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No. The Black Car Fund (BCF) does not pay for damage to your car, and it does not pay for income you lose while your car is being repaired. Its own FAQ says: "We do not provide coverage for car damage or any loss of wages due only to car damage. You should notify your car insurance carrier to discuss vehicle damage" (Black Car Fund FAQ). The BCF is a workers' compensation insurer: it pays for your injuries from work.
What the BCF does and doesn't pay
Benefits detail: how much does Black Car Fund workers' comp pay? and the meaning of average weekly wage.
Insurance route for the car
Every TLC-licensed vehicle must carry insurance, but the TLC minimums are about harm to other people and their property, plus no-fault for injuries: see FHV insurance requirements and personal injury protection (PIP). Whether repairs to your own car are covered depends on what your policy includes.
- Call your insurer (or the company named on your FH-1) as soon as you can. Ask what your policy covers for your vehicle and for rental or lost use, if anything.
- If another driver caused the crash, ask your insurer or a lawyer whether to claim against that driver's insurance.
- If you rent or lease the car from a fleet, tell the owner right away and read your lease: it may say who handles repairs and claims.
Accident reporting link
One crash can mean several reports. The BCF's steps for an injury are: call the authorities, notify the Member Base that dispatched you, then notify the BCF, ideally through The Black Car Fund app or by phone at 212-269-4800. You must speak with the BCF Claims Team before a claim is processed. Through the app you can also get a digital card with up to $100 for prescriptions (the "First Fill Program"). Step-by-step: Black Car Fund workers' comp claim.
Crashes may also have to be reported to TLC and DMV. See accident reporting for TLC drivers.
What to do next
- Hurt? Get medical care, then report the injury to your base and the BCF.
- Car damaged? Photograph it, get the police report number, and call your auto insurer.
- Out of work while hurt? You may also have questions about driving again: can I drive while on workers' comp?
- Not sure you're covered at all? Taxi drivers and street hails are outside the BCF: does the BCF cover yellow taxi drivers? and am I covered on a street hail?
Related rules and exceptions
- Off-the-job injuries: the BCF's free Drivers Benefits program includes accident disability and personal accident insurance, but only if you enrolled before the injury. It still does not cover car repairs.
- Why your pay shows a BCF line: the BCF surcharge is paid by passengers, not taken from your pay: why does my Uber pay show Black Car Fund?
- More free classes and payments from the Fund: Black Car Fund Earn While You Learn.
Frequently asked questions
Will the Black Car Fund pay to fix my car after an accident?
No. The Black Car Fund's FAQ says: "We do not provide coverage for car damage or any loss of wages due only to car damage. You should notify your car insurance carrier to discuss vehicle damage."
My car is in the shop and I can't work. Will the BCF pay me?
Not for that. Lost income caused only by car damage is not covered. The BCF pays cash benefits only when a work injury to you keeps you from working.
Does the BCF cover my passenger who was hurt?
No. The FAQ says workers' comp covers only injuries to you, the driver, and does not cover damages or injuries to passengers. Passenger injury claims go through the vehicle's insurance.
I was hurt and my car was damaged in the same crash. What do I do?
Use two separate tracks: report your injury to the Black Car Fund (if a Member Base dispatched you), and report the car damage to your auto insurer.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- Black Car Fund: FAQs nybcf.org
- Black Car Fund: Claimant Benefits nybcf.org
- TLC: Driver Resources (Black Car Fund and Drivers Benefits) nyc.gov
- Drivers Benefits: Eligibility Requirements (effective April 9, 2026) ny.driversbenefits.org
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the official source.
TLC Help is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission or OATH. Explanations on this site are general information, not legal advice. Legal representation is provided by independent attorneys and OATH-registered representatives in our network.