Uber in Waterloo Region

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The existing Waterloo Region taxi licensing system has no meaningful safety standards built into it. The Region doesn't verify much about the drivers, and it is hardly apparent what, if anything, the taxi companies verify. Until the media started reporting on it, it seems the taxi companies cared little about the sexual assaults committed by their own drivers (and didn't report anything to the Region).

Uber, Lyft, and others in the same model have some standard checks. But the most important part is the driver rating system. If your driver is careless or creeps you out, you give them a bad rating. Drivers with low ratings get kicked out, and (at least for Lyft), you won't get a driver again if you've rated them poorly.

According to this Region of Waterloo document, taxis are inspected three times a year while drivers are subjected to a police and driving record check.  According to the Uber website, drivers are subjected to police and driving background checks as well.  The Uber site does not provide any information about the condition of the car except to say that the oldest cars are no older than 2004 models.

I can see the insurance industry having a field day with this kind of service when it comes to establishing liability in the case of an accident.  Anyone who is contemplating becoming an Uber driver or user had better read their own insurance policies with a fine-tooth comb to make sure that they are covered.  Is anyone interested in raising a red flag with their car insurance company to see what kind of insurance they should carry if they are driving for commercial gain?