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 covers you, your cab, your passengers, and others on the road. Choose the level of cover that matches your needs:
- 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, even if you’re at fault
- Passenger liability – Claims by passengers for injury or loss
- Windscreen/glass cover – Repairs or replaces broken glass
- Replacement plated cab – Some insurers offer a temporary taxi if yours is off the road after a non-fault accident
- European cover – Short trips abroad may be included (always check your documents)
To compare features with other taxi types, visit our taxi insurance comparison for more detail.
Add-ons for Black Cab Insurance
Many cab drivers add extra protection to match busy city work. Popular black cab insurance add-ons include:
Protects 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
Lets you make a claim without losing your discount
Need add-ons for other taxi jobs? See private hire insurance or Uber driver insurance.
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?
Black cab insurance isn’t just a legal requirement – it’s what keeps professional taxi drivers protected every mile. If you pick up passengers on the street or at taxi ranks, the right cover keeps you fully licensed and working with confidence.
- Drive a London black cab – Traditional TX, LEVC or similar cabs, licensed for city work and street pickups
- Operate a hackney carriage – In London or any UK city/town, picking up fares from the street or at ranks
- Work in a city taxi fleet – Any cab allowed to carry passengers on demand without pre-booking
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.
Get Black Cab Insurance Quotes Today
Don’t have your registration number? No problem, click here.
How to get a Black Cab Insurance Quote
Getting a black cab insurance quote is quick and straightforward. Just gather a few details and follow these steps to compare your options in minutes.
How Much Does Black Cab Insurance Cost?
Black cab insurance is often more expensive than standard car or private hire policies, due to city work, high passenger turnover and more time on the road. What you pay depends on:
- 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 the best way to find your price is to compare quotes based on your real driving profile and cover needs.
Ways to Save on Black Cab Insurance
Black cab insurance can be a big investment – but these steps help you save:
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.
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.
Get Black Cab Insurance Quotes Today
Don’t have your registration number? No problem, click here.
