In the past, the corporate staff running Uber would convince their drivers to file all claims through their personal insurance. The majority of Uber drivers complied because they did not really understand the specifics of their auto policy. If a driver uses their personal vehicle as a private car for hire, most insurance companies will not cover that driver if they have an accident. This is why it’s really important to insure your side hustle properly, so says Colorado-based Sawaya Law Firm. In the past, an Uber driver received no help if he or she crashed a vehicle. They would be fully responsible for any damage caused by the wreck. The driver would also be responsible for their own medical expenses because personal uninsured motorist provisions do not apply to work vehicles. Many states are trying to change the laws regarding the Uber and Lyft policies. These laws will require both companies to provide insurance for every driver from the time their application is activated. This insurance needs to cover the driver whether they are carrying a passenger or not. To avoid confrontations, Uber-X decided to implement a $100,000 liability policy. This coverage protects the customers in the vehicle and any individuals in corresponding vehicles that may have suffered injuries. This coverage is 4 times better than the coverage provided by the typical taxi cab company. Every Uber insured limo vehicle comes with a commercial liability insurance policy worth $1,000,000. The increase of drivers and car accidents will change the way insurance companies do business in the future. They will need to have hybrid policies or flexible policies for both business and personal drivers if they want to remain competitive. Drivers who are on a trip with a passenger are covered by a $1 million liability coverage policy and a $1 million uninsured/underinsured coverage policy in case of accidents with un- or under-insured drivers. So you’re covered, right? The answer is…maybe. Read more on:

• What to do if you’re involved in a car accident