# Fun With Uber! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 17, 2016, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285 "2016-11-17T21:05:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2016, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/21 "2016-11-19T05:17:56Z")
If i decide to do it for certain I will. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/22 "2016-11-21T23:02:19Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > Isn’t this what uninsured/underinsured coverage is for? Maybe… but what about the passenger who might have been injured in the accident? If the (uninsured) Uber driver is at fault, the passenger is out of luck. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2016, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/23 "2016-11-21T23:08:00Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > You can now get ride-share coverage in PA, from Geico. They sell hybrid coverage that actually costs less than my current personal coverage. But it’s disturbing that Uber approved me with my non-compliant coverage. I wouldn’t drive for them without the proper insurance, but apparently they won’t reject you for not having it. > Uber does cover you for amounts beyond what’s covered by your insurance but I’m not sure what they’d do if you weren’t properly covered. I’d bet their documents (if you ever find a readable copy :P) say something like “must carry insurance of at least xxx dollars”. I don’t drive for a living, but on occasion have had to use my car for business trips. I’m required to carry something like 300,000 dollars in liability insurance for my auto, I believe this is with the understanding that if I cause an accident while on company business, their liability kicks in but only after my 300,000 is used up. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2016, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/24 "2016-11-22T00:16:12Z")
I thought Uber insured their drivers, meaning there’s no impact if you keep your current coverage, even if it has no-ride-sharing provisions? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/25 "2016-12-02T20:14:40Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > I thought Uber insured their drivers, meaning there’s no impact if you keep your current coverage, even if it has no-ride-sharing provisions? Uber covers the driver is some circumstances, not others. You absolutely need to buy your own supplementary insurance, and likely change your provider. I had State Farm insurance for 20+ years, but they wouldn’t provide adequate rideshare coverage. Oh, and most insurance has clauses specifically about not providing coverage for the vehicle’s commercial use, and if they find belatedly you are an Uber driver, they will simply cancel your policy. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/26 "2016-12-02T21:57:23Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Check out **Boyo Jim** ’s threads here, or PM him. He’s been driving for Uber (and he’s a Lyft driver, too). > > He was generally positive about it, and made good change just driving late nights/bar time on the weekends. It sounds great for someone who doesn’t do the math. The IRS says it costs 54 cents a mile to operate a car. Taxes on the trip are the drivers responsibility. Uber takes 25% Say you get a dollar per mile. Uber takes 25 cents. Depreciation, etc. = 54 cents per mile. Taxes, can be has high in some parts of CA as 10%, another 10 cents per mile. That’s 89 cents per mile in costs. You make 11 cents per mile which helps cover the insurance you probably better have. Of course, you don’t put money aside for new tires, new brakes, auto repairs, cleaning, oil changes, etc. And 3 years from now, you need a new car because you wore this one out. It’s a poor deal for the driver, and a great deal for Uber. Go get a job spinning signs on busy corners for 10 bucks an hour. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/27 "2016-12-02T22:25:48Z")
Here’s my experience with Uber… Last month I unexpectedly needed a last-minute ride to the airport after my ride fell through (due to a medical emergency). I quickly went to the Uber website for the first time, and in my rush I accidentally signed up to become a driver. Why? Because on the main Uber website, they have two options: “I have a car” and “I need a car.” I picked the latter and signed up with my name and email address. This apparently signed me up to be a driver who needed to purchase a car through Uber. :rolleyes: At that point I then went into a loop where the website would not let proceed until I uploaded my driver documents (including my driver’s license) and agreed to a credit check and a background check. I was screaming at my laptop, “All I need is a ride!” At that point, I gave up because my brother-in-law stepped up and saved the day by giving me a ride to the airport. When I got home, it took three rounds of instant messaging to get Uber to stop asking me for my driver documents. On the third round, they finally asked if I wanted to delete my driver application, to which I replied in the affirmative. Now, if I log in to Uber (as a rider), and check my profile, it says that my driver application was rejected. :rolleyes: I guess that was the only way that they could cancel my unintentional driver application. I’ve still never used them for a ride. Hopefully I never have to, based on my experience with them so far. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/28 "2016-12-02T22:33:55Z")
You have no fucking idea what you’re talking about. I have more than 20 grand in the bank in 8 months of driving. Between miles and other deductible expenses, i can take off another 15 grand off my taxable income. My accountant tells me that a 30 grand annual income typically results in 6-7 thousand in taxable income. My total expenses are under 3500. That’s gas oil changes and even phone costs. I know my income and expenses to the penny. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/29 "2016-12-02T22:57:31Z")
I’ve been told that you can deduct your total insurance costs as well as maintenance on the car, and some amount per mile (I’d have to research how much). I have a hybrid so my fuel costs would be relatively low. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/30 "2016-12-02T23:31:43Z")
No. You have a choice of itemizing expense or using the 🏦 IRS number of $0.54/mile. That number is to cover all routine costs including car payments, insurance, maintenance, and depreciation. With my car and situation the IRS aolowance is a much better deal for me. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/31 "2016-12-02T23:34:48Z")
And yes the more fuel efficient your car is, the more money stays in your pocket. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2016, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/32 "2016-12-02T23:56:43Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > In less than a day they ran the background check and approved me. That seems odd to me but maybe they’re just very efficient. My company uses the same background checkers Uber does. A lot of states have their criminal records online, so sometimes our checks our instant. Sometimes they take a little longer because someone has to go to a file cabinet somewhere, or whatever. > [@](#): > > (Is it just me or do some companies deliberately make it difficult to contact them?) It’s not you. > [@](#): > > Several minutes later I got an email response, which appeared to be a form letter It was 100% a form letter. I don’t know what the hell is going on at Uber, but their responses to your e-mails never answer the question. They’ve either got robots scanning your message for key words and firing off auto-responses, or they have monkeys reading your messages who select the category your inquiry best fits into, and that fires off an auto-response. Whatever it is, there is not a human being reading your e-mails and writing a response to you. Maybe one day I’ll share with you the most mind-boggling e-mail “conversation” ever I had with the dipshits at Uber customer service. It was Kafkaesque. Their app is sexy and easy to use and everything, and the Uber pool rides can get outrageously cheap, but Dog help you if you ever need to speak with a person. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/33 "2016-12-03T00:05:36Z")
**MeanOldLady** , not that I care, but somehow you quoted me but attributed it to \*\*Morgenstern \*\*. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/34 "2016-12-03T00:08:04Z")
How the fuck did I do that? I haven’t even started drinking yet. Well, I meant to quote you - ha! ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/35 "2016-12-03T00:12:19Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > … > It was 100% a form letter. I don’t know what the hell is going on at Uber, but their responses to your e-mails never answer the question. They’ve either got robots scanning your message for key words and firing off auto-responses, or they have monkeys reading your messages who select the category your inquiry best fits into, and that fires off an auto-response. Whatever it is, there is not a human being reading your e-mails and writing a response to you. > > Maybe one day I’ll share with you the most mind-boggling e-mail “conversation” ever I had with the dipshits at Uber customer service. It was Kafkaesque. > > Their app is sexy and easy to use and everything, and the Uber pool rides can get outrageously cheap, but Dog help you if you ever need to speak with a person. I agree with this entirely. Every question i send , I have to repeat and restate 3 ot 4 times before I can feel off that someone on the other end even understands the question m ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/36 "2016-12-03T00:26:52Z")
So I did start driving to see how it would go. I started on a weekday afternoon and got two short rides that were barely worth the effort. I made some other weekday attempts and got no pings at all. So I tried a Saturday night. This resulted in a longer drive which was worthwhile, in more ways than one. I drove a mother and her baby to the Ronald McDonald House in Camden. They had called a different Uber driver earlier and were in his car when he had an accident 1/2 block from where they started. They were uninjured but she was shook up and anxious to get to her destination with her sick child. So along with making some money, I felt good about helping them. Checking my account later I saw that when Uber paid me for it they had automatically reimbursed me for the toll on the Ben Franklin Bridge. I have to give them kudos for that because the toll on that bridge is only for one direction. The direction home. Which means that I wasn’t on the clock when I paid the toll. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/37 "2016-12-03T01:12:04Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > So I did start driving to see how it would go. I started on a weekday afternoon and got two short rides that were barely worth the effort. I made some other weekday attempts and got no pings at all. > So I tried a Saturday night. This resulted in a longer drive which was worthwhile, in more ways than one. I drove a mother and her baby to the Ronald McDonald House in Camden. > > They had called a different Uber driver earlier and were in his car when he had an accident 1/2 block from where they started. They were uninjured but she was shook up and anxious to get to her destination with her sick child. > > So along with making some money, I felt good about helping them. > > Checking my account later I saw that when Uber paid me for it they had automatically reimbursed me for the toll on the Ben Franklin Bridge. I have to give them kudos for that because the toll on that bridge is only for one direction. The direction home. Which means that I wasn’t on the clock when I paid the toll. Feels nice to help people simply by doing your job when they really need something to go right, doesn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/38 "2016-12-03T01:21:06Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > Feels nice to help people simply by doing your job when they really need something to go right, doesn’t it? Yes. On a Saturday night I figured I’d be driving drunks but instead I had the privilege of helping out someone in need. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/39 "2016-12-03T01:55:36Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > You have no fucking idea what you’re talking about. I have more than 20 grand in the bank in 8 months of driving. Between miles and other deductible expenses, i can take off another 15 grand off my taxable income. My accountant tells me that a 30 grand annual income typically results in 6-7 thousand in taxable income. > > My total expenses are under 3500. That’s gas oil changes and even phone costs. > > I know my income and expenses to the penny. When your car is worn out, you’re facing a lawsuit because a drunk rider claims the accident was your fault, your insurance company raises your rates through the roof, and your car smells like a mixture of vodka and stale urine, tell me how great it is again. You know your expenses to the penny? How much are new brakes, and how often will you need them? Tires, did you figure those in? How much is a 30,000 mile service? Does your car warranty cover commercial use? Is your warranty even valid now that your car is used as a business? You checked all that right? Google Uber math fails, read what the expects say. They say it rips off the drivers bad. Then find a new accountant, one who has read “Accounting for Dummies” more than once. Did your accountant tell you about filing estimated taxes (and paying the same when you file) - from what you would have to do that be 4 times per year, otherwise called Quarterly returns. Estimate low one time and you’ll probably be fine, twice and you might find a surprise waiting for you. The IRS can be really f’ing nasty if you don’t follow their rules. Oh, and did he explain self-employment taxes too? It’s the equivalent of social security deductions, except, you pay **100% of it** as there is no employer contribution. Oh, and many deductions don’t apply to the self-employed tax. I don’t know about your state but they will probably demand the same filing/payment options. Maybe even your city. And remember - What Uber will report is both your total trip revenue and the net income you received from Uber. 1099s are a wonderful thing, but if you’re not prepared for them, you’re going to take it one up the old Uberchute. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285/40 "2016-12-03T02:17:17Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > When your car is worn out, you’re facing a lawsuit because a drunk rider claims the accident was your fault, your insurance company raises your rates through the roof, and your car smells like a mixture of vodka and stale urine, tell me how great it is again. > > You know your expenses to the penny? How much are new brakes, and how often will you need them? Tires, did you figure those in? How much is a 30,000 mile service? Does your car warranty cover commercial use? Is your warranty even valid now that your car is used as a business? You checked all that right? > > Google Uber math fails, read what the expects say. They say it rips off the drivers bad. Then find a new accountant, one who has read “Accounting for Dummies” more than once. Did your accountant tell you about filing estimated taxes (and paying the same when you file) - from what you would have to do that be 4 times per year, otherwise called Quarterly returns. Estimate low one time and you’ll probably be fine, twice and you might find a surprise waiting for you. The IRS can be really f’ing nasty if you don’t follow their rules. Oh, and did he explain self-employment taxes too? It’s the equivalent of social security deductions, except, you pay **100% of it** as there is no employer contribution. Oh, and many deductions don’t apply to the self-employed tax. I don’t know about your state but they will probably demand the same filing/payment options. Maybe even your city. And remember - What Uber will report is both your total trip revenue and the net income you received from Uber. 1099s are a wonderful thing, but if you’re not prepared for them, you’re going to take it one up the old Uberchute. It probably would have helped if Boyo or someone else had linked his thread from when he started Uber and how that’s turned out, as he covers quite a bit of that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-uber/772285.md?page=3)