Insurance commissioner recommends Uber, Lyft & Sidecar bear the burden of providing insurance
News: 2014 Press Release
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) such as Uber, Lyft and Sidecar should bear the insurance burden when they encourage non-professional drivers to use their personal vehicles to transport passengers for a profit. The recommendation stems from a recent Department of Insurance investigative hearing.
"While smart phone technology is bringing new business opportunities to the marketplace and new transportation choices for consumers, our investigative hearing revealed serious insurance gaps in the current business model of Transportation Network Companies such as Uber, Lyft and Sidecar," said Commissioner Jones. "As long as TNCs are encouraging non-professional drivers to use their personal vehicles to drive passengers for a profit, a risk which personal automobile insurance simply does not cover, TNCs should bear the burden of making sure that insurance is provided. Our recommendations will ensure there is insurance protection for passengers, drivers and pedestrians."
Commissioner Jones' recommendations include:
- Requiring TNCs to provide $1 million commercial liability insurance that begins the moment a driver switches on the app
- Requiring TNCs to provide $1 million uninsured/underinsured coverage to protect the driver and passenger
- Requiring TNCs to provide insurance policy information to TNC drivers to carry in their cars
- Requiring TNCs to disclose to drivers that their personal auto insurance coverages may not apply while they drive for the TNC
- Requiring TNCs to provide comprehensive and collision coverage for the driver's auto if the driver has those coverages on the driver's own policy
- Legislature should revisit the ridesharing and casual carpooling laws to allow for apps that match not-for-profit drivers with casual riders
The commissioner's letter and complete recommendations to the California Public Utilities Commission can be found on the department's website.
Led by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the California Department of Insurance is the consumer protection agency for the nation's largest insurance marketplace and safeguards all of the state’s consumers by fairly regulating the insurance industry. Under the Commissioner’s direction, the Department uses its authority to protect Californians from insurance rates that are excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory, oversee insurer solvency to pay claims, set standards for agents and broker licensing, perform market conduct reviews of insurance companies, resolve consumer complaints, and investigate and prosecute insurance fraud. Consumers are urged to call 1-800-927-4357 with any questions or contact us at www.insurance.ca.gov via webform or online chat. Non-media inquiries should be directed to the Consumer Hotline at 800-927-4357. Teletypewriter (TTY), please dial 800-482-4833.
