Uber Cabs - Coverage for Conveyance

URDRWHO

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"ISO Personal Auto Policy, there is no coverage for an insured’s ownership or operation of a vehicle while it is being used as a public or livery conveyance, except that the exclusion does not apply to a share-the-expense car pool. "

Now enter Uber and Lyft. I was on a Linkedin site and there was a post saying things such as -- "Entrepreneurs and innovators are known for not paying too much attention to playing by the rules." The same gentleman was saying that ISO should make an exception and cover Uber and Lyft on their PAP.

Forty years ago I was in the contract delivery business and had a commercial policy. Therefore I took the opposite opinion and considered the idea that, if you want to play in the taxi sandbox, you should be willing to pay the freight (premium for commercial policy). I know the cost to a new business often stinks but that is how insurance rating works. Should individuals with a PAP subsidize the rather high liability business, of public conveyance?

Then you read articles like --

"Lyft pulling up stakes unless paid ride rules change. Less than a week before new regulations regarding paid rides in Houston take effect, one of two companies that launched in the city is preparing to stop providing rides rather than use a city-required procedure to conduct background checks.

“We’ve made the very difficult decision that if Houston doesn’t amend its process, we’ve decided we have no choice but to pause operations,” said David Estrada, vice-president of government operations for Lyft."

So the company doesn't want to do back round checks? Would anyone want their young daughter getting into a strangers car and nobody has checked into the drivers history.

Such a practice gets you this --

Uber driver in Orlando arrested for groping passenger. ORLANDO --

A driver for the Uber ride-sharing service in Orlando has been arrested after police said he inappropriately touched a woman he picked up while on the job.

Orlando police said the victim's boyfriend requested an Uber driver to pick up his girlfriend last Friday, Sept. 19, and meet him at an agreed location.

Police said Botros then stopped the vehicle and placed his hand inside the victim's blouse. The woman told the driver several times not to touch her and to take her to her destination, where her boyfriend was waiting for her."

There is no guarantee that even a back round check would stop a driver from going to the dark side, it sure would weed out drivers that have a history."

Erie is ready to make an exception on the conveyance subject and are trying it out in two States. Hm? Why don't we just make an exception for all people that use their vehicles in commercial endeavors. The electrician with that dual wheeled truck, that has his trailer full of equipment attached to the ball could go into the PAP pool. Maybe ISO doesn't know what is going on and they should accept all commercial endeavors in the PAP.

Just do away with the BAP and throw everyone into the PAP pool. Stop the well honed underwriting of identifying risk and trying to prepare competitive pricing.

To me it seems that Uber and Lyft want all the business, all the money without participating in the other side, the cost of doing business side. I mean if the company isn't willing and ready to pay for a back round check is telling. It is telling because it shows a lack of responsibility.

Maybe the liability portion of my homeowners policy is ready to take over my E&O coverage?

I've spent time today reading court cases about the pizza delivery drivers using personal insurance. The cases vary from State to State and it is a gray area. If people carried the correct type of insurance for the risk we wouldn't find questions such as this --

"Last Sunday I was hit, and my car totaled, by a Pizza Hut delivery driver. His personal insurance told me that because he was on the clock he is not covered. So that falls back to my insurance, but I don't think I should have to pay my deductible just because some kid ran a stop sign. I'd like to find out if he is insured by Pizza Hut while on the job. "

I think I read that Papa John's makes their drivers get a commercial policy.

Just some things to consider on this winter day.
 
A couple of things...

1. It appears that Lyft does do a background check and they also provide insurance. https://www.lyft.com/safety Now, perhaps the background check isn't suitable to Houston's standards, but that doesn't mean one isn't run. And considering we are talking a government, it could be a very minor difference between how Lyft does it and how Houston wants it done.

2. I've never understood why Pizza Hut, etc. aren't held liable for their drivers. I don't care what their employment agreement, etc. say with the driver. As someone driving down public streets, I didn't sign any agreement with the pizza company. And while they may not own the vehicle, it was being driven by one of their (or franchisee's) employees and it had their logo on the vehicle.

Perhaps Uber should do the same as Lyft. I suspect they get a much better premium than the average individual could get a BAP for.
 
These days it would seem strange for a company to not do a back round check. My wife works for a non-profit and she had to go through her back round check. I can't remember if it is annual check. Anyhow to me if the company is making money off the drivers, they have a vested interest to do a back round because any newbie attorney could draw a bright line of liability straight to the company.

I read the site and see that aside from the coverage Lyft insurance is primary

"Our $1M liability and uninsured/underinsured policies will apply as primary to a driver’s personal automobile insurance policy when matched with a passenger. "

"Commercial Auto Liability: $1,000,000 limit for bodily injury and/or property damage or passengers and/or third parties. (applies from the time a driver accepts a ride request in the app until the time the ride is ended in the app)"

They are contingent on collision. Does that mean that when a Lyft driver's personal policy declines to cover a collision claim, Lyft's will step in to cover? That is how I read it.

"Contingent Comprehensive & Collision: $2,500 deductible and $50,000 maximum applicable to drivers who purchase collision & comprehensive coverage on their personal policy (applies from the time a driver accepts a ride request until the time the ride is ended in the app)"

To me Lyft is stepping up to the plate!! What about Uber?

I've read some interesting press about Uber

Is Uber


A couple of things...

1. It appears that Lyft does do a background check and they also provide insurance. https://www.lyft.com/safety Now, perhaps the background check isn't suitable to Houston's standards, but that doesn't mean one isn't run. And considering we are talking a government, it could be a very minor difference between how Lyft does it and how Houston wants it done.

2. I've never understood why Pizza Hut, etc. aren't held liable for their drivers. I don't care what their employment agreement, etc. say with the driver. As someone driving down public streets, I didn't sign any agreement with the pizza company. And while they may not own the vehicle, it was being driven by one of their (or franchisee's) employees and it had their logo on the vehicle.

Perhaps Uber should do the same as Lyft. I suspect they get a much better premium than the average individual could get a BAP for.
 
I am aware of the above current insurance Lyft offers. I still have one "what if" scenario. Im from Southern California and Uninsured/Underinsured drivers is a huge risk!

My "what if" is I'm in the back of a Lyft vehicle and we get T-Boned from another vehicle running a red light. Obviously my Lyft driver would not be at fault, will they engage their $1M liability limits if I am hospitalized and the other driver has state minimum or NO insurance at all...?

My drivers personal insurance definitely will opt now.. would Lyft step up?
 
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