Contrary to appearances, from an insurer’s perspective, cars used as taxis differ significantly from ordinary passenger vehicles. Daily, many-hour operation—and therefore a greater risk of collisions and more frequent repairs—means that companies raise rates for taxi drivers, fearing that the agreement concluded between the parties will be unprofitable. It even happens that such insurance costs twice as much as standard coverage.
The Polish and Western Markets
There are currently few ways to solve this problem on the Polish market. Experienced drivers with no accident history can try to negotiate a rate through personal contact with an insurer—proving many years of experience and safe driving will undoubtedly help secure more favorable contract terms. Western countries encountered a similar problem several years ago. The solution was provided by companies specializing exclusively in insuring passenger transport vehicles, the so-called taxi insurance. Companies of this kind are particularly popular in Great Britain. The local market offers a wide range of inexpensive insurance policies for taxi drivers. One example is www.taxiinsurer.co.uk/taxi-insurance/.
Additional Insurance
The most common repairs taxi owners have to deal with involve damage to the vehicle’s interior, windows or tires caused by customers. Taxi drivers usually pay these costs out of their own pockets. Additional insurance for these components may seem like a good idea, but it involves fairly high expenses. Moreover, comprehensive insurance for such a vehicle should include not only third-party liability insurance with additional window or tire coverage, but also protection against theft, comprehensive motor insurance, accident insurance and roadside assistance.
In Polish conditions, unfortunately, despite the prohibitive prices, the most sensible solution seems to be to assemble all of the insurance options listed above. A taxi is, in effect, a workplace and a source of income, so its comprehensive protection should be ensured.