Ohio Examining Regulations For Rideshare Companies

Ohio is considering regulating two of the nation’s biggest ride-sharing companies as they start to do business in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati. WKSU's Kabir Bhatia reports. Lyft and Uber use smartphone apps to connect people needing a ride with drivers who are in the area and signed up for the service. In April, Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor issued a consumer warning to passengers that, in the event of an accident, they may not be covered by a driver’s personal insurance policy because participating in Lyft or Uber could be considered a commercial activity. Both Uber and Lyft recently expanded into Cincinnati, where cabbies are required to carry $100,000 in insurance. Monday, Taylor is at a meeting of state insurance commissioners, and one of the topics is whether to regulate ride-sharing companies. Lyft said in a statement that it carries a $1 million commercial liability policy to cover drivers during the duration of a ride. That’s in addition to the driver’s required personal insurance. Lt. Gov. Taylor said she hopes early next year to hold a meeting with Ohio-based insurance company CEOs to discuss the issue further.