Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed HB22-1089 into law in May 2022. This legislation widens the type of insurance coverage provided by ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft to their drivers and passengers in case of a collision. It was approved by the Colorado House by a vote of 36 to 24. The Colorado Senate vote tally was 21 to 13 in favor of it.
Under this new law, if a ride-hailing vehicle is involved in a crash caused by an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run, the driver and passenger will now have insurance coverage from the ride-hailing company. This new arrangement starts in August 2022.
One impacted ride-hailing passenger’s story
A passenger who was seriously hurt in ride-hailing that was struck by a hit-and-run driver in Colorado testified for HB22-1089. His medical expenses totaled $176,000 and he lacked insurance. He mistakenly took for granted that the ride-hailing service would be responsible for his staggeringly large medical bills. Now, thanks to the new legislation, someone in a similar situation would be covered by the newly expanded insurance coverage.
Why this legislation is so meaningful
Prior to this bill’s passage, passengers were only protected by the ride-hailing company’s insurance if they were hurt in accidents where their own driver was responsible. Uninsured passengers would previously have had to grapple with their sizable medical bills themselves. According to one media outlet, “Supporters of the bill said many ride-sharing customers have no reason to carry their own auto insurance since they do not drive or own cars, leaving them at risk.”
There are many more than just a few uninsured drivers in Colorado. The Insurance Information Institute put the percentage of them in that state at 13%, as of 2019.
If there is something you are not sure about, ask
If you are involved in an accident while you are a passenger in a ride-hailing vehicle, you may have questions about the insurance coverage the ride-hailing provides to you. Ask them yourself or have someone qualified speak on your behalf. You deserve to get all of the insurance coverage that is now available to you.
