No-Fault Claim Analysis: Verification of Uber Earnings
In this case, FAZ was engaged by an insurance company to perform an analysis of the Insured’s claim for lost self-employment earnings. The claim was submitted after an automobile accident in October 2024, resulting in the Insured’s inability to continue working. Prior to the accident, the Insured was employed as an Uber delivery driver.
To begin, FAZ received documents and information provided by the Insured to support their claim for lost earnings. These materials included a copy of the Insured’s 2022 personal income tax returns, as well as various weekly Uber earnings statements during the period from January through October 2024. After reviewing the documents, FAZ prepared detailed correspondence, including a list of additional documents and information necessary to further evaluate the claim. Specifically, FAZ requested a copy of the Insured’s 2023 personal income tax return, along with complete monthly Uber Tax Summary reports, to assess the Insured’s gross earnings history during both pre-loss and post-loss periods.
In response to our correspondence, the Insured provided a copy of their 2023 personal income tax return and monthly Uber Tax Summary reports from January through October 2024. Upon reviewing the 2024 Uber reports, FAZ identified numerous discrepancies concerning the formatting of the reports, number or trips completed, and calculations of gross earnings, operating expenses, and net income. Furthermore, in comparison to the earnings reported in 2022 and 2023, the aggregated monthly earnings from January through October 2024 reflected a material increase that substantially exceed the projected earnings for 2024. If not properly verified, reliance on this data could result in the calculation of the Insured’s expected gross earnings to be inflated.
To ensure the accuracy of the documents, FAZ requested clarification concerning the identified discrepancies. Specifically, clarification was requested regarding the material increase in earnings beginning in January 2024, as well as why gross earnings less operating expenses do not reconcile to the reported net income on multiple reports throughout 2024. The Insured explained the documents had been downloaded directly from their Uber account and provided to FAZ without alterations. Furthermore, any error or miscalculation present were attributable to a technical error within Uber’s reporting system. To resolve the identified discrepancies, the Insured contacted Uber’s support team and indicated that they would re-download the reports and provide them to FAZ.
Upon receipt of the updated reports, FAZ observed the majority of identified issues remained unresolved. When requested to provide further clarification, the Insured was unable to account for the ongoing discrepancies identified in the reporting.
As a result, FAZ issued a forensic service report detailing the numerous discrepancies in Uber reporting and communicated these findings to the insurance company. Furthermore, the report concluded that, given the unreliability of the monthly Uber reports provided, the Insured had not adequately substantiated their claim for lost self-employment earnings.