FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

Yes. Taxisure Risk Specialists (Pty) Ltd is FSP 52693, authorised under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act.

TaxiSure specialises in transport risk insurance and can arrange cover for a wide range of commercial transport operators, including: minibus taxis (16-seater and 22-seater), e-hailing vehicles (Uber, Bolt, InDrive), scholar and school transport, staff transport vehicles, charter and shuttle operators, and multi-vehicle fleets. Whether you own a single vehicle or a large fleet, TaxiSure will tailor a policy to suit your specific operation. Contact us for a quote to discuss your requirements. We also cover personal vehicles.

The fastest way to get a quote is to complete the quote request form on this website - a specialist consultant will contact you within one business day. You can also reach us directly by phone or WhatsApp during business hours. To speed up the process, have the following ready: your vehicle registration number, make and model, driver's licence and PDP details, and the name of your current or previous insurer. There is no obligation to accept a quote.

SASRIA (South African Special Risks Insurance Association) is a state-owned insurer that provides cover for losses caused by civil unrest, riots, strikes, public disorder, and terrorism - risks that are specifically excluded from standard commercial insurance policies. SASRIA cover must be requested separately and added as an extension to your policy at an additional premium; it is not automatically included. For taxi and transport operators who park at taxi ranks or operate through areas affected by unrest or strike action, SASRIA cover is strongly recommended. South Africa has a history of taxi industry disputes that have led to vehicle damage and destruction. Without SASRIA cover, a vehicle destroyed during a riot or strike would not be covered by your standard commercial policy and you would bear the full replacement cost. Note: looting is only covered under SASRIA when it occurs during an active insured peril such as a riot - standalone looting is excluded.

To claim from SASRIA following a riot, strike, or civil unrest event: (1) Report the incident to the South African Police Service (SAPS) immediately and obtain a case number. (2) Contact your insurer or broker as soon as possible - ideally within 24 hours and no later than 30 days from the date of the incident. (3) SASRIA claims are not submitted directly to SASRIA by policyholders. Your insurer handles the claim on SASRIA's behalf as their agent - you submit your claim to your insurer in the normal way and they process the SASRIA portion. (4) Submit all supporting documents: your SAPS report, photographs of the damage, a description of the incident, and your policy schedule. (5) SASRIA will assess the claim and, once approved, your insurer will arrange repairs or a settlement. SASRIA claims can take longer to finalise than standard claims due to the verification required for civil unrest events. Your excess under the SASRIA portion may differ from your main policy excess.

Yes - passenger liability is a core component of comprehensive minibus taxi insurance and is essential for operating legally. Passenger liability cover protects you as the vehicle operator if you are held legally liable for the injury or death of passengers while they are in your vehicle. It covers medical costs, legal costs, and compensation claims from injured passengers. For minibus taxi operators, passenger liability is non-negotiable for obtaining and maintaining an operating licence under the Road Traffic Act. A passenger liability limit of R5 million per event is standard on many comprehensive commercial policies; higher limits are available. The cover applies whether the vehicle is moving or stationary. Important: if you are carrying more passengers than the vehicle is licensed for when an accident occurs, the passenger liability claim will be rejected - always operate within your licensed passenger capacity.

Yes. Hijacking is included as a standard covered peril under a comprehensive minibus taxi policy. If your vehicle is taken by force, you are covered for the loss of the vehicle subject to your policy excess. What you must do: (1) Report the hijacking to SAPS immediately by calling 10111 and obtain a case number. (2) Contact your tracking company immediately if a tracker is fitted - early notification improves the chances of recovery. (3) Notify your insurer or broker within 24 hours of the incident. A standard 30-day waiting period from the date of hijacking applies before a settlement is finalised, to allow time for the vehicle to be recovered. If the vehicle is recovered within this period, your insurer will assess its condition and arrange repairs or a settlement. If it is not recovered, the claim will be settled based on the insured value minus your excess.

Both 16-seater and 22-seater (midibus) taxis can be covered under a comprehensive commercial transport policy, but insurers rate them as different risk categories. A 22-seater typically attracts a higher premium than a 16-seater for two main reasons: the vehicle itself is higher in value, and the greater number of passengers it carries increases the potential liability exposure - more passengers means a higher maximum payout if there is a passenger liability claim. Both vehicle types require the driver to hold a valid Professional Driving Permit (PDP) and the vehicle to have a valid public operating licence. It is essential that you insure your vehicle accurately according to its licensed seating capacity. Insuring a 22-seater as a 16-seater constitutes a material misrepresentation and could result in your claim being partially or entirely rejected.

Standard personal car insurance policies are underwritten on the basis that the vehicle is used for private, non-commercial purposes only. The moment you accept a trip on Uber, Bolt, or InDrive and receive payment for transporting a passenger, you are providing a commercial hire-and-reward service. This changes your risk profile entirely and falls outside the scope of a personal policy. Most personal policies contain an explicit exclusion for 'hire and reward' or 'commercial use'. If you have an accident while transporting a paying passenger on an e-hailing platform, your personal insurer can and will reject the claim. The consequences can be severe: you would be personally liable for damage to your own vehicle, damage to the other party's vehicle, and any passenger injuries. E-hailing drivers must hold a commercial vehicle insurance policy that specifically covers hire-and-reward or e-hailing use. Even occasional or part-time e-hailing use requires commercial cover - there is no minimum number of trips.

Some insurers offer a 'commercial extension' on a personal policy that activates e-hailing cover while the app is live and a trip is in progress, reverting to standard personal cover when the driver is offline. This can be a practical option for occasional e-hailing use. However, coverage gaps can exist between trips and when the app is active but no trip has been accepted. For drivers who use their vehicle for e-hailing regularly or full-time, a dedicated commercial policy is the more appropriate and safer solution. TaxiSure can help you structure a policy that matches your actual usage pattern. Note: from March 2026, all e-hailing drivers in South Africa are required to hold a valid e-hailing operating permit. Driving without this permit may invalidate your insurance cover. E-hailing insurance covers personal use as well.

South Africa offers three main levels of vehicle cover. Comprehensive is the most extensive - it covers damage to your own vehicle regardless of fault (accident, fire, theft, hijacking, hail, flood), plus damage or injury you cause to another person's vehicle or property. Third-Party Fire and Theft covers damage you cause to another person's vehicle or property, and also covers your own vehicle if it is stolen, hijacked, or damaged by fire - but if you cause an accident, damage to your own vehicle is not covered. Third-Party Only is the most basic option: it only covers damage you cause to someone else's vehicle or property. Any damage to your own vehicle is entirely your responsibility. For commercial vehicles that earn income, third-party only cover carries significant financial exposure if the vehicle is off the road for repairs you must pay yourself.

A comprehensive commercial policy for a taxi, minibus, or e-hailing vehicle typically covers: accidental damage (collision or overturning), fire and explosion, theft and hijacking, storm, hail, and flood damage, windscreen and glass damage, and in most cases passenger liability. Some policies also include loss of income if the vehicle is written off, towing and storage costs after an insured event, and SASRIA cover (riots and civil unrest - usually an add-on). The exact inclusions depend on the insurer and product selected. Always read your policy schedule carefully.

Passenger liability insurance protects you as the vehicle operator if you are held legally liable for the injury or death of passengers while they are in your vehicle. It covers medical costs, legal costs, and compensation claims from injured passengers. For minibus taxi and e-hailing operators, passenger liability is non-negotiable for obtaining and keeping an operating licence under the Road Traffic Act. A passenger liability limit of R5 million per event is standard on many comprehensive commercial policies; some operators choose higher limits. The cover applies whether the vehicle is moving or stationary. If you are carrying more passengers than the vehicle is licensed for and an accident occurs, the claim will be refused.

An excess (also called a deductible or 'first amount payable') is the portion of a claim you must pay yourself before your insurer covers the remainder. For example, if your vehicle suffers R50,000 in damage and your excess is R4,100, you pay R4,100 and the insurer pays R45,900. There are three types: Compulsory/basic excess - set by the insurer, non-negotiable, applies to every claim. Voluntary excess - an additional amount you choose to pay in exchange for lower monthly premiums. Additional excess - applied automatically based on risk factors such as driver age or years of licence. When an accident is not your fault and the other party's insurer accepts liability, your insurer may recover your excess from them and reimburse you. Excess is typically paid directly to the panel beater before repairs begin.

SASRIA (South African Special Risks Insurance Association) is a state-owned insurer providing cover for losses caused by civil unrest, riots, strikes, public disorder, and terrorism - risks excluded from standard commercial insurance policies. SASRIA cover must be specifically requested and added as an extension at an additional premium; it is not automatic. For taxi and bus operators who park at taxi ranks or operate through areas that may be affected by unrest or strike action, SASRIA cover is strongly recommended. Looting is only covered under SASRIA if it occurs during an active peril such as a riot - standalone looting is not covered.

Premium calculations for commercial vehicles are based on: the make, model, age, and value of the vehicle; the area where it operates and is parked overnight; the type of use (e-hailing, long-distance, scholar transport); the driver's age, licence type, and claims history; whether the vehicle has a tracking device; and the excess structure you choose. For fleet policies, additional factors include fleet size and composition, total fleet value, at least three years of claims history, named versus open driver, and whether vehicles have tracking fitted. Vehicles with approved tracking devices may attract premium discounts of up to 20% from some insurers.

Market value (trade value) is what a private buyer would likely pay for your vehicle in its pre-accident condition. Retail value is based on the price a comparable vehicle would sell for at a dealership - usually higher. Insuring at retail value generally results in a higher settlement if your vehicle is written off, but also means a slightly higher premium. For financed vehicles, insuring at retail value protects against a shortfall between what the insurer pays and what you still owe the bank. Some insurers offer 'agreed value' cover where a fixed amount is agreed at inception, avoiding disputes at claim time.

To obtain a quote and start a commercial vehicle policy you will typically need: your valid South African ID document; your valid driver's licence (and PDP if applicable); proof of residential or business address (not older than three months); the vehicle registration certificate and VIN; proof of ownership or finance agreement; the vehicle's current book value or purchase invoice; details of all regular drivers (names, dates of birth, licence codes, claims history); your claims history for the past three to five years; and details of any security devices fitted. For a fleet policy, you will also need a full fleet schedule and at least three years of loss history for the entire fleet.

Yes. Any driver transporting passengers for reward on a public road - including minibus taxi drivers, e-hailing drivers, school transport drivers, and shuttle drivers - is legally required to hold a valid PDP. If a driver involved in an insured event does not hold a valid PDP, the insurer may reject the claim entirely. If a driver's PDP expires, cover may be suspended until it is renewed. Keep copies of all driver PDP certificates and monitor their renewal dates closely.

Yes. A public operating licence (operating permit or PrO) is required for any vehicle carrying passengers for payment. Driving without a valid operating licence is both illegal and will typically void your insurance cover for any claim arising while operating without one. Your permit must be current, valid for the routes you operate, and appropriate for the vehicle type. Operating licences are issued by the relevant Provincial Operating Licencing Board.

For most insurers, cover starts at the time and date specified on your policy schedule - often from the moment your first premium is paid and your policy is confirmed in writing. Some insurers can activate cover immediately upon telephonic or digital acceptance. It is critical to obtain written confirmation of your cover start date before driving the insured vehicle. If you are switching from another insurer, ensure the new policy is active before cancelling the old one to avoid any gap in cover.

For commercial transport and fleet insurance - especially for taxis, buses, and e-hailing fleets - using a qualified insurance broker is strongly recommended and in some cases required. A specialist broker who understands the transport sector will advise on the right type and level of cover, identify exclusions that could leave you exposed, negotiate competitive premiums from multiple underwriters, and assist you through the claims process. Specialist underwriting managers (UMAs) such as CTU (backed by Hollard) and SA Taxi (backed by Guardrisk) operate through the broker channel and offer products specifically designed for the taxi and transport industry.

Contact your insurer or broker directly - by phone, email, or through their digital platform - and provide the driver's full name, date of birth, ID number, driver's licence number and code, and years of driving experience. Most insurers can make this change effective immediately or within 24 to 48 hours. Adding a high-risk driver may increase your premium. Removing a driver or restricting cover to named drivers only may reduce it. An undisclosed or unlicensed driver operating the vehicle at the time of a claim can result in the claim being rejected.

A named driver policy covers only the specific driver or drivers listed on the policy schedule. Any accident caused by a driver not named on the policy may result in a rejected claim. Named driver policies typically carry lower premiums because they present a more defined risk profile. An open driver policy covers any person who holds a valid driver's licence and has the policyholder's permission to drive the vehicle. Open driver policies cost more but are practical for fleet operators where multiple drivers operate the same vehicle. For commercial transport, the open driver approach is common for fleets; owner-operated single vehicles often use a named driver structure.

Call your insurer or broker, or update your details through the insurer's app or online portal. Keeping your address current is important because your premium is partly rated on the area where the vehicle is garaged overnight. If you move to a higher-risk area and do not update this, a claim could be affected or rejected on the grounds that the risk has materially changed from what was declared.

Yes. You can request a change to your cover type at any time, typically taking effect at the next premium due date or immediately, depending on the insurer. For financed vehicles, your finance agreement will almost certainly require you to maintain comprehensive cover for the duration of the finance term - downgrading without your finance house's consent may breach your finance contract. Always confirm changes in writing.

There is generally no legal notice period (as the client) that you must give - unless your policy wording specifically requires one. Many insurers cancel on the date that you request, or a future date that you request. If the insurer is cancelling, they need to give you a 31-day written notice - except in cases of non-payment.

To add a vehicle, you will typically need: the vehicle's registration number, make, model, year, colour, and VIN; the vehicle's current insured value (market or retail); details of the primary driver; proof that you own or have an insurable interest in the vehicle; any finance details if the vehicle is under a finance agreement; and details of any tracking or security devices fitted. For fleet policies, vehicles are usually added onto the fleet schedule and the premium is adjusted accordingly.

In most cases, a vehicle can be insured from the date and time you confirm the addition with your insurer or broker, provided all required information is submitted and the change is confirmed in writing. It is essential to get written confirmation before driving the vehicle.

Yes. Most insurers will issue a 'cover note' - a legally binding interim insurance contract - to provide immediate protection while full policy documentation is being processed. This is common when you have purchased a vehicle and are still waiting for the registration papers to be transferred into your name. Inform your broker or insurer as soon as you take possession of the vehicle.

Most South African insurers require you to report an incident as soon as possible and no later than 30 days from the date of the event. Delays beyond the required period may give the insurer grounds to reject your claim. For hijacking or theft, contact your insurer the same day - certainly within 24 hours.

Have the following ready: your policy number; the date, time, and location of the incident; a description of what happened; the police case number and the name of the police station; the names, contact numbers, vehicle registration numbers, and insurance details of all other parties involved; witness names and contact details; photographs of the damage, the accident scene, and any other vehicles or property involved; and your vehicle's registration and VIN. For hijacking or theft, you will also need a copy of the SAPS report.

Once you report a claim, a claims consultant or case manager is typically assigned. They will collect all required documentation, verify the details against your policy, and advise whether the claim is accepted. If accepted, they will arrange for an assessor to inspect the vehicle. For repairable vehicles, they will authorise repairs at an approved panel beater. You pay the excess directly to the panel beater before repairs begin. For written-off or stolen/hijacked vehicles that are not recovered, the insurer will make a settlement offer based on the insured value minus the excess. Simple claims can be finalised in a few days; complex disputed claims may take weeks or months.

A vehicle is declared a total loss when the cost of repairs exceeds approximately 50 to 75% of the vehicle's insured value. The insurer will assess the salvage value of the wreck and deduct this, along with your excess, from the insured value to arrive at a net settlement. If you still owe money to a finance house, the settlement is paid to the finance house first. If the settlement is less than what you owe, you are personally liable for the shortfall. You are entitled to dispute the settlement figure if you believe the insurer's valuation is incorrect.

For a stolen or hijacked vehicle that is not recovered, most insurers apply a 30-day waiting period from the date of theft before finalising the claim. If the vehicle is not recovered within 30 days, the claim can proceed to settlement. Once all documentation is in order, payment is typically processed within a few days of the settlement being approved. If the vehicle is recovered after the claim has been settled, the recovered vehicle usually becomes the property of the insurer.

Step 1 - Stop. Under the National Road Traffic Act 93 of 1996, you are legally required to stop at the scene. Leaving the scene is a criminal offence. Step 2 - Make the scene safe. Switch on your hazard lights and, if safe to do so, place warning triangles at least 45 metres behind your vehicle. Step 3 - Check for injuries. Call 10111 (SAPS) or 112 if anyone is injured. Step 4 - Exchange information. You are legally required to exchange your name, contact number, address, driver's licence number, vehicle registration number, and insurance details. Step 5 - Document the scene. Photograph all vehicles, the overall scene, road signs, road conditions, and the other party's licence disc and driver's licence. Step 6 - Report to police. Accidents involving injury, death, or property damage must be reported within 24 hours. Obtain and keep the case number. Step 7 - Contact your insurer. Notify your insurer as soon as possible, ideally the same day.

Do not admit liability or apologise, even if you believe you may have been at fault. Admissions made at the scene can be used against you in legal proceedings and can complicate your insurance claim. Do not move the vehicles until photographs have been taken, unless required to prevent a further accident. Do not sign any document at the scene other than basic information exchange. Do not leave the scene before exchanging details. Do not agree to a private cash settlement on the spot. Do not threaten or argue with the other party.

Collect and record: the other driver's full name, contact number, and physical address; their driver's licence number; their vehicle's registration number, make, model, and colour; the name of their insurance company and, if known, their policy number; photographs of their licence disc and driver's licence; the names and contact details of any witnesses. Call their cell number on the spot before leaving the scene - fake numbers are common after accidents. If the other driver refuses to provide information, note their vehicle registration number and report this to the police.

For theft, hijacking, or any accident involving injury or death, yes - a police case number is required by both law and your insurer. For a minor collision where neither party is injured, some insurers will still require a case number. It is always safest to report any incident to the police and obtain a case number. Without a police case number, your insurer may have grounds to reject the claim.

This is a common situation in South Africa. Your options are: (1) If you have comprehensive cover, claim from your own insurer - your insurer will cover the repairs or total loss and may attempt to recover the cost from the uninsured driver. You will still be required to pay your own excess. (2) If you only have third-party cover, you cannot claim from your own insurer for damage to your own vehicle. You would need to pursue the uninsured driver personally through civil legal action. (3) If you or your passengers suffered bodily injuries, you may be able to claim compensation from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) regardless of the other driver's insurance status. This is why comprehensive cover is strongly recommended for commercial transport vehicles.

The Road Accident Fund is a statutory body that provides compensation to individuals who suffer injury or death caused by the negligent driving of a motor vehicle on a South African road. Drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists can all claim from the RAF - provided they were not the sole cause of the accident. The RAF covers medical costs, loss of earnings, general damages (pain and suffering), loss of support for dependants of a deceased, and funeral costs. It does not cover damage to your vehicle or other property. Claims can be submitted directly to the RAF or through an attorney.

Note as many details as you can - the vehicle registration number, colour, make and model, and direction of travel. Report the incident to the police immediately and obtain a case number. Your own comprehensive insurance policy will still respond to the claim even if the at-fault driver cannot be identified, subject to your excess and policy terms. If you only have third-party cover, you will not be covered for damage to your own vehicle in this scenario.

Your comprehensive or third-party policy covers liability for damage you cause to another person's vehicle or property. Once the third party submits a claim against you, your insurer will assess the claim and determine liability. The claimant must prove that the damages resulted directly from the accident and that you were negligent. Your insurer's claims team will handle the matter and communicate with the third party or their insurer. A third-party claim will typically be finalised within three months of all required documents being received.

No. The RAF covers bodily injury and death only. It does not compensate for damage to your vehicle, your property, lost cargo, or any other financial losses not linked to physical injury or death. For vehicle damage caused by another driver, you must either claim through your own comprehensive policy or pursue the at-fault driver directly.

Roadside assistance in South Africa typically covers: towing to the nearest approved panel beater or service centre after an accident or breakdown; assistance with flat tyres; jump-starting a flat battery; fuel delivery if you run out of petrol; unlocking the vehicle if keys are locked inside; and minor on-scene mechanical repairs. If you break down more than 50 km from home and your vehicle cannot be fixed at the roadside, benefits may extend to overnight accommodation (up to a specified limit) or alternative transport. Storage costs at an approved facility are usually covered for the first 72 hours following an insured event.

No. Roadside assistance covers the cost of getting you help at the roadside and towing the vehicle to a repairer - it does not pay for the actual repairs. The cost of repairing the vehicle is covered by your insurance policy, subject to the event being an insured peril and your excess being paid. Some comprehensive policies include both an insurance component and a roadside assistance benefit in a single product; others offer them separately.

Move the vehicle off the road if safely possible. Switch on your hazard lights. Place warning triangles at least 45 metres behind the vehicle. Call your insurer's 24-hour roadside assistance number (printed on your policy schedule or insurance card). Provide your exact location - GPS coordinates from your phone are useful. Do not accept assistance from unauthorised tow trucks that stop without being called by your insurer. Pirate tow truck operators may take your vehicle to an unauthorised storage facility and charge excessive fees your insurer will not pay.

Standard commercial vehicle policies do not automatically include loss of income cover. Some specialist transport products designed for the taxi industry include a loss of income benefit specifically if the vehicle is declared a total write-off following an accident - not for ordinary repairs. Broader business interruption or loss of income cover is a separate product that can sometimes be added to a commercial policy. This is an important consideration for taxi operators who rely entirely on their vehicle for income - ask your broker to include a loss-of-use or income-protection benefit where available.

When you take out a policy, you should receive: (1) Your policy schedule (certificate of insurance) - summarising your specific policy details including insured vehicles, insured values, cover type, excess structure, premium amount, cover start date, and renewal date. (2) Your policy wording - the full legal document containing all terms, conditions, and exclusions. (3) Any endorsements or amendments - written notifications of changes made to your policy during the policy period. Keep these documents safely and accessibly. In the event of a claim or dispute, the policy wording governs what is and is not covered.

Contact your insurer or broker directly by phone, email, or through the insurer's digital platform. Most insurers can email your current policy schedule within a few hours of your request. Many also make policy documents available through an online portal or mobile app.

If you miss a premium payment, most South African short-term insurers apply a grace period - typically around 15 days - during which your cover may remain active. If the missed payment is not resolved within the grace period, the policy will lapse and you will lose cover entirely. Any claim submitted while your policy is lapsed will be rejected. If you anticipate difficulty meeting a payment, contact your insurer or broker proactively before the due date.

Insurers allow policyholders to request a change to their debit order date. Contact your insurer or broker by phone or in writing with your preferred date. This is typically accommodated at no charge. Changing your debit order date may result in a pro-rata adjustment in the first month to align your payment cycle.

First, submit a formal written complaint to your insurer's internal complaints or dispute resolution department. The insurer has six weeks to respond. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, escalate your complaint to the National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFOSA) - the Ombud for Short-Term Insurance. The NFOSA service is free to consumers. Submit your complaint with all supporting documents (policy schedule, claim correspondence, rejection letter). If the Ombud rules in your favour, the insurer is legally bound to comply. You can also contact the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) if you believe there has been a broader regulatory violation.

No. A standard personal car insurance policy does not cover you when you use your vehicle for hire or reward. The moment you accept a trip on an e-hailing app, your personal policy is effectively void for that journey. You must have a commercial insurance policy that specifically includes e-hailing. Even part-time e-hailing use requires commercial cover.

Both Uber and Bolt provide some limited insurance protection to drivers, but this cover is narrow and conditional. These platform-provided covers typically only apply while the app is active and a trip is in progress - they do not cover the vehicle between trips, when the driver is offline, or for damage to the driver's own vehicle. All e-hailing drivers still need their own comprehensive commercial vehicle insurance in addition to any platform-provided cover.

From March 2026, regulations require all e-hailing drivers in South Africa to hold a valid e-hailing operating permit. Permits can take 3 to 12 months to be issued. Driving without this permit is unlawful. Insurers, however, will give leniency to your claim if you have physical evidence that you are in the process of getting your permit and the delay is with the licensing department. Ensure your permit application is in progress and keep all documentation accessible.

Passenger liability cover applies while passengers are in the vehicle, including when the vehicle is stationary. Cover for accidents or damage to the vehicle itself that occur while stationary at a taxi rank or during loading depends on the specific perils covered under your policy. What is not covered in most policies is any damage that occurs while the vehicle is overloaded - carrying more passengers than it is licensed for. An accident or injury claim arising while the vehicle exceeds its licensed passenger capacity will typically be rejected.

This depends on your policy structure. Under an open driver policy, any licensed driver operating the vehicle with the owner's permission is covered. Under a named driver policy, only the named drivers are covered - a hired driver not listed on the policy may not trigger cover. For taxi operators who employ drivers, it is essential to have an open driver policy or ensure all employed drivers are named on the policy. The hired driver must also hold a valid driver's licence and a valid PDP.

The underlying risk principles are similar, but insurers often categorise these uses differently and quote accordingly. Most specialist transport insurers offer products specifically rated for: minibus taxis (8 to 16 seater for public commuting), midibus (17 to 35 seater), scholar/school transport, staff transport, long-distance charters, and tour operators. Using your vehicle for a purpose not declared to your insurer is a material misrepresentation and can result in a rejected claim. Always declare the actual use of the vehicle accurately.

A tracking device is not always legally required for insurance, but many insurers strongly encourage it or make it a condition of cover - particularly for high-value or high-risk vehicle types such as minibuses. A tracker significantly improves the chance of recovery in the event of theft or hijacking. For fleet operators, telematics can also reduce premiums and provide data to improve driver performance and road safety.

A specialist Underwriting Manager (UMA) is a company that has been delegated authority by a registered insurer to design, price, and administer specialised insurance products on that insurer's behalf. Examples in the transport sector include CTU (Clarendon Transport Underwriters, backed by Hollard) and SA Taxi/Mobalyz (backed by Guardrisk). These UMAs have deep expertise in the transport sector and have developed policies specifically designed for taxi and transport operators. They operate through the broker channel. For commercial transport and taxi insurance, working through a specialist UMA via a qualified broker will generally give you better-suited cover than a generic direct insurer product.