Passenger vehicle insurance
Limousine Insurance
cover for stretch limousines, wedding cars and chauffeur-driven executive cars carrying paying passengers
Limousine insurance is specialist motor insurance for limousines and chauffeur cars carrying paying passengers. It covers the vehicle, injury to the passengers on board and to other road users, and is available to chauffeur firms, wedding car businesses and owner-drivers.
- Stretch limos, wedding and executive cars
- Hire and reward cover
- Passengers covered on board
- FCA authorised and regulated
Quick answerLimousine insurance is motor insurance for a limousine or chauffeur car used to carry paying passengers, from stretch limos and party cars to wedding cars and executive saloons. It covers the vehicle, injury to passengers and other road users, and can add public liability and cover for the drivers you employ. The number of passenger seats decides how the vehicle is licensed, and that shapes the cover. Start your quote and UK providers can come back with quotes.
This page is about limousines and chauffeur cars. Larger passenger vehicles are on our minibus insurance and coach insurance pages, and everyday pre-booked cars on our private hire insurance page.
At a glance
Limousine Cover, in Brief
Six things that decide how insurance for a limousine or chauffeur car behaves.
- Passenger seats
- Eight or fewer, or nine and over
- The licence
- Council private hire, or a PSV operator licence
- The vehicle
- Stretch, wedding, executive or vintage
- The work
- Weddings, proms, parties and corporate hire
- Often an import
- Many stretch limos came from America
- The drivers
- Licensed, experienced and declared
The basics
What Is Limousine Insurance?
Motor insurance written for a limousine or chauffeur car carrying paying passengers. It covers the vehicle, the people it carries and other road users, with extras for hire work.
Passenger injury
Injury to the people on board, at the heart of hire work.
Third-party cover
Injury to other road users and damage to their property.
Fire, theft and damage
The vehicle itself, on comprehensive cover.
Agreed value
A set value for a rare or converted vehicle, on some policies.
Replacement vehicle
A hire car so bookings can go ahead, where added.
Business covers
Public and employers’ liability alongside.
How it works
How Is a Limousine Insured for Hire Work?
You describe the vehicle, its licence and the work, then the drivers. Specialist insurers price the passenger risk and the vehicle together, and you choose the cover and extras.
Describe the vehicle
Make, model, year, passenger seats, value, and any stretch conversion.
Describe the licence
Council private hire licence or PSV operator licence, and the areas you work in.
Describe the work
Weddings, proms, parties, corporate or airport transfers, and how often.
Describe the drivers
Licences, experience, claims and any convictions for everyone who drives.
What it covers
What Does Limousine Insurance Cover?
The vehicle at the level you choose, injury to passengers and other road users, and the extras that matter for hire work: agreed value, a replacement vehicle and business liability.
| Section | Where it sits | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Injury to passengers | Core | Covered as part of the motor policy |
| Injury and damage to other road users | Core | Included at every level of cover |
| Fire and theft of the vehicle | Core on higher levels | Overnight security conditions often apply |
| Accidental damage | Comprehensive | Specialist repairs for stretched bodies |
| Agreed value | On some policies | Useful where few similar vehicles sell |
| Replacement vehicle | Often added | So a booked wedding still goes ahead |
| Public liability | Usually separate | Passengers getting in and out, and at venues |
A chauffeur business also needs business covers. See our public liability and employers’ liability pages.
Exclusions
Where Does Limousine Cover Stop?
Limousine claims most often fail on licensing and declarations: the wrong licence, an undeclared driver, or work the policy was not written for.
Working without the right licence
Hire work outside the vehicle’s licence.
Undeclared drivers
Someone driving who is not named or licensed.
Plying for hire
Picking up passengers who have not pre-booked.
Undeclared conversions
A stretch or seating change the insurer was not told about.
Driving while unfit
Under the influence of drink or drugs.
Unmet security conditions
Left outside the declared overnight parking.
Types
Stretch Limos, Wedding Cars and Executive Saloons: Which Can Be Covered?
Most chauffeur-driven vehicles can be covered. The seats, the licence and the work shape the terms more than the badge.
Stretch limousines
Converted saloons and SUVs.
Wedding cars
Classic and modern cars for ceremonies.
Executive cars
Chauffeur saloons and people carriers.
Party vehicles
Larger stretch vehicles for groups.
Vintage cars
Older cars hired for special days.
Imported limousines
Many built for the American market.
An imported stretch? See our American import car insurance page.
Who it suits
Am I Eligible for Limousine Insurance?
Licensed limousine and chauffeur businesses, wedding car firms and owner-drivers in the UK can usually get quotes. New businesses can get cover, though fewer insurers may quote.
Chauffeur firms
Executive and airport work.
Limousine hire businesses
Proms, parties and nights out.
Wedding car businesses
Ceremonies and special occasions.
Owner-drivers
One vehicle, often driven by the owner.
New businesses
Starting out with limited claims history.
Multi-vehicle operators
Several cars under one business.
Running several vehicles? See our fleet insurance page.
Seats and licences
Does the Number of Seats Change the Licence and the Cover?
Yes. A limousine with eight or fewer passenger seats is usually licensed by the council as a private hire vehicle. One with nine or more is usually a public service vehicle, with an operator licence.
| Up to eight seats | Nine or more seats | |
|---|---|---|
| Usual licence | Council private hire vehicle licence | PSV operator licence |
| Driver licence | A car licence plus a private hire driver licence | A passenger vehicle licence category |
| Who checks it | The local council | The traffic commissioner |
| What insurers ask | Council licence details and area | Operator licence and driver categories |
Weddings and funerals only? Cars used solely for these can be exempt from private hire licensing. Check with your council, and tell the insurer exactly how the car is used.
Cost
What Will Limousine Insurance Cost?
There is no typical price. It depends on the vehicle, its seats, the licence, the work, the drivers and the claims history. We do not print average premiums.
Why the work leads
Late-night party hire carries different risks from wedding or corporate work, and insurers price it that way.
Why the vehicle matters too
A stretched or imported vehicle can be costly to repair, with parts that take time to find.
What the quote is rated on
The main factors
- The workWeddings, parties or corporateBase
- SeatsPassengers carriedRate
- The vehicleValue and conversionRate
- DriversLicences and experienceRate
- Claims historyVehicle and passengersAdjust
Secure overnight parking
A locked garage or yard can help.
Cameras and telematics
Recognised by some insurers.
Experienced drivers
A clean record helps the terms.
Before you take bookings
Which Licences Must Be in Place Before a Limo Takes a Booking?
Insurers check the licensing first, because a policy for hire work rests on it. Four things come up again and again.
License the vehicle
Up to eight passenger seats usually needs a council private hire licence. Nine or more usually needs a PSV operator licence.
License the drivers
Private hire drivers need a council driver licence. Larger vehicles need the right passenger licence category.
Take bookings properly
Limousines carry pre-booked passengers only. Picking up from the street is not covered.
Declare any conversion
A stretch or seating change must be declared, along with any approval it needed.
Quote checklist
What Details Go Into a Limousine Quote?
Six things shape the quote: the vehicle, the licence, the work, the drivers, your history and where the vehicle is kept.
The vehicle
Make, model, seats and value.
The licence
Council or operator licence details.
The work
Weddings, parties, corporate or transfers.
The drivers
Licences, experience and history.
Your history
Claims and any convictions.
Where it is kept
Garage or yard, and security.
Comparing
What Matters When Comparing Limousine Quotes?
Four areas decide whether a policy suits a chauffeur business: passenger cover, the vehicle, keeping bookings running, and the conditions. The price is only one of them.
Passenger cover
- Passenger injury
- Getting in and out
- Belongings on board
The vehicle
- Level of cover
- Agreed value
- Specialist repairs
Keeping bookings
- Replacement vehicle
- Breakdown and recovery
- Onward travel
Conditions
- Driver requirements
- Overnight security
- Total excess
Check the replacement vehicle terms. A missed wedding booking can cost more than the repair. See our excess guide for the other figure that matters on a claim.
Cutting costs
Which Levers Lower a Limousine Premium?
The levers are the drivers, security, the work you take on and accurate details. We publish no savings figures.
Use experienced drivers
A clean, licensed team helps the terms.
Garage the vehicle
Locked, alarmed and off the road.
Fit cameras
Footage settles disputes after an incident.
Choose the excess deliberately
Worth raising only to a level you could pay.
Value the vehicle accurately
Neither over nor under the real cost.
Compare specialist quotes
Specialist insurers price hire work differently.
Glossary
Chauffeur Trade Terms in Plain English
The terms that come up most when insuring a limousine or chauffeur car.
- Hire or reward
- Carrying passengers in return for payment, direct or indirect.
- Private hire licence
- The council licence for a pre-booked hire vehicle and its driver.
- PSV operator licence
- The licence needed to run larger passenger vehicles for payment.
- Plying for hire
- Picking up passengers who have not pre-booked, which limousines cannot do.
- Stretch conversion
- A vehicle lengthened to add seats and space.
- Passenger liability
- Cover for injury to the people carried.
- Agreed value
- A value set with the insurer at the start of the policy.
- Replacement vehicle
- A hire car provided while yours is repaired.
- Named driver
- Someone allowed to drive the vehicle under the policy.
- Compulsory excess
- The part of a claim the insurer sets that you pay.
Why MyMoneyComparison.com
Why Compare Limousine Insurance with MyMoneyComparison.com?
MyMoneyComparison.com is an FCA-authorised UK comparison service that introduces drivers and chauffeur businesses to specialist brokers. We do not sell insurance and we do not give advice: the broker you choose arranges the policy. Using us is free.
One form, one vehicle
Describe the vehicle once, instead of repeating yourself to each broker.
Advice given
We are an introducer, not a broker. We do not sell policies and we do not recommend one insurer or product over another. Read our editorial policy.
Authorised and regulated
MyMoneyComparison.com Ltd appears on the FCA register under FRN 916241.
Incorporated
A UK company since 2013. FCA authorisation is separate and later; the register carries its date.
FAQs
Limousine Insurance FAQs
Answers on cover, cost, eligibility, licences, wedding cars, imports and replacement vehicles.
What is limousine insurance?
Specialist motor insurance for limousines and chauffeur cars carrying paying passengers. It covers the vehicle, injury to passengers and other road users, and can add agreed value and a replacement vehicle.
Who can get limousine insurance?
Licensed chauffeur firms, limousine hire businesses, wedding car firms and owner-drivers in the UK. New businesses without claims history can get cover, though fewer insurers may quote.
What does limousine insurance cover?
The vehicle at the level you choose, from third party to comprehensive, plus injury to passengers and other road users. A replacement vehicle and agreed value are added on many policies.
How much does limousine insurance cost?
There is no typical price. The vehicle, its seats, the licence, the work, the drivers and the claims history all shape it. We do not print average premiums.
Does a limousine need a licence?
Usually, yes. One with eight or fewer passenger seats is normally licensed by the council as a private hire vehicle. One with nine or more is normally a public service vehicle needing an operator licence.
What licence does a limousine driver need?
A private hire limousine driver usually needs a council private hire driver licence as well as a car licence. Larger vehicles need the right passenger licence category. Insurers ask about both.
Can I insure a wedding car?
Yes. Cars used only for weddings and funerals can be exempt from private hire licensing, but still need insurance for carrying passengers. Tell the insurer exactly how the car is used.
Can a limousine pick up passengers from the street?
No. Limousines carry pre-booked passengers only. Picking up passengers who have not booked is plying for hire, which a limousine policy will not cover and the licence does not allow.
Is an imported stretch limousine harder to insure?
It can be. Many stretch limousines were built for the American market and are left-hand drive, with parts that take time to find. See our American import car insurance page.
Do I need to declare a stretch conversion?
Yes. A stretch or seating change alters the vehicle and its passenger numbers. Declare it, along with any approval it needed, before the vehicle carries passengers.
Is a party bus a limousine?
Not usually for insurance. A party bus is a bus or coach with more seats, so it is licensed and insured as one. See our coach insurance page.
What about a minibus for group hire?
A minibus is insured on its own terms, and its licensing depends on the number of seats and the kind of work it does. See our minibus insurance page.
Do I need public liability as a chauffeur business?
It is not compulsory, but venues and corporate clients often ask for it. It covers injury or damage away from the vehicle itself. See our public liability insurance page.
Do I need employers’ liability?
If anyone works for you, including drivers, employers’ liability is compulsory for UK employers, with a few exceptions such as some family businesses. See our employers’ liability insurance page.
Can I insure an executive car for chauffeur work?
Yes, with hire and reward cover. A private policy will not cover carrying paying passengers. See our hire and reward insurance and private hire insurance pages.
What if my limousine is off the road before a booking?
A replacement vehicle extra can provide a similar car so the booking goes ahead. Check what vehicle is offered and how quickly, as standard courtesy cars are rarely suitable.
Can I insure several limousines together?
Yes. Some insurers offer one policy for several vehicles, which can suit a growing firm. Each is still rated on its own seats, value and use. See our fleet insurance page.
How do I compare limousine quotes?
Look beyond the price to the passenger cover, agreed value, the replacement vehicle terms, the driver age and licence requirements, overnight security conditions and the total excess.
Ready when you are
Get Quotes for Your Limousine
Tell us about the vehicle, the licence and the drivers. UK providers can then come back with quotes. Free to use, with no obligation to buy.
- Weddings, parties and corporate hire
- Free to use, no obligation
- FCA authorised and regulated
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About this page
This page explains UK limousine insurance: what it covers, who can get it, and how passenger seats, licences and the work shape a quote. It is general information rather than advice. Policies differ between insurers, so read your own documents and put the questions raised here to your insurer or broker.
How we approached this page
- Published UK limousine and chauffeur policy summaries
- UK guidance on private hire and passenger vehicle licensing
- Financial Ombudsman material on motor and liability complaints