The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) hopes the NSW Government’s review of the “point-to-point transport industry” will produce clarity on the insurance status of ride-sharing drivers.

The review may be the first step towards regulating ride-sharing company Uber.

“In NSW ride-sharing is not legal, and that places drivers at risk that their comprehensive insurance and compulsory third-party coverage [will not protect them],” an ICA spokesman said.

“Most insurers regard it [Uber] as something not covered in their policies.”

NSW Taxi Council CEO Roy Wakelin-King told insuranceNEWS.com.au one outcome of the review should be “equity in the application of insurance” for the taxi industry and ride-sharers.

He wants greater transparency in the way insurance coverage is applied to the fledgling ride-sharing sector.

“When you’ve got private vehicles involved, the issue becomes one of how is the insurance issue going to be addressed? There’s got to be an appropriate set of regulations around the Uber service, principally to protect the public, but also from the drivers’ point of view and the insurers’ point of view.”

The inquiry is due to report to the Government by the end of October.

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