Ride-Hailing Insurance

What is ride-hailing?

Also known as transportation network services (TNS), ride-hailing companies connect drivers with paying passengers through the use of an online platform or app. The apps use a mobile phone’s GPS to determine your pick-up location, while the destination is manually inputted. This gives a fare estimate and an option to request a ride. In BC, base rates are set by the Passenger Transportation Board.

ICBC blanket coverage

ICBC will sell a blanket insurance certificate to the ride-hailing company, not individual drivers, which provides the Basic insurance during ride-hailing use. This blanket Basic coverage is mandatory for ride-hailing companies and provides coverage for Accident Benefits and up to $1,000,000 third party liability.

This means you and your passengers will be covered by the ride-hailing company’s Basic insurance when you have accepted a trip via the app, when you are en route to pick up the passenger(s), or transporting the passenger(s).

Optional coverage, such as Collision and Comprehensive, is available from ICBC to provide coverage when offering ride-hailing services. Ride-hailing companies may purchase a blanket Optional policy that would apply to its drivers. As a driver you should check with the ride-hailing company whether they have any blanket Optional coverage.

If the ride-hailing company has not purchased any blanket Optional coverage or their blanket Optional coverage is lower than your personal coverage, you may be able to add Optional coverages.