RSG084: David Seagraves Went From Uber Driving To Selling Rideshare Insurance

Being a rideshare driver can really open your eyes to new opportunities, from starting your own business, becoming your own boss and more. I enjoy talking to drivers who start their own businesses or changed the trajectory of their lives because of rideshare, and today we have one of those guests on the podcast.

If you’d like to read a transcript of this podcast, please click here.

Intro

  • As a driver, you can meet a lot of interesting people and learn about different employment opportunities you may not have ever known about
  • Today, I’m chatting with David Seagraves, who began driving for Uber and Lyft in 2014 and then transitioned to the insurance industry and has plans to be his own boss
  • Interested in starting your own business? Check out FinCon, an annual financial conference that covers side hustling, business growth and more in an accessible, easy to understand way. Take a look at the speakers and listen to some yourself here.

Interview with David Seagraves

  • David was born and raised in Colorado and is a newlywed!
  • He has driven for Lyft and Uber since 2014 and has given 600 rides between both services
  • He’s also driven for Uber Eats and Amazon Flex
  • He currently works in insurance

Driving for Uber & Lyft in 2014

  • Most drivers don’t continue driving this long! Things were very different in 2014 – met with a mentor with Lyft, for one
  • Was working full-time when he first started driving for Uber and Lyft
  • Likes driving because he can do it whenever he wants – flexibility has been important

What is Rideshare Insurance and Why is it Important?

  • Back in the day, insurance companies would drop you for being an Uber/Lyft driver
  • Insurance companies are conservative and didn’t like the livery aspect
  • Period 1 – when your app is on but you haven’t accepted a ride – this is the biggest risk if you don’t have rideshare insurance (it’s a gap!)
  • Rideshare coverage from Uber/Lyft kicks on when you turn on the app and accept a ride

Driving for Uber Eats and Amazon Flex

  • Uber Eats was very similar to rideshare, except with food and not people
  • Amazon Flex was a little different, because driving with Flex and being covered by insurance is more of a gray area
  • Enjoyed driving for those companies when he did drive for them, but because the insurance coverage is so nebulous, he doesn’t currently drive for them

Working with Farmer’s Insurance

  • David drives less than he did before, but he still drives and shares his business card with passengers
  • Found out about insurance from RSG, learned about rideshare insurance, joined Farmer’s as a driver
  • Turned into a job with Farmer’s – not a typical route, but it worked!
  • Basically, the insurance industry is recession-proof, plus his job helps people stay safe
  • Pursuing the Protege Program – working toward owning his own agency

Outro

  • Big thanks to David for coming on, I always enjoy conversations with people like David, who shared his perspective on why he’s still driving to this day – David has used it in a part-time fashion and made sure he’s open to opportunities while he’s been driving
  • Farmer’s Insurance is throughout Colorado – you can contact David here: 303-768-8130
  • Contact the Colorado Farmer’s team here

Show Notes

If you’d like to read a transcript of this podcast, please click here.