Uninstalling Empower (Rideshare app)
I have been using Uber in both US and SL, Pickme in SL and Lyft in US as my rideshare apps for many years. I started using Empower ridesharing app few months ago when it was suggested by a friend. Today, I am uninstalling the app after reading some of their policies regarding insurance coverage for riders. Obviously, insurance is one of the many factors to judge a rideshare app for. However, my decision (and the content of this blog post) is limited to the insurance.
To give some context, here are the insurance policies from other rideshare apps. Most of these are written for the drivers (therefore, "you" refers to the driver.)
- Uber: "Insurance that covers at least $1,000,000 for property damage and injuries to riders and third parties involved in an accident where you’re at fault."
- Lyft: "Coverage when the app is on and a ride is in progress: At least $1,000,000 for third-party auto liability coverage".
- Pickme: "the insurance scheme offers third party bodily injury cover up to Rs 10 million and third party property damage cover up to Rs 500,000"
When I read the policy from Empower, it says:
- Empower FAQ: Empower does not currently provide insurance to drivers; however, we are working on establishing relationships with insurance carriers to help provide drivers with the most affordable options.... If you are interested in purchasing additional coverage, click here to obtain a quote from Research Underwriters. Research Underwriters is an independent insurance agent not affiliated with Empower. Empower does not sell insurance.
- Empower Policy: EMPOWER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR AND DOES NOT PROCURE INSURANCE ON BEHALF OF SERVICE PROVIDERS OR CONSUMERS. EMPOWER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR AND DOES NOT HAVE A POLICY OF INSURANCE THAT COVERS THE PERSONAL BELONGINGS OR EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING THE MOTOR VEHICLES, OF SERVICE PROVIDERS OR CONSUMERS.
Given the huge difference of insurance coverage for me (the "third party"), I decided to uninstall Empower.
These are the scenarios I would think of installing it back again.
-
Empower app starting to show what insurance is held by the driver. If it shows that the driver has a plan to cover me (not just personal auto insurance that excludes commercial rides), I can just decide to accept these rides. Given the whole "free market" ideology of empower, I think this would be the best match.
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Empower providing insurance to all rides.
Until one of these two happens, I am going to stick with Uber and Lyft for the US rides.