NO PROTECTION: In the US, Uber Eats provides insurance for its deliverers, but its local unit does not offer such coverage, despite low insurance costs, a lawmaker said
Taipei Times
Date: Oct 15, 2019
By: Kao Shih-ching / Staff reporter
The Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) yesterday said it will urge online food delivery platform operators to purchase accident insurance for their drivers after two couriers were killed in traffic crashes on Thursday and Sunday.
As the couriers were not insured against accidents by their employers, Foodpanda Taiwan Co (富胖達) and Uber Eats Taiwan, which hire drivers as contractors rather than employees, their families will likely receive compensation of up to NT$2 million (US$65,317) each from the Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance (CALI), the commission told a question-and-answer session at a meeting of the Legislative Yuan’s Finance Committee.
All drivers are required to purchase CALI as minimum insurance in case of traffic accidents.
However, its perceived insufficient coverage caused a furor among lawmakers, who accused the food delivery companies of doing too little to protect their drivers. [FULL STORY]