Private Taxi Cover vs. Public Taxi Cover: Understanding the Differences
We know that when you are operating a Taxi business in Australia, it comes with own challenges and concerns. Talking about concerns, the most crucial one is ensuring that your vehicle and livelihood is protected/covered. Thatβs when Taxi cover comes into play. But here, we must understand that there are two main types of cover; Private Taxi cover and Public Taxi Cover in Australia. For understanding which one is suitable for your taxi business in Australia, you must understand the business between both.
And that all this blog is about!
In this blog by Ride Secure, we will delve into what private taxi covers in Australia and public taxi covers includes. We will be understanding their main differences, and how can you determine which of the two is the best suitable cover for taxi in Australia.


π What Is Private Taxi Cover?
This kind of cover is for the drivers who operate under the pre booked system like from booking app or taxi companies. The drivers who operate under this are not allowed to pick up the passengers on the street or at the taxi ranks. They can only pick the passengers who have pre booked them.
Key Features:
Pre-Booked Only: Customers/Passengers may only precure the cab service after booking rides in advance.
Flexible Use: These are often used for airport transfers, corporate bookings, and special events.
Tailored Protection: Covers the specific needs of private hire drivers, including vehicle damage, third-party liability, and loss of income due to accidents.
π What Is Public Taxi Cover?
The Public taxi cover is for the drivers who run their business on on-demand taxi and cab services. This simply means that they will be able to pick up the passengers from the taxi ranks, from the street, or by a booking application. These vehicles are usually licensed and regulated by the state authorities only.
Key Features:
On-Demand Service: Can pick up passengers without any need of prior booking.
Regulatory Compliance: They are liable to adhere to a state-specific regulations and fare structures.
Comprehensive Coverage: The coverage includes protection against accidents, theft, vandalism, and third-party liabilities.
Ideal For:
π Key Differences at a Glance
Feature | Private Taxi Cover | Public Taxi Cover |
---|---|---|
Booking Type | Pre-booked only | On-demand (street hails, ranks, apps) |
Regulatory Scope | Less regulated | State-regulated |
Fare Structure | Flexible, often negotiated | Set by state authorities |
Ideal For | Rideshare drivers, chauffeurs | Traditional taxi drivers |
π‘ Tips for Choosing the Right Cover
Understand Your Operations: Whether you operate on taxi business rides are pre-booked or on-demand.
Understand State Regulations: Research if there are some specific requirements in your state area.
Compare Providers: Look for providers like Ride Secure who offer tailored cover for your specific needs.
Consider Additional Benefits: Many covers providers include extras like vehicle replacement and loss of income protection in their cover like Ride Secure does.
π‘οΈ Why Choose RideSecure?
We at Ride Secure understand your unique needs. You can benefit from our comprehensive cover options which are made keeping your needs in mind. Whether you are a private hire driver or a public taxi operator our cover options are designed to keep you on the road with peace of mind.
Explore our Private Taxi Cover and Public Taxi Cover plans to find the protection that best suits your business.