Ride Share Programs

The United States Department of Transportation reports that ride-sharing programs are increasing. This is a good thing. Ride-sharing includes traditional carpooling, vanpooling, and taking turns with your neighbors picking up the kids from school. Ride-sharing also includes the innovative Internet-based car-sharing programs, such as BlaBlaCar, Lyft, and Uber.

Considerations for Ride-Sharing Programs

Before participating in any ride-sharing programs, the experts at the Insurance Center of Green Valley serving Green Valley, AZ, and the surrounding areas, say there are a few things to consider, which are:

  • Lack of Flexibility – If you use ride-sharing to get to and from your work, you will have to be ready to go at the pre-scheduled times; otherwise, you will inconvenience others in the ride-sharing program with you. This may mean you have to get up earlier than you normally would in order to be ready and waiting when the carpool vehicle arrives at your home. It also means you will have to leave work at a certain time and cannot work late. If the boss asks you to stay at work to get something done, you may be stranded without a convenient way to get back home.
  • Vehicle Maintenance – If it is your turn to drive, you must keep your vehicle properly maintained and clean.
  • Extended work hours – Most people who commute with others find that the commuters begin talking about work almost automatically. The ride to work becomes a kind of casual business meeting.
  • Vehicle insurance – When you are using your vehicle to transport others, your insurance coverage needs to be adjusted for the additional potential liability in the case of an accident. If you are receiving compensation, including from your company, you may need commercial insurance coverage for your vehicle.

Summary

If you use your vehicle for commuting to work and take passengers along with you or if you offer a ride for hire as part of the new social media ride-sharing services, you have special auto insurance needs.

Consult with your agent at Green Valley, AZ, Insurance Center of Green Valley. Even if you do not participate in ride sharing programs, it is always a good idea to conduct an annual review of your auto insurance coverage with your agent to make sure the coverage is adequate.

At What Juncture of Your Business Plan Do You Need To Purchase Commercial Insurance?

What To Do Next?

You have your business plan completed and have an appointment to meet with potential investors and loan officers at a nearby bank. Is this the time to purchase a commercial insurance policy? The ink hasn’t dried on the business plan yet.

Ready, Set, Go?

Wait Just a moment. Before you hang up your shingle, you need to consider purchasing your insurance policy. The right juncture to insure your business is before your first operating day. Build in the costs for insurance with the prospective financing for your business.

From day one there are areas that need to be protected from liability. This is the perfect time to sit down and see what you need to have adequate protection from all of the what ifs that could happen. If this is your first business, you will learn as you go. You may need to add new insurance products along the way.      

To be perfectly honest, commercial insurance is not an easy notion to navigate. There a myriad of nuances involved with having a comprehensive and efficient policy that is going to do what it needs to do to protect your business and your overall way of life. 

Give us a call at Insurance Center of Green Valley. There are plenty of established business owners who call Green Valley AZ and the surrounding areas home that we cater to.  If you reside in this area and you are in the beginning phases of opening your business, we are here to clarify some key issues regarding the type of insurance you have for your company. If you want to come in, call, fax, or email us we would love to set your mind at ease about this critical business topic.