With the emergence of the “sharing economy” where web and smartphone-based tools allow individuals to share goods and property, some tools have morphed into commercial enterprises. In many major U.S. cities, commercial ride-sharing services, offered by transportation network companies such as UberX, Lyft and Sidecar, have taken the shared expense carpool concept and match riders with drivers. These services have become a popular alternative to taxis as consumers use smartphone apps to quickly and easily connect with drivers who will take them to their destinations. The drivers receive payment through a portion of each fare.
These services also have exposed potential gaps in insurance coverage. Because the ride-share drivers generally use their personal vehicles, questions arise as to whether they have the proper insurance coverage for ride sharing. As is often the case with anything new, there is very little in statute or regulation that deals specifically with ride-sharing programs or insurance coverage for this purpose.
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