Uber/Lyft insurance claims & policies regarding minors- Help us settle this argument

[JackM678]

What is the name of your state? Texas


I'm an Uber and Lyft driver in the state of Texas. One common controversy among the platforms is driving around unaccompanied minors, as the policy for both the companies is very vague, and does not explicitly state that you cannot for any reason drive someone under 18. Their policy for passengers is they can only use the platform if they are over the age of 18, but they don't make them prove it.

The wording for drivers regarding this is if they suspect someone may be under the age of 18 and riding alone, they may ask for ID.

A common claim made by drivers on social media groups is that if you get into an accident, the insurance company can refuse to cover it if you had an unaccompanied minor in the car. I've yet to meet a single person that has happened to, and I find it hard to believe an insurance company could use that as justification for denying a claim. There is no policy that you need to ask for an ID for people that look young in your car the way you do for selling alcohol and tobacco.

They have denied insurance claims over drivers allowing 5 or more passengers in a car with only five seats, but that's against the law to allow more passengers in the car than there are seat belts. Driving someone under 18 in your car is not against the law, and I don't see how an insurance company would win that in court.

 

[Taxing Matters]

Driving someone under 18 in your car is not against the law, and I don't see how an insurance company would win that in court.

That depends on exactly the insurance policies say. If the terms of the policy can be read to exclude coverage for minors or for trips in which the person ordering the ride on the Lyft/Uber app is not among the persons in the car then the insurer would be justified in denying the claim.

 

[quincy]

Why don't you go to the sources (Uber and Lyft and your insurer) for clarification of the policy of transporting minors?

 

[JackM678]

Why don't you go to the sources (Uber and Lyft and your insurer) for clarification of the policy of transporting minors?

There isn't really any clarification. I was just wondering more of less of the right of the insurance company to deny a claim. There isn't any policy saying we need to verify anyone is 18 or older.

 

[quincy]

There isn't really any clarification. I was just wondering more of less of the right of the insurance company to deny a claim. There isn't any policy saying we need to verify anyone is 18 or older.

I just read the policies and they are pretty clear that a driver should not drive any unaccompanied minor. If a driver suspects their passenger is a minor, they should request ID and cancel the ride if the passenger is under the age of 18.

If the drivers follow this directive, the drivers won't have to worry about their insurers denying a claim for the reason that they were transporting a minor.

But you should check with your insurer for the specifics of your insurance policy.

And you should invest in a dash cam, advising passengers that they are being audio and video recorded. This is for their protection and yours.

 

[JackM678]

I have had a 2 camera device for awhile now for that reason.

What's vague to me is more that it doesn't specifically say you must ask for ID, but you may ask for it.

 

[quincy]

I have had a 2 camera device for awhile now for that reason.

What's vague to me is more that it doesn't specifically say you must ask for ID, but you may ask for it.

It is good that you have a camera system for your vehicle.

If I were you (or if I were any Lyft or Uber driver), I would always err on the side of caution. Ask for ID if there is any question at all in your mind that the one you are supposed to transport is a minor.

 

[JackM678]

It is good that you have a camera system for your vehicle.

If I were you (or if I were any Lyft or Uber driver), I would always err on the side of caution. Ask for ID if there is any question at all in your mind that the one you are supposed to transport is a minor.

I'm thinking of signing up for ZUM as it is a ride service for kids and I like working with kids as I do in schools and camp.

It kind of puts you at a dilemma as a driver that cares about kids, because many times the parents are stuck for a way to get them home, and given I record all my rides video and audio, I'm not worried about false accusations the way I had to deal with at a school where fortunately I got the district to side with me over the administrators, but if the insurance policies clearly won't cover an accident that happens, then I'll have to start being more strict about it. I've not seen such an incident though.

 

[quincy]

I'm thinking of signing up for ZUM as it is a ride service for kids and I like working with kids as I do in schools and camp.

It kind of puts you at a dilemma as a driver that cares about kids, because many times the parents are stuck for a way to get them home, and given I record all my rides video and audio, I'm not worried about false accusations the way I had to deal with at a school where fortunately I got the district to side with me over the administrators, but if the insurance policies clearly won't cover an accident that happens, then I'll have to start being more strict about it. I've not seen such an incident though.

Ride services for kids generally have parents sign waiver of liability forms. These waivers can provide some protection for drivers in cases where negligence might be a factor in an injury accident. These waivers will not protect drivers from claims of gross negligence, however.

I hope you continue to have a safe career in driving others around.