News

After the upheaval and uncertainty of the pandemic, many people are reconsidering their career choices, especially their work-life balance.

People want to spend more time at home with loved ones and leave the rat race and slog of the daily commute.

Patons are thrilled to announce its partnership with Argyle Satellite Taxis – another business proud to support its community.

Patons treats every client as individuals, each with specific needs and circumstances.

As Covid restrictions are lifted, demand for taxis is soaring, but the pandemic has led to a shortage of licensed taxi drivers back on our streets.

And it is not because drivers don’t want to get behind the wheel again.

Taxi drivers have seen it all – the good, the bad and the ugly.

But picking up a celebrity fare always makes a shift memorable. And it is even more enjoyable if the famous face is friendly, chatty – and might even have a selfie taken with the driver.

Taxi drivers will be effected by new laws being introduced next month to reduce distractions on the road make it illegal to use virtually all tech devices while driving.

Under the new regulations which come into force on March 25, anyone caught using mobile phones, tablets, smart watches, PDAs or any other communication devices, will face a £200 fine and 6 points on their licence.

Clean air zones are being rolled out in towns, cities and regions in a bid to cut pollution. But the drive to keep more-polluting vehicles off the roads could hit taxi drivers in the pocket.

Drivers are being faced with the choice of passing on to customers the daily charge for each Clean Air Zone (CAZ) they enter, or switching to cleaner, greener vehicles which are exempt from CAZ charges.

On 1st November 2019, John Paton Insurance Services completed the mutually successful acquisition of Shield Insurance Consultants Limited – more commonly known as ‘Cabshield’.

As a taxi driver, you are out on the road every day.

While we all prioritise both the safety of ourselves and our passengers when driving, accidents aren’t always preventable.

For generations, communities have placed trust on their local taxi firm to support them with all their transportation needs.

From airport drop-offs to the last-minute booking after a heavy night out with your closest friends, they have undoubtedly been at the heart of many of our towns, and for that, we are entirely grateful.

Patons Insurance managing director Darren Roberts tells Insurance Age why the broker got into the taxi insurance sector and how it’s coped with the pandemic.

Our industry has never stood still, and as a community, that is something we should all be very proud of. From implementing tech booking systems to upgrading our fleets to create the ultimate passenger experience, we really have done it all.

However, the realities of COVID-19 hit our people the hardest. The general public were confined to their homes and didn’t rely on us like they once did.

We’re almost there, folks. After 12 months of uncertainty, doom and gloom, the UK finally has a roadmap out of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country is going to start moving again VERY soon, and bringing with it much needed support and income to the taxi and private hire industry.

Patons Insurance are here to provide our top tips on ensuring YOU are fully prepared as the country reopens throughout 2021.