A driving ambition
Insurance while working for Uber
Dear John: I live on Long Island and am interested in driving for Uber to earn extra money.
From what I am told from Uber, while I’m driving with the Uber app on, with a passenger in the vehicle or on my way to pick up a customer, I am covered under Uber’s insurance.
My concern is that although I am covered by Uber’s policy my car is still insured under my personal insurance. If an Uber customer is injured in my vehicle, would I be opening myself up to a possible lawsuit, garnishment of wages etc.?
I have called around to several insurance companies, and I seem to get the runaround. To me it seems too much of a liability for them.
I’d greatly appreciate any advice on this. Thanks for your time. MC
Dear MC: Here’s the link to the Uber Web site that explains the insurance situation: www.uber.com/newsroom/nysridesharing-insurance/
And here is a link to advice from a lawyer Web site called Nolo: www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-do-uber-and-lyftdrivers-need-to-know-about-carinsurance.html
Read both, and you’ll know a little more about the ins and outs of Uber insurance.
But basically what you are be- ing told is true. Uber’s insurance, from a policy with Allstate, covers you when you are on the clock. And your personal insurance takes over when you aren’t.
Uber’s policy covers $1.25 million of liability per accident. There is also $1.25 million of supplementary uninsured/underinsured insurance for each accident. There is lesser coverage when your Uber app is on but the passenger isn’t in your car yet.
“You are subject to state financial responsibility laws while offline. Uber does not maintain any auto insurance coverage during this period of time,” Uber says. It suggests you consult with the New York Department of Financial Services for more information.
But you’ll probably have to change the policy you now have. “Uber rides in New York City are regulated by the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission, which requires commercial insurance policies for each individual vehicle,” the company says.
Hope that helps.
Dear John: You recently wrote about people working well into their 80s.
My father, who died at the age of 91, resisted the move to Florida, fearing it was the last bus stop.
But he did move, because he found employment and worked in his profession till time took a toll on him.
Productive people will fight with all their might not to get on that last bus. It’s not really a financial matter, but a sociological matter. SB
Dear SB: No, for some it’s a financial matter. They have to work if they want to keep eating or living in a house that’s expensive to keep up.
There are others who, like your father, work because they want to feel useful and keep busy. If that works for them, that’s great. To each his own.
The reasons for extending a career are probably as varied as individuals are.
Personally, I’ll keep working as long as there is free coffee and tea and we get bagels every Wednesday at 10 a.m. It doesn’t take much to keep me happy and productive.