Ride Risk and Shared-Expense Disclosure

Last updated: September 26, 2026 · Version 2026.09.26

Direct user arrangement and risk

Rides are arranged directly between users and involve risks including collision, injury, death, property loss, delay, cancellation, misconduct, route deviation, and inadequate or unavailable insurance. Users must make their own safety decisions and should verify information they consider important before traveling.

UniConnect's limited role

UniConnect does not provide transportation, dispatch or supervise trips, inspect vehicles, conduct background checks, or independently verify a driver's identity documents, license, registration, insurance, driving history, route purpose, vehicle condition, or fitness. A certification, university affiliation, profile, rating, or platform status is not a safety guarantee.

Free community rides

A ride explicitly offered for free costs the rider $0: no gas reimbursement, UniConnect service fee, tips, required donations, or side payments. No card or payout account is required. Seat reservations are confirmed subject to availability and can be cancelled without a fee by either participant in My rides. Driver cancellation cancels all free reservations. Notify each other promptly when plans change. Free rides remain subject to the same safety requirements and independently planned-trip rules. Calling a ride a community or charity ride is not a representation that UniConnect is a registered charity or that any expense is tax-deductible.

Price and payment allocation for paid rides

The rider pays the displayed driver expense reimbursement plus a separate UniConnect service fee. The driver receives the full capped reimbursement; the service fee is paid by the rider and is not deducted from the driver reimbursement. No tips or side payments are permitted.

Insurance, legal, and tax considerations

Personal auto coverage can exclude or limit particular activities, and each driver must determine whether coverage applies. Shared-cost reimbursements are generally treated differently from profit, but individual facts control. Gross payment reporting is not itself a determination of taxable income. Drivers and riders should obtain individual insurance, legal, and tax advice.

Related policies: UniConnect Terms of Use · UniConnect Privacy Notice · UniConnect Community Guidelines · Driver Shared-Expense Agreement · Seller Rules · Ride Cancellation and Refund Rules · Service Provider Rules · Service Cancellation and Dispute Rules