Singapore-based taxi operator ComfortDelGro recently announced its paid insurance scheme against accidents and Covid-19 for passengers booking a fixed fare cab through the app, according to media reports.
The leading taxi operator is covering passengers for accidents that result in death or permanent disability for just 30 cents. The cover is for 24 hours from the time they board a Comfort or CityCab taxi and are offering payouts up to $50,000.
The taxi operator also plans to offer a $500 payout to anyone who takes a Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction test and tests positive within 14 days from the date of the ride. ComfortDelGro also said that two-thirds of all of its taxi rides are via ComfortRide now. Once a minority, ComfortDelGro is leading the market now.
This is Singapore’s first dual-pronged insurance. Previously, private-hire operators such as Grab, Gojek and Ryde have offered their passengers’ accident insurance for some time now, but none have paired it with Covid-19 coverage.
While it is usual for insurance companies to provide accident insurance offered by the private-hire operators free of charge, nobody has offered cover which extends hours beyond the duration of a commute. These companies also charge a platform fee starting from 30 cents while ComfortDelGro doesn’t.
ComfortDelGro Taxi chief executive Ang Wei Neng told the media, “Covid-19 is not going away soon. As the only point-to point-transport operator to offer this insurance, we hope it will give our passengers peace of mind when they travel onboard our taxis – and even thereafter.”