Uber in insurance deal to protect SA drivers

Uber Technologies is partnering with security and insurance company Chubb to cover its South African drivers in case of death or injury as violent attacks plague the country’s cities.

The new deal will pay out a lump sum to the family in case of death, or to the driver if he or she is permanently disabled, the taxi-hailing company said by e-mail on Wednesday. It also covers ambulance and hospital costs and will provide daily payment for 30 days while the driver recovers from an attack while working.

The arrival of Uber in South African cities from 2013 has sparked several, often violent, protests and attacks by drivers of metered taxis. A number of Uber drivers have been killed in hijacking incidents and taxi violence. Overall, the country has a notably high rate of murders, with more than 19 000 occurring in the year through to March 2017, or 52 a day.

Meanwhile, Uber has announced it is increasing the minimum cost of an Uber ride in South Africa from R20 to R25, except for trips starting from Soweto, where the fee will remain unchanged at R20.  — (c) 2018 Bloomberg LP, with additional reporting by TechCentral