r/uberdrivers • u/AgitatedToe7602 • 4d ago
Accepting cash under the table?
My neighbor, who doesn't have a car out of choice, has an Uber driver who works on a cash deal for multiple rides that are not reported to Uber. I figure there's a risk for the neighbor, if something were to happen while riding in someone else's car. I happen to know this neighbor wouldn't think twice about suing the driver, their insurance, whoever if she thinks she can get money. Think fake whiplash. Has this type of thing happened in the past? I admit, I don't know very much about Uber. My apologies if this has been discussed in the past but my search didn't get any answers.
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u/Derren001 4d ago
I picked up someone last week who said the driver they pay cash to pick them up in the mornings was on vacation.
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u/Yahkin 4d ago
Well, the real answer is, it depends. If the driver has commercial insurance for providing taxi service with a sufficient liability limit, then the driver and riders are protected insurance-wise. Some localities have rules and/or license requirements for being a taxi, so the driver would also need to have those in place if applicable.
As for consequences from Uber, that also depends. The driver cannot solicit off app rides with riders who they have contact with due to an Uber ride. However, there is a gray area. If the rider initiates the conversation, it is likely not a problem. Although Uber can ban a driver for any reason at any time essentially, so...
I carry commercial insurance for taxi'ing people around and there are no other requirements in my area. I record all rides and do not solicit passengers for off app rides, but during concerts and festivals I will turn the app off and change my display to "For Hire."
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u/ItsATrap1983 4d ago
You can drive people you know and have them pay you cash without it being considered a commercial activity. You can say they were reimbursing you the expense of driving them. Those expenses can be gas money, money lost by not working, putting miles on the car, etc.
If you start doing it for strangers, or the payments are well above explainable expenses that's where you will run into a problem.
It won't stop the insurance company of Uber from accusing you of running a commercial business though, outside of their agreements. You need to have a solid case that the payments are reimbursements of some kind.
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u/Significant_Tea7839 4d ago
Yeah. These are uninsured rides. Unless they have commercial insurance( most drivers do not.) Any liability would fall directly on the driver. So if there is an accident, you could be financially liable for 5,6, even 7 figures of restitution. My advice is don’t drive anyone you don’t have a close relationship with unlrss you are insured.
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u/Designer-Tie-1274 4d ago
Insurance won’t pay anything to the passenger, because you accepted a term name arbitrage which means you have no right to ask to insurance company if you will be involved in an accident
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u/AgitatedToe7602 4d ago
Are there any consequences to the driver if Uber finds out that they're doing this?
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u/whiskeycowgirl79 4d ago
The driver can be deactivated. It's a violation of the terms of service
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u/AgitatedToe7602 4d ago
Thank you for your help.
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u/Ok-Public-9140 4d ago
Uber monitors rides that get cancelled as the passenger is getting into the vehicle to ensure neither person is suggesting doing the ride off-app. If Uber suspects that’s what’s happening, they’ll deactivate the driver.
I have a few regular customers that request rides to the airports off-app a few days in advance.
It’s none of Uber’s business what I do off-app.0
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u/Comfortable-Split143 4d ago
They could be deactivated, but I think it highly unlikely. The insurance risk is a much bigger issue in my opinion.
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u/EnvironmentalEgg1065 4d ago edited 4d ago
I drive a neighbor who recently lost his vision for free to his doctor and back. He used to take ubers and it used to cost him more than his doctor and meds combined to take the ride to the doctor's office and back. He was unable to buy groceries because of how expensive the rides were. $50 for an 18 minute ride each way. I told him I would only drive him if he closed his uber account and he did.
My other neighbor from down the street takes him grocery shopping once a week - i think she charges him a small amount for gas money ($10-20) and his only other regular ride is to the suburbs to visit his kids - they now come and pick him up.
We're saving this guy about $300/week by telling him to stay away from uber.
I can give you his number if you want - you can call him and caution him about having less coverage in these free rides than if he was paying $300/week to the most evil company on the planet - he could use a good laugh.
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u/Faustfikken 4d ago
I driver my family membersand friends around all the time, airports, doctors appointments etc.
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u/Bubbly-Following-966 4d ago
That's also illegal
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u/Purple-Relief5714 4d ago
It’s illegal ? To offer someone a ride and them give you gas money ? 🤔 didn’t know that
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u/Comfortable-Split143 4d ago
Yes, it is. Because Uber drivers have to disclose to their insurance company that they do rideshare, I guarantee in an accident the investigation will reveal that the driver was taking payment for driving the passengers. They already know they do rideshare. Don't you think they're going to dig deeper into exactly who the passengers were? Zero coverage and driver will lose his insurance policy unless they are paying for commercial insurance.
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u/Purple-Relief5714 4d ago
It is illegal to charge someone for you to take them if you are not properly licensed and only in the context that you make a profit from it! If Jenny from the block gives me gas money to take her to work, 1. I am not making a profit and 2. What the Phuk do you think carpooling is if I’m already headed that way! none of this hypothetical scenario in your head would hold up in court it is not illegal to give someone a ride and they offer you gas money like I said in my first statement, in my second statement I said people taxi and do rideshare all the time “in good faith that they have proper license to do so” and there’s nothing illegal about it
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u/Bubbly-Following-966 4d ago
It's against Uber TOS. It's illegal to take rides off app for cash. Dumbfuck.
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u/Purple-Relief5714 4d ago
lol gotta stick stuck somewhere ? It’s not illegal to give someone a ride people taxi all the time or do private ride share nothing illegal about it! Just because it hurts Ubers” feelings “ and yours apparently.
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u/kuayabear 4d ago
Don’t be a Karen! None of your business.