Taxi and private-hire drivers generally get own-occupation income protection on a three-month minimum wait. Non-driving roles (controllers, proprietors) are rated more like office work, so how you describe the job affects your terms.
INCOME PROTECTION — YOUR #1 PRIORITY
Off the road = no fares, no income
Taxi and private hire drivers are self-employed with no sick pay. Own-occupation income protection pays out if illness, injury or a lost medical stops you driving.
Own-occupation — paid if you can't drive specifically
Up to ~70% of real earnings, including app-based income
Private hire and taxi work is self-employed, licence-dependent and high-mileage. Here's what to plan for.
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Licence & medical dependency
Lose your medical or badge and you can't earn — own-occupation cover protects you.
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No sick pay
Every day off the road is a day with no income.
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High-mileage accident risk
More time on the road means more exposure to accident and injury.
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Long hours seated
Back and circulation problems are common among full-time drivers.
Recommended Cover
The Right Protection for Taxi Drivers
Based on the specific risks of your profession, here's what we typically recommend — ranked by priority.
TOP PRIORITY
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Income Protection
Top priority
Replaces income if illness or injury stops you driving — own-occupation available.
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Life Insurance
Family protection
Affordable cover to protect dependants and clear debts.
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Critical Illness Cover
Recovery support
A lump sum on diagnosis of a serious illness.
Why Your Job Is Different
How We Get Taxi Drivers a Better Deal
Mainstream insurers often misprice or misunderstand your profession. Here's how we fix that.
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Own-occupation cover
Pays if you can't drive specifically, not just any job.
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Real-earnings based
We use your actual take-home, including app-based income.
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High-mileage friendly
We avoid insurers who unfairly load professional drivers.
Already covered?
Two policies at the same price can pay out very differently
If you already have life insurance, critical illness or income protection, get a free plain-English review — what it does well, where it's weak, and what switching would gain and lose you.
Yes. As self-employed drivers you have no sick pay, so it's especially valuable. We base cover on your real earnings.
What if I lose my private hire licence on medical grounds?
Own-occupation income protection pays out because you can no longer do your specific job.
How is cover priced for high-mileage drivers?
Fairly, with the right insurer — we avoid those who penalise professional drivers.
Is life insurance affordable for taxi drivers?
Yes, cover often starts around £10/month depending on your age and health.
Life Insurance & Income Protection
Taxi Driver FAQs — Life Insurance & Income Protection
Common questions UK taxi drivers ask about protecting their income and family.
Can Uber, Bolt and private hire drivers get income protection?
Yes. As self-employed drivers you have no sick pay, so it is especially valuable, and we base the benefit on your real, app-based earnings.
What if I lose my private hire licence on medical grounds?
Own-occupation income protection pays out because you can no longer do your specific job, even if you could work elsewhere.
How much does income protection cost for a taxi driver?
Often from around £10 a month, depending on the benefit amount and how soon it pays out after you stop driving.
Does high mileage push up my premium?
Not much with the right insurer — we avoid those that penalise professional drivers.
Is income protection worth it for a self-employed driver?
Yes. Every day off the road is a day with no fares, so a monthly benefit that replaces your income is well worth the cost.
How much life insurance does a taxi driver need?
Enough to protect your family and clear debts; cover is affordable and we place it with driver-friendly insurers.
Role-Specific Detail
Taxi Driver-specific questions, answered properly
The operational detail that decides claims for taxi drivers — sick pay schemes, licences, contracts and the wording that matters.
What happens if my council revokes my licence on medical grounds?
Own-occupation income protection can respond, because you are no longer able to perform your specific job as a licensed driver. Local authority medical standards for private hire and hackney licences are stricter than for ordinary driving, which makes this a real and often overlooked risk.
Do I need to disclose which council licenses me?
It is not usually a rating factor, but describing the work accurately is. What matters is whether you drive private hire, hackney, executive or airport transfer work, how many hours you drive, and whether you own or rent the vehicle and plate.
Can I insure income from Uber, Bolt and private bookings together?
Yes. We can build the benefit on total earnings across platforms and direct bookings, typically evidenced by bank statements or self-assessment. Insuring only one income stream is a common way drivers end up under-covered.
Are vehicle and plate rental costs covered while I am off?
Not by personal income protection, which replaces your earnings rather than paying specific bills. In practice the benefit can be used towards those costs, which is why drivers renting a plate or vehicle often choose a shorter waiting period — the rental continues whether you drive or not.
Does night work or airport work change the terms?
Rarely. Night driving and airport runs are normal features of the trade. Insurers focus on your health, age and total hours rather than shift pattern. Very high mileage may narrow which insurers quote most competitively, which is where a broker adds value.
Can I get cover if I only drive part-time around another job?
Yes. Part-time driving is insurable, and if you have other employment we can usually base the benefit on combined earnings. The other job's sick pay arrangements will influence which deferred period represents best value for you.
What if I am assaulted by a passenger?
Injuries arising from an assault at work are generally assessed like any other injury — if they stop you working and meet the policy definition, they can be claimable, including psychological injury under policies that cover mental health. It is worth confirming the mental health wording specifically.