Columbia, Missouri’s Ride-Booking Regulations Include Insurance

The Columbia, Mo., City Council has approved new regulations for ride-booking services such as Uber and Lyft that include insurance requirements.

The regulations approved require ride-booking services to get business licenses and license their drivers as chauffeurs. The drivers must pass background checks and their vehicles will undergo condition checks conducted by the city.

The Columbia Daily Tribune reports the drivers also must be insured for $1 million per accident, in addition to several thousand dollars in other insurance.

An Uber representative says the new rules show the city does not welcome the services, despite support from residents.

Uber spokeswoman Carla Jacobs says the city’s plan reduces safety for riders and drivers, and the insurance requirement is far too high.