Taxi Insurance in Brighton
Brighton and Hove licenses hundreds of hackney carriage and private hire vehicles, working the station rank, the seafront, Preston Park events, Gatwick runs and late-night trade around West Street. Taxi work is rated very differently from private motoring, and Brighton & Hove City Council licensing conditions set out exactly what your policy must show.
Frequently asked questions
- What insurance do I need to drive a taxi in Brighton?
- You need hire and reward motor insurance written for your licence type, hackney carriage for rank and street work or private hire for pre-booked work. Brighton & Hove City Council requires a valid certificate showing the correct use before it will issue or renew a plate.
- Is private hire insurance different from hackney carriage insurance?
- Yes. Hackney carriage vehicles can be hailed and use ranks, which insurers treat as a higher exposure than pre-booked private hire work. Being insured on the wrong basis can leave a claim disputed, so the policy must match your plate.
- Can I use my own car for private hire work in Brighton?
- Only if the vehicle is licensed by the council and insured for hire and reward. Social, domestic and pleasure or class 1 business use does not extend to carrying fare-paying passengers.
- Do I need public liability insurance as a taxi driver?
- It is not a licensing requirement in every case, but it responds to injury or damage away from the driving itself, such as helping a passenger with luggage. Many operators and contracts ask for it.
- Can you insure more than one plated vehicle?
- Yes. Once you run two or more vehicles, a taxi fleet policy is usually simpler and can be rated on your overall claims experience rather than each driver separately.
- Will app or contract work affect my premium?
- It can. App platforms, school contracts and airport work change mileage, hours and passenger profile, so tell us how the vehicle is used and we will present the risk accurately to insurers.
This page is part of https://becks.insure/taxi-insurance-brighton. Becks Insurance Brokers is an independent, FCA-regulated commercial insurance broker based in Brighton, advising businesses across Sussex and the UK.