INSURANCE GUIDE Ride Sharing Insurance UK - what Uber and Bolt drivers need |
TL;DR
- Driving for Uber, Bolt, or any private hire platform is hire and reward (H&R) use requiring a PHV licence and H&R motor insurance.
- Platform insurance (provided by Uber and Bolt) covers only active trips - from accepting a job to completing the drop-off. The inter-journey period is not covered.
- TfL requires all London PHV drivers to hold their own H&R insurance covering the full working period including inter-journey gaps.
- Standard car insurance does not cover PHV or ride-sharing work - using a standard policy for platform driving is a criminal offence.
- Specialist PHV insurance from providers familiar with platform work is available from GBP 1,500 to GBP 3,500 per year for a standard vehicle.
Last reviewed: June 2026
KEY FACTS | |
| Cover type required | Hire and reward (H&R) motor insurance - Class 3 use under Road Traffic Act 1988 |
| Platform cover scope | Active trips only (job accepted to drop-off complete) - inter-journey period not covered by Uber or Bolt fleet insurance |
| TfL requirement | All London PHV drivers must hold own H&R insurance covering the full working period including inter-journey gaps |
| PHV licence requirement | Driver licence, vehicle licence, and operator licence all required before driving for any platform in England |
| Platform insurance level | Third-party during active trips - does not cover damage to driver own vehicle |
| Annual premium range | GBP 1,500 to GBP 3,500 for a standard car; higher for central London or drivers with claims history |
Why Standard Motor Insurance Is Not Enough
Driving for Uber, Bolt, Ola, or any private hire platform is hire and reward use - the driver is being paid to transport passengers. Standard motor insurance (SDP or business Class 1/2) explicitly excludes hire and reward use. Under the Road Traffic Act 1988, motor insurance must cover the actual use being made of the vehicle. Driving for a platform on a standard policy means the vehicle is uninsured for that activity.
The consequences of being uninsured while driving for a platform include: a criminal offence under the RTA 1988; an IN10 endorsement (6-8 penalty points); the insurer refusing any claim arising during platform use; and in the event of a serious accident, personal financial liability for third-party claims which can be very substantial for passenger injury.
KEY FACTS
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What Platform Insurance Actually Covers
Both Uber and Bolt provide fleet insurance to their drivers, but the scope is more limited than many drivers realise:
- Period 1 (app off): No platform insurance. Driver is on their own personal motor policy.
- Period 2 (app on, waiting for a job): Uber and Bolt provide limited third-party liability cover during this waiting period - but this does not cover damage to the driver own vehicle and may not cover all scenarios. This is the inter-journey gap.
- Period 3 (trip accepted to completion): Full platform fleet insurance applies. Third-party liability, uninsured motorist protection.
The critical gap for most drivers is Period 2 - when logged in and waiting for a job but not on an active trip. A comprehensive H&R policy that covers the entire working period (periods 2 and 3) closes this gap.
Getting the Right Cover
Platform drivers in England (and particularly in London) need a personal H&R motor insurance policy that covers them throughout their working period. Specialist PHV insurance providers understand platform work and offer policies designed for this use case. When comparing policies, key points to check are: confirmation that the policy covers PHV and platform work; whether the policy covers the inter-journey period; and what level of cover applies (comprehensive vs third-party).
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Disclaimer: This guide is for general information only. Kael Tripton Ltd is not authorised or regulated by the FCA. Always verify details with an FCA-authorised insurer or broker before purchasing. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Uber provide insurance for its drivers?
Uber provides fleet insurance for drivers during active trips (Period 3: job accepted to drop-off). During Period 2 (app on, waiting for a job), Uber provides limited third-party liability cover but this does not cover damage to the driver own vehicle. During Period 1 (app off), no Uber insurance applies. Drivers need their own comprehensive H&R policy to be properly covered throughout their working day.
Do I need a PHV licence to drive for Uber?
Yes. All Uber drivers in England must hold a valid PHV driver licence from the relevant licensing authority. In London, this is issued by TfL. Outside London, it is issued by the relevant district or borough council. Uber also requires vehicles to be licensed and Uber to be registered as a licensed operator. Driving for Uber without a valid PHV licence is a criminal offence.
Can I work for multiple platforms at the same time?
Under the Deregulation Act 2015, PHV drivers can sub-contract across multiple licensed operators including multiple platforms. Many drivers work across Uber, Bolt, and other platforms simultaneously. Your H&R insurance policy covers you for PHV work generally - it is not specific to a single platform. Confirm with your insurer that working across multiple platforms is covered under your policy.
What is the inter-journey period and why does it matter?
The inter-journey period is the time when a platform driver is logged into the app and available for jobs but has not yet accepted a trip. During this period, the platform fleet insurance typically provides only limited cover. A personal H&R policy that covers the full working period ensures the driver is properly insured throughout their shift, not just during active trips.
How much does ride-sharing insurance cost compared to standard insurance?
PHV and ride-sharing H&R insurance is significantly more expensive than standard motor insurance for the same vehicle, primarily because the vehicle is used intensively for hire work, often in urban environments with higher accident rates, and involves carrying paying passengers. Annual PHV premiums for a standard car typically start at around GBP 1,500 compared to GBP 500 to GBP 800 for a comparable standard private motor policy.
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