This article is for informational purposes only. It summarizes insurance-related terms in your Driver Terms and Conditions but does not modify, supplement, or take the place of that agreement. In the event of any conflict, the Driver Terms and Conditions govern. As an independent contractor, you determine the manner and means by which you provide services; nothing in this article is intended to direct how, when, or whether you perform any particular task.
Purpose This article explains the insurance landscape for drivers on the Wingz platform: what Wingz's commercial policy covers, what your own insurance needs to cover, and what the Driver Terms and Conditions say about accidents and independent contractor status. It's a reference, not a set of instructions.
The Wingz commercial policy
Wingz maintains a commercial automobile insurance policy to satisfy state TNC requirements. This policy covers damage to third parties that occurs during an active trip.
What it covers
- Third-party liability for damage or injury occurring during an active trip.
What it does not cover
- Your vehicle. If your car is damaged or totaled in an at-fault accident, the Wingz commercial policy does not pay for repairs or replacement.
- You personally. This is a third-party liability policy, not driver coverage.
Per Section 2.2 of the Driver Terms and Conditions, personal automobile insurance policies typically do not provide coverage when a vehicle is used in connection with a TNC platform, and typically do not provide collision or comprehensive coverage for damage to a vehicle while driving to pick up or transport a passenger. Wingz's commercial policy does not fill that gap.
Your personal auto insurance
Under Section 2.2 of the Driver Terms and Conditions, drivers agree to maintain, at their own cost, automobile insurance valid for transporting passengers arranged through a transportation network company (TNC).
Confirming rideshare/NEMT coverage. Most standard personal auto policies exclude commercial or rideshare activity. Drivers who want to confirm their coverage can ask their insurer whether the policy covers TNC or rideshare activity, and whether a rideshare endorsement is available if not.
Keeping documentation current. Active personal auto insurance is a condition of platform access. If a driver's insurance lapses or the documentation on file shows as expired, platform access is suspended until current proof of a policy that includes rideshare coverage is provided.
Without rideshare-compatible coverage, a driver who is at fault in an accident may be responsible for vehicle damage with no insurance payout from either policy.
When the Wingz coverage window is active
Swiping to start a trip has three effects:
- Geo-tracking activates — location is shared with Wingz and the member receives an ETA.
- The on-time performance (OTP) window begins — this is measured from the swipe, independent of physical arrival time.
- The Wingz coverage window begins — the Wingz commercial liability policy is active from the swipe through drop-off, for third-party liability only.
Outside of this active trip window, coverage depends entirely on the driver's personal auto insurance.
If an accident occurs
Under Section 2.2 of the Driver Terms and Conditions, drivers agree that in the event of an accident while providing services to a passenger, they will:
- Contact emergency services.
- Contact Wingz Support to report the accident for further direction.
- Comply with any applicable law, ordinance, or regulation.
- Make any required contact with or report to their own insurance carrier — regardless of fault, and regardless of whether Wingz's commercial policy might apply.
- Have evidence of personal insurance available for law enforcement inspection at the scene.
Independent contractor status and insurance
Drivers on the Wingz are independent contractors, not employees (Section 2.3 and Section 4 of the Driver Terms and Conditions). Consistent with that relationship:
- Wingz does not provide health insurance, workers' compensation insurance, general liability insurance, or automobile liability insurance to drivers.
- Drivers are not covered by any workers' compensation coverage Wingz may carry for its own employees, including in the event of an injury while providing services.
- If a driver's actions cause injury to a third party, Wingz's general liability or automobile liability coverage does not extend to the driver, and Wingz does not commit to defending or indemnifying the driver in that circumstance.
- Drivers are solely responsible for their own insurance protection outside of the third-party coverage described above, consistent with their independent contractor status and control over the manner and means of providing services.
Summary reference
| Situation | Coverage source |
|---|---|
| Third-party damage/injury during an active trip | Wingz commercial policy |
| Damage to the driver's own vehicle | Driver's personal auto insurance only |
| Any time outside the active trip window | Driver's personal auto insurance only |
| Driver injury while providing services | Not covered by Wingz; drivers are independent contractors |
| Third-party claims arising from driver conduct | Not covered by Wingz; no duty to defend or indemnify |
Insurance Periods
| Period | Stage | Trigger | Coverage in place | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | Before a trip is accepted / scheduled | No trip accepted | Driver's personal auto insurance only | Driver's own policy |
| Period 2 | Swipe to Start → Swipe for Pickup | Trip accepted, driver en route to or waiting at pickup location | Driver's personal auto insurance only — no distinct Wingz commercial coverage during this leg | Driver's own policy |
| Period 3 | Swipe for Pickup → Swipe for Drop-off | Passenger is in the vehicle | Wingz commercial policy — third-party liability only (does not cover driver's vehicle or the driver personally) | Wingz commercial policy/Driver's own policy |
| — | After Swipe for Drop-off | Trip complete | Driver's personal auto insurance only | Driver's own policy |
FAQs
Q: Will Wingz's insurance pay to repair or replace a vehicle if the driver is at fault in an accident? A: No. The Wingz commercial policy covers third-party damage only. It does not cover the driver's vehicle.
Q: If a driver's personal auto policy is active, are they covered to drive on the Wingz platform? A: Not necessarily. Most personal auto policies exclude rideshare/TNC use. Drivers should confirm with their insurer whether the policy covers TNC activity or whether a rideshare endorsement is available.
Q: When does the Wingz coverage window begin and end? A: From the swipe to start through drop-off. There is no coverage before the swipe or after the trip is complete.
Q: What happens if a driver's personal insurance lapses? A: Platform access is suspended until current proof of a valid policy with rideshare coverage is provided.
Q: Does the driver's own insurance carrier need to be contacted after an accident, even if the driver believes they weren't at fault? A: Yes. Per Section 2.2 of the Driver Terms and Conditions, drivers agree to contact their own insurance carrier after any accident, regardless of fault.
Q: Is a driver covered by Wingz's workers' compensation insurance if injured while providing services? A: No. Consistent with independent contractor status, drivers are not covered by any workers' compensation insurance Wingz carries for its employees.