subject: Insurance Coverage For Private Hire Versus Public Hire Taxis [print this page] Private hire vehicles are those that cannot be flagged down and hired on the spot. They must be booked in advance and this can sometimes result in the driver or his vehicle being caught unawares and uninsured. The driver will then need to find coverage for themselves and their vehicle quickly and as affordably as possible.
Conversely, if that driver and vehicle choose to pick up any passenger not booked in advance, they can lose the insurance they do have, and maybe their driver's license as well. These private hire vehicles must be maintained in top condition at all times and that includes being fully covered by insurance.
Obtaining the correct type of insurance for this particular situation means the business owner must shop around among insurance carriers until they find the most coverage for the best price. Private hire insurance covers many different types of vehicles, including MPV's, minibuses, and ordinary cars. The owner and insurance policyholder, as well as the driver of these private hire vehicles, must meet certain criteria:
Coverage must be comprehensive
Vehicles are determined to be either for private hire or public hire use only
They must have held at least three years taxi NCB
Have held a taxi badge for a minimum of the past two years
Have a full UK/EU drivers' license at least the past three years
Finding a good comprehensive insurance policy can prove a daunting task so it can be made easier by using the internet to shop around. Quotes from various insurance providers will come in your email, free of charge, and saving the time and petrol involved with running from agency to agency requesting information.
Look for good well rounded coverage for your private hire vehicle that will include plenty of liability insurance in case of an accident involving any injuries to passengers.
If the private hire vehicle is part of a fleet of at least three or more, there will most likely be discounts provided for multi car insurance. And when breakdowns occur while on the job, it is important that vehicle for hire is promptly repaired and put back into service for its owner operator. An insurer will need to be on call twenty four hours per day and be ready to assist in whatever way they can to get the vehicle back on the road as quickly as possible.
As with public hire vehicles, the privately hired taxi will be required to have thorough coverage and be tested for safety.
The private hire taxi driver needs to have been driving for a minimum of twelve months and must pass medical testing requirements. They also need to be thoroughly familiar with the area in which they will be working. There can be no criminal convictions on their record for either violent or sexual offences, nor can there be any evidence linking them to fraud or theft. The driver, whether in the private or public hire category must be an honest and dependable type of person of either sex as long as they can qualify for the position.
by: Neil Anderson
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