As an Uber driver, you need the right insurance to keep you covered in case you’re involved in an incident.
Whether you’re just starting out or already driving for a living, here’s everything you need to know about insurance for Uber drivers.
What insurance do Uber drivers need?
Before you can start driving for Uber, you’ll need commercial private hire insurance (also known as Hire & Reward insurance). You’ll also need the right level of public liability insurance.
This protects you in case you accidentally injure someone or cause damage to their property while you’re working.
Do you need private hire insurance for Uber?
You need private hire insurance to drive for Uber. If you drive on regular SDP insurance without private hire and an accident occurs your insurance will likely be invalidated.
What is private hire insurance?
Private hire taxi insurance allows you to carry pre-booked passengers from one place to another in exchange for money. It’s also known as Hire & Reward (or H&R) insurance.
You can get cover for your own vehicle, or any other that fits the requirements for private hire work. Without this car insurance, you won’t be able to drive for Uber or most other ride-hailing apps.
Along with commercial taxi insurance, you’ll also need personal motor insurance, also called Social, Domestic & Pleasure (or SD&P).
What is public liability insurance?
Public liability insurance covers the cost of any claims that are made against you by members of the public. That could be compensation for personal injuries or damage to property that you might have caused while driving for work.
Let’s say a passenger trips while getting out of your car. If they make an injury claim against you, public liability cover will pay for any fees or legal expenses that come your way.
It’s basically a financial safety net that protects you if you’re in an accident and found to be at fault. That’s why most private hire drivers will have this cover in place before they can start working.
What is Social, Domestic & Pleasure insurance?
Social, Domestic & Pleasure (or SD&P) is a motor insurance policy that allows you to use your vehicle for personal use, such as driving to the shops or commuting home after work.
It’s the same type of cover you might have for your car at home. It protects you while driving between shifts or using your car for personal journeys.
Uber requirements UK
To become an Uber driver in the UK, you’ll need to:
- Be at least 21 years old.
- Have a full UK driver’s licence.
- Get a private hire licence from your local council.
- Have the right level of private hire insurance cover.
- Have a vehicle that fits all the requirements.
- Complete Uber’s virtual onboarding course.
How much is Uber insurance?
The cost of insurance for Uber drivers varies depending on the level of cover you choose, your driving history and the type of vehicle you own.
On average, private hire drivers with a good driving record can expect to pay around £180 for a 30-day policy, or £1,600 for an annual policy.
Uber drivers who choose annual insurance tend to pay less, typically saving around £500 over a 12-month period compared with a rolling monthly policy.
Commercial car insurance is a cost all drivers need to consider before they start working. And like all costs, it impacts how much Uber drivers actually earn at the end of each month.
But by choosing your Uber driver insurance wisely and following a few other tips, there are ways you can reduce your costs and keep more of your earnings.
Does Uber provide its own insurance?
Uber doesn’t offer its own private hire insurance. It does offer some sickness and injury cover to help when you need to take time off unexpectedly. But Uber doesn’t cover your car or the passengers you carry while working.
As an Uber driver, you’re classed as an independent contractor. That means it’s your responsibility to arrange the right level of commercial private hire taxi insurance, including third party liability and cover for personal use, too.
Some commercial motor insurance policies include all of these options as standard. Choose the right policy and you could save time and money when it comes to managing your Uber car insurance.
Does Uber insurance cover passengers?
Uber doesn’t provide dedicated insurance cover for passengers. But most commercial private hire policies will cover you, your passengers and third parties.
The level of cover can vary between insurance providers, so it’s always worth checking that your insurance meets the minimum requirements for Uber drivers in the UK.
Do you need taxi insurance to drive for Uber?
To drive for Uber in the UK, you’ll need a type of insurance called commercial private hire. This is sometimes referred to as Uber taxi insurance.
It’s worth knowing that there are two main types of taxi insurance: Public hire and private hire taxi insurance.
Public hire taxis don’t need to be booked in advance. They’re licensed to pick up passengers on the street, and they can also wait at taxi ranks. Black cabs and Hackney Carriages fall into this category.
But private hire taxis need to be pre-booked, and can’t be hailed by passengers on the street. So the insurance requirements are slightly different.
That’s why Uber drivers, and drivers for similar ride-hailing apps, are required to take out private hire insurance.
Can I use taxi insurance for Uber Eats?
To drive for Uber Eats, you’ll need a commercial car insurance policy that covers you for food delivery. As you’ll be delivering food in exchange for money, your insurance requirements fall into the Hire & Reward category. The same goes for parcel delivery and other types of courier work.
Some private hire policies will include cover for food delivery work. So if you’re planning to work as an Uber driver and an Uber Eats driver, you could save money by choosing a policy that covers you for everything (just like our comprehensive private hire insurance).
Do you need business insurance to drive for Uber?
As an Uber driver, you’re classed as an independent contractor (essentially a self-employed driver). So unless you plan to set up as an incorporated business, you’ll only need the insurances we’ve covered above (commercial private hire, public liability and Social, Domestic & Pleasure).
This will cover you for professional and personal driving, along with protection in case somebody makes a claim against you for injury, loss or damages.
Can I drive for Uber with points on my licence?
In the UK, Uber doesn’t accept drivers who have points or endorsements for any of these driving offences:
- Accident offences: AC10, AC20, AC30
- Disqualified driver: BA10, BA20, BA30, BA40, BA60
- Careless driving: CD40, CD50, CD60, CD70, CD71, CD80, CD90
- Reckless/dangerous driving: DD10, DD20, DD30, DD40, DD50, DD60, DD70, DD80, DD90
- Drink: DR10, DR20, DR30, DR31, DR40, DR50, DR60, DR61, DR70, DR80, DR90
- Drugs: DG10, DG40, DG60
- Insurance: IN10
- Licence offences: LC10, LC20
- Miscellaneous offences: MS50
- Special code: TT99, XX99
- Theft or unauthorised taking: UT10, UT20, UT30, UT40, UT50
- Mutual recognition codes: MR09, MR19, MR49, MR59
You may still be able to drive for Uber if you have other endorsements, but always check the driver requirements before you apply.
Can I use a rental car to drive for Uber?
Yes, you can drive for Uber using a lease or hire car. Uber has partnered with various rental companies and networks to allow Uber drivers to hire a car and carry passengers for work.
Some of these rental options include maintenance, unlimited mileage and even Uber driver insurance, with weekly and monthly deals available.
The Uber website has more on the different vehicle solutions you can choose from.
Flexible insurance for Uber drivers
As an Uber driver, you’ll need commercial private hire insurance, public liability cover, and Social, Domestic & Pleasure cover too. This will protect you while driving for work and in your spare time.
We work in partnership with Uber to offer flexible, comprehensive, fairly priced insurance for Uber drivers. You’ll get all the cover you need to drive professionally for Uber (including Uber Eats), and you can choose from 30-day or annual policies to suit how you work.
And because we’re a trusted Uber insurer, it’s fast and easy to get set up.
Get an Uber insurance quote now — it only takes a minute.
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