Why PHV car insurance matters in Singapore

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Written By:
Emma Lam
| Updated September 05, 2026
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8 Mins Read
Part 0 of 2 from article series: Car Insurance Tips →
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Key Takeaways

  • PHV insurance is legally required in Singapore for all hire & reward work (Grab, Gojek, delivery). Personal car insurance won't cover commercial use like passenger transport and delivery work.

  • Specialized PHV insurers include eazy Insurance and GrabInsure (Grab's proprietary product).

  • Premiums vary by vehicle type, driver profile, usage patterns (full-time vs part-time), and add-ons like NCD protection.

  • NCD (No-Claim Discount) protection is available—GrabInsure offers NCD Protector even at 10% NCD (lower than typical 30% minimum).

  • Eligibility requires LTA-compliant PHV registration (Z10/Z11 scheme), valid PDVL, and adherence to vehicle age limits.

  • Annual vehicle inspections are required for PHV cars under 10 years old (vs 2 years for private cars); 6-month inspections for PHV cars over 10 years.

  • Get competitive, customised car insurance quotes through our MoneySmart car insurance specialists for the best deals.

How PHV Insurance Differs from Normal Car Insurance

Aspect

Regular Car Insurance

PHV Car Insurance

Intended use

Personal driving only

Commercial hire & reward (passenger transport, delivery)

"Hire & Reward" coverage

❌ Excluded

✅ Explicitly included

Legal for Grab / Gojek / Delivery

❌ No

✅ Yes (meets LTA + platform requirements)

Consequences if mismatched

Claim denial, policy termination

Full coverage during commercial work

Premium cost

Lower (limited exposure)

Higher (reflects commercial risk, high mileage)

Primary use case

Private car owners for personal driving

PHV drivers, ride-hailing, food delivery drivers with constant road time, passenger liability, delivery obligations


PHV Insurance Comparison: Providers, Features, Costs 

Compare leading PHV insurers in Singapore by coverage types, key features, payment plans, and eligibility requirements.

Provider

Coverage types

Key features & add-ons

Instalment plan

Eligibility

eazy Insurance

Comprehensive, TPO

  • Hire & reward coverage for Grab/Gojek/TADA

  • Personal accident

  • Third-party liability

  • Dual-use options (personal + PHV)

Available

Licensed PHV driver (PDVL); vehicle registration under PHV (Z10/Z11); LTA requirements

GrabInsure

Comprehensive

  • NCD Protector (from 10% NCD)

  • Transport allowance ($50 per day, up to 5 days)

  • Flexible repair options

  • Instalment via wallet

  • EV coverage

Available (via Grab wallet)

Grab drivers; licensed PHV driver (PDVL); PHV registration (Z10/Z11)

India International Insurance (iii)

Commercial Vehicle

General commercial coverage

Check with insurer

Commercial vehicle registration; verify PHV "hire & reward" coverage

Disclaimer: Standard car insurers like NTUC Income's Drivo product and FWD car insurance explicitly exclude private hire usage. Always confirm "hire & reward" coverage is included before purchasing any policy.

Note: Premiums are dynamically quoted based on individual driver and vehicle profiles. For accurate, discounted rates, reach out to our licensed car insurance specialists for more details.



Factors Affecting Cost of PHV Car Insurance

The cost of PHV car insurance in Singapore isn't fixed. Your premium is determined by several factors:

  • Vehicle type and value: Newer, higher-value cars generally attract higher premiums, as do models with expensive parts or those often used for hire.

  • Driver profile: Age, years of driving experience, and driving record matter. Young or newly-licensed drivers tend to pay more. A clean claims history works in your favour.

  • Claims history: Past accidents or claims can increase your risk profile, leading to higher premiums. Many insurers check for both PHV- and personal-use claims.

  • Usage patterns: Full-time drivers or those racking up high mileage, including delivery drivers, may face higher premiums due to increased exposure. Part-time drivers or those with limited hours could see lower rates.

  • Coverage level & add-ons: Basic third-party policies are the cheapest, but comprehensive PHV insurance (which protects your own car, not just others' vehicles) is more expensive—especially when you add benefits like roadside assistance, NCD protection, or enhanced accident cover.

Tips to find the best value

Leverage discounts and NCD benefits: Most insurers offer No-Claim Discount (NCD)—a reward for claim-free driving with 10-50% premium discounts. Look for:

  • NCD transfer options (personal car to PHV) or separate NCD build-up

  • NCD protection add-on (preserves discount after claims; critical for full-time drivers)

  • Zero-fee instalment plans (monthly / quarterly)

  • Platform partnership promos (Grab, Gojek)

  • Loyalty discounts for repeat customers

Watch for red flags in cheap policies: The cheapest option isn't always best. Verify:

  • "Hire & reward" coverage included (plus passenger liability)

  • Excess amounts (your out-of-pocket per claim)

  • Claims support quality and responsiveness

  • Promo renewal rates (first-year discounts may not continue)

  • Instalment fees (not all "0% interest" plans are truly fee-free)


How to Buy PHV Car Insurance in Singapore: Step-by-Step Guide

Step #1: Tell us what you need

Fill up a quick questionnaire about your PHV insurance needs to reach out to our licensed car insurance specialists.

You may need to provide:

  • NRIC/FIN (for Singaporeans/PRs or foreign drivers)

  • Valid Private Hire Car Driver's Vocational Licence (PDVL)

  • Vehicle registration details (make, model, year, registration number, PHV scheme Z10/Z11)

  • Driving/insurance history (including NCD)

  • Intended PHV usage (passenger transport, delivery, or both)

Once you’ve submitted the form, our car insurance specialists will contact you within 1–3 working days. 

Based on your form and driving profile, they'll review the best PHV insurance coverage and premiums for your driving needs and budget. This is especially important for PHV drivers since "hire & reward" coverage must be explicitly confirmed.

Step #2: Compare your quotes

Request and review your PHV insurance quotes. At this stage, advisors can walk you through:

  • Coverage differences (comprehensive vs third-party, dual-use options)

  • Premium breakdowns and payment options

  • Key policy exclusions or conditions (platform restrictions, delivery coverage)

💡 MoneySmart Tip:

For renewals or switches, confirm NCD transferability between personal car and PHV policies—some insurers require starting fresh for commercial use.

Step #3: Customise your coverage

Enhance your policy with add-ons if needed, such as:

  • NCD protection (critical for full-time drivers to preserve discounts after claims)

  • Personal accident coverage

  • Roadside assistance (24/7 towing, transport allowance)

  • Excess waiver options

  • Enhanced coverage for delivery work (if doing food/parcel delivery)

Step #4: Confirm your PHV insurance purchase

Once you've chosen the right plan, prepare the required documents and lock in your PHV insurance plan!

Upon successful payment, your digital policy and certificate will be available almost instantly. Be sure to download and save them safely as official proof of insurance, especially for LTA compliance checks, platform verification (Grab/Gojek driver activation), and roadside checks.

FAQs About PHV Car Insurance in Singapore

How much does PHV car insurance cost in Singapore?

PHV insurance premiums are individually quoted based on vehicle value, driver profile (age, experience, claims history), annual mileage, and usage patterns. Expect premiums higher than regular car insurance due to commercial risk exposure. Most drivers pay $1,200-$2,500 annually depending on coverage level and NCD.

Reach out to our licensed car insurance specialists for customised premium quotes.

Which is the best PHV insurance in Singapore?

For full-time drivers, GrabInsure and eazy Insurance offer comprehensive plans with NCD protection from 10% and dual-use options. Part-time drivers can opt for basic "hire & reward" coverage with lower premiums.

Can I transfer my NCD to PHV insurance?

NCD transfer policies vary by insurer. Some allow transferring private car NCD to PHV policies, others require building PHV NCD separately. NCD earns 10% per claim-free year, capping at 50%. Clarify transfer terms before switching to avoid losing accumulated discounts.

Does PHV insurance cover food delivery and courier work?

Not automatically. Most policies cover passenger transport but exclude delivery unless declared. If doing both Grab rides and food delivery, confirm "hire & reward" coverage applies to both—otherwise delivery claims get rejected. Always declare all commercial usage upfront.

Can I use my car for both personal and PHV work?

Yes, but you need PHV insurance with explicit "hire & reward" coverage. Standard personal car insurance excludes all commercial use—even one paid trip voids coverage. Look for dual-use policies (eazy Insurance offers this) that cover both personal and commercial trips.

What is the difference between PHV insurance and regular car insurance?

PHV insurance includes "hire & reward" coverage for commercial work (passenger transport, delivery), which regular car insurance explicitly excludes. PHV policies cost more due to higher mileage and commercial risk but meet LTA requirements. Using regular insurance for PHV work results in claim denial.

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Written By:Emma LamContent Strategist
As a personal finance content strategist for over 3 years, Emma understands the struggle of juggling savings, credit cards, and everything in between all too well; she aims to simplify money matters one jargon at a time.