When you work as a chauffeur in the UK, having the right insurance is a legal requirement and plays a crucial role in protecting your livelihood.
Do you have questions about how chauffeur insurance works? As a specialist insurance broker, we’re here to help you and provide clear, straightforward answers.
In this guide, we’ll break down what chauffeur insurance covers, share practical tips on how to lower premiums, and explain how to get a quote.
What is chauffeur insurance?
Chauffeur insurance is a specialised insurance policy designed for professional drivers who transport pre-booked passengers for payment in premium, high-value vehicles.
How is it different from standard private hire insurance?
Private hire insurance covers standard, pre-booked hire and reward journeys – think local taxi bases or ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Bolt. The vehicles covered by private hire insurance tend to be of lower value than cars covered by chauffeur insurance.
Unlike standard private hire insurance, chauffeur insurance offers enhanced protection to cover the risks that come with operating luxury and higher-value cars for hire and reward.
The types of vehicles it covers
Chauffeur insurance only covers high-value vehicles, typically valued at over £35,000. This includes:
- Luxury saloons and executive cars (such as Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce and Bentley)
- Limousines
- Vintage cars
- Classic cars
- Prestige car rentals.
What chauffeur insurance covers
There are three levels of cover for chauffeur insurance:
- Third-party only (TPO) protects you if you injure a third party or cause damage to a third-party vehicle. It is the legal minimum required and does not cover your vehicle if it gets damaged.
- Third-party, fire & theft (TPFT) includes everything in TPO cover and offers additional protection if your vehicle is stolen, damaged by fire or damaged by attempted theft.
- Comprehensive cover includes everything in TPO and TPFT and offers protection if your own vehicle gets damaged
Because of the high value of vehicles covered by chauffeur insurance, insurers typically recommend opting for the highest level of cover to guarantee you get the most protection in the event of an accident or claim.
Additional coverage options
For extra protection and peace of mind, you have the option to take out additional policies alongside your core chauffeur insurance policy.
Examples include:
- Public liability insurance – covers you for third-party claims for injury or property damage (for example, if a passenger becomes injured after tripping over luggage you’ve unloaded).
- Breakdown cover – provides vehicle recovery and roadside assistance if your vehicle breaks down.
- Legal expenses cover – helps to cover legal costs resulting from non-fault claims.
- Business interruption – to protect you against loss of income if an unexpected event stops you from carrying out business as usual.
- Excess protection – reimburses you for any compulsory and voluntary excess you pay in the event of a claim (up to a specified limit).
The cost of chauffeur insurance
Chauffeur insurance is typically more expensive than standard taxi or private hire policies. This is due to the higher value of the vehicles it covers.
It’s hard to pin down an exact cost, as premiums vary based on several factors, and each insurer uses its own criteria and pricing model to calculate quotes.
When calculating chauffeur insurance premiums, insurers typically look at:
- The make and model of your vehicle
- What type of business you run
- Your age, driving history and mileage
- The location you work in.
Tips for reducing premiums
Depending on the insurer, there are a few things you can do to lower the cost of your chauffeur insurance. This includes:
1. Building up your no-claims discount
When you have a claim-free record, your insurance provider will reward you with a no-claims bonus (also known as a no-claims discount), which will lower the price of your premium.
Keeping your claims to a minimum will help you build up your no-claims bonus, which can lead to bigger discounts on your premiums further down the line.
2. Installing anti-theft devices in your vehicle and keeping it securely parked
Securely parking your luxury vehicle in a garage, compound or private drive and taking further measures to keep it secure can help lower your risk profile.
3. Increasing the voluntary excess on your policy, if you can afford it.
Voluntary excess is an additional, optional amount that you agree to pay towards an insurance claim.
Opting for a higher excess may help reduce premiums, but it’s important to make sure that you can comfortably afford to pay the amount you agree to in the event of an accident or claim.
How to get a chauffeur insurance quote
You can get a chauffeur insurance quote directly from an insurance provider or through a specialist broker such as Patons Insurance.
Benefits of using a broker for your insurance
Getting chauffeur insurance through a broker could save you time and money – at Patons, we compare quotes on your behalf to get you our best policy, at our best price.
Our specialist sales and service teams will provide you with tailored advice to secure cover that suits your exact needs.
Get a fast, free and competitive quote by filling the quote form on our website or calling us on 0333 015 6886.
