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Traditionally infamous for crowding out and shutting down small retailers, Walmart is making a new push to help them keep up in the age of online ordering. That could prove to be great news for gig drivers.

Here’s what we know.  

What is Walmart GoLocal?

Walmart has been ramping up its membership and delivery services in an effort to keep up with Amazon and other competitors. The latest weapon in Walmart’s arsenal is GoLocal, a new white-label delivery service.

The company’s Express Delivery Service launched three years ago. Since then, Walmart has been busy fine-tuning and scaling up to deliver local orders in less than two hours through its network of independent Spark Drivers.

Currently, Express Delivery covers 160,000+ items from more than 3,000 stores across the United States, reaching nearly 70 percent of the U.S. population. Now, Walmart is opening its delivery network to other businesses through GoLocal, which the company is billing as a new “delivery as a service” business.  

How does Walmart GoLocal work?

Essentially, the service is the same as Express Delivery, but now delivery drivers will get orders from other retailers as well as Walmart. There is, however, one significant difference between GoLocal and other platforms: Customers will not place any orders directly on GoLocal.

Instead, interested businesses can integrate the Walmart GoLocal API into their own commerce platforms. When a customer places an order, Walmart GoLocal receives the information about the order and pings Spark Drivers with the opportunity to take the delivery.

This makes GoLocal a true competitor to DoorDash, Instacart, and other such delivery platforms. Walmart says its new “delivery as a service” business will offer scheduled, same-day, and other delivery options to cater to businesses of all types, and it allows merchants to retain more control over how their items are marketed and presented to customers.  

What does this mean for Spark Drivers?

Ideally, GoLocal should mean more orders, additional types of orders, and new merchants. The impact it will have on drivers’ earnings remains to be seen.

With Walmart treating its Express Delivery network as a stand-alone business now, the company will be under competitive pressure to keep its delivery prices low enough to attract and retain merchants. It’s also possible that opening the Spark Driver platform to smaller businesses could lead to low-value orders, which could negatively affect drivers’ earnings.

Despite some complaints, the Spark Driver platform has been rewarding for many drivers. One of them, Brenda Brown from Las Cruces, New Mexico, made more than $100,000 during her first year (October 2019 to October 2020). 

For non-Spark drivers, GoLocal simply means another platform is vying for your attention. Delivery driver earnings are notoriously dependent on the area where they operate. If GoLocal onboards merchants that are a better fit for your area or vehicle, it may be worth your consideration.

What is required to become a driver for GoLocal?

Walmart has yet to reveal exactly when and where GoLocal will go live. But the company has announced that it’s contracted with select merchants and plans to begin deliveries by the end of 2021. Since GoLocal is built on the Spark Driver platform, you can become a Spark driver today and benefit from the platform’s expansion whenever it happens.

To become a Spark driver, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old (21+ to deliver orders containing alcohol)
• Have a vehicle, as Walmart specifies: “Any car that is able to transport orders safely and reliably to customers”*
• Have proof of valid insurance for the vehicle
• Have a smartphone (iOS or Android) that’s capable of running the Spark Driver app. In addition, all devices need a camera with flash and GPS location services.

*Walmart explicitly states that motorcycles, bicycles, and scooters are not suitable for this job. So, our two-wheeled friends may have to look at other options for now.

GoLocal will be available for products of any size, allowing for greater merchant variety. This could also create larger, more profitable gig work opportunities for drivers with larger vehicles.

Advantages of driving for GoLocal as a Spark Driver

• Walmart is a large company with a nationwide presence and an ambition to grow.
• Unlike DoorDash or Instacart, GoLocal is built to cater to businesses and products of all sizes.
• Start-ups and younger companies carry risk that a big company like Walmart can float.
• Spark Drivers only deliver from Walmart stores, which means less time searching for pickup locations.
• Walmart orders are typically big, so both your delivery payout and tips are higher.

Disadvantages of driving for GoLocal as a Spark Driver

• The endgame is to replace human drivers with drones and self-driving vehicles, so you could be working toward your own obsolescence. Heavy, we know.
• Bigger companies take more time to address complaints regarding policies.
• Onboarding smaller businesses to use GoLocal can lead to lower-value orders.
• The Spark Driver app has a rating under 2.5 stars, indicating a high level of dissatisfaction among drivers. Complaints range from terrible pay to delays in processing payments.

How do Spark Driver shifts work? 

If you’ve been nodding your head in agreement up until now, you might be interested in becoming a Spark Driver. There’s a bit more you should know. 

Spark drivers need to schedule their availability in advance to receive orders in the app. You can schedule your availability for the entire week and make changes and when needed. You can also opt to receive orders outside your scheduled time with “Spark Now” status when the order volume is high.

The Spark Driver program rewards drivers who make more deliveries by prioritizing them for new order offers. So, the higher the number of deliveries you make, the more orders you will receive. 

Spark orders can be either “Shopping and Delivery” or “Delivery-only.” If it’s a delivery-only order, Walmart employees will load the order into your car when you reach the pickup point. For shopping and delivery orders (only available in select areas), drivers are required to park their cars, go into the store to collect the items, and deliver them to the customer. 

And that’s it! That’s what we know about driving for Walmart GoLocal through the Spark Driver program – so far, that is. Are you a Spark Driver? Share your experience and tell us how you think the launch of GoLocal might affect your business. 

Use Gridwise to take your delivery game to the next level

Gridwise tracks your performance and earnings across different platforms and presents the data in easy-to-understand graphs and reports.

Our app can also track your mileage to accurately estimate your costs, potentially saving you thousands of dollars in tax deductions.

Really! So what are you waiting for? Download the Gridwise app and sign up for a free account now to give your earnings a welcome boost.

Outsiders who have never been rideshare or delivery drivers think there’s nothing to the job. True, it’s admittedly rather straightforward – but a lot can happen. Not only can there be problems with the app, difficulties with your vehicle, or issues that make it impossible to get where you need to be, you have to deal with people.

And dealing with people may lead to trouble. A company can remove a driver from the app after hearing complaints from a passenger or customer. Believe it or not, this often happens immediately without any explanation.

Deactivation can be very damaging, for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, you can lose your income. You can also lose your reputation, particularly if you are wrongly accused of something, and it might take days for them to hear you out.

In this post, we’ll give you tips on how to protect yourself from unfair deactivation. We'll further examine:

• Why deactivations happen
• How unfair deactivations happen
• How to avoid deactivation
• What to do in the event of an unfair deactivation
• How to recover from a deactivation 

Why deactivations happen

There are many instances that can put you at risk for deactivation. For both rideshare and delivery drivers, these might include:

• Failure to pass a background check. Don’t forget that most companies will run background checks from time to time, even after your original activation.
• Unsafe driving: this includes being stopped and ticketed by police while on the app.
• Carrying a weapon.
• Threatening a customer.
• Driving under the influence.
• Committing any other kind of infraction while you’re gig driving.
• Low ratings.

For delivery drivers, companies have additional standards you have to meet. Some things that can get you knocked off your app are:

• Chronic lateness. Delivery companies want you to work fast. If you have a habit of taking too long to complete trips, you could lose access to your app.
• Card abuse. Never use the company card for any purpose besides paying for customers’ orders.
• Fraud. Not that you’d do such things, but this covers stealing or tampering with deliveries. 
• Refusing too many orders.
• Violating your agreement. For instance, if you say you’re using a bike when you’re not just to get closer delivery orders, you could get deactivated. Another pro tip is to shy away from delivering for more than one app at the same time.

There may be other grounds for deactivation, so always be sure to check with the platforms you’re working with so you avoid trouble. Should your company accuse you of doing something wrong, not knowing about an offense will not get you off the hook.

How unfair deactivations happen

Sometimes, deactivation may be warranted. This might be if you get caught with a weapon in your vehicle, or get stopped for unsafe driving, or get a DUI. However, there are also unfair (aka, unjust) deactivations.

Anyone who works with people knows how unpredictable they can be. A passenger or delivery customer can surprise you with a $20 tip or target you for deactivation. There are several reasons why someone might do this. Maybe the person is angry because you refused to wait half an hour while they shopped for groceries, or a customer might want to scam you and your company by lying and getting free rides or deliveries as compensation.

Here are a few examples:

Ever have someone argue with you (and your GPS) about the best route to get them home? Driving platforms will advise you to go along with the customers’ suggestions. But even if you do, they might complain that you were trying to increase the rate. This usually means the company will give them a free ride or another kind of discount.

What if a customer says you ate her fries? You might not even like fries, and probably didn’t touch even one. Still, the customer can claim that you did that, and then collect from the company. Meanwhile, you could be deactivated, at least until you can prove you didn’t steal the pomme frites.

There are even uglier accusations. One driver refused to break COVID safety regulations by insisting her customers take a seat in the back. You guessed it! They refused, and the driver advised them to get out of the vehicle, and they reported her for harassment. She was able to tell Uber her side of the story through an email exchange, and she was not deactivated, but… it was close.

Another driver got conned into waiting for an extended period while his passengers made a stop to pick up their dog at the vet. After a half-hour of waiting, with the purse belonging to the passenger’s companion still in his vehicle, the driver was beyond ready to leave. 

Just as he was debating whether to touch the companion’s purse and bring it inside, they both came out to say it would only be about another fifteen minutes. The driver terminated the ride. The customers? They told Lyft a story about the driver going into a blind rage, and throwing them bodily out of his vehicle and onto the ground.

This driver was deactivated. It took him three days to hear back from Lyft, tell his side of the story, and get reinstated. He lost income and was put in a position of defending himself against what could have ultimately become a criminal charge. He is a five-star driver with almost 11,000 rides, so once he got a representative to call him, Lyft cleared him.

As you can see, unfair deactivations can happen even to the best drivers out there – which means it can, and does, happen to drivers all the time. It pays to cover yourself from every angle possible. 

How to avoid deactivation

You can start by being proactive. Here are some tips:

• Know the rules. Carefully read your driver agreements to ensure that you understand what your minimum rating numbers are, and what regulations your company expects you to comply with.
• Be polite. Even when someone aggravates you, don’t take the bait. If you’re calm and collected, no one can prove you were rude or out of control.
• Say NO to road rage. No matter how much traffic, how nasty the act of another driver, or how hard it is to change lanes, take a deep breath and drive safely and sensibly.
• Make your passengers feel safe. Don’t let conversations get too personal, and avoid commenting on crime rates and incidents you may have heard about. Most companies provide video training that illustrates the boundaries of acceptable interaction.
• Don’t argue. You’ll need to enforce some rules and set limits with inconsiderate customers, but don’t get into a discussion. State your position and your company’s policy and leave it at that.
• If you do get involved in an unpleasant exchange, contact your company immediately through your app. See the Gridwise articles about how to get help from Uber, Lyft, Amazon Flex, and DoorDash, or check the app or website for support with other platforms.
• Drive safely – don’t speed or run lights. Passengers value their lives more than you might think!
• Use a dashcam. If you have a driving routine that brings you frequent encounters with passengers who are likely to be problematic, you’ll be glad you have evidence of what really happened. Read this Gridwise post for more dashcam tips.

What to do in the event of an unfair deactivation

Getting stuck with an unfair deactivation can trigger some unpleasant childhood memories, such as getting called into the principal’s office when it was really the class clown that slanted a spitball on the teacher’s desk. It stinks to be wrongly accused in any case. But the big difference in the case of an unfair deactivation is how much it can cost you.

As we noted, it can take a while before you hear back from your company. From what we’ve heard from some drivers, the wait could be as long as three days. Most of the apps have easy access to chat and email, but few allow you to speak to another human being. And while you’re waiting, you’re losing revenue.

There’s no reason to just sit there and take it, though. The first thing you need to do when you notice you’ve been deactivated is to contact customer support. They may or may not give you all the information you need, so be prepared to scour your memory.

For example, they won’t tell you the name of the passenger or customer who reported you. Chances are you’ll have to guess who it was, but if you can’t, you might have to solve the mystery of who’s trying to scam you and your company. This, obviously, can take even more time.

What can you do while you’re waiting for the logistical mess of an unfair deactivation to be resolved? What will you do for money? How will you pay your bills?

Fortunately, there is a solution: Gridwise Protection. For just a small sum (like $8 per month), you can be reimbursed for 80 percent of the income you lose for an unfair deactivation – and that’s not all. You can also get a legal letter written on your behalf by a gig driver lawyer. Plus, you get income protection for collision repair, hospitalization, and sick time, as well as free telehealth visits.

Gridwise is great at providing protection for drivers because it’s the ultimate rideshare and delivery driver’s assistant. With the Gridwise app, you can also:

• Automatically track earnings and mileage.
• Log expenses.
• See the best times and places to drive.
• Get airport, event, weather, and traffic information.
• Take advantage of deals and discounts for drivers.
• Get an overview of your gig driving business

Get Gridwise Protection and get all the other great features, too! Download the Gridwise app today. You could start earning up to 39 percent more!

How to recover from a deactivation 

If you’ve been deactivated, whether unfairly or justifiably, it can take time for your morale to recover. If your deactivation is merely between you and one company, try driving for another. You may still have to wait a few days to be activated, but at least you’ll be back on the road. Maybe you’ll also get a secret thrill out of driving for the competition.

If you’ve been unfairly deactivated, don’t hold a grudge. But if you truly feel your company took too long to do right by you, there are other gigs out there. Just don’t wind up losing your diamond driver status simply because you’re ticked off at how long Uber took to get back to you and get the reactivation going.

Just like being called into the principal’s office when you didn’t do anything wrong, clearing an unfair deactivation can be frustrating. Though, once you’re vindicated, there shouldn’t be anything stopping you from going back out to earn your living.

For now, we hope you’ll be better prepared and more thoroughly informed. We also hope you’ll shelter yourself from lost income and sign up for Gridwise Protection!

When you’re in and out of your vehicle for deliveries, you want to make sure you’re leaving it somewhere safe, convenient, and legal. Unfortunately, throwing on the flashers and hoping for the best will only get you so far. 

For delivery drivers in big cities, it's not always easy to find a parking spot close to your destination. If you’re not careful, you’re taking the big risk of a ticket or tow. 

Plus, circling to find a spot costs you valuable time and earnings. A lot of delivery drivers also wonder if companies like UberEats will reimburse them for any parking fee or fines. We’re sorry to say the answer to that one is a pretty hard no. The same goes for courier-only services like Instacart. 

But that doesn’t mean you’re on your own! Thankfully, there are a number of tactics drivers can use to ensure they have access to the best parking spots out on the road. 

Here are 10 ways delivery drivers can streamline the parking process to help them save time, deliver faster, and make more money. 

1. Engage your community 

While not every driver is willing to risk beating the system, there are a number of different driver communities where you might be able to ask questions and gain some valuable knowledge. 

For instance, Gridwise's Facebook community page brings together drivers who are interested in networking and learning how to optimize their driving business from other Gridwise users. You can also download the Gridwise app for access to exclusive driver perks and tips, and again, join our Facebook group to connect with like-minded earners.

2. Find a broken meter 

We’re not going to call this a “hack,” but it’s definitely worth keeping an eye out for. If you spot a broken meter near an area you know has high traffic for deliveries, you could be in luck. Make a mental note so that you can take advantage of it next time you’re in the area. 

Another way to “beat the meter” is to check what time your city makes you pay for parking. Oftentimes, there are only certain hours or days when you need to feed the meter. If you can schedule your driving around these hours, you’ll be able to save. 

3. Look for curbside pickup

One of the toughest places to find parking is in densely populated urban centers. At least, that’s if you’re looking on the street. We learned from drivers that parking spots associated with your pick-up and drop-off location can be a great place to pull in. They’re usually ticketed by the hour, so if you’re quick with your delivery, you may not have to pay at all. 

4. Utilize helpful apps 

While navigating yet another app may not sound ideal, it can sure beat circling excessively trying to find an appropriate spot to pull over. 

• Waze's “Where to Park” feature shows users available spots near their destination by calculating traffic density in certain spots.
• Way+ allows drivers the option of purchasing flexible daily and monthly parking passes that allow them to park in different spots around their city multiple times a day. Drivers who purchase a subscription can also save on gas, car washes, and auto insurance! 

5. Opt into two-wheel drive

One of the best ways to eliminate the hassle of parking your car on deliveries is to well, eliminate the car. Choosing to deliver on two wheels rather than four lets you be a little more nimble and opens up more options for where you can leave your vehicle. Just be sure to bring a good lock!

6. Carry coins 

The reality is sometimes your best option for making a delivery quickly is to feed the meter. With more and more city meters being converted to digital payment systems, you can save time and money by carrying enough quarters for a few minutes at the curb. 

Paying $5 for a few minutes of parking in a pinch is going to cost you a lot less in the long run than taking your chances with a parking enforcement officer. 

7. Scope out the area 

Next time you’re out for a stroll around the block, try and take it in areas where you frequently pick up or deliver. When you know a customer is waiting, it can be difficult to take the time to look around and identify open parking spots. 

This is also a great time to make note of the daily and hourly parking restrictions in certain areas. 

8. Call ahead 

It pays to be prepared. On any order, there’s always the chance that either the restaurant or the customer will be able to meet you at your car for a quick hand-off. While not always possible, calling ahead might end up saving you considerable time finding a parking spot. 

We recommend being polite in any customer or merchant interaction. Rather than telling someone to meet you at the curb, you can try asking if there’s parking nearby or what the most convenient way to complete the delivery is. 

9. Mind the curb 

Colorful curbs aren’t just meant to look nice, they also serve to tell drivers where they can and can’t park. You might still remember what color indicates what, but a lot of states have unique rules that you can use to your advantage. Oftentimes, certain curb colors indicate loading zones or short-term parking that other drivers will avoid because they aren’t sure whether or not they can park there.  

Here’s a guide to curb laws by state. 

10. Take your time 

Going along with tip #7, and as with everything in life, every once in a while it’s important to remember to just take a breath. 

We know you want to make your delivery as quickly as possible to maximize your earnings, but when it comes to parking, mistakes can be costly. A parking ticket can range anywhere from $40 to $200 dollars depending on your city, easily wiping out at least an order or two if not an entire day’s earnings. While it might be tempting to try and bend the rules in a pinch, financially it just isn’t worth it. 

Have a parking tip you’ve had success with? Leave a comment or share it with the Gridwise community!

The pandemic exacerbated the already problematic U.S. school bus driver shortage, revealing new avenues for the growth of transportation services for students and kids.

Some school districts have already started contracting with rideshare providers like HopSkipDrive and Zum to manage their student transit and diversify their fleet. It’s possible that transporting students through rideshare platforms could take the place of traditional school busses altogether. 

And, the classroom isn’t the only destination for these drivers. Busy parents looking to skip the drive are also scheduling rideshares for their kids’ after-school events, practices and more. Drivers that work for these transportation services might also have the chance to be sitters and caregivers. 

Somebody tell Ms. Frizzle to order the Uber! Today, we’re taking a magic ride through the Top 3 ridesharing apps for students and kids: 

• HopSkipDrive
• Kango
• Zum

With the start of a new school year approaching, now is a great time to consider whether driving for one of these rideshare alternatives is right for you! 

First, let’s clear something up. 

“Uber for kids” and “Lyft for kids” do not really exist. While these rideshare alternatives for kids might take some cues from these apps, they are unique in a few key areas. 

Rideshare apps for students and kids often require rides to be scheduled well in advance, rather than just hailing them on the fly. 

Drivers for these transportation apps take on significantly more responsibility than rideshare drivers for adult-focused companies. The background checks and vetting process drivers go through are substantially more rigorous for rideshare apps that focus on driving students and kids. 

In addition, student and child transportation services often require drivers to undergo more extensive training, obtain certifications, and in some cases, have a background as a caregiver (and sometimes function as one). 

Now, let’s get into the specific differences for each of the top ridesharing apps for driving students and kids. 

HopSkipDrive

HopSkipDrive’s “CareDrivers” is part of a network of rigorously vetted drivers who all have a background in childcare. Their platform is marketed toward schools and busy parents who want to set up single or recurring rides for kids. 

Rather than trying to replace traditional school transit systems, HopSkipDrive wants to complement traditional routines, offering a flexible system that can accommodate off-route students and special cases. 

The app has also leveraged its experienced network of drivers and heightened safety protocols to offer a rideshare alternative for vulnerable populations and older individuals during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

While on the road, regular notifications are sent out to the organizer of the ride (examples being a school administrator, parent, or guardian) and HopSkipDrive’s internal support team so that everyone knows the status of the ride. 

Driver Earnings 

Professional CareDrivers can earn up to $50 an hour, according to HopSkipDrive! However, booking windows are usually more limited than traditional rideshare. 

Payments to drivers are made every Monday via Stripe. Unlike Uber and Lyft, drivers can still get paid the entire estimated fare for canceled rides if it occurs within 1 hour of their scheduled departure time. 

Credentials 

Every CareDriver needs a minimum of 5 years of caregiving experience to become a driver. Other requirements include: 

• At least 23 years old 
• Good driving record 
• 4-door vehicle less than 10 years old
• Pass multi-agency background check with fingerprinting 

Some states and school districts also require HopeSkipDrive drivers to obtain advanced qualifications before getting on the road. Qualifications include CPR & First Aid, TB Risk Assessment, and district-specific training. 

A primary advantage of rideshare for students and kids is the ability to accommodate students and riders that need a little extra care. CareDrivers receive support and guidance on how to provide Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) for these little riders. 

Driver Feedback

HopSkipDrive shows their love for their hardworking drivers with #YourRide, highlighting the unique stories of their employees. CareDrivers aren't just earning a reliable paycheck, they're also making a significant impact on the kids. One CareDriver said:  

“It’s uplifting to know I’m helping kids get to where they need to go, safely! Being a CareDriver has both financial and emotional rewards.” 

Locations

HopSkipDrive serves many major cities across the U.S. Their coverage includes Northern and Southern California, The Front Range of Colorado, Virginia/D.C., Houston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Central Arizona, Seattle, Spokane, Las Vegas, Odessa-Midland, and Milwaukee. 

Kango 

Kango offers rideshare services for kids of all ages with thoroughly vetted and trained caregivers/drivers. 

There’s an element of connection when parents book through Kango. Drivers meet with parents before booking, and parents can request specific drivers when they schedule a ride. Drivers with Kango can also fulfill babysitting/caregiving responsibilities on request. 

Recently, Kango partnered with National Express, a leading provider of student transportation services, to partner with various school districts. This move positions them to become the next iteration of student transit.

Kango stands apart from other rideshare apps for children because they are the only app insured to drive kids of all ages, and they do not have a time restriction on their childcare services.  

Driver Earnings

According to their website, Kango drivers can earn up to $48 an hour during peak times. Rideshare apps for kids and students offer drivers more substantial earnings because of their increased responsibilities. 

While driving windows are more limited, Kango lets drivers optimize their schedules with additional caregiving duties. Schedules are planned in advance and offer the added flexibility of working as both a driver and a sitter. 

Drivers with Kango can also earn tips and choose to drive regular routes. While the earnings opportunities with Kango are great, drivers are still considered independent contractors. So, they’ll be responsible for tracking their earnings with Gridwise, and paying any necessary state and federal taxes.

Credentials 

Before being approved to drive with Kango, applicants undergo a rigorous background check and must meet certain requirements: 

• 3+ years of childcare experience + Trustline Certification with fingerprinting
• Background check
• DMV Check
• Vehicle inspection 
• Phone screening 
• Two reference checks 
• In-person interview

Once all criteria are met, drivers also undergo in-person training before officially being bookable on the app. 

Driver Feedback

Drivers seem to love their experience with Kango: 

"I love being a part of the Kango family, especially driving the little ones around. Not only am I compensated well for my time and experience with children, but I receive the best support from the Kango team. I can interact directly with the parent within the app and can schedule my rides ahead of time. It's an app with a human touch."

Locations 

Currently, Kango operates in California -- San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles County, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, Orange County, and San Diego -- and Phoenix, Arizona. 

Zum

Zum’s is “reimagining student transportation for safety, sustainability and reliability” according to their website. They contract directly with 4,000+ schools and districts. Unlike other student transportation apps, Zum is designed specifically for school-related transit and doesn’t offer the caregiving or parent bookings of other apps. It's becoming 21st-century school bus!

Zum offers parents and school officials more flexibility and visibility in their student transit plans. They’re also focused on creating a more sustainable model that introduces EVs (electric vehicles) to their fleet and limits the time that empty busses sit idle. 

Driver Earnings 

Zum states that drivers can earn up to $35 an hour and up to $750 per week.

For Zum drivers (aka Zumers), rides are scheduled by school districts base on their needs. Available rides are posted a day in advance, along with the estimated fare, and can be accepted in the driver app. That way, drivers know exactly when they’ll be driving and how much they’ll earn before they even hit the road. 

Credentials

Zum offers two options for schools: traditional and non-traditional student transportation. 

Regardless of what type of driver you are, every Zumer must: 

• Be at least 21 years old 
• Preferably have some childcare experience 
• Complete a comprehensive interview process 
• Possess a clean driving record 
• Pass thorough background checks
• Complete all state and company training and maintain valid licensing 

Traditional drivers must also pass driver qualifications and obtain a commercial driver’s license with endorsements. Non-traditional drivers need a car that is fewer than 10 years old and able to pass regular inspections. 

Locations 

Zum operates in major U.S. markets including: The Bay Area, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, and Seattle. 

Their innovative approach to student transportation services is enabling them to expand rapidly. Potential coming service areas include: Orange County, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, D.C., New York City, San Diego, and Miami. 

Local tribute: Zemcar

Currently only operating in the Greater Boston area, Zemcar was a little too small to make our list this time around. But they’re still a great rideshare alternative for kids and students. If you’re in the area, consider signing up today. Or, keep an eye out for them as they expand their market. 

What’s fueling the move from traditional student transportation? 

Rideshare transportation services for students and kids offer a flexible alternative to the headache of managing a bus fleet. These apps provide parents and schools with custom solutions to safely get kids where they need to be. Smaller vehicles like sedans can pick up off-route students while larger busses drive the main routes. 

The Every Student Succeeds Act passed in 2015 put a renewed focus on providing better access to educational opportunities for youth in foster care, unhoused students, and students with special needs. The law mandated that districts provide transit for these students to their school of origin even if they moved out of the district; a regulation that is far easier to implement with rideshare than bus transit. 

Thinking About a Change? 

If you're looking for more rewarding work, consider signing up for one of these transportation services. But, keep in mind that getting appointed as a driver will take time. 

If you’re ready to make the leap but worried about the financial implications, you might want to consider a personal loan through our partner, Giggle Finance. These extra funds can give you the cushion you need to jump in and start helping the kids and supporting the community!

All drivers save with Gridwise! 

Gridwise offers all rideshare and delivery drivers new ways to save. Automatically track your mileage and log your expenses effortlessly in the app to make tax time a breeze. All of your data is collected and turned into simple, elegant graphs, (shown below), to help you analyze and maximize your earnings.

Join our community and become a Gridwise user to gain access to great driver perks like Gridwise Gas and Gridwise Connect! And if you're not convinced yet, take a look at what our users are saying. Keep more of what you earn, start by Downloading Gridwise today!

Grab your bike, scooter, or running shoes because, believe it or not, you can make money delivering without a car! Although, it might seem like you’re missing something extremely fundamental, most grocery, food, and package delivery apps allow you to deliver on a bicycle, scooter, or motorcycle in select areas. Even if you own a car, there are instances when delivering on a two-wheeler might make sense.

If you’re still unsure about this, we further breakdown the advantages and disadvantages of delivering on two-wheels rather than a car.

Advantages of delivering on two-wheels

• Low entry cost: A bicycle or a scooter costs significantly less than a car, making them a better option for those who are looking to get into gig work. If you are already delivery driving but you’re looking for more ways to save, buying a bicycle or scooter is an economical way to test the waters.
• Low operating costs: The operating costs of two-wheelers are also significantly less than that of a car. Significantly lower insurance costs, less maintenance, and virtually no fuel costs (depending on if riding on a bicycle or motorized scooter) add up to substantial savings.
• Low financial pressure: Eliminating the worries about paying a vehicle loan at the end of every month can help make your work life a little less stressful and more enjoyable.
• Navigate through traffic: During peak delivery hours, navigating through traffic (for instance riding in the bike lane) has a tremendous impact on your earnings.
• Parking: Finding a parking spot for your car can be very challenging in urban areas, often forcing you to park your vehicle far away and having to walk a long distance to the destination.
• No license requirements: If you don’t have a driver’s license, then opting for two-wheel delivery can expedite the process of getting you on the road to make more money.
• Health benefits: Get paid to get fit! Not only are you saving on gas and other expenses, but you can also skip the pricey gym membership and get paid to exercise when you opt for a bike over a car.

Disadvantages of delivering without a car

• Not a rainy day option: Two-wheeler vehicles are not feasible when you want to operate in an area that sees frequent and extreme weather changes. Rain, snow, or a hot summer can all drastically impact your earnings if it means you won’t be able to complete deliveries in these weather conditions.
• Less cargo space: The bigger the order, the bigger the payout. Delivering on a bike, scooter or motorcycle limits the amount of “cargo” you can carry due to the lack of storage space. With a vehicle, you could potentially deliver a feast to a family reunion!
• Longer wait times: There will be days where you are filled with uncertainty. Sometimes, you may get back-to-back orders, while on the other hand, you may experience a longer wait period in between orders. Being able to wait in your car, and possibly switch over to ridesharing, is an advantage on days when delivery orders are slower.
• Cannot rest between orders: When you travel long distances or in areas with heavy traffic, it can wear you out. Having a car makes it easy to rest between your orders or in the middle of a long shift.
• The order payout may be low: Delivery apps take your vehicle, order size, distance, and other factors into consideration while sending you orders. If you are riding a two-wheeler for delivery, like a bicycle, you are more likely to receive smaller, short-distance orders that generally pay less per job.
• Limited driving and earning options: Having a car opens up more avenues to make money by allowing you to combine rideshare and delivery opportunities.
• Health risks: Riding a bicycle for an hour or two every day may have some health benefits, but doing the same for hours together every day in traffic and pollution might harm your health in the long run. It’s also important to understand the risk of injuries from accidents is also higher when riding a bicycle, scooter, or motorcycle.

What are the best companies for carless drivers to work for?

Here are some of the bigger companies that allow delivery without a car:

• UberEats – UberEats allows drivers to deliver on a bicycle, scooter, motorcycle or by foot. Check their website for information specific to your city. Since Uber acquired Postmates last year, the same policy applies to deliveries on the Postmates app.
• DoorDash – DoorDash has a similar policy to Uber Eats and allows deliveries on bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, or foot.
• Instacart – Instacart doesn’t explicitly limit drivers from using a two-wheeler for deliveries. However, since it is primarily focused on grocery delivery, the order size might be too big to deliver on a bicycle or scooter. Though delivery “riders” can pick and choose smaller orders, they are less common and result in lower payouts.

Don’t sleep on local delivery companies like Favor! Newer companies usually offer incentives to quickly attract more drivers to their platform and expand their business, and what’s better than supporting a local business?

What are some local delivery companies in your area? Let us know on our community Facebook page!

Should you deliver without a car?

Absolutely. Most platforms allow delivery on bicycles, scooters, and other transportation types. Rather than paying off expensive monthly loans, trying out a two-wheeler for your driving gig might be a better option financially. Even if you are an experienced delivery driver, there are instances when delivering on a bicycle or a scooter can be more convenient and economical for your business.

As a car-less driver, it’s still possible to make as much money as someone with a car. However, this largely depends on your location and the geography of your delivery zones. Generally, transportation on two wheels is more suitable for urban centers where it is more congested with people and cars. Again, this alternative option will keep your costs low and help you deliver more orders during peak hours by quickly moving through traffic.

Whatever you drive, drive with Gridwise!

Scroll through our blog for tips and tricks on how to boost your earnings and make the most out of your time on the road! Gridwise can help you make money, save money and optimize your driving strategy.

Gridwise can help you keep track of your performance, earnings, mileage, and so much more across your delivery and rideshare platforms. Gridwise also offers reliable weather alerts, event updates, and hotspot alerts, so you can strategize when and where you should drive.

Download the app, sign up for a free Gridwise account, link all of your rideshare and/or delivery accounts and then see how Gridwise can help fatten up your wallet!

Rideshare and delivery drivers depend on navigation apps to accurately and efficiently get where they need to be. An app that glitches or neglects to alert drivers about traffic jams and construction delays can cost time and money. 

In this post, we provide an overview of the most popular navigation apps. We also rate them according to how well they support gig drivers. Here’s what we outline:

• The bare necessities of navigation systems
• The Big Four: Google Maps, Uber Navigation, Waze and Apple Maps
• How to sync external navigation apps

The bare necessities of navigation systems

The many features of navigation apps can provide convenience and a sense of simplicity, but the two essentials for rideshare and delivery drivers are accuracy and reliability. If you’re unsure about where to go to pick up a passenger or where to drop off a delivery, you can’t afford to waste time with a GPS that doesn’t know the best and most efficient routes. 

For instance, if your navigation app gives you driving directions that send you to the back alley instead of the front door, or to First Avenue instead of First Street, you could face a lost ride or delayed delivery. To do your job well, you need accurate and reliable turn-by-turn instructions to depend on. 

A good navigation app should constantly provide you with directions, no matter what happens to your signal. Whether you’re in a congested urban environment or out in a rural location, you need an app that can reliably keep your route straight.

These are the bare necessities for any decent navigation app, so you might be surprised to discover that not all of them deliver. Keep these requirements (and your individual needs) in mind as you consider the best navigation app for you.

The Big Four 

There are four major navigation apps that rideshare and delivery drivers use. While Uber has its own navigation system called Uber Navigation, Lyft’s navigation app uses one of the most familiar and widely used navigation systems, Google Maps. Waze is also part of the Big Four listed here but has a separate identity from Google Maps after being purchased by Google in 2013. Another common app that drivers use is Apple Maps, but this is only available to Apple iPhone users.

These apps have an array of features that can also apply to personal driving and other ways of getting around, such as walking and public transportation. Here, we will focus on the apps and their utility for rideshare and delivery driving.

Now, let's breakdown each app so you can decide which navigation app works best for you.

Google Maps

Google Maps is the most trusted and widely used navigation app in the world. It’s built into many driving platforms and has a variety of features that help drivers find their way around. 

Why you’ll like it: 

• As the gold standard in navigation, Google Maps has everything rideshare and delivery drivers need. It’s comprehensive and provides turn-by-turn directions. 
• The standout feature for Google Maps is that it provides directions for drivers on which lane they should be in when they exit a highway. Other apps may not have this feature, leaving you to guess when it comes to making quick exits from overcrowded freeways and parkways.
• You can also use the “My Location Now” feature to see where you are on the map. To get to your exact location, tap the arrow in the lower right corner of the Google Maps screen, and the map will hover to your location.
• Google Maps also allows you to download maps so you can use them offline. This feature could keep you from getting lost the next time you retrieve hikers from a remote trailhead with no cell service.

The downside: 

• There are ads. Despite its high-tech demeanor, Google is, in essence, an advertising company. It should be no surprise that ads are placed throughout the app and can potentially distract you from getting a good view of where you’re going.

The images below show you the best and less favorable features of Google Maps. The first screenshot is the standard view, while the screenshot on the bottom is Google Maps street view, which gives a more detailed depiction of the streets and what structures are on them. You can also see the icons that reveal an array of local Google Maps advertisers when tapped on the screen. So, despite the cluttered screen, it’s hard to complain about the comprehensive features and reliability.

Uber Navigation

Uber Navigation is a built-in feature for Uber and Uber Eats drivers. Not previously known for its slick appearance or its reliability, Uber has recently instituted some upgrades.

Why you’ll like it:

• Working with Uber Navigation makes driving and navigation seamless. You don’t have to worry about switching back and forth from your driving app to an external navigation app.
• Recently, Uber Navigation has upgraded its maps and graphics to make it easier for drivers to see exactly where they’re going.
• For passenger pickups, you can now see which side of the street passengers will be on. This update might not sound like it would have an impact on drivers, but in congested areas, this feature can be extremely helpful. For instance, there may be more details regarding the pickup spot, such as the name of a business, rather than just a street address.
• Drivers can choose up to three different routes to get to each destination, depending on their preferences. These options could allow you to avoid tolls, construction areas, and roads that can be difficult to drive on.
• Uber has also improved its navigation app to incorporate traffic conditions into its calculations of the best routes to take.
• Plus... at least for now, there are no ads on the map.

The downside: 

• You can only use Uber Nav while driving for Uber or Uber Eats. If you multi-app, switching from one navigation app to another can be an adjustment you might not want to deal with.
• As the image below shows, Uber Navigation’s look is still far from sexy and lacks the detail shown on other apps. This particular shot shows the option to take alternate routes. While some might find this useful, drivers in a hurry want to know one thing: what is the fastest route?

Waze

This funky, yet functional, navigation app is popular for a few reasons. Waze was acquired by Google in 2013, giving it superior reliability and formidable mapping power. However, it’s remained a stand-alone navigation app due to its unique nature.

Why you’ll like it:

• The Waze app’s information is crowd-sourced, so you get current data from other drivers about traffic, road hazards, and where police have been seen.
• Waze has the same features as Google Maps, including the ability to save directions offline.
• You can customize the navigation voice to a variety of accents and characters. The most recent is Master Chief from the Halo universe. (You can also mute the nav voice if need be).
• Waze interfaces with most major driving and delivery platforms. You can change your settings to make sure it’s active on your app.
• The Waze map is clear and easy to follow, as you can see in the image here:

• Waze directions will provide you with the best route to avoid traffic problems and weather-related hazards. It offers three different routes, if available, which you can view with one tap of the screen.
• You can integrate your music, podcast, and audiobooks apps with ease. You can even set it to pause the sound when you’re using audio for Waze directions.

The downside:

• The screen can get cluttered with icons like your music app, reports, notices about railroad crossings, and alerts about vehicles stopped on the road. 
• There are ads, TONS of them. Worse, they pop up at the top of the screen, right where the directional arrows and street names appear.
• Waze takes up a lot of battery, and a big chunk out of your data allotment. If you keep your phone on a charger, you’ll solve the first issue, but unless you have an unlimited data plan, you might have some problems utilizing Waze.

Apple Maps

Like all things Apple, the design is slick and it works without a glitch... most of the time. It is reliable and uses traffic information from Tom Tom, which is a long-established navigation company. If you use an iPhone, you have Apple Maps included as one of your phone’s default apps.

Why you’ll like it:

• Apple Maps is integrated with Siri. When you’re truly lost, just ask Siri to take you to an address or point of interest. Apple Maps will open and guide you there.
• Apple Maps street view is easy on the eye. It’s hard to see any flaws in the appearance of Apple Maps, as you can see in this screenshot below:

The downside:

• Apple Maps is not always reliable, especially when it comes to finding the fastest route between Points A and B.
• Apple Maps is available only to iPhone users.
• Apple Maps does not integrate with major driving apps. Meaning, that if you use it, you’ll have to work in tandem with the driving app while you navigate to your pickup point or destination.

How to sync external navigation apps

Once you choose the navigation app that works best for you, it’s easy to arrange it so your gig driving app will automatically transition to the external navigation app while you’re working. You will need to check within your app to see if there are instructions specific to your platform, but for the most part, here’s how it works:

1. Open your driving or delivery app.
2. Go to App settings
3. Tap “Navigation”

Here you will see your options. Your app will permit you to select its proprietary app (Uber Navigation or Lyft), Google Maps, Waze or Apple Maps (for iPhone users). 

Select the app of your choice, and if you can, tap on the option that allows it to automatically go to your favorite navigation app as soon as you accept a ride or delivery request. 

Now, you can drive using the navigation app that works best for you!

Gridwise: Your go-to app for tracking earnings, driving insights and more

All the best navigation apps will get you where you’re going, but Gridwise lets you make more money along the way. 

Optimize your driving strategy with information about passenger volume at airports and local events, weather and traffic alerts, and the ability to track your earnings and expenses. With a few taps, a snapshot of your gig life will appear on this slick, easy-to-read screen:

Watch your business grow with in-app perks, offered exclusively to Gridwise drivers.

Want to make better decisions about your driving strategy? Start earning up to 39% more with Gridwise. Download the app today!

DoorDash has become one of the largest online food ordering and delivery platforms in the United States. By the end of last year, they racked up over 450,000 merchants, 20 million customers, and a million delivery drivers, also known as “Dashers.”

DoorDash is a reliable platform for delivery drivers to earn a part or full-time income. If you are willing to put yourself to work, it's possible to make $1000 a week with DoorDash, especially if you strategize and use the right tools.

But today, there are over one million Dashers on the platform, creating a lot of competition among drivers trying to win orders. To maximize earnings, drivers need a better way to stand out and get more deliveries. 

If you’re looking to improve your Dasher game, you might consider becoming a Top Dasher. Here’s what you need to know about the program: 

• What is the Top Dasher program? 
• What are the benefits of becoming a Top Dasher? 
• Are the benefits worth the effort? 
• When does it make sense to be a Top Dasher? 

What is the Top Dasher program?

The Top Dasher program is a rewards program that recognizes and rewards high-performing delivery drivers. These drivers have high customer ratings, acceptance ratings, and a high percentage of successful deliveries.

If you want to reach this pinnacle in food delivery, here’s what you need to lock down each month.

1. A stellar 4.7 customer rating

2. Minimum 70% order acceptance rate

3. At least 95% delivery completion rate

4. Over 100 completed deliveries in the month

5. Have 200 completed lifetime deliveries as a Dasher

This program is intended to motivate Dashers to accept and complete as many deliveries as possible. While such performance from drivers is hugely beneficial for DoorDash, whether it’s rewarding for drivers is worth asking. Before we answer that, let’s take a look at the benefits DoorDash offers to drivers that qualify.

What are the benefits of becoming a Top Dasher?

The Top Dasher program is a monthly program that renews on the first day of each month. If you meet the Top Dasher criteria by the end of the current month, you get access to benefits for the following month. 

There are two primary reasons you might consider becoming a Top Dasher: more deliveries and to "Dash Anytime." 

More deliveries

DoorDash’s system gives preferential treatment to Top Dashers over regular drivers when both compete for the same order. For example, if there are two Dashers nearby and someone searches “pizza delivery near me,” the system gives the Top Dasher the option to take the order first. This can help you beat the crowds and earn more on deliveries, even in crowded markets.

Lately, DoorDash seems to be tweaking this benefit in some cities. Rather than prioritizing Top Dashers for all orders, the company is experimenting with giving priority access for high-value orders (orders above $30). These tweaks could be DoorDash's move to address one of the biggest complaints they receive about the Top Dasher program – Dash Anytime.

Dash Anytime

Any driver can dash and compete for orders without scheduling in advance. When a zone is busy it is marked red on the driver map. However, when order volume is low in a zone, (marked grey on the map), DoorDash places restrictions on who can dash. This balances supply and demand and ideally gives drivers better opportunities to earn without having to wait too long between orders.

Top Dashers are exempt from this restriction and can dash anytime, anywhere, without prior scheduling. But, the option to dash anytime doesn’t guarantee orders. If things are slow in a zone and there are multiple Top Dashers online, drivers will face the same competition for orders that they usually would compete for without being a Top Dasher.

If you have questions about the Top Dasher program or want to check your status, you can contact DoorDash support for drivers. More information on how to contact DoorDash support can be found in this article!

Are the benefits worth the effort?

Now, the million-dollar question is: Are Top Dasher benefits worth the effort? Unfortunately, the answer is not straightforward and can vary from driver to driver and city to city. While becoming a Top Dasher is generally a good thing, there are certain factors that you need to consider while evaluating the program and its impact on your earnings.

You may have to accept more low-value orders

This is the most apparent disadvantage of the Top Dasher Program. With the requirement to accept at least 70% of the orders offered, drivers are forced to take many low-value orders and might miss out on higher-earning opportunities. 

When a Dasher has to drive more than 20 miles round-trip for a payout of less than $5, it doesn’t make financial sense to accept the order. A Dasher would likely refuse these orders if they weren’t planning to become a Top Dasher.

However, reaching or maintaining a 70% order acceptance rate is possible even while refusing low-value orders. Since the target needs to be reached by the end of the month, drivers can strategize by being selective at the beginning of the month and changing course towards the end if they fall short of the goal.

The Dash Anytime dilemma 

Some drivers would argue that the option to dash anytime without scheduling isn't much of a benefit and does not translate into substantial earnings. However, DoorDash explicitly recommends that Top Dashers should continue to schedule slots and dash in busy areas.

When does it make sense to be a Top Dasher?

Being a Top Dasher is not a one-size-fits-all approach to higher earnings. 

It’s a beneficial program if you want to schedule to dash in advance and want the flexibility to work when and where you want to. It’s also helpful if you switch zones frequently. 

But, if qualifying for the program means accepting too many low-value orders in your zone, it may not be worth the time and effort. You’re better off focusing on scheduling time in advance and accepting more big-ticket orders to maximize the value of your time. If you happen to meet the criteria for Top Dasher while doing that, well, that’s just an added bonus.

You don’t have to be a Top Dasher to earn more with Gridwise! 

Deciding what works for you as a Dasher takes time. Questions like when and where to dash, and which orders to accept require insights you won’t find in the DoorDash app… but you can find them in the Gridwise app!

Gridwise helps you track your performance and earnings across rideshare and delivery platforms to understand what strategy is working best for you. Your data is automatically collected and beautifully displayed (see above).  

Features that show you the best times to drive, weather alerts, event alerts, real-time flight alerts, and custom airport alerts offer you new ways to optimize your driving strategy and earn more as a driver.

You can also access more ways to grow your business, like exclusive driver perks right in the app. 

Download the app today and see how Gridwise can help you make smarter decisions about your driving. Start earning up to 39% more with Gridwise!

Finding or getting complicated things such as TLC compliant insurance doesn’t sound quick or easy, but if you know what you’re doing, it can be both. In this post, we’ll share what we know, including the key steps toward getting what you need, including:

• Why drivers need extra insurance
• The types of insurance available
• What to look for in an insurance policy
• Insurance for rideshare drivers
• Inshur: quick, easy and protective TLC insurance for rideshare drivers

Why drivers need extra insurance

When you’re a rideshare driver, your personal auto policy won’t cover everything. Uber, Lyft or Via may provide additional coverage while you’re picking up or carrying passengers, but that’s still not enough. All drivers, everywhere, need to have rideshare insurance simply because they’re using their vehicles for commercial purposes.

You shouldn’t try to ignore or get around this when you’re a rideshare driver. If you’re not protected, you could wind up in a lot of trouble. For instance, if you don’t bother to tell your insurance carrier that you’re a rideshare driver, they could refuse to cover you, even if you file a claim for an incident that happens while you’re totally off the app.

In some localities, such as the New York metropolitan area, there’s even more to consider. To drive for a rideshare company in New York City, drivers must meet the requirements of the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC). They are legally required to have a TLC license, TLC plates, and TLC insurance. 

As you can see, there can be more to insurance for rideshare drivers than meets the eye. Let’s look more closely at rideshare driver insurance coverage to see what you really need.

What kinds of insurance are available?

There are two basic kinds of insurance. First, there’s the auto liability coverage policy. In most states, it’s not possible to legally drive at all, let alone for rideshare, unless you carry a basic liability policy. Most Uber and Lyft drivers purchase a rideshare endorsement as an add-on to their basic policy. 

As we pointed out above, rideshare drivers who work in New York City need the second kind of policy, which is TLC insurance. This policy protects third parties, namely passengers and other drivers. TLC insurance does not cover injury or damage to you or your property, so you will need additional coverage for yourself.

How can you get the most coverage for the least amount of money? That’s always a great question. Let’s start by learning more about what insurance policies have to offer.

What to look for in an insurance policy

There are basic requirements for drivers in every state, and you can learn more about them from your local insurance companies and agents. Your lender might also give you additional requirements for insurance, in many cases. You’ll need to check into all that, but in general, you will need policy that has at least these types of coverage:

1. Liability: covers bodily injury and property damage to another person or their property.
2. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage: protects you from being stuck with medical and/or repair bills should the other party involved be without adequate coverage of their own.
3. Comprehensive coverage: covers damage resulting from theft, fire, weather, or vandalism.
4. Collision: allows you to get money to repair or replace your car should you hit another vehicle or an object that damages your vehicle.
5. Medical payments: pays for hospital visits, surgery, X-rays and other medical costs resulting from an accident.
6. Personal Injury Protection: This kind of coverage isn’t available in all states. It pays for medical expenses, but also may help to cover your costs for child care or lost income.
7. Optional protection might include coverage for rental reimbursement, transportation expenses, gap insurance, towing and labor costs, sound systems, and rideshare.

It’s also good to have flexibility, the option to choose the types of coverage, beyond what’s required, that you wish to purchase. In addition, it’s crucial to determine whether your policy’s coverage has limits that are per person or per accident. Also keep your eyes peeled for the costs of deductibles. If you make a claim, you won’t want to have to pay more than you can afford before the insurance even kicks in.

As you can see, there’s a lot that goes into knowing what the right policy for you might be. Don’t buy until you feel comfortable with what you’re getting. Always purchase insurance from a company you can trust to give you the most coverage for a fair amount of money.

Insurance for rideshare drivers

One of the first things you should look at when you buy insurance is whether the company you’re dealing with has policies designed for rideshare drivers. Rideshare insurance in New York is a special case, and the company you choose should have expertise in these two types of coverage:

TLC Insurance:

If you want to be a rideshare driver in New York City, TLC Insurance isn’t optional. The TLC regulates the activities of all activities related to customers who pay to be driven from one place to another by a driver or company. Because of the mandatory nature of TLC Insurance for independent contractors, you won’t be cleared by any rideshare app without it.

TLC Insurance requirements are put into place in order to protect passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers who may be affected by a mishap caused by a driver for hire. Based on your vehicle and the number of passengers it holds, coverage may vary, but the baseline minimum coverage is as follows:

• $100,000 per person
• $300,000 per accident
• $200,000 personal injury protection
• $10,000 in property damage

Cost can vary. The best way to keep your TLC insurance costs down is to maintain a clean driving record. Age also factors into the costs companies will charge for insurance. If you are under the age of 25, for example, expect to pay as much as 20% more for your premiums than your older friends might. 

What do you get, besides TLC compliance, for the price of TLC insurance?

• Protection from paying for medical or property damage of passengers or other motorists.
• Coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitation expenses of passengers and other motorists. This is what is known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP).
• Protection in the event you’re involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist.

Even without the regulatory requirement, you wouldn’t want to be a New York City rideshare driver without this kind of protection. In addition, though, you’re going to have to get protection for you and your property. That will come as General Rideshare Driver Insurance Coverage. You can get it as an extension to your personal policy, or as an all-in-one, combined policy that covers your personal and commercial use.

With General Rideshare Insurance, you’ll get:

• Coverage for the time when you are on the app but not yet driving to pick up or carrying passengers
• Possible coverage for portions of the high deductibles of insurance provided by TNCs should an accident occur while you are in the process of picking up or carrying passengers

This, again, is protection you won’t want to be without. Getting the right amount of protection is a delicate balancing act. You may also want to know that while rideshare insurance offers viable protection, you will still need to purchase collision and comprehensive insurance in order to be fully covered.

Now that you know what to look for in an insurance policy, how would you go about finding the right one? In the past, drivers would have to go to TLC insurance brokers, in their stuffy, often walk-up offices, in order to sign up for TLC insurance. 

Fortunately, the past is behind us. Now there is a company that makes getting TLC insurance quick and easy.

Inshur: quick, easy and effective TLC insurance for rideshare drivers

Now, you can get rideshare insurance coverage in just 3 minutes, with Insur! No more painful trips to insurance brokers, or long waits holding the phone. Insur lets you get quotes, purchase a policy, and make changes, with a few taps or clicks on the screen, because Insur handles it all online. 

With almost immediate service, flexible pricing, no hidden fees, and backing from some of the world’s most trusted insurance companies, Inshur can take care of all your rideshare insurance needs, including TLC insurance.

Inshur is smart insurance protection for the way you work. You can even make changes to your policy or check on a claim while you’re out and on the go. Inshur protects you and your business, with flexible payment plans through your credit or debit card. 

Because Inshur is designed to make the lives of rideshare drivers, you can get everything you need in one simple policy. You get physical coverage, liability and personal use, all included. The smartphone app makes it simple to get your policy and make changes to it; but if you ever need it, Inshur’s award-winning customer support is available in English and Spanish.

With Inshur you can go from quote to purchase in less than 3 minutes, and get automatic coverage for rideshare and personal use. There are no hidden fees, no hassles, and no fast-talking brokers to deal with.

Just click the button below to download the Inshur app, and secure your TLC policy while you’re on the move!