The concept of the Uber nonprofessional taxi/limousine service (“Uber”) links user convenience and ignorance with a business scheme for making a quick dollar and the assumption of great risk by the Uber provider.
Google defines the word “uber” as denoting an outstanding or supreme example of a particular kind of person or thing. https://www.google.ca/#q=what+does+uber+mmean
The demand for Uber arises from a limit on the number of licensed taxis available, especially at peak times, and the refusal of taxis to do short tips. The assumption of the risk by a motor vehicle owner using their personal vehicle as an Uber reflects a demand for a quick financial gain and an ignorance of the negative consequences. Our governments, particularly in North America, regulate commercial livery vehicles to provide for the safety of the public. They also regulate the fee charged so that the livery drivers’ prices are competitive. Though not always cheaper than the prescribed taxi rate, Uber focuses only on providing a service to the public without the Uber owner/operator (“Owner”) necessarily following the community standards for safety enacted through laws and regulations to make the licensed taxi service safe.
UBER OWNER OPERATOR
As an Owner, they may assume risks that they may have not considered or have recklessly ignored.
Motor vehicle law in British Columbia, as well as all jurisdictions in North America, provides that cars must have appropriate insurance coverage to be used on the public roads. An Uber vehicle would have to buy much more expensive coverage of the vehicle is uninsured. The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), the mandatory basic car insurance provider for British Columbia, published a notice on their website to individuals who use their private vehicles as a taxi or limousine. It states that unless a vehicle is insured for use as a taxi or limonene, ICBC will not provide coverage in the event of a motor vehicle accident while the Uber owner/operator is engaged in an Uber task. All automobile insurance providers are likely to have similar contractual provisions.
Vehicles that are used as taxis and limousines also require the following licensing and certificates:
1. The driver must have a commercial driver’s license;
2. Special license plates for vehicles who carry paying customers;
3. A license for the vehicle approved by the British Columbia Passenger Transportation Board;
4. A National Safety Code safety certificate for the vehicle;
5. Inspections every 6 months; and
6. Compliance with any other municipal rules or regulations.
The failure to comply with any one or more of these rules would likely result in a fine and the seizure of the vehicle. In the event of a collision, any fault attributable to the Owner would require them to compensate the injured parties for personal injury claims and property damages from their own money.
http://www.icbc.com/FAQ/Pages/insurance.aspx
The regulatory licensing expenses associated with taxi or limousine services are part of providing a safe service. The additional costs are factored into the fares. The Uber customer (“Customer”) does not know whether the vehicle and driver are in compliance with the laws. Although the Customer may be willing to accept the risk, the Owner is foolish to accept exposure to financial calamity for the limited income.
A second reason for an Owner not to participate is that if the vehicle is covered by a new car warranty, then the warranty is likely void effective first time that the vehicle is used as an Uber. The warranty cannot be reinstated.
A third reason for an Owner not to participate is that if they sell their car, they may have to disclose the Uber use to the purchaser, whether it is a private sale or a trade at a dealership. The disclosure of the Uber-use could have an adverse effect on the completion of the sale or the value of the vehicle for sale.
CUSTOMER RISK
Uber offers no reliable safeguards to the passenger user for the service that it profits from. In some cases, permits are issued by Uber or other similar organizations provided that the owner operator has done a criminal background check. All that means is that the person has never been caught and successfully prosecuted for criminal act.
The safety of the vehicle is assumed by the user. If the Customer suffered an injury as a passenger in the Uber vehicle, seek compensation from the parties at fault. If the Owner’s insurance is rendered void by their use of the vehicle as an Uber, then there is a possibility that Customers who suffer damage will not be compensated if the collision is the Owner’s fault.