Imagine running a small passenger transport business and owning more than two cars. Each vehicle needs a cover, and sorting out individual insurance for all of them takes time and energy. This is when many business owners in the UK start looking into fleet insurance.
You don’t need to be a large operator to consider this option. In fact, once you have three or more taxis or passenger vehicles, you may be eligible. The key factor isn’t just how many cars you have—it’s how they have been insured. If they’ve all been covered under one plan, and there’s a shared record of past claims and costs, that becomes your group’s insurance history. In the industry, this is known as fleet experience.
Now, what if your vehicles have only ever had a single policy? That’s common for newer businesses. In this case, your group might be better suited to what’s often called a multi-vehicle policy, where each vehicle still has its own no claims bonus.
Some taxi operators refer to small groups of cars as a “mini fleet.” It’s not an official term in the insurance world, but people usually use it when talking about two to five vehicles that are either gaining fleet experience or keeping their no-claims bonuses. Even in these smaller setups, it’s still possible to manage everything under one agreement.
What makes this type of policy different isn’t just how it’s structured—it’s how the cost is worked out. For single-vehicle policies, insurers look at one driver and one vehicle at a time. For a group, the history of the entire operation matters more. A clean record could work in your favour, while multiple claims might push the price up for the whole group.
Choosing the right provider also plays a big role. Not all insurers are interested in the same kind of risk. Some prefer experienced drivers, while others focus on where your business is based. This is why many owners speak to a broker who can help match them with an insurer that suits their setup.
Working through a broker has other benefits too. Some can arrange premium finance, allowing you to spread payments out over the year. It usually comes with extra charges or interest, so it’s worth asking for a full breakdown of the costs. Some brokers also add fees to the quote, so make sure everything’s clear before you agree.
Aside from the main cover, some operators choose to include extras. One is breakdown protection. Since taxis and similar vehicles clock up much higher mileage than private cars, regular breakdown policies often won’t apply. You’ll need a cover that’s designed for commercial use. Another option is legal expenses protection, which can help with costs if you’re involved in a non-fault claim.
Some group policies also come with public liability cover—or give you the choice to add it. This protects against incidents connected to your trade that aren’t caused by driving. Think of situations like a passenger tripping over a bag the driver placed outside the car.
Suppose you’re running several vehicles and want to save time while keeping everything in order. In that case, fleet insurance is worth looking into. It can simplify the admin, offer flexibility, and give you a single point of control for your vehicle cover. As your business grows, switching from separate policies to a group one might not just make sense it may also save you significant time.