A GlobalData survey suggests insurance uptake among gig economy taxi drivers is low, with a sizable minority either opting out, not considering cover, or assuming it is provided by an employer or platform. This creates a material risk of unmet protection needs. Meanwhile, Admiral Business has entered the UK taxi insurance market through a partnership with specialist broker Patons.
GlobalData’s 2025 UK Insurance Consumer Survey asked gig economy taxi drivers whether they have taken out (or plan to take out) an insurance policy to protect themselves against accidents while carrying out their second job or other additional work. 37.8% of respondents stated that they had either done so or planned to do so. However, engagement remains uneven. 16.3% of respondents had considered taking out cover but decided against it, while 12.6% said it had not crossed their mind that they may need insurance. Misconceptions around responsibility for coverage also persist, with 10.4% assuming insurance would be provided by their employer or platform and a further 8.1% claiming that it is provided, indicating that a meaningful proportion of drivers may be underinsured or incorrectly insured.
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Against this backdrop, Admiral Business has entered the UK taxi insurance market through a partnership with specialist broker Patons, aiming to deliver products tailored to taxi drivers. Broker-led models may be particularly effective in this segment, given the evidence of uncertainty and misattribution of coverage responsibility, as advisory support can help validate what is and is not covered and guide drivers to appropriate protection.
GlobalData’s UK Top 25 General Insurance Competitor Analytics shows that in 2024, Admiral led the UK private motor market but did not feature among the top ten for commercial motor. The Patons partnership—alongside Admiral’s acquisition of Flock in February 2026—signals a deliberate push to build scale and capability in commercial motor, using targeted distribution to access specialist sub-segments such as taxi drivers.
For insurers, the data highlights both a growth opportunity and a distribution challenge. Demand exists, but purchase behaviour is inconsistent, and misconceptions persist, which suggests direct-to-consumer alone may be insufficient. Broker distribution, coupled with clearer product positioning and education at the point of sale, is likely to be important in improving coverage and reducing underinsurance.
