The Boring Reason We Don't Have $7 Rideshares

>The most common fare I’ve paid on Empower over the last six months is $7.65. For a recent trip from downtown to the airport, Uber wanted $32. Empower wanted $17.25.

>DC is trying to shut Empower down, primarily over liability insurance. DC law requires $1 million in coverage per ride.

>The $1 million requirement isn’t sized to typical accidents. When $100,000 is the limit available for an insurance claim, 96% of personal auto claims settle below $100,000.

>The high ceiling shifts incentives: plaintiffs' attorneys have reason to pursue cases they'd otherwise drop and push for larger settlements. Fraud rings have emerged to exploit these policies.

> insurance is around 30% of fares, particularly in states like California, New Jersey, and New York which also require additional $1 million uninsured motorist coverage and/or no-fault insurance