WAV cover
Wheelchair accessible taxi insurance
Wheelchair accessible taxi insurance covers purpose-built and converted taxis that carry passengers in their wheelchairs. The equipment and the way passengers board both matter to insurers.
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Ramps, lifts and restraintsWhat WAV taxi insurance covers
Wheelchair accessible taxi insurance is public hire or private hire cover for a taxi fitted to carry a passenger seated in a wheelchair. It covers the vehicle, the ramp or lift, restraint systems and passengers on board.
Loading and securing a wheelchair happens outside the drive itself, so many WAV drivers also hold taxi public liability insurance.
Accessible taxis in numbers
Sources: Department for Transport (13 August 2026). Full list at the bottom of this page.
Why accessible taxis need specific cover
A wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) carries equipment a standard taxi does not: ramps, powered lifts, tracking in the floor, restraints and sometimes swivel seats. Each adds value, and each can be damaged in an accident or fail in use.
The number of accessible vehicles in England fell 4% between 2024 and 2026 to 34,500[1], with taxis down and private hire WAVs up. Drivers who run them often take contract and council work where accessibility is required, so keeping the vehicle on the road matters.
Boarding, securing and the passenger's safety
Boarding and securing a wheelchair are the moments that need the most care. Councils commonly ask WAV drivers to complete disability awareness training, and insurers may ask about it.
- use of ramps and lifts on slopes and kerbs
- four-point wheelchair restraints and passenger lap and diagonal belts
- helping passengers and carers in and out
- carrying mobility aids, scooters and folded chairs
Injury to a passenger while travelling is covered by the motor policy. Injury while boarding, or damage to a wheelchair outside the vehicle, can fall under public liability instead.
Purpose-built and converted WAVs
In London and many cities, accessible taxis are purpose-built black cabs. Elsewhere, converted MPVs and minibus taxis are common, and many work on school and council contracts. Newer WAVs are increasingly electric, which adds a battery to cover; see electric taxi insurance.
What insurers look at
What affects the price of wheelchair accessible taxi insurance
Every insurer weighs these differently, which is why quotes for the same driver and car can vary.
- Conversion typePurpose-built cabs and converted vans differ in repair costs.
- Equipment valueLifts, ramps and restraints add to the sum insured.
- Type of workCouncil contracts, rank work and private bookings.
- LicencePublic hire or private hire.
- TrainingDisability awareness and equipment training can be relevant.
- Claims historyIncluding any boarding or equipment claims.
FAQs
Wheelchair accessible taxi questions
What is wheelchair accessible taxi insurance?
It is taxi insurance for a vehicle adapted or built to carry a passenger seated in a wheelchair, covering the vehicle, its access equipment and passengers.
Are ramps and lifts covered?
They can be, if declared. Access equipment adds to the value of the vehicle, so it is worth listing on the policy.
What if a passenger is hurt while boarding?
Injury while boarding can fall outside the motor policy. Taxi public liability insurance is designed for incidents like this.
How many taxis are wheelchair accessible?
In England, 54% of licensed taxis and 2% of private hire vehicles were wheelchair accessible on 1 April 2026, according to the Department for Transport.
Can I get WAV taxi insurance online?
Yes. Mention the ramp or lift, any conversion work and the vehicle's value when you fill in the form, so brokers reached through MyMoneyComparison.com can price the adapted vehicle correctly.
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.
- Department for Transport, Taxi and private hire vehicle statistics, England: 2026, published 13 August 2026.
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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.