Should Taxi Insurance Premium be passed to consumers

[ArrynField]

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/...hong-kong-taxi

[aw451]

The premium is high because they drive like lunatics. They should absorb the costs and thus be incentivised to drive sensibly.

I personally don't bother with taxis anymore. Either Uber for business transport (the accountant always complains about unlicensed taxis but whatever) or just take the bus which is generally safer since you're in a 10 ton can of reasonably well maintained metal rather than a 10 year old rust bucket.

[Coolboy]

The premium is high because they drive like lunatics. They should absorb the costs and thus be incentivised to drive sensibly.

A very sensible suggestion, one which I fully agree. But because it is sensible, it won't be implemented. The taxi industry would never admit to problems with the way their drivers drive. Its always the fault of someone else.

Some of the newer LPG/hybrid-powered taxis like the Ford Connect, Toyota JPN, and Prius are alright, but the Toyota Crowns that still make up the vast majority of taxicabs in HK are dirty and rickety pieces of junk that seem to want to fall apart at any moment.

[Cornmeal]

The premium is high because they drive like lunatics. They should absorb the costs and thus be incentivised to drive sensibly.

I personally don't bother with taxis anymore. Either Uber for business transport (the accountant always complains about unlicensed taxis but whatever) or just take the bus which is generally safer since you're in a 10 ton can of reasonably well maintained metal rather than a 10 year old rust bucket.

I don't see much rust but the number of taxis needing both brakes and rotors or wheel bearings done is too high.

[dfc]

The accident stats tell the story - it takes under four years for the number of accidents involving taxis to exceed the number of licenced taxis.

[Coolboy]

The accident stats tell the story - it takes under four years for the number of accidents involving taxis to exceed the number of licenced taxis.

The taxi drivers always like to claim that because they have to drive so much more than a private car driver, naturally they would be more exposed to risk of accidents. But that's far from the whole story. Bus drivers have to drive a lot too as part of their job, but they get in far fewer accidents than taxi drivers. The way-they-drive variable has to factor in here in considering accident rates.

[East_coast]

The taxi drivers always like to claim that because they have to drive so much more than a private car driver, naturally they would be more exposed to risk of accidents. But that's far from the whole story. Bus drivers have to drive a lot too as part of their job, but they get in far fewer accidents than taxi drivers. The way-they-drive variable has to factor in here in considering accident rates.

What is the accident rate per passenger Km on the same sections of roads?

I do suspect that Taxis do a lot more Km's on roads with high accident rates.

Premiums should reflect this and passengers should pay the cost of premiums.

[aw451]

What is the accident rate per passenger Km on the same sections of roads?

I do suspect that Taxis do a lot more Km's on roads with high accident rates.

Premiums should reflect this and passengers should pay the cost of premiums.

I don't think this is quite comparable. Taxi drivers are theoretically professional drivers so you would expect a significantly lower per km accident rate, especially when compared to the large number of weekend drivers in HK.

[East_coast]

I don't think this is quite comparable. Taxi drivers are theoretically professional drivers so you would expect a significantly lower per km accident rate, especially when compared to the large number of weekend drivers in HK.

Professional Drivers?

Not in HK. You only need to prove you haven't killed someone through dangerous driving and know enough locations to pass a not too difficult multiple choice test.

With very low pay and long hours it it not really a recipe for attracting the best talent. A few changes in the law could significantly improve the lot of the taxi drivers coupled with lower fares.

Taxi drivers in Hong Kong are overworked under paid drivers NOT professional drivers.

[TheBrit]

Professional Drivers?

Not in HK. You only need to prove you haven't killed someone through dangerous driving and know enough locations to pass a not too difficult multiple choice test.

With very low pay and long hours it it not really a recipe for attracting the best talent. A few changes in the law could significantly improve the lot of the taxi drivers coupled with lower fares.

Taxi drivers in Hong Kong are overworked under paid drivers NOT professional drivers.

You might want to check what professional means!