Listed below are some of the more common questions we are asked?

Q. What's the difference between Public and Private Hire?

A. Public Hire (also known as Hackney) who can pick up customers from the kerbside or you can flag them down. Private Hire…these are the ones that you have to book over the phone / go into their office. In short, “prior bookings only.”

Q. Are Hackneys always “Black Cabs”

A. Although in some large towns a Hackney is a “ black cab” in the vast majority of the country both Public and Private Hire vehicles can be any sort of saloon/people carrier etc. just as long as they meet the councils requirements.

Q. How can you tell a vehicle is a Taxi?

A. Both categories of vehicle will be licensed by the relevant local council and must display an external license “plate” on the vehicle.

Q. Do Taxis have to be a specific colour?

A. Quite often there will be vehicle colour restrictions imposed by the council concerned, for instance, Public Hire are all white vehicles and Private Hire will be any colour but white. (This is so that the pubic can tell the difference easily).

Q. Why are Taxis sometimes classed as undriveable even though they only have minor damage?

A. Taxi drivers are required to keep their vehicles to the standards set down by the local authority concerned. If they do not then they can be taken off the road. This is why quite often a Taxi becomes “undriveable” for relatively minor damage, e.g. dented rear passenger door or boot tied up with string.

Q. Why can’t I get a courtesy taxi from my local garage?

A. Garages do not supply courtesy Taxis as they would in the case of private cars, this is mainly due to the fact that most “courtesy cars” are small “super mini” type cars that are not suitable for use as a Taxi, also most Taxis will have two way radios and meters fitted, each council will have its own “tariff” in that meter. (Price charging structure). Larger firms may have satellite equipment that helps to help keep track of the cars, and your local garage is unlikely to be able to provide all these things.

Q. How much does it cost to have a replacement Taxi?

A. Dunning Wood Associates will normally arrange for a replacement Taxi to be provided in the event of a non fault accident, providing that all the relevant criteria are met. Whilst the Taxi driver remains liable for the costs, as Dunning Wood Associates are 1st tier subscribers to the ABI (Association of British Insurers) agreement on third party car hire these costs are normally agreed at the outset of the claim and are paid by the insurer of the ‘at fault’ driver.

Q. I have had a non fault accident, how do I get a replacement vehicle?

A. You can contact us by ringing our Freephone number 0800 064 5656 or by email at claims@dunningwood.com