What Is Black Cab Insurance
Black cab insurance (also known as London taxi insurance or hackney carriage cover) is designed for vehicles and drivers licensed for street hails and taxi ranks in cities like London, Manchester, Liverpool and beyond. This policy is different from private hire insurance or app driver cover – it’s for cabs licensed to carry passengers without a booking, often with added requirements for wheelchair access and city regulations. For other types of taxi cover, see our private hire insurance or public hire insurance guides.
What’s Covered by Black Cab Insurance?
Black cab insurance typically covers you, your cab, your passengers, and others on the road. Policy features and benefits may vary among black cab insurance policies, and the level of cover will depend on the policy you choose and how you use your vehicle.
- Third party only (TPO) – The minimum legal cover for injury or damage to others
- Third party, fire and theft (TPFT) – Adds protection for theft or fire damage to your cab
- Comprehensive – Covers your own vehicle as well as others, including following an at-fault incident, subject to policy terms and conditions.
- Passenger liability – Claims by passengers for injury or loss
- Windscreen/glass cover – May cover repairs or replacement of broken glass, subject to policy terms.
- Replacement plated cab – Some insurers offer a temporary taxi if yours is off the road after a non-fault accident, subject to availability and policy terms.
- European cover – Short trips abroad may be included under some policies – always check your policy documents.
To compare features with other taxi insurance types, visit our taxi insurance comparison for more details.
What the Writer Says…
"Black cab insurance needs to reflect the realities of licensed street work, from where you operate to the passengers you carry and the way your cab is used each day. Taking the time to compare policies, review cover levels and ensure your insurance aligns with your black cab licence can help you secure cover that genuinely fits your work. With a suitable policy in place, you can focus on providing a reliable service, knowing your cab, passengers and livelihood are appropriately protected."– Ian Beevis, Insurance Expert & Co-founder of Clean Green Cars
Add-Ons for Black Cab Insurance
Many cab drivers may choose to add extra protection to match busy city work. Popular black cab insurance add-ons may typically include:
Need add-ons for other taxi jobs? See private hire insurance or Uber driver insurance.
Helps protect you from claims by passengers or the public around your cab or at taxi ranks
Covers legal help for disputes, accident claims or loss recovery
Gets you back on the road fast if your cab breaks down
Pays for lost, stolen or broken keys, and locksmith costs
Helps protect your income if you’re unable to drive
You can make a claim without losing your discount
What's Not Covered?
Every black cab insurance policy will have some exclusions. The most common are:
- Driving without the correct taxi licence or outside your licensed area – You won’t be covered if you operate your taxi without the proper licence or work outside the area specified on your badge.
- Allowing an unlisted or uninsured driver to use your cab – Claims are invalid if anyone not named on your policy, or not insured, drives your vehicle.
- Personal use if not included – Your insurance may not cover social, domestic, and pleasure journeys unless these are specifically added to your policy.
- Leaving keys in the cab or not securing your vehicle – Leaving your vehicle unsecured, or with the keys inside, can void your cover if it’s stolen or damaged.
- Not declaring previous claims, convictions or changes – Failing to disclose any claims history, driving convictions, or changes to your circumstances could invalidate your insurance.
- Wear and tear or breakdowns – General wear, tear, or mechanical failures are not covered unless you’ve added breakdown cover to your policy.
- Using your taxi for prohibited activities – Activities such as racing, rallies, or courier work are usually not included in standard taxi insurance policies.
- Carrying more passengers than permitted – Overloading your vehicle beyond its licensed capacity will usually void any claims.
- Unapproved vehicle modifications – Modifying your cab without telling your insurer can lead to rejected claims or cancelled policies.
Who Needs Black Cab Insurance?
If you only take pre-booked jobs, see our private hire insurance page. For an overview of all cover types, visit the taxi insurance hub.
Black cab insurance is required for licensed hackney carriage drivers and helps provide appropriate cover for street and rank work. If you pick up passengers on the street or at taxi ranks, specialist black cab insurance keeps you fully licensed and working with confidence.
How to Get a Black Cab Insurance Quote
Getting a black cab insurance quote may typically be quick and straightforward. Just gather a few details and follow these steps to compare your black cab insurance options in minutes.
How Much Does Black Cab Insurance Cost?
Black cab insurance can be priced differently to standard car or private hire policies, reflecting city work, high passenger turnover and more time on the road. What you pay depends on many things, including but not limited to:
- Your driving experience and claims record – More experience and a clean history often mean lower premiums.
- Your age – Younger and less experienced drivers usually pay more for cover.
- Your cab’s type and value – Newer, higher-value, or specialist vehicles are typically more expensive to insure.
- Where you operate – Working in busy cities or high-risk areas can increase your insurance cost.
- Your annual mileage – The more you drive for work, the greater the risk, so higher mileage can mean a higher premium.
- Your chosen cover and add-ons – Comprehensive policies and extra features like breakdown cover or legal expenses will increase the price.
Every policy is tailored, so one of the most appropriate ways to understand your price is to compare quotes based on your driving profile and cover needs.
Ways to Save on Black Cab Insurance
Black cab insurance can be a significant cost, but these steps may help you manage it:
For more cost-saving tips, visit taxi insurance comparison or public hire insurance.
Black Cab Insurance FAQ
What Does Black Cab Insurance Cover?
Black cab insurance usually covers licensed street and rank pickups, third party risks, passenger liability, and damage to your cab. Policy features, benefits, terms and conditions may vary among providers, so it is important you understand what your cover entails.
Is Public Liability Included With Black Cab Insurance?
Public liability is often included or can be added to your black cab insurance to protect you if a passenger or member of the public is injured.
Can I Use Black Cab Insurance for Personal Driving?
Some black cab insurance policies allow personal use, but many do not. Always check your policy details before using your taxi privately.
Do I Need Special Qualifications for Black Cab Insurance?
Yes, you need a valid public hire or hackney carriage licence, plus any local requirements such as a DBS check or, in London, The Knowledge.
How Is Black Cab Insurance Different From Private Hire Insurance?
Black cab insurance is for street and rank pickups by licensed hackney carriage drivers, while private hire insurance covers pre-booked journeys only.
Search & compare quotes from UK Black Cab Insurance Providers
Useful Links for Black Taxi Cab Drivers
Here are some official resources and industry sites for public hire taxi drivers – find up-to-date licensing rules, insurance advice, and support.
- GOV.UK – Taxi & Private Hire Licensing ↗ – Official government licensing info for hackney carriage and black cab drivers.
- Transport for London – Taxi & Private Hire ↗ – The latest rules and advice for London public hire drivers.
