The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation Insurance Division issued a consumer alert about potential insurance gaps for Rhode Island residents participating in ride-sharing programs like Lyft and UberX. Drivers for these programs may not have valid insurance coverage since most personal auto policies exclude coverage for driving passengers for hire. Ride-sharing drivers need to contact their insurance agents to ensure they have proper commercial coverage, and also need to be licensed as for-hire transportation services through the Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers. Passengers also risk lack of coverage if they are injured in an accident with an uninsured ride-sharing driver.