Most states mandate Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) to offer limited commercial insurance coverage for drivers using their personal vehicle for the TNC’s business.1 This means you’ll be covered during the times you’re en route to pick up a customer or when you have a passenger in your vehicle.

However, during times when you’re technically working, but not driving—like, when you’re waiting to match with a rider—the TNC’s coverage is limited. Since personal policies don’t cover your car for business use, you need a rideshare endorsement to help fill this coverage gap.

Do you need rideshare insurance?

Yes, you need rideshare insurance if you drive for a company like Lyft, Uber, Uber Eats, or

Grubhub

Since personal auto policies expressly prohibit using your personal vehicle for business purposes, most insurers require you to purchase rideshare coverage to maintain your current policy while driving for a TNC. This is true whether it’s a full-time job or just a side hustle.

How much does rideshare insurance cost?

Depending on your location, your provider, and the type of coverage you choose, rideshare insurance could cost anywhere from $9 to $30 per month, or around $108 to $360 per year.

In most cases, you’ll purchase rideshare insurance from your existing insurance provider. To add this type of coverage to an existing policy, contact your local insurance agent and ask about your options.

Rideshare insurance doesn’t always come cheap, but it’s well worth it in the event of an accident. If you’re worried about the cost of this new addition to your insurance bill, use

Jerry

to be sure you’re getting the best rates on your base insurance policy. Jerry allows you to compare car insurance quotes in a matter of minutes so you can be sure that you’re getting the best deal.

The best auto insurance companies for rideshare insurance

Here are some of the most popular rideshare insurance providers:

Insurance provider	Average cost of rideshare insurance	States that aren’t covered
GEICO	15 to 20% of your current premium	AK, GA, HI, KY, MI, NC, NJ, NY, TX, and UT
State Farm	15 to 20% of your current premium	AK, HI, IL, MA, NY, RI, SD
Allstate	$15 to $20 per year	FL, MI, NY
Progressive	$130 per year	AL, AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, ND, NE, NM, OH, OK, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, WY

GEICO’s rideshare insurance

Geico

’s rideshare insurance works in tandem with your personal car insurance policy. One of the benefits of GEICO’s rideshare package is that it doesn’t include mileage restrictions, great for those who make a living driving for a rideshare app. 2

State Farm’s rideshare insurance

State Farm

offers an add-on policy option to existing policyholders. It’s also available in most states, making it one of the farther-reaching rideshare auto insurance policies.3

Allstate’s Ride-for-Hire package

Allstate

, rideshare insurance comes in the form of the Ride-for-Hire package. This is a great option for people concerned about the $2,500 deductible charged by Uber and Lyft, as Allstate’s program covers that deductible gap.4

Progressive’s rideshare insurance

The rideshare package from

Progressive

offers customizable coverage for rideshare drivers, making it a great option for delivery drivers with very specific coverage needs. However, Progressive’s rideshare program is only available in a limited number of states.5

How does insurance work for Uber and Lyft drivers?

Companies like Uber and Lyft require drivers to carry a personal car insurance policy in addition to the company-provided insurance that covers you once you sign up. When the app is off, you’ll be covered by your own insurance. When you’re driving on a job or waiting for a ride, you’ll be partially covered by company-provided liability insurance.

Infographic explaining how rideshare insurance works during different phases of your shift. When the app is off, your personal insurance covers you. When the app is on and you're waiting for a request, rideshare insurance is active. When the app is on and you've accepted a ride, the rideshare company's coverage is active. When the app is on and you've picked up a rider, the rideshare company's coverage is active until the passenger is dropped off at their location.

While you’re waiting for a ride request

In most states, both Uber and Lyft offer the same

liability car insurance

coverage while the app is on and you’re waiting for a ride request:

$50,000/person for bodily injury

$100,000/accident for bodily injury

$25,000/accident for property damage

Bodily injury liability (BIL) insurance

is responsible for treatments for anybody you injured while driving, including their medical expenses and funeral expenses, while

property damage liability insurance

covers repairs or replacements to any property damaged by your driving, including vehicles, buildings, and signs.

However, neither of these types of coverage will protect you or your vehicle in the event of an at-fault accident. After an at-fault accident during this stage, you’ll be fully responsible for covering your personal medical and property damage expenses and any other bills or damages that surpass the company coverage limits.

While you’re transporting a rider

Auto insurance coverage for Uber and Lyft drivers changes drastically once a rider gets into the vehicle. Both companies offer at least $1,000,000 of third-party third-party auto liability coverage. Depending on state laws, Uber and Lyft may also provide their drivers with other protections, such as

personal injury protection (PIP)

uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage

, or even

medical payments (MedPay) insurance

Uber and Lyft drivers may also receive contingent

comprehensive coverage insurance

and

collision coverage insurance

during their trips. This coverage will only apply if the driver has full coverage on their personal policy, so not everyone will have this kind of coverage from Uber and Lyft.

Coverage for this policy will be up to the actual cash value (ACV) of the driver’s vehicle, and the driver will be responsible for the deductible of $2,500 in the event of an accident.

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How does delivery insurance work?

For delivery drivers, rideshare insurance can fill some of the scary gaps in coverage when working for a delivery service like DoorDash, GrubHub, UberEats, or GoPuff.

These companies don’t have the same uniform insurance policies as Uber and Lyft, so there’s a lot more gray area here in terms of when you’re covered. Here’s how it works:

The delivery app is off and the driver is covered by their personal auto insurance policy.

The app is turned on, but the driver has not accepted a delivery yet. There is a potential coverage gap here; some delivery services may cover you with company insurance during this period while others may not.

The driver accepts a delivery and begins driving to pick it up. There is a similar coverage gap that makes rideshare insurance beneficial.

The driver has picked up the item(s) for delivery and is protected by a company car insurance policy.

What to do if you’re in an accident while driving for an app

If you get into an accident involving a rideshare, you’ll need to follow these steps to file a claim.

Call the police as soon as the accident occurs. You’ll need a police report to file your claim. Have your information ready when the police arrive, including any relevant Rideshare company certificate, a copy of the Rideshare company rules, and proof of your personal insurance.

Exchange information with the other driver, including your legal name, contact info, and insurance information.

Contact your personal insurance company. Even if the accident will be fully covered by your employer’s insurance, it’s important to tell your provider about your accident.

Contact the rideshare company. If company coverage applies, this is where you’ll get more information about moving your claims process forward.

When driving for companies like Uber and Lyft, you’ll be fully covered by the company policy up to $1 million for medical expenses and property damages you cause. This coverage only applies to Period 2 and Period 3 while the app is on and you are working.

When you make your claim, you will also be subject to a deductible that is likely to be upwards of $2500, and you will not be covered if you are hit by an uninsured driver. If you are in Period 0 or 1 when you get into your accident, you’ll need to file a claim with your own insurance company.

FAQ

What happens if you get into an accident while driving for an app?

If you get into an accident while driving for an app, you might be covered by your personal policy or by the company insurance, depending on what stage you’re at in the rideshare process. Your personal insurance covers you when you’re not using the app, while company car insurance covers you with at least liability insurance when the app is open.

Should you tell your car insurance about a rideshare job?

Yes, you should absolutely tell your car insurance provider about any rideshare or delivery jobs you get. If you get into an accident on the job and file a claim without telling your provider, you could be dropped from your policy.

Is rideshare insurance required?

Rideshare insurance isn’t required but it is highly recommended for rideshare drivers. Without rideshare insurance, you could be responsible for thousands of dollars worth of damages following a car accident on the job.

Meet our experts

Liz Jenson

Liz Jenson is an insurance writer who specializes in general automotive and insurance topics. Liz’s mission is to produce informative and useful content to help car owners make smart choices when buying cars and car insurance. Since joining Jerry in 2021, Liz has written nearly 4,000 long- and short-form articles on topics including state-specific insurance recommendations, common car insurance questions, and deep dives into vehicle model details.

Before they came to Jerry, Liz was a full-time student at Indiana University, Bloomington working on a double major in English and French.

Sarah Gray

Licensed Insurance Agent — Expert Insurance Writer and Editor

Sarah Gray is an insurance writer with nearly a decade of experience in publishing and writing. Sarah specializes in writing articles that educate car owners and buyers on the full scope of car ownership—from shopping for and buying a new car to scrapping one that’s breathed its last and everything in between. Sarah has authored over 1,500 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from first-time buyer programs to how to get a salvage title for a totaled car.

Prior to joining Jerry, Sarah was a full-time professor of English literature and composition with multiple academic writing publications.

SOURCES

https://content.naic.org/consumer/sharing-economy.htm

https://www.geico.com/knowledge/vehicle-types/

https://www.statefarm.com/insurance/auto/coverage-options/rideshare-coverage

https://www.allstate.com/auto-insurance/ride-for-hire

https://www.progressive.com/auto/insurance-coverages/rideshare/