Getting the best deal for your money is something we all strive for, particularly when looking for insurance. As a taxi driver, you probably encounter many claim-worthy situations in your day-to-day but, at the same time, you may never actually need to make a claim on your insurance. This presents a worry when it comes to both over-insurance. Having said that, it will pay in the long run to have comprehensive cover and protects you against a wide range of possibilities, from accidents and damage to your vehicle, to injuries suffered by both yourself as a driver and your passengers or pedestrians.
When searching for a quote or trying to find a cheaper premium for your taxi insurance, you need to think of all the steps you can take to reduce costs.
Here are a few tips you can take on board when searching for cheaper taxi insurance.
Choose a Less Risky Car
As you will know, the type of car you use as a taxi can significantly influence the cost of your insurance. Insurers calculate the costs of your insurance by working out the risks presented by each type of car. For example, cars with powerful engines that have a history of being in accidents will cost a lot more to insure than smaller-engine cars.
Therefore, if you drive a car that has less risk of being in an accident you will pay less to insure it. Although it may be unavoidable in certain circumstances (you may be assigned a particular make and model depending on the firm you work for), it pays in the long run to have a car that is less expensive and less powerful.
Have Experience & A Clean Record
Drivers with clean records will pay less for their insurance. Obviously, a clean driving record proves that you are a safe driver and unlikely to influence an accident through your driving skill. Anything from points for speeding, driving under the influence of drink or drugs, or any type of criminal conviction will have a huge impact on the price you pay for your taxi insurance.
Similarly, your age will influence the price of your premium. Those under the age of 25 will find it a lot harder to get cheap taxi insurance than other age groups. Unfortunately, the statistics show that people under 25 get into a great many more accidents and therefore present greater risk on the road. These risks are compounded further by the fact that taxi drivers are on the road a lot more than standard motorists.
Use Telematics to Prove Safety
Nowadays, there is technology that can be put in place to prove to your insurance company that you are driving safely, thereby presenting less risk. You can put a black box tracker in your car which can record information about the state of your driving, including speed, braking distance, and how quickly you take turns.
All this information presents a clear picture of your driving ability to your broker, giving them the opportunity to revise the cost if your taxi insurance premium to go in line with your risk.
Change Your Excess
Your excess refers to the amount you would have to pay out in the event of a claim. If you increase your excess then you will more than likely pay a less expensive premium, however this could end up costing you quite a lot if you do get into a situation where you need to make a claim. It might be worth looking into this, however it pays to be mindful.
Be a Named Driver
If you work for a company and drive the same vehicle every single day, it might well be worth getting named driver cover as part of your overall taxi insurance policy. If drivers are named, then the insurance companies have a very clear view of the risks of each driver and each car.
This is particularly useful if you have a good amount of no claims bonus as it means the savings can be passed back along to yourself.
Make the Move to Electric
Electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular with drivers across the world. They can benefit both the environment but also your pockets! They are generally cheaper to repair than other cars with standard fuel, they actually cost less to insure.