Get Ready To Pay More For Uber: Prices Just Went Up In Illinois

An Uber rate increase took effect in Illinois this week, charging passengers an extra 5 cents per mile as part of an eight-state pilot program to provide drivers with insurance. But the catch is, while passengers have no choice but to hand over the extra cash, drivers who opt out of the insurance program will pocket the extra money, according to NBC Chicago. The program launched Tuesday as a way to cover the costs of injury protection and income security insurance for drivers.

The Uber rate hike affects passengers in eight states, according to PennLive: Illinois, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, West Virginia, Delaware, Arizona, Oklahoma and Massachusetts. The ride-sharing company is partnering with One Beacon and Aon to provide drivers with coverage.

"Uber is not making any money off of this," head of safety and insurance Gus Fuldner told PennLive.

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