Let me tell you all what happened to me, which made me look for either a rideshare or commercial insurance.
While I was waiting in Que at the Jacksonville airport for a ride request, I finally got the ping and accepted a ride request. I thought the person would be at the airport, but found out they were in the queue area at a local car parking business where they paid to park their car. I thought that this was going to be just a normal ride and drop-off. There destination was the Jax Port on the river where they were to aboard the Carnival Cruise.
I made it to the destination with a couple that just got married a week ago. We ride up to the gate and I found that we were in the most hostile place against Uber and Lift drivers that you all could imagine.
The security at the gate kept asking me if I was an Uber or Lyft driver. Yes, I answered. She looked as if she was trying to save me by hinting to me not to let anyone know that I was an Uber driver. I sensed that she knew it was my first time at this location. She loudly spoke "Uber doesn't cover you all" "none of you all are covered" "They tell you that your covered, but your not." I felt so ashamed, because I'm thinking all is well before hearing this. Uber was a flexible blessing for me before this. After pleading to her that this was my first time and I never had come there before, she tells me to take my phone down from the windshield and I had to put one of my passengers in the front. However, the only thing was that I was an AA (African American) driving with two Caucasian people, I think someone was going to notice something (keep in mind this was my first time ever visiting this place).
I began to proceed through the gate until I got to a fork in the road. I asked my passengers if they just want me to drop them off over by the walkway instead of going further, they thought this was an excellent idea. As we proceeded to do so, I hear whistles all over the place, a security officer came and screamed "Are you Uber, are you Uber" I replied "Yes." He radioed a sheriff deputy, and told him I was an Uber driver and trying to drop passengers off by the walk way, as well as holding up traffic.
After the deputy found our location, he drove over to where we were. However, I can't complain because he gave me a verbal warning instead of giving me a citation or fine. He asked me if I had my Medallion, license from the city, as well as "commercial insurance." I told him "No sir," he told me driving-for-hire was illegal in Jacksonville (I guess without these things). He told me that I was an independent contractor (please be warned that you do not work for Uber but just use there apps). He told me he could give me a 250 dollar fine or "66 days in Jail." He asked again if I had these items and tells me "Don't ever come to the Jax Port again without them." (you don't have to tell me twice lol). I was out of there before you could blink.
I contacted Uber to see if this was true, they first replied with airport que directions. I replied that they answered none of my questions. They then responded, that they were sorry that this had happened and if they gave me anything, for me to send them a copy. I also asked if my passengers were coverged with the Uber insurance, they responded by telling me as long as they are on the trip.
I also asked if I needed anything from the city of Jacksonville. they responded that my account and status was active and documents are fine. It was kind of a beat around the bush thing. However, I get the jist. So, I feel that the guy knows what he's talking about. I know you may need to be registered or licensed by the city because your an independent contractor and not an employee of Uber. Your just using their app.
While I was waiting in Que at the Jacksonville airport for a ride request, I finally got the ping and accepted a ride request. I thought the person would be at the airport, but found out they were in the queue area at a local car parking business where they paid to park their car. I thought that this was going to be just a normal ride and drop-off. There destination was the Jax Port on the river where they were to aboard the Carnival Cruise.
I made it to the destination with a couple that just got married a week ago. We ride up to the gate and I found that we were in the most hostile place against Uber and Lift drivers that you all could imagine.
The security at the gate kept asking me if I was an Uber or Lyft driver. Yes, I answered. She looked as if she was trying to save me by hinting to me not to let anyone know that I was an Uber driver. I sensed that she knew it was my first time at this location. She loudly spoke "Uber doesn't cover you all" "none of you all are covered" "They tell you that your covered, but your not." I felt so ashamed, because I'm thinking all is well before hearing this. Uber was a flexible blessing for me before this. After pleading to her that this was my first time and I never had come there before, she tells me to take my phone down from the windshield and I had to put one of my passengers in the front. However, the only thing was that I was an AA (African American) driving with two Caucasian people, I think someone was going to notice something (keep in mind this was my first time ever visiting this place).
I began to proceed through the gate until I got to a fork in the road. I asked my passengers if they just want me to drop them off over by the walkway instead of going further, they thought this was an excellent idea. As we proceeded to do so, I hear whistles all over the place, a security officer came and screamed "Are you Uber, are you Uber" I replied "Yes." He radioed a sheriff deputy, and told him I was an Uber driver and trying to drop passengers off by the walk way, as well as holding up traffic.
After the deputy found our location, he drove over to where we were. However, I can't complain because he gave me a verbal warning instead of giving me a citation or fine. He asked me if I had my Medallion, license from the city, as well as "commercial insurance." I told him "No sir," he told me driving-for-hire was illegal in Jacksonville (I guess without these things). He told me that I was an independent contractor (please be warned that you do not work for Uber but just use there apps). He told me he could give me a 250 dollar fine or "66 days in Jail." He asked again if I had these items and tells me "Don't ever come to the Jax Port again without them." (you don't have to tell me twice lol). I was out of there before you could blink.
I contacted Uber to see if this was true, they first replied with airport que directions. I replied that they answered none of my questions. They then responded, that they were sorry that this had happened and if they gave me anything, for me to send them a copy. I also asked if my passengers were coverged with the Uber insurance, they responded by telling me as long as they are on the trip.
I also asked if I needed anything from the city of Jacksonville. they responded that my account and status was active and documents are fine. It was kind of a beat around the bush thing. However, I get the jist. So, I feel that the guy knows what he's talking about. I know you may need to be registered or licensed by the city because your an independent contractor and not an employee of Uber. Your just using their app.
