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HD 6163

A communication from the Division of Insurance (see Section 228 (i) of Chapter 175 of the General Laws) submitting its annual report concerning coverage minimums for transportation network vehicles for calendar year 2025

194th Legislature (2025-2026)

Current Period 1 minimums are likely sufficient to cover most claims, and the division does not recommend raising them at this time.

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Bill Summary · HD 6163

Scope and purpose

  • This bill is a communication from the Massachusetts Division of Insurance, presenting the Calendar Year 2025 annual report on coverage minimums for Transportation Network Vehicles (TNVs), as required by M.G.L. c. 175, § 228(i).
  • The report assesses whether current insurance requirements for TNCs during Period 1 (the interval from a driver receiving a ride request until the trip is completed) provide adequate protection, feasibility of obtaining higher coverage, and potential strategies to raise coverage levels across all periods.

Key provisions and findings

  • Background and scope: The Division analyzes liability insurance coverage and TNCs, focusing on adequacy of Period 1 limits, feasibility of $1,000,000 per occurrence per vehicle during Period 1, and options to raise minimums using admitted carriers, surplus lines, and telematics/tech innovations.
  • Current coverage requirements:
    • Period 1 (from ride request until completion):
    • Bodily injury to others: $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident
    • Damage to property: $30,000 per accident
    • Personal Injury Protection: $8,000 per person, per accident
    • Uninsured motorist bodily injury: applicable under Massachusetts law
    • Periods 2 and 3 (while a driver is actively providing transportation or en route to pickup): $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage; PI P coverage remains $8,000 per person, per accident; uninsured motorist bodily injury applies.
  • Feasibility of Period 1 $1,000,000 insurance:
    • Coverage during Period 1 can be provided by the TN C, the driver’s personal auto policy, or a combination. The law allows either arrangement, but standard personal auto policies typically exclude commercial use.
    • TNCs use commercial auto policies; drivers may have endorsements on personal policies to extend TN C exposure.
    • Division notes that many personal auto insurers do offer endorsements for TN C exposure, but the number and extent vary.
  • Raising coverage during Period 1 / for all periods:
    • The report evaluates whether the Period 1 limits are adequate by comparing to typical claims:
    • For bodily injury, 87.8% of 2023–2024 claims against standard auto policies were $50,000 per person or less.
    • For property damage, 99.3% of claims were $30,000 or less per occurrence.
    • No Massachusetts court cases were found that specifically challenged Period 1 minimums.
    • Conclusion: Current Period 1 minimums appear sufficient to cover the majority of claims; the Division does not recommend changing these minimums at this time.
    • The Division commits to ongoing efforts to ascertain whether TN Cs or drivers actually carry $1,000,000 per occurrence during Period 1 and to explore data on denied or uncovered claims, including potential use of telematics and other risk-assessment tools.

Affected parties

  • Transportation Network Companies (TNCs)
  • TNC drivers
  • Riders/passengers
  • General public relying on reasonable liability protection

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The report fulfills statutory reporting requirements under M.G.L. c. 175, § 228(i).
  • The action history notes the document was placed on file on June 8, 2026.
  • Future reports will continue to monitor claim data (including denied claims and collision/comprehensive gaps) and consider data-driven means to encourage higher insurance coverage while TN Cs are not engaged in a pre-arranged ride.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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