Uber Drivers | TaxiSocial

The Burden of PIP Insurance in NYC

Did you know that NYC FHV drivers are required to carry more Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance than any other driver in the state, including Uber drivers outside the five boroughs?

The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) mandates that FHVs carry $200,000 worth of PIP insurance—four times what New York State requires for most drivers. This rule is entirely arbitrary, with no evidence suggesting that NYC FHV drivers pose a greater risk than the average motorist. In fact, FHV drivers undergo rigorous vehicle inspections four times a year—far more than personal vehicle owners.

Why This Matters Now

Insurance rates are already on the rise. Insurers are increasing premiums by 5-20% starting in March, with more hikes expected in the future. For FHV drivers, every dollar of savings counts, especially as operating costs continue to climb. Lowering the PIP insurance requirement could provide much-needed financial relief to drivers across the city.

Make Your Voice Heard

The City Council needs to hear directly from FHV drivers like you. Supporting this bill could lead to substantial savings and ensure fair treatment for hardworking drivers. Share your story, reach out to your local council members, and let them know why this change is critical.

Let’s work together to advocate for a system that supports drivers, promotes fairness, and reduces unnecessary expenses.

Say yes to saving on FHV insurance today! Click here to email your Councilmember

Uber and Lyft have agreed to pay a combined $328 million to settle accusations from New York Attorney General Letitia James that the ride-sharing giants were “stealing earnings” from thousands of drivers in New York City over several years. The settlement includes $290 million from Uber and $38 million from Lyft, covering back pay, paid sick leave, proper hiring and earnings notices, and other improvements to drivers’ working conditions.

Attorney General James announced that more than 100,000 drivers throughout New York are entitled to receive settlement funds, with an average payout of $3,280. However, drivers who began after 2017 are not eligible for additional payments. Along with the settlement, Uber and Lyft have agreed to provide new benefits for leave, payment, training, and job support, including up to one week of paid sick leave per year, effective no later than February 29, 2024.

Eligible drivers can file claims to receive the additional funds they are owed. The settlement concludes multi-year investigations into Uber and Lyft, which found that the companies’ policies withheld hard-earned pay from drivers and prevented them from receiving valuable benefits available under New York labor laws.

“For years, Uber and Lyft systematically cheated their drivers out of hundreds of millions of dollars in pay and benefits while they worked long hours in challenging conditions,” said Attorney General James. “These drivers overwhelmingly come from immigrant communities and rely on these jobs to provide for their families.”

Uber responded to the settlement with a statement outlining a new benefits model for its drivers, calling the agreement a win for drivers across New York State. Lyft’s Chief Policy Officer, Jeremy Bird, also praised the settlement, expressing a commitment to providing New York drivers with the independence and full range of benefits available to those in other states like California and Washington.

Forms on the attorney general’s website indicate that Uber drivers seeking back pay must have been employed by the app between November 10, 2014, and May 22, 2017, while Lyft drivers entitled to a portion of the settlement must have driven for the company in New York state between October 11, 2015, and July 31, 2017.

The settlement comes amid rising concerns over fare prices during peak times. Recently, some customers reported Uber and Lyft prices soaring well over $100 during a rush-hour rainstorm that shut down large parts of New York City’s subway system. Over the summer, Uber’s CEO was surprised by a $51.69 fare for a less-than-three-mile drive in Manhattan.