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Written by Michael Foote, Insurance Expert
Michael Foote is the founder of Quote Goat and has over 20 years experience working in finance & insurance. Since launching Quote Goat he has appeared on TV as well as many of the largest online publications including Forbes, The Telegraph and The Metro. Prior to Quote Goat, he worked in finance in the city.
Does Towergate Offer Taxi Insurance?
Yes, Towergate arranges taxi insurance for UK drivers. As one of Britain’s largest commercial insurance brokers, Towergate operates a dedicated taxi insurance division that connects drivers with suitable insurers from its panel.
Towergate doesn’t underwrite policies itself. Instead, it acts as an intermediary, matching taxi and private hire drivers with insurance providers based on your risk profile, vehicle type, operating area and licensing requirements. This means the actual insurer, policy features, pricing and claims handling vary depending on which provider Towergate selects for your cover.
Cover Types Available Through Towergate
Towergate arranges several types of taxi insurance to suit different driver profiles:
Public Hire Taxi Insurance
Covers licensed Hackney carriages that pick up passengers who hail them from the street or queue at ranks. Public hire policies typically include higher liability limits due to plying for hire in public spaces.
Private Hire and Minicab Insurance
Designed for vehicles that only accept pre-booked fares through a licensed operator. This includes traditional minicab work and app-based platform driving.
Uber and Ride-Hailing Cover
Drivers working for Uber, Bolt or similar platforms require specific private hire insurance that meets platform requirements. Towergate can arrange policies with the necessary endorsements and compliance documentation.
Chauffeur Insurance at Towergate
Towergate also provides insurance for professional chauffeur services, which require different cover than standard private hire work. Chauffeur insurance typically includes enhanced business use, higher vehicle values and comprehensive coverage for luxury vehicles used in executive transport.
Chauffeur policies arranged through Towergate often include airport transfer cover, corporate account work and wedding/event transportation. Requirements differ from standard taxi insurance, with greater emphasis on vehicle presentation standards and customer service expectations.
Fleet Taxi Insurance
Operators managing multiple vehicles can arrange fleet policies, which may offer administrative advantages and potential cost savings compared to insuring each vehicle separately.
What Towergate Taxi Insurance Typically Includes
Exact inclusions depend on the underwriting insurer and policy level, but Towergate typically arranges cover featuring:
- Compulsory public liability cover as required by local licensing authorities
- Employer’s liability if you employ other drivers
- Cover for hire and reward activities
- Breakdown assistance options
- Legal expenses cover
- Personal accident benefits
- Windscreen repair and replacement
- Courtesy car provision during repairs
Voluntary excess options allow you to adjust premium costs, though higher excesses increase your out-of-pocket contribution when claiming.
Factors Affecting Your Towergate Premium
Towergate collects detailed information to obtain quotes from panel insurers. Premium calculations consider multiple risk factors:
Driver Experience and History
Your taxi driving experience, total driving history, claims record and conviction history significantly influence pricing. Newly licensed taxi drivers typically face higher premiums than those with established track records.
Operating Area and Territory
Licensing authority boundaries, operating zones and where you primarily work affect risk assessment. Urban areas with higher traffic density and claims frequency often result in higher premiums than rural territories.
Vehicle Specifications
Make, model, age, value, security features and wheelchair accessibility modifications all impact premium calculations. Purpose-built taxis may attract different rates than standard saloon cars adapted for private hire.
Annual Mileage and Working Patterns
Higher mileage increases exposure to risk. Drivers working night shifts, weekends or high-demand periods may see this reflected in pricing.
Cover Level and Excess Selection
Comprehensive cover costs more than third party fire and theft. Selecting higher voluntary excesses reduces premiums but increases your contribution when claiming.
What to Check Before Getting a Towergate Insurance Quote
Before purchasing taxi insurance arranged by Towergate, verify these details:
Confirm the underwriting insurer: Ask which insurer from Towergate’s panel will provide your policy, then research their claims reputation and financial stability. The broker arranges your cover, but the insurer handles claims and renewals.
Verify licensing compliance: Ensure the policy meets your local licensing authority’s specific requirements for public liability limits and cover types. Requirements vary between councils.
Check geographical limits: Confirm your policy covers all areas where you intend to operate, including cross-border work if relevant.
Understand claims procedures: Ask how claims are handled, whether through Towergate or directly with the insurer, and what documentation you need.
Review excess amounts: Check both compulsory and voluntary excess figures for different claim types, including fire, theft and accidental damage.
Examine exclusions carefully: Identify what circumstances or activities are not covered, such as specific types of delivery work or operating outside licensed hours.
Compare renewal terms: Ask whether renewal premiums typically increase and how the insurer approaches subsequent years.
Assess additional driver costs: If you plan to add named drivers, confirm how this affects your premium and what restrictions apply.
Common Exclusions and Limitations
Like all taxi insurance policies, cover arranged through Towergate includes standard exclusions:
- Wear and tear to your vehicle
- Mechanical or electrical breakdown
- Driving outside the terms of your taxi licence
- Using your vehicle for purposes not declared on the policy
- Damage occurring while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving without a valid MOT or with dangerous vehicle defects
- Transporting illegal goods or engaging in criminal activity
Some insurers impose additional restrictions on high-performance vehicles, drivers with specific conviction types or operations in particular postcodes. Always read the full policy wording rather than relying solely on broker summaries.
Making Claims Through Towergate
The claims process depends on which insurer underwrites your policy. In some cases, Towergate assists with claims management, while other arrangements require you to contact the insurer directly.
When an incident occurs:
- Report the claim promptly, ideally within 24 hours
- Gather evidence including photographs, witness details and incident reports
- Obtain a crime reference number for theft, vandalism or criminal damage
- Do not admit liability at the scene
- Notify your licensing authority if required under local regulations
Ask Towergate at the point of purchase whether you’ll handle claims through them or directly with the underwriter, and save the correct contact details in your phone.
How Towergate Compares to Other Taxi Insurance Providers
As a broker rather than an insurer, Towergate’s role differs from direct providers. While some drivers appreciate the broker approach for accessing multiple insurers, others prefer dealing directly with the underwriter.
Alternative providers worth comparing include Nelson Taxi Insurance and Cover My Cab Taxi Insurance, which offer different approaches to taxi cover. If you’re looking for more flexible options, Pay As You Go Taxi Insurance might suit drivers with variable working patterns.
The key difference with broker-arranged cover is that your policy terms, claims service and renewal pricing depend on the underwriting insurer rather than the broker. This can work in your favour if Towergate places you with a competitive insurer, but less so if the underwriter proves difficult during claims.
Getting a Towergate Taxi Insurance Quote
Towergate requires detailed information to obtain quotes from its panel:
- Full driving licence details and history
- Taxi or private hire licence information
- Vehicle registration and specifications
- Operating area and licensing authority
- Annual mileage estimate
- Claims and conviction history for all drivers
- Required cover level and excess preferences
Be accurate with all information. Misrepresentation can void your policy, leaving you uninsured and potentially in breach of licensing requirements.
Quotes are typically valid for 30 days, though premiums can change if your circumstances alter or if the underwriting insurer adjusts its pricing.
Ready to Compare Taxi Insurance?
While Towergate offers access to multiple insurers through its broker panel, comparing quotes from different providers helps ensure you’re getting competitive cover that meets your specific needs.
Use the button on screen to get a quote and compare taxi insurance options tailored to your operating area, vehicle type and experience level.