Cover for a set period
Short-term taxi insurance
Short-term taxi insurance covers taxi work for a set period rather than a full year. Drivers use it between vehicles, for seasonal work or while trying out the trade.
- Online form
- Free to use
- No obligation
Monthly and temporary coverShort-term taxi insurance explained
Short-term taxi insurance is public hire or private hire cover arranged for less than a year, often month by month. It suits drivers who need cover quickly or only for part of the year.
Fewer insurers offer short-term taxi cover than annual policies, and terms vary. The licensing office still needs a valid certificate for the whole time the vehicle is licensed.
Licensing and short-term cover
Sources: Uber (11 November 2026) · Transport for London (11 November 2026). Full list at the bottom of this page.
When drivers use short-term taxi cover
- between selling one taxi and licensing the next
- seasonal work in tourist areas, or the run-up to Christmas
- trying private hire before committing to a year
- covering a gap while an annual policy is arranged
- driving a replacement licensed vehicle while your own is off the road
Some drivers also look at pay-monthly annual policies, which spread the cost but run for a full year. The two are not the same: a short-term policy ends when the period ends.
What to check on a short-term policy
- the exact start and end dates, and how to extend
- whether it covers public hire, private hire or both
- whether the apps you use accept it
- excesses, which can differ from annual policies
- whether your taxi no claims bonus builds during the period
Apps check the certificate's dates. Our renewal reminder tool helps you track insurance, badge and plate dates in one place.
Short-term or part-time?
If you drive all year but only a few shifts a week, part-time taxi insurance may suit better than repeated short-term cover. New drivers sometimes start short-term then move to an annual policy; see new taxi driver insurance.
What insurers look at
What affects the price of short-term taxi insurance
Every insurer weighs these differently, which is why quotes for the same driver and car can vary.
- Length of coverWeeks, a month or several months.
- Licence typePublic hire or private hire.
- VehicleValue and repair costs.
- RecordClaims and convictions.
- Area and workCity app work or quieter rural work.
- How soon it startsSame-day starts can limit options.
FAQs
Short-term taxi insurance questions
What is short-term taxi insurance?
It is taxi insurance for a set period shorter than a year, often arranged monthly, for drivers who need temporary cover.
Can I get monthly taxi insurance?
Some insurers offer monthly or short-term taxi policies. Others offer annual policies paid monthly, which is different.
Will Uber accept short-term taxi insurance?
Apps check the certificate covers private hire and is in date. A short-term certificate can be accepted if it meets those checks.
Does short-term cover build my no claims bonus?
It depends on the insurer. Many only count full years, so it is worth asking.
Can I get short-term taxi insurance online?
Yes. Give the start date and how long you need cover for, such as a trial month on the badge or a stand-in vehicle. MyMoneyComparison.com can match you with brokers who look at shorter policies.
Sources
Figures on this page come from the sources below. Each was checked on 11 November 2026; figures may change when a source is updated.
- Uber, Uploading your documents, accessed 11 November 2026.
- Transport for London, Emissions standards for PHVs, accessed 11 November 2026.
Ready for a short-term taxi quote?
One online form, specialist taxi brokers, no obligation.
CoverMyTaxi is a trading style of Mymoneycomparison.com Ltd. It is an information website and is not an insurer or an insurance broker. Quotes are provided through MyMoneyComparison.com and the brokers it works with, subject to insurers' acceptance criteria.