The Superintendent of Insurance has approved the N.B.P.F. No. 9 standard insurance policy for use by Transportation Network (Ride Sharing) Companies effective 1 March 2021.
A Transportation Network Company (TNC) connects passengers with TNC drivers to provide pre-arranged transportation services for compensation, exclusively through a transportation network.
Under the approved N.B.P.F. No. 9. (the TNC Policy), when a policy is in place, a TNC driver is covered while using their vehicle as a TNC automobile, which means:
- The driver is logged into a TNC network to accept ride requests from a prospective passenger(s), but has not accepted a request (Period 1);
- The driver has accepted a ride request through a TNC network and is en route to pick up the passenger(s) until the later of the passenger(s) entering the vehicle or the trip being cancelled (Period 2); and
- The driver has a passenger(s) in the vehicle until the last passenger departs (Period 3).
Municipalities will set the mandatory minimums for insurance for TNC automobiles. An insurer must not issue a policy for less than those mandatory minimums for the different periods.
The TNC Policy does not apply if a driver picks up street-hailed passengers, or if the vehicle is being used as a sightseeing conveyance.
For Period 1, the TNC Policy only applies if the driver’s own insurer denies coverage.
The TNC Policy does not provide Section C coverage (for example, physical damage) for Period 1. A driver may wish to purchase this coverage through their own insurer. If the TNC purchases Section C coverage on the TNC Policy for Periods 2 and 3, the driver is only covered for these periods if they carry this coverage on their own policy.
TNC drivers are contractually required to notify their own insurer they are working as a TNC driver. The insurer may choose to terminate the owner’s policy or may choose to continue insuring the TNC driver and may charge an additional premium. The Superintendent has also approved the N.B.E.F. No. 1-45, an endorsement to the N.B.P.F. No. 1, which provides restricted permission to drive for a TNC. This confirms that the driver’s own insurer will provide coverage for Period 1.
In addition to the N.B.P.F. No. 9 and the N.B.E.F. No. 1-45, the Superintendent has also approved:
- The N.B.A.F. No. 9 application
- The Certificate of Insurance for the N.B.P.F. No. 9
- The New Brunswick – N.B.P.F. No. 9 TNC Insurance Information Form that provides the TNC driver with proof of the TNC policy.
Forms noted above are available directly through Informco Inc. You may reach Informco at 416- 285-1700 or KSingh@informco.com.
The following standard endorsement forms are also approved for use with the N.B.P.F. No. 9:
- N.B.E.F. No. 44 Family Protection Endorsement
- N.B.E.F. No. 23a Mortgage Endorsement
- S.E.F. 21a Monthly Reporting Basis Fleet Endorsement
- S.E.F. 21b Blanket Basis Fleet Endorsement
- N.B.E.F. No. 13c Deletion of Glass Endorsement
- N.B.E.F. No. 20 Loss of Use Endorsement
- N.B.E.F. No. 43R Limited Waiver of Depreciation Endorsement
- N.B.E.F. No. 43R(L) Limited Waiver of Depreciation Endorsement (Specified Lessee)
Fleet rating programs may be used with the TNC policy. Insurers should contact the New Brunswick Insurance Board to determine any filing requirements.
Information for TNCs
Although TNCs are not regulated by the Superintendent of Insurance, insurance-related issues exist involving TNCs.
The Superintendent expects TNCs to make a copy of the TNC Policy available on their website for viewing by TNC drivers and the public.
TNCs must provide their drivers with a copy of the TNC Insurance Information Form, which they can show to passengers and others.
TNCs should advise TNC drivers of the coverage limitations under the TNC Policy.
Given the unique nature of the TNC Policy, a TNC and its insurer are expected to cooperate with other insurers in a claims coverage investigation and facilitate the exchange of information, including dates, times and circumstances of an accident involving a TNC driver and the times that the TNC driver was logged in and was logged out of the TNC network.