Car Insurance Endorsements

Car insurance endorsements are add-ons to your policy that offer additional protection and tailor your coverage to your needs.
Location pin icon
No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.

Why you can trust The Zebra

The Zebra partners with some of the companies we write about. However, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of editors and licensed agents. Reference our data methodology and learn more about how we make money.

Author profile picture

Ross Martin

Insurance Writer

Ross joined The Zebra as a writer and researcher in 2019. He specializes in writing insurance content to help shoppers make informed decisions.

Ross h…

Credentials
  • 5+ years in the Insurance Industry
Author profile picture

Beth Swanson

SEO Content Strategist

Beth joined The Zebra in 2022 as an Associate Content Strategist. She is a licensed insurance agent whose goal is to make insurance content easy to r…

Credentials
  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty

What is a car insurance endorsement?

A car insurance endorsement — or rider — is a modification or addition to your insurance policy that alters your coverage to more specifically meet your needs. Along with standard coverage options like comprehensive, collision, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, most insurance companies offer coverage endorsements that allow you to customize your policy in areas where your original policy may not have been sufficient. 

You have a lot of choices when it comes to your auto insurance policy. While some drivers simply want to meet state-mandated liability coverage minimums, others opt for more robust protections against every conceivable peril (cause of loss). The availability of some types of additional coverage can vary by state and by company. Read on to discover what these extra coverages can do for you and learn more about common insurance add-ons.

insurance policy

Common car insurance endorsements

While car insurance companies vary in the types of endorsements they offer, policyholders most often find the following types of endorsements available as add-ons to their original policy.

Modified car coverage

If you make changes to your vehicle, you’ll need to make changes to your insurance coverage as well. This ensures your custom parts and equipment (stereos, performance updates, mobility modifications, etc.) are covered. 

Classic car insurance

If you own a classic car, a typical car insurance policy is not likely to provide the coverage you need. Unlike coverage for new cars, classic car coverage allows you to cover your vehicle at its stated value, which is often much more than its actual cash value. 

Car rental insurance

This coverage offers reimbursement for the cost of a rental car or other forms of transportation should your insured vehicle need repairs. You can check your policy for any coverage limits that may apply.

Roadside assistance

If your vehicle breaks down, this coverage can help with towing and other expenses you may incur.  

Pet insurance

Your pets are not always covered under typical car insurance. While some companies may cover pets through collision coverage, other auto insurers may offer options specifically for your pets that can cover their medical expenses in the event of an accident. 

Miscellaneous type vehicle endorsement

This extends coverage to other vehicle types not included on your standard policy. This may include golf carts, motorcycles, scooters, and other vehicles.  


Endorsements for new or financed cars

The following endorsements are designed to protect you against your car’s depreciating value. Not all companies offer such policies, so it’s a good idea to shop around when looking for coverage.  

Gap insurance

Cars are among the most expensive purchases many people make. Because of this, most people choose to finance their vehicles. However, a car’s value depreciates quickly. If an accident renders your car a total loss, typical collision and comprehensive coverage would only cover the current value of the vehicle, which can be quite a bit less than the amount that you owe. Gap coverage steps in to help with the difference. 

New car replacement insurance

New cars lose value as soon as you drive off the lot. Should your new car be declared a total loss, this coverage pays to replace the vehicle with a brand new one of the same make and model. This helps you to avoid taking a financial hit due to your car’s depreciation.   


Endorsements for business, rideshare or delivery drivers

Your personal auto insurance policy does not provide coverage when your car is being used for business purposes such as deliveries or ridesharing. Some auto insurers may allow this coverage to be added through endorsement. In some cases, it may require you to switch to a new policy altogether.

 

Rideshare insurance 

While many rideshare companies offer insurance to their drivers, it often leaves gaps in coverage. For many insurance companies, rideshare insurance is technically a different product than your personal policy. It is a hybrid of personal and commercial insurance that covers you for companies like Lyft or Uber as well as others. This coverage often does not limit you to one rideshare or delivery company, but allows you to drive for multiple companies. 

 

Business insurance

If you use your car for business purposes, your personal auto policy can fall short in the event of an accident. In some cases, it can even be voided altogether. Whether you use your vehicle for delivering pizza or otherwise, you will want to add commercial use coverage to ensure that accidents are covered while your car is being used for business purposes. 

Commercial insurance endorsements may be available. In most cases, however, a business owner may be better off with a commercial auto policy. Commercial auto insurance can better protect vehicles that are owned by your business or used for business use.

Get started by receiving a commercial auto insurance quote from our trusted partner, Progressive.

rideshare

What to consider when looking for car insurance endorsements

Every insurance provider offers its own specific endorsement options. A good place to start is to check your policy documents — especially the declarations page of your insurance policy — to see what general insurance coverages you currently have. If you are uncertain if you have enough coverage, reach out to an agent or representative from your current insurer to see which endorsements work pair well with your existing policy. 

It could also be worth searching for a new policy, as they can vary widely in cost and depth of coverage. If you’re looking for competitive auto quotes, The Zebra can help.

Compare car insurance rates quickly and easily!

Location pin icon
No junk mail. No spam calls. Free quotes.

RECENT QUESTIONS

Other people are also asking...

What insurance do I need for driving for DoorDash?

You will actually need to get commercial insurance as a delivery driver. This type of policy is specifically designed for vehicles tied to a business or otherwise used for business purposes.If you were going to drive for a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft, you could simply get a personal auto po…
Apr 5, 2019 Manville, NJ

Do I claim my stolen vehicle with Lyft or GEICO?

One of the companies should be covering you via your comprehensive coverage. Check out our page on Lyft's insurance requirements for more information. If they are not wanting to provide coverage, you can seek legal advice to see if you have any other options. Good luck and if you have any ques…
Jan 23, 2019 Houston, TX

Can I get liability insurance for a financed car, and can I get gap insurance without full coverage?

Typically, no. You don't want liability only because the car will not be sufficiently protected. Full coverage includes comprehensive and collision coverage which protects the car when there is physical damage. Financing companies require this because you owe money on the car and they need the…
Aug 8, 2019 New Haven, CT

If my car is determined a total loss in an accident, will my gap insurance cover my down payment?

Thanks for reaching out to The Zebra. Gap insurance will only cover what is left on your loan after an insurance company pays out. In other words, no, it won't cover the down payment you made initially because it wasn't part of the loan amount.Gap coverage is best purchased if you are goi…
Feb 4, 2020 Manchester, TN

About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

  • The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
  • The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
  • The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
  • The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.