Do I need additional coverage under my driver’s insurance policy?

Under our Terms of Use, we require that drivers have a valid insurance policy that covers their use of TreadShare, including coverage for carpool riders.

Auto insurance policies typically allow not-for-profit, cost-shared carpooling. TreadShare is designed to help riders and drivers share the cost of carpooling, and not for a driver to make a profit or to earn a salary. Reimbursements to the driver, when applicable, is always less or equal to the cost of the particular drive, taking into account factors such as gas, wear and tear, and vehicle depreciation, determined by the IRS every year (76 cents per mile in 2026). TreadShare is not a transportation network company (“TNC”) or a rideshare company, which require additional insurance coverage.

Drivers should review their personal auto policy to confirm that their insurance covers cost-shared carpooling. Below are some examples of the carpooling language used for standard auto insurance policies. Typically, policies have an exclusion denying coverage when a policyholder is driving for hire, but the policy will state that the exclusion does not apply to cost-shared carpooling.

Note: Individual policies differ based on a variety of factors, so drivers should review their own policies to confirm coverage before using TreadShare. 

AAA: This coverage does not apply to liability for bodily injury or property damage arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of a vehicle when used to carry persons or property for a charge. This exclusion does not apply to shared-expense car pools. 

Allstate: This exclusion does not apply to shared-expense car pools. 

Farmers: This coverage does not apply to bodily injury or property damage arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of a vehicle while used to carry persons or property for a charge. This exclusion does not apply to shared-expense car pools.

Geico: Section I does not apply to any vehicle used to carry passengers or goods for hire. However, a vehicle used in an ordinary car pool on a ride sharing or cost sharing basis is covered. 

Liberty Mutual: With respect to coverage for bodily injury, insured does not include any person who sustains bodily injury while your covered auto is being used as a public or livery conveyance. This exception does not apply to a share-the-expense car pool.

Progressive: Our duty to defend will not apply to any insured person for bodily injury or property damage arising out of the ownership, maintenance or use of any vehicle or trailer while being used to carry persons or property for compensation or a fee. This exclusion does not apply to shared-expense car pools.

USAA: We do not provide benefits under this Part for any covered person[...]sustained while occupying your covered auto when it is being used to carry persons for a fee. This exclusion does not apply to a share-the-expense car pool.

Where can I carpool / travel?

As an employee, you can travel:

• To/from work with your teammates - using the organization’s private employee group;

• Anywhere in the Western USA with your teammates - using the organization’s private group;

• Anywhere in the Western USA with anyone - using the TreadShare community groups, available on the main page of the app. You do not need to create another TreadShare account.

I drove, when do I receive my payouts?

If your organization has opted for a gas reimbursement program, payouts are usually transferred to the driver’s Stripe account monthly, within 5 business days after the last day of the month.

How do I become a driver?

Very easily by providing a copy of your driver’s license and insurance. Download the app, create an account, and follow the steps. 

How do I become a passenger / rider and make a reservation?

Simply create an account, complete your profile, and you are all set to find rides available and reserve your seat upfront.

Do I have to book round trips with the same driver only?

No, TreadShare is designed to be as flexible as possible. Passengers book one way at a time and can decide to come back to their starting point with another driver who meets their needs better. 

What is the difference with rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft?

TreadShare is a carpool app that does not imply a commercial activity, a revenue, nor profits for drivers. The app connects drivers and passengers heading in the same direction so that they can share a route together, as well as the various costs associated (gas, maintenance, tolls...) when applicable.

What are the advantages to carpooling?

Carpooling with TreadShare offers a new method of traveling within the Rocky Mountains and the West Coast, more sustainable. It allows savings by sharing the cost of the drive, meeting like-minded people (and why not make new friends?) and of course decreasing traffic and emissions to help protect the mountains we love.

Can I ride with gear (skis, snowboards, bikes, large size luggage…)?

This is at the driver’s discretion and is usually specified in the drive description posted by the driver on the app. Additionally, we encourage contacting the driver with the in-app chat function to confirm. 

Are pets allowed?

This is at the driver’s discretion and is usually specified in the drive description posted by the driver on the app. Additionally, we encourage contacting a driver with the in-app chat function to confirm.

What is the cancellation policy?

For passengers:

Passengers can cancel their reservation at any time.

For drivers:

• There are no passengers booked: drivers can cancel anytime;

• There are passengers booked: it is not allowed to cancel as your passengers could be left stranded. Drivers should only post drives that they are completely sure to do. If a driver still cancels a drive with passengers booked, TreadShare will decide on a case by case basis to suspend the driver's account.

Where do drivers and passengers meet?

Every case is different: the driver could be driving very close to your location, or they would rather meet at a carpool lot. Please use the in-app chat function to set up a meeting point before the driver confirms your ride request.

What information do I have to display in my profile?

In order to build a trustworthy carpooling community, we require that all profiles show a clear picture (no hat, helmet, sunglasses…) with their first and last names. The last name is only communicated to the driver/passenger after the reservation is made. For their safety, we strongly recommend that all carpoolers show their ID while entering the vehicle to check that they are traveling with the persons they booked the ride with. This is why the profile information needs to be accurate and clear. Additionally, drivers can decline reservations made from empty profiles. 

What is the cost? How is it determined?

The TreadShare app is free to download and use. When the organization has opted for a gas reimbursement program, the goal is to help drivers with the cost of their drives. Drivers receive their payouts on a monthly basis, minus payment fees charged by our third party payment system Stripe.

Prices are set to always remain below the IRS mileage rate, which sets the cost of driving (76 cents per mile in 2026). So that no driver can make a profit.