Anyone drive for Uber or Lyft?

Lyft is coming here too so I may sign up with them as well. TBD.

According to Uber's info, they provide the driver with supplementary liability insurance while the driver is "active". All you need as an Uber driver is whatever insurance your state would normally require of any driver.

But according to my insurance company (Progressive), I need a commercial policy. The annual premium is $4,675. That can't be right.

I'm attending an Uber new driver orientation event today. Will see what they have to say.
My recent car insurance renewal explicitly states that moving unrelated people for money is not covered.

The insurance companies are catching on to the Uber/Lyft scam.

By having drivers cover car maintenance, depreciation, insurance and pay their own state and federal income taxes and social security/medicare, Lyftw/Uber make profit, the drivers, in the long run, lose money.

AND, if you do get in an accident, passengers can sue you personally, putting all your current and future earnings/assets on the line. Uber/Lyft have lawyers /cash to take care of themselves; you have nothing except whatever you have in your bank account once your insurance runs out.

Good luck with that.
 
Last edited:
Uber and Lyft drivers now have insurance options
Better not have a wreck just cruising about. Only 150k payable on personal injury, max 50k per person. I guess that includes you. Better have some additional personal cover for you and injured parties or you're toast in a good hit, your fault or not.
Yeah, but auto insurance companies are excluding cars used for hire.

Also, while $50k might help out in an accident as far as property damage, it's the medical can that will easily pass the limits.
 
It's not an option here in Ireland, as the government isn't having it.
You need a valid driver's licence (naturally), and a Public Services Vehicle Licence both for driver and vehicle.
Also your vehicle needs to be insured as a commercial public services vehicle.

The amount of money I'd spend getting and maintaining those... I'd never get it back driving part-time... and not easily full-time either!

I'd certainly advise making sure with your insurance company that you are covered before starting this.
Call me cynical but I'm not inclined to believe what Uber/Lyft says.

Personally, I'd rather deliver pizza or something than get involved carrying people around...although I do like @JKos 's marketing opportunity idea.
 
  • Like
Reactions: saabfender
I was a fan of Uber in the beginning when they only offered black car service. More expensive, yes, but better service, competent drivers that weren't totally dependent on their GPS, and clean cars. Now I dread taking Uber or Lyft for any reason. My experiences over the last couple years have ranged from annoying (drivers blasting music and never asking if it's too loud, windows down in 90 degree heat) to dangerous (driver trying to pick me up while stopped in middle of busy street). One driver had his girlfriend riding around with him for company during his shift, which is against policy.

One of my biggest complaints with ridesharing is the drivers that have NO idea where they're going. They never take their eyes off the GPS (while somehow missing multiple turns), and some don't even use dash mounts. On the occasions where I've corrected their missed directions, I've had a few admit to me that they don't even live in the city - they travel in from the burbs or further to drive. Most drivers couldn't even find me at my previous address for pickup, and it wasn't a difficult location.

To the OP: if you do decide to start driving, please keep in mind that people are paying you for a service. Be mindful of their safety, comfort, and privacy.
 
Did the city require you to purchase a separate and distinct license for each firm?

What is the license entitled?

The "public passenger driver certification" license covers you to drive for any ride-hailing company who has been licensed by the city, for one year.

To the OP: if you do decide to start driving, please keep in mind that people are paying you for a service. Be mindful of their safety, comfort, and privacy.

Absolutely. I'm very mindful of all that. :)
 
I used to be a cab driver. It's a highly skilled profession, frequently done by the unskilled.

I don't like the idea of using Uber or Lyft. The young lady in my avatar does it all the time, and is quite happy with her results. She gets better results when I drive her around, though...
 
  • Like
Reactions: JRA
It appears that anyone doing this really should have a rideshare endorsement to their personal auto insurance policy. Failure to inform your regular insurer that you’re doing ride sharing can lead to “problems”, even with the additional coverage provided by Lyft and Uber.

I guess someone already said that. ;)

Unfortunately my insurer doesn’t yet offer that endorsement in Oregon. :meh:
 
I recently went to another city for some job interviews. There I relied on Lyft for transportation. It was my first experience with either them or Uber. I took about 6 or so rides, and I asked each driver a bunch of questions. All of them drove for Uber as well as lyft. Most said that both companies treated them equivalently. One slightly preferred working for Uber. Overall, they felt that Uber paid slightly more. This is largely because lyft is charging the customer less and less, and passing the “savings” on to the drivers.

But also, the more important message I got was that once you factor in wear and tear on your car, you are barely making any money. If your car breaks down you can rent a replacement from the company, but’s expensive.
 
TNC: Not just tuna noodle casserole any more!

What does TNC stand for Uber and Lyft? - RideGuru

What does TNC stand for?
Transportation Network Company (TNC)

TNC is a new term being used by government entities to refer to rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft. You may have seen it at airports, as they are starting to label the designated pickup areas (or waiting areas for drivers) with these signs.

They are often marked as "App Rides" or "TNCs".

Sometimes known as TNEs for Transportation Network Entities and MSPs for Mobility Service Providers.
 
So there’s this insurance thing with ridesharing referred to sometimes as the TNC insurance gap.

If you as a driver login to the driver app, and toggle on the “I’m available to drive” switch, and you’re cruising around waiting for a ping from a prospective passenger, you’re in an insurance gray zone during the time before you receive AND accept a ride request. If you’re involved in an accident during that period, your personal insurance can (and probably will) claim you’re not covered. And the coverage under Uber and Lyft is very minimal during that time. Good coverage from the ridesharing company doesn’t kick in until you as the driver accept the ride request. Full coverage kicks in when you actually pick up the rider.

Why would you care? Because if you’re in an accident during that gray zone period, you have very minimal coverage in case of a lawsuit.

Suppose I park at Starbucks and order a latte and sit inside and turn on the I’m Available To Drive switch. I’m not in my car. I receive and accept a rider ping. Now I get in my car and start driving to pick up my rider. Have I avoided the insurance gap?

Much to learn.
 
@saabfender

I would be doing this for coffee cash, not living expenses. I would only drive from about 11AM to 4PM M-F and only if I’m not busy with something else. I would not try to hook up with riders from the “bad” parts of town. My target would be 2 riders a day. I have an EV that costs next to nothing to operate on shorthauls.

I’m not doing it as a do or die life or death grind.

Now I’m sure if I do this long enough I’ll encounter the passenger from hell. I’m not a complete idiot.

I have a plan. Time will tell if it’s a good plan.

I did 2 semi-real drives today (arranged with a friend, who I reimbursed). We went through the entire drill. My total drive time was 28 minutes. Around 5 miles each direction, so 10 total miles. I cleared about $22, with $4 of that being tips.
 
Last edited:
@saabfender

I would be doing this for coffee cash, not living expenses. I would only drive from about 11AM to 4PM M-F and only if I’m not busy with something else. I would not try to hook up with riders from the “bad” parts of town. My target would be 2 riders a day. I have an EV that costs next to nothing to operate on shorthauls.

I’m not doing it as a do or die life or death grind.

Now I’m sure if I do this long enough I’ll encounter the passenger from hell. I’m not a complete idiot.

I have a plan. Time will tell if it’s a good plan.

Evil knows no boundaries. You can encounter trouble in the sticks just as easily as in what you perceive to be the "bad" part of town.
 
So there’s this insurance thing with ridesharing referred to sometimes as the TNC insurance gap.

If you as a driver login to the driver app, and toggle on the “I’m available to drive” switch, and you’re cruising around waiting for a ping from a prospective passenger, you’re in an insurance gray zone during the time before you receive AND accept a ride request. If you’re involved in an accident during that period, your personal insurance can (and probably will) claim you’re not covered. And the coverage under Uber and Lyft is very minimal during that time. Good coverage from the ridesharing company doesn’t kick in until you as the driver accept the ride request. Full coverage kicks in when you actually pick up the rider.

Why would you care? Because if you’re in an accident during that gray zone period, you have very minimal coverage in case of a lawsuit.

Suppose I park at Starbucks and order a latte and sit inside and turn on the I’m Available To Drive switch. I’m not in my car. I receive and accept a rider ping. Now I get in my car and start driving to pick up my rider. Have I avoided the insurance gap?

Much to learn.
If someone backs into your parked car you're on your own. If the battery goes up in smoke you're on your own. If you hit the accelerator instead of the brake when parking and crash through Starbucks window it's you v Starbucks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OldDog52
I drove Uber for a bit....total pain. I now drive a school bus part time and make ridiculous money. I really enjoy it but you have to have patience and the ability to communicate with sometimes really troubled kids.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OldDog52
I’m sincerely open to all comments, viewpoints and experiences. Keep ‘em coming! :)

Fuller disclosure: Of the $22 earned, $4 was tips, $18 was basic driver’s cut. It’s taxable. Electricity for the car was free.