Mercury offers rideshare insurance to provide additional protection for anyone that drives for companies like Uber and Lyft. With Mercury, you will be covered for both “ride-hail” and “rideshare” services.

Mercury offers rideshare insurance as an additional coverage option for policyholders.
Rideshare insurance through Mercury will cover services like Uber and Lyft but not food delivery drivers.
Always tell your provider that you drive for a rideshare service to avoid a policy cancellation.

Driving for a rideshare company has become one of the most popular ways to earn some extra cash thanks to its flexibility and straightforward process. While the job itself is simple, the process of protecting yourself, the passengers, and your vehicle requires some extra work.

Check out our guide to learn all you need to know about Mercury

rideshare insurance

and how this extra coverage can keep you safe.

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Does Mercury have rideshare insurance?

Yes, you can purchase rideshare insurance through Mercury as an additional coverage.

Rideshare insurance is not a universally offered protection, so it’s essential that you research different providers to see where you can get it. While you can purchase rideshare insurance through Mercury, it will not cover any food delivery services, including UberEats.

Mercury’s rideshare insurance will cover two primary facets of the service: ride-hailing and ridesharing. With ride-hailing, you will be protected for a trip where someone requests a ride for themselves and their own party. For ridesharing, you will also be covered for any ride where you are bringing different parties to nearby destinations—known more commonly as “pools.”

What to do if your current insurance provider does not offer rideshare insurance

If you already have a personal insurance policy that does not include rideshare insurance, you will not be covered and cannot submit a claim for anything that happens while your rideshare app is on. As a matter of fact, if your insurance company finds out you were driving for a rideshare service without rideshare insurance, they will most likely cancel your existing policy.

Uber and Lyft each offer commercial auto insurance policies that include up to $1 million in

bodily injury

and

property damage liability coverage

during passenger rides. You will also get some collision and comprehensive coverage if your personal policy already includes

full-coverage

. But remember, this protection only kicks in if a hiring passenger is in the car.

It might sound tempting to keep a minimum policy and rely on Uber or Lyft’s commercial policies to cover the rest—but this is a dangerous idea. Their commercial insurance policy will only protect you if you are driving a passenger and will not cover any damage or medical expenses that occur while you are in the car alone while the rideshare app is running.

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What is the best rideshare insurance company?

Mercury is one of the many insurance providers that offer rideshare insurance—but you can only find them in 11 states. If you don’t live within their coverage zone or would like to compare other options, here are some big insurers that also offer rideshare insurance:

If you are looking to purchase rideshare insurance, you will not need a separate policy—it will be added to your existing policy as an endorsement. The exact price and coverage limits will vary, but you can expect a rideshare endorsement to include some basic liability insurance, as well as collision and comprehensive insurance.

Rideshare insurance generally costs more than standard auto insurance, with the added annual cost falling anywhere between about $20 to $300. Comparing and reaching out to a few insurance companies will give you the best sense of the market and see which providers offer the best coverage for your needs and budget.

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Should I tell my car insurance company that I drive for Uber?

Yes. Driving for a rideshare service without rideshare insurance has far more risks than benefits. Sure, your insurance rates will increase by adding rideshare insurance, but it will be well worth it if you ever get into an accident while driving with the Uber app on.

Whether it is full-time or part-time, once you notify your insurance company that you are driving for Uber, they will raise your rates. This is because you will be on the road for long periods of time, thus increasing your chance of a collision and filing a claim.

Choosing not to inform your provider will mean that you are driving uninsured, which can result in uncovered claims and involuntary termination of your policy. And it gets worse—driving without insurance can even lead to imprisonment in many states.

The bottom line: you should absolutely notify your insurance provider that you are driving for a rideshare company so you can get the appropriate coverage. Being responsible and looking into companies, such as Mercury, can be the difference between keeping you and passengers protected and facing potential legal consequences.

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