Groundbreaking Autonomous Vehicle Insurance Program by Marsh and Apollo

Marsh, in collaboration with specialty insurer Apollo, has unveiled a groundbreaking insurance facility tailored for autonomous vehicles operating within Uber Technologies' global ride-hailing and delivery network. Underwritten by Apollo's ibott division, this facility is claimed to be the first of its kind in the industry.

The Autonomous Vehicle Insurance Program offers Uber the ability to provide primary and excess liability coverage to its self-driving partners at preferred rate conditions. This initiative streamlines the insurance process by integrating coverage for developers, fleet operators, and vehicle manufacturers under a unified policy. This comprehensive approach effectively mitigates the risks of coverage overlaps or gaps throughout Uber's autonomous vehicle operations.

This insurance offering is part of Uber Autonomous Solutions, a strategic suite of services designed to support the commercialization and expansion of self-driving technologies globally. The ibott team, leveraging a decade of experience in autonomous vehicle risk products, utilizes exposure-based pricing models that determine rates based on miles, deliveries, or trips, moving away from traditional motor insurance strategies.

Chris Moore, President of Apollo ibott – Commercial, emphasizes that autonomous vehicles necessitate "a fundamentally different approach to risk and insurance," with the program's integrated structure designed to enhance certainty for broad deployment. Melissa Daly, leading the autonomous and mobility risk practice at Marsh Risk, highlights this collaboration with Uber as a significant advancement in establishing a scalable and cost-efficient framework for managing autonomous vehicle risks.

Amid a complex regulatory landscape, Andy Parr, Vice-President of Insurance at Uber, notes that this policy supports the broader initiative to integrate autonomous vehicles across diverse legal jurisdictions. In the U.S., 42 states along with Washington DC have enacted legislation related to autonomous vehicles, each with varying regulatory compliance requirements.

Globally, regulatory environments continue to evolve. California mandates a $5 million insurance bond for operators, while Europe’s revised Product Liability Directive requires implementation by December 2026. Germany and Britain are already advancing their regulatory frameworks, with Germany mandating liability coverage for Level 4 vehicles. In Asia, jurisdictions like Hong Kong and Singapore are pioneering autonomous vehicle development, underscoring the need for a policy that adeptly navigates varying liability rules worldwide.