Rideshare Insurance: Everything You Need to Know
- Standard car insurance rarely covers rideshare work. Most drivers need a rideshare endorsement to be fully covered.
- Insurance rates and offerings vary by state. Comparing providers can help you save money.
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Rideshare insurance: A guide to policies, requirements, and providers
As more and more people sign up to drive for Lyft and Uber, an increasing number of car insurance companies have begun to add rideshare insurance options to their list of coverage options. But what exactly is rideshare insurance, and why do you need it?
Here, we'll answer those questions and others to help you learn about this policy add-on and how to get it.
What is rideshare insurance?
Rideshare insurance is a car insurance endorsement option that bridges the gap between a personal auto insurance and the commercial policy provided by the rideshare company. A rideshare insurance policy covers you while you wait for a ride request. Once you accept a ride, the coverage offered by the rideshare company takes over.
Here, we'll explain everything you need to know about rideshare insurance, from how much it costs, to what the coverage from transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft look like.
How much does rideshare insurance cost?
We discovered that adding a rideshare endorsement to your car insurance policy will raise your rates by an average of less than $25. Below are some car insurance providers that include this coverage as well as some estimated rates.
Updating data...
| Company | Without Rideshare Coverage | With Rideshare Endorsement |
|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $269 | $273 |
| Farmers | $213 | $287 |
| Nationwide | $201 | $201 |
| State Farm | $196 | $233 |
| Progressive | $179 | $230 |
| USAA | $164 | $177 |
| GEICO | $159 | $159 |
| Travelers | $136 | $143 |
Source: The Zebra
Keep in mind that rideshare insurance availability and premium pricing varies by provider and state.
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
Our agents can help you find affordable rideshare insurance from select providers! Call 1-888-255-4364 for help finding coverage.
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How rideshare car insurance works for Uber and Lyft
If you are a Lyft or Uber driver, you need to know how rideshare insurance coverage works, and when it's active. When driving for a TNC, the stage of your trip plays the biggest role in determining which type of coverage will apply during a car accident.
Below, we've broken down how auto insurance coverage works for the two largest ridesharing companies. For more detail, expand the section beneath the table.
| Period 0: Offline |
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|---|---|---|
| Period 1: Logged in and available |
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| Period 2: En route to pick up passenger |
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| Period 3: Transporting passenger |
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What kind of coverage does Lyft/Uber provide to their drivers?
Uber and Lyft provide coverage to their drivers, but only in periods 1, 2 and 3, and the coverage amounts vary.
| Period | Coverage type | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | Liability | $1 million |
| Periods 2 & 3 | Liability | $1 million |
| Uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) | $1 million | |
| Contingent collision and comprehensive coverage* | $50K per person bodily injury/ $100K per accident bodily injury/ $25K per accident property damage |
Uber and Lyft coverage also carries deductibles for periods 2 and 3.
- Uber deductible: $2,500
- Lyft deductible: $2,500
In addition to the above coverage levels Uber now offers Optional Injury Protection that protects drivers during periods 1, 2, and 3. This additional coverage level provides up to $1 million in medical expenses with no deductible or copay, as well as disability payments and survivor benefits.
*Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage is dependent on your personal auto policy also carrying full coverage. The Lyft and Uber insurance limits are designed to meet or exceed state limits. If your state requirements differ, the company will match them, though they will not lower limits beyond their company standard of 50/100/25.
Do I need rideshare insurance?
Yes, if you drive for a TNC you need rideshare insurance to protect yourself and the value of your vehicle. Without personal rideshare insurance your vehicle is only covered when you have a passenger or are en route to pick one up. This would leave coverage gaps while you wait for a ride request. Adding rideshare coverage to your personal auto insurance policy protects you during period 1.
In addition to providing coverage for the period when a driver is awaiting a ride request, rideshare coverage makes it so your insurance company can’t cancel your policy for being a rideshare driver. Most motorists have their cars insured for personal use. Using your vehicle for business purposes — as rideshare drivers do — could actually require a more costly commercial policy.
Working as a rideshare driver complicates the seemingly straightforward relationship between personal car insurance — the type of policy most drivers carry — and commercial car insurance. Insurance companies had to create entirely new rules and regulations to accommodate companies like Uber and Lyft.
To make things even more complicated, delivery driver insurance slightly differs from traditional rideshare insurance. Do you also drive for UberEats, Doordash, or other delivery service? Check out our page on car insurance for delivery drivers.
How to find the best rideshare insurance
While many insurance companies offer rideshare insurance, some may not in your state. Below, you can see where popular insurance companies offer rideshare endorsement coverage options.
| Insurance Company | States Available |
|---|---|
| GEICO | Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Maine, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Maryland, Indiana, New Mexico, Texas, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Nebraska |
| Allstate | Arizona, Indiana, Kentucky, Wisconsin, DC, Virginia, Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Minnosota, California, Colorado, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Arkansas, Maryland |
| Farmers | Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Utah, Maryland, Arkansas, Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Minnesota |
| State Farm | California, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oregon, West Virginia, Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Washington |
| Liberty Mutual | Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virginia, Texas, California, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington DC |
| Foremost | Florida |
| USAA | Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Indiana, Massachusetts, Nebraska, North Dakota |
| Erie | Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland |
| Mercury | Arizona, California, Illinois, Nevada, Oklahoma |
| MetLife | California, Illinois, Texas, Washington |
Get auto insurance for rideshare drivers today!
What to do if you're in an accident while driving for Uber or Lyft
Whether you are driving for a rideshare service or not, the first thing you should do in an accident is to contact the police. Afterward, you can start thinking about insurance coverage. Follow your company's protocol based on the period you are in:
- Period 0 (offline): Accidents that occur during period 0 fall under your personal policy and should be reported as such — unless your state or rideshare company says otherwise.
- Period 1 (logged in + available): Uber and Lyft provide liability-only coverage during period 1, so a rideshare policy is critical to prevent coverage gaps — contact both your personal insurance company and the rideshare service if you get in an accident in period 1.
- Periods 2 and 3 (en route to or transporting passenger): If you are on your way to pick up a fare or are currently carrying a passenger when the accident occurs, Uber and Lyft's coverage works fully, covering any damages or injuries that you cause up to $1 million. However, the rideshare company's collision and comprehensive coverage only applies if you carry these items on your personal policy.
Uber and Lyft insurance coverage requirements by state
Uber and Lyft insurance coverages may vary slightly by state. For example, coverage in states with non-standard coverage requirements, like Arizona, Nebraska, and Maryland, will likely align with those state's requirements instead of the more common standards.
To help you find out which coverage requirements apply to you, click on your home state in the map below.
If you need more clarity on Uber and Lyft's insurance coverage requirements in your state, Ask an Agent about rideshare insurance and we'll help you out.
*Please note: it is your responsibility to inform your insurance company that you drive for a ride-sharing service. Because this is considered a business activity, a standard insurance policy does not provide sufficient coverage. Driving for a rideshare company without a proper insurance policy could leave you at risk for any potential damages and could lead to your coverage being dropped altogether. Please contact a representative at your insurance company to discuss coverage options.
If you want a rideshare insurance quote enter your zip code to get started.
Frequently asked questions— Rideshare insurance
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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.
