Rideshare insurance: How does Uber insurance work?

Uber offers its own rideshare insurance coverage, but drivers should still have their own personal car insurance policy to make sure they are fully protected.

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If you drive for Uber, you need to have rideshare insurance. Personal insurance doesn't cover rideshare drivers because it's considered business use.

Uber provides driver insurance, called Driver-Partner Insurance. However, this insurance has several coverage gaps, and you need to add a rideshare endorsement to your car insurance policy to cover all of your bases. Here's what you need to know about Uber insurance.

Key takeaways

What is rideshare insurance for Uber?

Rideshare insurance provides you and your vehicle coverage when driving for a ridesharing service such as Uber. It kicks in as soon as you turn on the app.

Your personal auto insurance provider not only won't cover you but may even drop your policy if they discover you've been driving without separate rideshare coverage. So, if you want to become a rideshare driver, you'll need to either have a commercial auto insurance policy or a personal auto insurance policy that offers rideshare coverage as an endorsement.

How does Uber insurance work?

Most rideshare companies -- including Uber -- will provide specific rideshare insurance to drivers up to the state limits. If that's the case, you aren't required to purchase a separate rideshare insurance policy. However, Uber's insurance policy doesn't cover you when the app is closed. During these times, your personal auto policy provides coverage.

When the app is open, Uber's insurance provides liability coverage at certain points during your trip. Your rideshare-friendly policy will provide coverage during other phases of the trip, depending on what's outlined in the policy.

This is all dictated by the three main coverage periods insurers use to separate a rideshare trip:

Period 1: The Uber app is on, but you're waiting for a ride request.

Period 2: You've accepted a ride request and are on your way to pick up a passenger.

Period 3: The passenger is in your car. This period ends when the passenger exits the car.

If you get into an accident while working for Uber, you need to know whether your personal policy or Uber's policy will provide coverage during each specific period so that your claim isn't delayed or denied.

What Uber insurance covers

Uber's Driver-Partner Insurance provides different levels of coverage across Periods 1, 2 and 3. Coverage varies significantly depending on whether a passenger is in your car. Here's a breakdown:

Insurance coverage during Period 1

Uber's liability limits are relatively low during Period 1. The company doesn't offer comprehensive and collision coverage during this phase of the trip.

Insurance coverage during Periods 2 and 3

Your liability is well-covered, but collision and comprehensive coverage have certain caveats.

Uber's coverage levels, especially for liability, leave coverage gaps that increase your out-of-pocket costs. That's especially true if your car is damaged or totaled or if you and other passengers are injured and have medical expenses.

For liability coverage, most insurance experts recommend $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident and $100,000 of property damage coverage. Uber insurance coverage is significantly below these thresholds.

Expert Advice

Anthony Martin

Founder and CEO of Choice Mutual, an insurance agency in Reno, Nevada

Uber's deductible is also significant. "Even with adequate insurance coverage, you can be out thousands in the case of an accident that causes property or bodily damage," says Anthony Martin. "For many Uber drivers, $2,500 is a risk too big to take." Another important point to keep in mind is that Uber only covers comprehensive and collision insurance coverage if you maintain them on your personal auto insurance. "Even if you were exclusively driving your vehicle for Uber, if you skip these two essential insurance protections, Uber won't cover you," he says.

Do you need both personal and rideshare insurance?

Regardless of what insurance Uber offers, every driver should have some form of personal insurance coverage, whether it's a liability or comprehensive policy.

However, if you're a rideshare driver, you should know that your personal auto policy only covers your vehicle's personal use. You'll need a commercial policy if you're driving your car for business.

"Traditional car insurance is not set up for the liability and medical payments exposure, and the liability a driver exposes himself or herself to while getting paid to transport individuals," says Ben Galbreath, an agent with Wallace & Turner, an independent insurance agency in Springfield, Ohio.

Personal car insurance policies all have a clause that excludes explicitly commercial activities like ridesharing. Legally, your insurer can deny any claim if you drive for Uber and get into an accident.

What type of insurance do rideshare drivers need?

There are three main types of insurance every driver should consider. Rideshare drivers, in particular, should maintain comprehensive and collision coverage.

Rideshare drivers should also have rideshare insurance. That coverage can come through an endorsement added to their personal auto policy or via a separate commercial policy.

"Rideshare insurance is the best option for drivers since it covers them during the period 1 gap (app on, no passenger yet) and the companies won't drop drivers from the policy like they would if you had a personal policy and signed up for Uber/Lyft," says Harry Campbell, owner and founder of The Ride Share Guy blog and podcast.

TIP Galbreath says rideshare drivers should consider their personal assets, such as home, car, bank accounts and investments when thinking about coverage. "Auto claims have high bodily injury payouts, so medical bills and liability payment could bankrupt individuals if the right type of coverage isn't purchased," he adds. Galbreath says if you're looking for coverage, you should take the time to compare policies and that you shouldn't base your decision on price alone. "My advice would be to look into coverage options and pay for what you need to be protected based on your personal liability," he says. "The cost of insurance would not come close to the potential loss a driver could risk personally or professionally."

How much will my insurance go up if I drive for Uber?

The insurance coverage that Uber provides to its drivers is free. If you buy a separate rideshare insurance policy, the cost will depend on a number of factors. In general, though, most people can get it for less than $30 per month.

How to compare Uber and rideshare car insurance quotes

If you decide to buy a separate rideshare insurance policy, it's a good idea to get several quotes before making a decision. Most major insurers will allow you to get a quote online after providing a few personal details. There are also online insurance marketplaces that will pull quotes from several companies at once based on your information. If you prefer, you can call each company individually to inquire about coverage options and costs.

Rideshare earnings calculator

For which timeframe (earnings period) are you calculating earnings?

Enter number of days:

What would you like to use?

Enter cost per mile:

Enter per-ride fees that must pay to your rideshare company, if any.

Enter the following amounts of your earning period (Month ):

Your rideshare earnings per hour

Save on your Uber or Lyft insurance by shopping with our providers.

Disclaimer: Negative values indicate a overall financial loss.

--Satta Sarmah-Hightower contributed to this report.

Auto insurance FAQs

Does my regular auto insurance policy cover ridesharing?

No. Personal auto insurance policies do not cover commercial activities (i.e. driving to make money). You could be dropped from your personal policy if the insurance company discovers you're using that car to drive for a rideshare company without adequate additional coverage.

Will driving for Uber affect my car insurance?

If you drive for a ridesharing company, your personal insurance policy premiums will likely increase. This is because you'll be spending more time on the road, which increases your risk of an accident.

Is rideshare insurance expensive?

Though purchasing separate rideshare insurance means adding to the overall cost of your premiums, these policies are fairly low-cost. Most people pay less than $30 per month.

Do you need rideshare insurance?

Yes, you need to have insurance coverage while driving for a rideshare company, because your personal policy will not cover driving for commercial purposes.

Do Uber and Lyft provide insurance?

Both Uber and Lyft provide their drivers with insurance coverage. However, the coverage is minimal and only enough to satisfy state requirements. You might need to supplement these policies to ensure you have enough coverage. Without enough coverage, you’ll be on the hook for out-of-pocket costs if you get in an accident.

What insurance do you need during the gap?

Uber insurance will kick in once you're actively using the app (waiting for a ride, driving to a pickup or already have a rider in your car). When the app is closed, you need to have third-party rideshare insurance to protect you and your car.

What if my state does not have rideshare car insurance?

Though insurance laws vary by state, you should be able to acquire rideshare insurance in some form. At the very least, Uber provides insurance to all of its drivers in all states, so you are protected when picking up passengers and driving them to their destinations. Inquire with your personal auto insurance company to learn what supplemental rideshare insurance options are available in your area.

Does Uber insurance cover rental cars?

No. Uber only provides liability insurance, and in some cases, comprehensive coverage. It does not reimburse drivers for a rental car if they are in an accident and need alternative transportation. In this case, you would need to check with your personal policy or separate rideshare policy.

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