thrwwyh

The terms of service have a section reserving the right to impose a service fee. Not sure if there will be a fee at launch.

"Service Fee. In exchange for providing the Carpool Platform, Clara Rides may assess a service fee on each Carpool Ride (on either or both of the Carpool Rider or Carpool Driver). The amount of the applicable service fee shall be communicated to you in writing."

Lyft is attempting to get around the limits on commercial activity by only reimbursing up to the driver's costs (see the TOS section on Reimbursements). But the terms you describe would seem to preclude even this. Do you mind saying which insurance company has those terms?

As to the question of incentives, I have pay-by-the-mile car insurance (from MetroMile, in SF). They would make more money if I took a detour and drove a little further, or if this service caused me to drive to work more frequently.

They get around this by limiting the amount of payment to the drivers' costs (i.e. the IRS standard mileage rate of $0.54/mile.)

From the TOS:

"...we may charge you to reimburse the Carpool Driver for the costs associated with a Carpool Ride provided to you. [...] Reimbursements may include per mile charges at up to the prevailing IRS standard mileage rate, and other expenses like tolls and parking fees." (Emphasis mine)