PHV insurance: what you need to know

Car insurance is one of the most important requirements to be able to drive safely and work as a driver. Without insurance, in fact, it is impossible to work as a private driver, as established by law.

Drivers have to manage many risks, so it is essential for private drivers to have adequate insurance cover to protect themselves, their passengers and the vehicle they drive. 

In this article, we will look at the mandatory insurance requirements and the different types of cover available to provide reliable protection. In addition, we will explain how being part of the LiMO community can offer you economic and managerial benefits when choosing PHV insurance.

What is chauffeur insurance?

Chauffeur insurance is a particular type of insurance designed to meet the specific needs of those working in the chauffeur hire industry. 

In addition to being a legal requirement, insurance cover is essential for both the private driver and the safety of passengers. 

As drivers are professionals in the transport sector, it is essential to choose a policy that covers all the risks associated with this type of activity, considering its specific characteristics.

This is why there are additional covers to the basic insurance, such as driver accident, vehicle damage coverage, legal protection, fire-theft and others.

What are the main coverages offered by car hire with driver insurance?

We have said that PHV insurance offers different types of cover, necessary to protect both the health (and work) of the driver, the vehicle, and the safety of passengers. 

Specifically, policies designed for drivers include these coverages:

• Third Party
• Third Party, Theft and fire
• Comprehensive

Let’s take a look at what they consist of.

Third Party

Third Party is the only insurance cover required by law in the UK.

It covers material and personal damage caused to third parties, including passengers carried in a chauffeur-driven vehicle. In other words, in the event of an accident, your insurance will provide financial assistance to repair the damage.

Third Party, Theft and Fire

This cover protects the driver against loss of or damage to the vehicle as a result of theft or fire. If the vehicle is stolen or destroyed by fire, the insurance covers the cost of repairing or replacing the vehicle.

Fully Comprehensive

Comprehensive cover is an optional cover that protects the vehicle against non-collision accidents that are beyond the control of the insured. 

These accidents include theft, vandalism, glass and windscreen damage, fire, animal collisions, adverse weather conditions and natural events. This is the most popular type of insurance among drivers, as it allows them to do their job without the risk of having to pay for damage to the vehicle. 

Comprehensive insurance can be supplemented with additional cover, such as collision insurance. 

This covers damage to the driver’s vehicle caused by collisions with other vehicles or objects. 

Collision cover is useful because it provides compensation for personal injury or damage to property even if the accident was caused by the driver.

How to choose the ideal car insurance?

Choosing PHV insurance is an important and delicate decision that has to be made considering several aspects.

There is no one right choice: it depends on your specific needs and expectations in terms of protection.

Our advice is to choose your policy based on these key elements:

• The minimum legal requirements. Obviously, your policy must meet the minimum legal requirements for practicing the profession of private driver (we have discussed this in the previous paragraphs);
• Value for money. Look carefully at all the coverages offered by the insurance company, without focusing exclusively on the cheapest offer. The best choice is often the one that combines a good price with a high level of cover;
• Deductibles and limits. Before choosing a policy, find out what the deductibles are and what the company’s limits are.

Why can LiMO help you find the best private driver insurance?

LiMO is the largest global community dedicated to drivers. On LiMO you will find a network of more than 5000 drivers operating in Italy and Europe, as well as a software that will help you simplify your daily work.

Among the benefits dedicated to the LiMO Community, there are also specific conventions regarding insurance policies.

In fact, with LiMO you can access a set of services at a special price reserved exclusively for our drivers. 

To find out more and access all the benefits of the LiMO Community, start here.