Modern technology has made many aspects of Texas life more convenient. For instance, you can chat with someone in another country at the click of a button. Travel, too, is less cumbersome, especially when you can hire an Uber driver to take you where you want to go. If your destination happens to be a location where you will enjoy a few drinks with friends, then you can easily avoid driving under the influence of alcohol.
These are all good things. It’s also good that Uber carries an insurance policy that covers its drivers and clients. However, it’s a good idea to learn as much as you can about such issues ahead of time because you’re still at risk for collision when you’re riding as a passenger in an Uber vehicle.
How does insurance work with Uber?
When you hire an Uber driver to take you where you want to go, you are relying on him or her to adhere to all Texas traffic laws and safety regulations. The company requires its drivers to carry their own insurance policies. However, when a driver logs into the app, the insurance Uber carries covers him or her up to $50,000 in damages while he or she is waiting for a drive request.
If you request an Uber ride, the policy increases from that moment until your driver picks you up and drops you off at your requested destination. During this time, Uber covers you and your driver up to 1,000,000 in damages if a collision occurs.
Private insurance carriers don’t cover Uber drivers
Since Uber requires each of its drivers to carry insurance, you might wonder why the company then carries a policy that covers its drivers. This is because private insurance companies won’t cover claims that result from collisions that occurred in a commercial vehicle or other hired driving situations.
If you’re injured in a collision as an Uber passenger
Many people say that Uber drivers have a high risk of distraction at the wheel. This is because the app only works on a smartphone, so your driver may have to take his or her eyes off the road and hands off the wheel to use it. This increases the chances for collision. Whether your Uber driver causes a crash, or another driver hits your Uber car, if driver negligence is the factor that led to your injuries, the court can hold the person responsible legally and financially accountable.