Best Auto Insurance Coverage for Uber Drivers

More people than ever rely on ridesharing apps rather than traditional taxi services. The increased demand from customers is leading to more Uber drivers on the road than ever before.

If you’re considering driving for Uber (or you’re already an Uber driver), you’ll need more than your personal car insurance to make sure you and your passengers are covered.

Uber offers its drivers some coverage, but there are serious gaps in it. Between your personal car insurance and Uber insurance, you have plenty of opportunities to get in an accident where you’ll have no coverage.

You can explore options to cover the gaps in Uber insurance below. Then, compare rates from insurance companies to find the best rideshare insurance for your needs.

What is rideshare insurance?

Rideshare insurance fills in the gap between your personal policy and the coverage provided by the rideshare company you drive for.

The insurance you have for your personal driving doesn’t cover hours you spend working in your car. Companies issue personal policies under the assumption that you’ll be driving your vehicle for regular use.

The longer you spend on the road, the more likely you’ll be involved in a traffic incident. According to CNBC, rideshare and delivery drivers have one of the most dangerous jobs in America for that exact reason — more time on the road increases the chance of accidents.

Uber provides coverage while you’re working, but there are serious gaps. Uber’s insurance offers minimal coverage for you as the driver and restricts when you’re covered. If there’s an incident when Uber’s insurance is not active, you’ll be stuck paying for any expenses out of pocket.

This is why rideshare insurance is essential. While it’s not a legal requirement, additional rideshare insurance can protect you when your Uber and personal insurance do not.

How does rideshare insurance work?

Since your personal insurance doesn’t cover your working hours and Uber insurance has gaps, rideshare policies seek to complete your coverage.

Uber insurance doesn’t cover you when you sign on to work. The only time Uber extends coverage to you is when you have a passenger in your car. However, your personal policy won’t cover you once you’ve signed on.

To see where the gaps in your coverage lie, you need to understand how rideshare companies divide coverage periods.

• Offline. When you’re offline, you’re using your car for personal driving. During this time, your personal policy covers you.
• Period 1: Waiting for a request. Period 1 starts when you log in to start driving for Uber. While waiting for a request, you have no customers in your car. That means Uber insurance does not cover you, but your personal insurance doesn’t cover you either since you’re working.
• Period 2: Picking up a customer. When you’re on the way to pick a customer up, Uber insurance provides minimal coverage of 50/100/25 liability. If an accident causes more damage, you’ll have to pay the remainder.
• Period 3: Ride in progress. Uber insurance covers you while you have passengers in your car. Once the passenger is out of your car, you return to period 1, and your insurance coverage ends.

Rideshare insurance covers you from the moment you log in until you log out. That means that you’ll be covered through your rideshare insurance even when Uber coverage doesn’t apply.

Do you need rideshare insurance to drive for Uber?

Uber does not require you to purchase rideshare insurance to drive. It provides drivers with a minimum amount of insurance to ensure that the company can’t be sued for unpaid damages.

Uber does have other requirements to drive, however. To see if you’re eligible to drive for Uber, consider the following criteria:

• How old do you have to be to drive for Uber? There’s no set age requirement to drive for Uber, but you must be old enough to have a full license in your state.
• How much driving history do you need? Uber requires at least one year of driving experience, or three if you’re under 23 years old.
• What type of car do you need? While vehicle requirements vary by state, you’ll at least need a four-door car.
• What documents do you need to get hired? You’ll need to show your driver’s license, proof of residency in your state, car registration, and proof of insurance. You’ll also need to provide a picture of yourself.

Other requirements vary by state, but these are standard across the country.

What insurance companies are the best for rideshare insurance?

With the rising popularity of rideshare driving, more insurance companies are offering a rideshare option than ever before.

There are two main options for rideshare insurance. The first is a separate policy that you buy alongside your personal car insurance policy. This option is more expensive but offers complete coverage.

The second option is a rideshare add-on to your personal policy. You’ll save money on this option, but you have to have a pre-existing policy with the company before buying the add-on.

Allstate Rideshare Insurance

Allstate offers a rideshare endorsement on insurance policies. You have to have an Allstate policy to get the endorsement, but this is one of the most affordable options for rideshare coverage. The exact price will vary by your unique circumstances, but the average Uber driver will pay about $20 a year.

Allstate’s rideshare covers you while you’re logged in. As a bonus, Allstate has deductible GAP coverage, which covers the deductible you would normally pay for Uber insurance.

You’ll need to check if the endorsement is available in your state because Allstate sells its rideshare coverage in 45 states.

State Farm Rideshare Insurance

State Farm is another company that offers an endorsement, though this company’s option is a Transportation Network Company (TNC) coverage. That means you can use it for rideshare driving for Uber and other delivery driving as well. This is an excellent option for people who drive for multiple apps.

State Farm is a little more expensive than other options but will only add between 15 and 20% to your State Farm policy. You get to keep most of the coverage options from your personal policy for the higher cost.

State Farm offers its TNC endorsement in 42 states, and you’ll need to check with an agent to see if all coverage options are available.

Progressive Rideshare Insurance

Progressive offers one of the best rideshare options for all delivery and passenger drivers. Another endorsement option, you get to keep all your add-ons from your personal policy while you’re working. That includes roadside assistance and rental reimbursement.

You’ll need to speak directly with an agent to get a quote since Progressive does not allow you to sign up online. You can, however, file claims online. This endorsement is available in 34 states, and the price is based on how many miles you drive while working.

Geico Rideshare Insurance

Geico offers a unique type of rideshare coverage. Rather than a standalone or an endorsement, Geico rideshare replaces your personal policy. This hybrid policy covers you whether you’re working or driving for personal reasons.

Geico’s hybrid policy offers lower deductibles than Uber and more coverage. As a bonus, it only costs about $25 more than a personal policy.

You can buy a hybrid policy from Geico in 39 states.

Find the Best Rideshare Insurance for Uber Drivers

Whether you drive solely for Uber or work for multiple delivery companies, you can find rideshare insurance to ensure you are always covered. While you can rely on Uber’s insurance, gaps in the coverage might have you paying from your own pocket.

If you want to enhance the coverage from your Uber insurance, there are many options available for you. To find the best rates and features possible, make sure to compare rates from as many companies as possible.