The New York Black Car Operators’ Injury Compensation Fund was created by New York State Statute in to provide Workers’ Compensation coverage to Black Car operators in the state of New York. The statute was signed into law by Governor George Pataki in May 1999. On January 20, 2000, The Fund began providing Workers’ Compensation coverage to drivers affiliated with The Fund’s Member Bases, or “Covered Drivers” as we’ve come to call them. In later years, our company adopted a shorter title, and while we still have the same official title, we are now simply and widely known as The Black Car Fund.
The statute covers all drivers affiliated with The Black Car Fund’s Member Bases in the state of New York. Ground transportation companies or “bases” must become members of The Black Car Fund if they meet the criteria outlined in the statute which states that:
More than 90% of its for-hire business is on a payment basis other than direct cash payment by a passenger
The base owns less than 50% of its fleet
The Fund derives its income from a 3% passenger surcharge, added on top of the total fare, which is billed and collected by Member Bases from their clients and then remitted to The Fund on a monthly basis. In the years since our inception, we have added additional free health, wellness and education related benefits for our Covered Drivers which include: 24/7 telemedicine coverage for themselves and their families, vision coverage, dental insurance, prescription medicine, urgent care and diagnostic imaging discounts, a $50,000 Death Benefit (in relation to a workers’ compensation claim) and a mental health and wellness program. Additionally, Covered Drivers can receive $300 for completing our Enhanced Defensive Driving Course once every three years, as well as a one-time payment of $150 for completing our Wellness STEP program. All of this falls under our education motto, “Earn While You Learn”. Today, The Fund has grown to over 500 Member Bases throughout New York State, covering an estimated over 100,000 drivers.