Report Findings
Uber has committed $10 billion to purchasing robotaxis, according to recent reporting from the Financial Times, as it has socked away $12 billion via a complex, dark money insurance structure that allows it to hoard billions in self-funded insurance reserves. The company’s goal appears to be to strictly limit its own liability for car crashes, via tort reform efforts nationwide, so that it can use the reserves to finance a dangerous robocar future, instead of paying people hurt or killed by its drivers and operations.
While Uber claims its insurance premiums are excessive, the company self-funds nearly 95% of its risk, according to public documents. Toward that end, Uber executives formed a captive insurer in Hawaii— Aleka Insurance Inc. Aleka is run by Uber executives, and is a wholly-owned Uber subsidiary exclusively handling Uber’s self- insurance. Uber has accumulated $12.46 billion in insurance reserves in 2025, a 27% increase from the $9.8 billion in reserves in 2024, and nearly doubling its $6.7 billion reserves in 2023. By internalizing nearly 95% of its insurance risk, Uber maintains control over premium flows generated from rides, rather than relying on traditional third-party insurers. Since the money is reserved for claims payout, it is not taxed as profits would be.
