When you are comparing PCO car hire providers, the weekly rate is rarely the full picture. Two quotes that look similar on the surface can be very different once you factor in what each one actually covers.
Knowing what a proper all-inclusive PCO hire package should include helps you make a fair comparison and avoid paying extra for things that should already be in the price.
This guide explains what to expect, what questions to ask, and what to look out for.
PCO Car Hire: Why the Package Matters More Than the Price
A low weekly rate can look attractive until you realise that insurance, servicing, and breakdown cover are all billed separately. By the time you add those up, the supposedly cheaper option may cost more than a provider who charges a higher headline rate but includes everything.
Comparing PCO rental packages on price alone is one of the most common mistakes drivers make when signing up for the first time. The smarter approach is to work out the true weekly cost, with everything included, before making any decision.
Providers like Hertz PCO rentals build insurance, servicing, breakdown cover, and MOT compliance into a single all-inclusive weekly rate from the outset, so there is no separate line-by-line billing to untangle later.
Why Getting Insurance Right Really Matters
Private hire insurance is not something you can afford to get wrong. Standard personal car insurance does not cover you for paid passenger trips. If you are involved in an incident while working without the correct cover in place, you are personally liable for any damages. In such cases, the stakes are also higher than many drivers realise.
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), motor insurers paid out a record £11.7 billion in claims during 2024, with vehicle repair costs alone reaching £7.7 billion for the year.
That level of claims activity is one of the reasons insurance premiums for private hire vehicles remain high. Consequently, having it bundled into your rental package rather than arranging it separately removes both cost uncertainty and administrative risk.
Hertz includes fully compliant private hire insurance as standard on every PCO rental, with no separate policy to arrange and no surprise premium to budget for mid-contract.
What about repairs?
Repair costs are a significant part of that picture as well.
According to the Government's Motor Insurance Taskforce final report, vehicle repairs made up £1.9 billion of the £3 billion paid out in claims in Q3 2025 alone. For PCO drivers, this is directly relevant as the longer a vehicle is off the road for repairs, the longer you are not earning.
Having insurance and maintenance covered in one PCO car hire with insurance package reduces the risk of unexpected repair bills landing on you personally.
What Hertz Includes as Standard
Hertz structures its PCO rentals around the three areas drivers care about most: maintenance, insurance, and staying on the road.
- Maintenance support: routine servicing, MOTs, tyres, and general wear-and-tear repairs are handled by Hertz, not billed back to the driver.
- Insurance cover: private hire insurance is included in the weekly rate from day one, with policy details available on request before your first trip.
- Replacement vehicle availability: if your car needs to go in for repair or a scheduled service, Hertz can offer a replacement vehicle so you are not left without a way to earn.
- 24/7 breakdown support: roadside assistance is included, so a breakdown mid-shift does not turn into a day off the road.
What Should Always Be Included
If you’re looking for a properly structured PCO rental with a maintenance package, here’s what it must cover as standard:
- Private hire insurance: Non-negotiable and legally required. Confirm it is included and ask to see the policy details before you complete your first trip.
- Routine servicing: Oil changes, filters, and scheduled maintenance should be the provider's responsibility. If a service falls due during your rental, it should be handled at no extra cost to you.
- Breakdown cover: If the vehicle breaks down during a shift, you need to know you are covered. Confirm which provider the breakdown cover is with and what the callout process looks like.
- MOT and compliance checks: TfL and local councils require vehicles to meet roadworthiness and emissions standards. Any inspections or certificates needed to keep the vehicle compliant should sit with the provider, not you.
What Varies Between Providers
Beyond the essentials, PCO vehicle hire packages differ on the details. These are the areas where providers tend to diverge:
- Tyre replacement: Some providers cover tyres as part of the package, while others charge per replacement. On a high-mileage private hire vehicle, this adds up quickly.
- Windscreen cover: Chips and cracks are common. Check whether repair or replacement is included or whether you would be liable.
- Excess on insurance claims: Even when insurance is included, there is usually an excess if you need to make a claim. Find out what that figure is before you sign.
- Replacement vehicle during repairs: If the vehicle goes in for servicing or repair, some providers offer a temporary replacement, others may not. The difference matters if your car is off the road for several days.
All-Inclusive vs Basic Insurance: How They Compare
Here is a breakdown of what tends to be included in a thorough package versus a more basic one:
| What It Covers | All-Inclusive Package | Basic Package |
|---|---|---|
| Private hire insurance | Should always be included | Sometimes charged separately |
| Routine servicing | Should always be included | Not always included |
| Breakdown cover | Should be included | Often excluded |
| MOT and inspections | Should be included | Varies by provider |
| Tyre replacement | Sometimes included | Often excluded |
| Replacement vehicle | Occasionally included | Rarely included |
Use this as a checklist when speaking to providers. Any item shown as variable is worth asking about directly.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
Go into any conversation with a provider prepared. These questions will give you the clearest picture of what you are actually getting:
- Is private hire insurance included, and can I see the policy details?
- Who is responsible for routine servicing, and how is it arranged?
- What breakdown cover is included, and who do I call?
- What is the excess if I need to make an insurance claim?
- Are tyres and windscreen covered?
- What happens if the vehicle needs to go in for repair during my rental?
- Is there a minimum contract length, and what are the exit terms?
Summing Up
A genuinely all-inclusive PCO hire package should leave you with nothing unexpected to pay week to week. Insurance, maintenance, and breakdown cover are the baseline. Everything beyond that is worth clarifying before you commit.
Rather than piecing together insurance, servicing, and breakdown cover from separate suppliers, you can get all of it in one weekly rate with Hertz weekly PCO rentals. There's no minimum long-term contract, a low refundable deposit, and 24/7 roadside assistance built in, so you know exactly what you're covered for before you drive off.
FAQs
1. Is private hire insurance always included in a PCO rental?
It should be, but not every provider includes it by default. Always confirm insurance is bundled into the weekly rate and ask to see the policy before your first trip. With Hertz, private hire insurance is included as standard on every rental.
2. Who pays for maintenance and servicing on a PCO rental car?
In a genuine all-inclusive package, the provider covers routine servicing, MOTs, and general wear and tear. Hertz handles this as part of the rental rate, so scheduled maintenance is never billed back to the driver.
3. What happens if I break down during a shift?
A proper PCO rental includes breakdown cover with a clear callout process. Hertz provides 24/7 roadside assistance, so a breakdown does not mean an unplanned day without earnings.