Quebec-based ride-share drivers looking for an insurance solution may soon have one: Aviva Canada has announced it has developed coverage for the Quebec market, should ride-sharing be approved by the province’s Autorité des marchés financiers.

"We have developed a simple and affordable product designed for Quebec drivers and passengers that will give them absolute peace of mind while ride-sharing, if the government goes ahead with a dual regulation regime and pending regulatory approval," said Martin-Eric Tremblay, Senior Vice President for Quebec and Atlantic Canada for Aviva Canada.

The coverage works as an add-on to a personal auto policy, and will cover ride-share drivers up to 20 hours per week and would be in-force from the moment drivers initiate looking for passengers through to dropping them off. Ride-share drivers must have been licenced for a minimum of six years, can carry no more than eight passengers, and cannot use their vehicle for any other commercial use.

Premiums are based on factors such as time spent ride sharing, the area driven as well as the driver’s record.

Aviva is currently the only provider of ride-share insurance in Canada. The coverage is currently available in Ontario, and has applied for regulatory approval in Alberta. However, the insurer maintains it does not endorse Uber or any other specific ride-sharing program, and that regulatory or public policies are “best left to elected government officials”.

 Unlike carpooling, neither drivers nor passengers are covered by their personal liability policies when involved in a ride-share accident.