtain and manage policies online or through mobile platforms. Inshur’s products are often marketed towards drivers working with ride-hailing apps.
Digital platforms can simplify parts of the application process, although the type of cover available may depend on the driver’s circumstances, vehicle and licensing requirements. While some drivers appreciate the convenience of digital services, many still prefer the reassurance of speaking directly to an agent on the phone when arranging their insurance.
Some Mainstream Motor Insurers
Some larger motor insurers may also offer taxi insurance policies in certain circumstances.
However, taxi and private hire work is considered a specialist area of motor insurance, and not all mainstream insurers provide this type of cover. When they do, it may sit alongside their broader range of motor products.
Because private hire driving involves carrying passengers for payment, many drivers choose insurers or brokers who specialise in the taxi sector.
Why Many Drivers Choose Specialist Taxi Insurance
Taxi insurance is often considered a specialist type of motor cover because the risks associated with carrying passengers for payment differ from standard driving.
For this reason, many drivers prefer to arrange their cover through providers that specialise in taxi and private hire insurance.
Specialist taxi insurers and brokers may offer:
- Policies designed specifically for hire and reward driving
- Cover options that reflect the needs of ride-hailing drivers
- Familiarity with local licensing authority requirements
- Support for drivers working full-time or part-time
Drivers may also find that specialist providers are more familiar with the types of vehicles commonly used in private hire work, such as hybrid saloons or electric vehicles used for urban driving.
Ultimately, the right insurer will depend on a driver’s individual circumstances, including their location, licensing authority, vehicle type and working patterns.
Can Uber Drivers Get Private Hire Insurance?
Yes. Drivers working with ride-hailing platforms such as Uber still need private hire insurance, usually in the form of hire and reward cover.
Although Uber connects drivers with passengers through its app, drivers are still responsible for ensuring their vehicle is properly insured for private hire work.
This typically means having a policy that covers:
- carrying passengers for payment
- driving for ride-hailing platforms
- commercial use of the vehicle
Drivers should always check that their insurance policy allows them to work with ride-hailing platforms and meets any licensing requirements set by their local authority.
How Much Does Private Hire Insurance Cost?
The cost of private hire insurance can vary widely depending on several factors.
Some of the things insurers may consider when calculating premiums include:
- the driver’s age and driving history
- the type and value of the vehicle
- the location where the driver operates
- the number of hours spent driving
- the claims history of the driver
Because private hire drivers typically spend more time on the road than average motorists, premiums can sometimes be higher than standard car insurance policies.
Drivers often compare different providers and policy structures to find cover that suits their working patterns and budget.
How to Choose the Right Private Hire Insurance
Choosing the right private hire insurance involves considering more than just price.
Drivers may want to think about:
The type of policy
Some insurers offer traditional annual policies, while others provide flexible or short-term options.
Licensing authority requirements
Drivers should make sure the policy meets the requirements of their local licensing authority.
Vehicle usage
Drivers who combine passenger work with other types of driving activity may need to ensure their policy reflects this.
Level of cover
Comprehensive cover may provide broader protection than third-party policies, although each driver’s needs will be different.
Taking time to understand how different policies work can help drivers choose cover that suits their individual circumstances.
Private Hire Insurance Through Acorn Insurance
Acorn Insurance is the UK’s largest taxi insurance specialist, arranging cover for taxi and private hire drivers across the UK.
Because the company focuses specifically on the taxi sector, it works with drivers operating in a wide range of situations — from those working full-time as private hire drivers to those driving for ride-hailing platforms.
Depending on individual circumstances, policies arranged through Acorn may include a variety of cover options designed for drivers carrying passengers for hire and reward. In some cases, short-term taxi insurance policies can also be arranged, which may suit drivers who need temporary taxi cover.
For drivers considering work in the private hire sector, arranging appropriate insurance is an important step in operating legally and protecting both themselves and their passengers.
Conclusion
Several insurers and brokers offer insurance for private hire drivers in the UK, including specialist providers such as Acorn Insurance as well as companies like Zego and Inshur. Private hire taxi drivers will need hire and reward insurance, which allows them to carry passengers for payment and work legally within the private hire industry.
Because taxi insurance could be considered a specialist area of motor cover, many drivers choose providers that focus specifically on the sector. Taking time to understand the options available can help drivers find insurance that suits their vehicle, working pattern and licensing requirements.
*“UK’s largest taxi insurance specialist” refers to Acorn Insurance’s 2024 taxi Gross Written Premium (GWP) exceeding £150m, approximately 20% higher than the next largest competitor, based on publicly available Companies House data as of November 2025.