Despite the expiration of a temporary regulation on July 1, transportation network company (TNC) drivers should still be able to rely on auto liability insurance provided by the TNCs.
When the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) issued Insurance Regulation 35-E in 2017, it included a temporary provision requiring group coverage for TNC drivers to be primary over drivers' personal policies. The provision was originally due to expire on January 1, 2019, but the DFS extended it to July 1, 2019. The department chose not to extend it a second time.
Consequently, the regulation no longer requires TNCs to provide primary coverage. However, it appears that most insurance carriers have decided not to offer TNC driving coverage as an option for personal policies. Big I New York is aware of only one carrier that offers this option. That carrier does not use independent agents as its primary distribution force.
The major TNCs appear to have stepped into this breach. Lyft offers drivers the opportunity to purchase a Rideshare Policy from GEICO, though it appears that this might not be available in New York. It's site doesn't provide any detail about any insurance it provides for its drivers.
Uber has this:
In addition, the public can download Uber's certificates of insurance. They carry group coverage from Allstate, written through AON.
Based on this, it appears that Uber is providing primary liability coverage for its drivers, and Lyft might be. Big I New York members who have clients that drive for a TNC may want to discuss the various coverage arrangements with them, and encourage them to confirm any coverage provided by the TNC.