BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – As Uber and Lyft driver roll around town state lawmakers want to roll out regulations. A bill passed the Senate Wednesday requiring certain insurance coverage from drivers of ride sharing companies.
House Bill 221 passed with a 36-1 vote by the senate and some say the measure will protect passengers and drivers of ride sharing companies.
The bill will require companies like Uber and Lyft to make sure drivers have at least $50,000 in bodily injury insurance coverage when their cars are empty. The bill states that drivers will be required to have one million dollar coverage plan when riders are present in the car.
“It’s going to create a standardized system throughout the state, whether you are in the Keys, or Tampa Bay, or Jacksonville,” Sen. Jeff Brandes said, “you’ll know you’ll have the same level of background checks, same level of insurance and this will be standardized going forward.”
Officials with the Personal Insurance Federation of Florida say the bill will make the claims process easier and help consumers recover their losses faster.
