Being a taxi driver can be a great career move, particularly if you’re in charge of the hours you work and the number of fares you pick up. But, there’s one thing that you always need to consider before you can embark on your private hire career – insurance. Getting adequate car insurance for private hire vehicles is an essential part of working in this industry and it’s vital that you know what you’re doing to get the cover that you’re looking for.
The first thing to remember is that private hire cover will be markedly different to insurance for public hire vehicles – private hire vehicles operate on a pre-booked basis only (i.e. they can’t be flagged down in the street) and so the insurance implications will differ accordingly, making it vital that you can find the policy that’s right for your particular industry. This means you need to head to the cab insurance specialists. By seeking out insurance companies that focus solely on this specific area you can be confident you’re getting the exact level of protection that you need, and if you give them the correct details they’ll often be able to tailor their policy accordingly.
But, there’s usually an additional consideration when you own a private hire vehicle – what about when you want to drive it for domestic use? Luckily, this shouldn’t be a problem. Most specialist polices will cover you for personal and social driving as well as for hire and reward, so you won’t need to worry about getting a separate policy. Make sure to check the small print though, and if you want other people to drive your vehicle you’ll need to take even more care – some local authorities forbid unregistered drivers to use a plated vehicle, so always double check if you don’t want to come unstuck.
Ultimately, getting car insurance for private hire vehicles shouldn’t be too much of an issue. There are plenty of companies that will be able to accommodate your needs, and if you compare several options and always check the small print you can be confident that you’re totally prepared whether you’re driving for business or pleasure.