What is rideshare insurance?
Rideshare coverage protects you and your vehicle if you drive for a ridesharing service such as Uber and Lyft. While ridesharing companies may provide some insurance that applies to drivers operating on their platforms, their coverage may be limited while you're waiting to match with a rider or when you have a passenger in your vehicle. Progressive, and many other insurers, offer additional rideshare insurance that you can add to your personal auto policy to help fill coverage gaps.
Explore Progressive Answers' auto editorial guidelines to find out why you can trust the car insurance information you find here.
Do you need rideshare insurance?
Rideshare companies are usually mandated by state law to provide coverage for their drivers. However, because your rideshare company's policy may not cover you in situations when you're waiting for a passenger, most insurers, including Progressive, require you to add rideshare insurance to your personal auto policy if you drive for Uber, Lyft, or any other rideshare service.
What if I don't tell my insurer about my rideshare driving?
Engaging in ridesharing activities opens you up to potential liabilities that your personal auto policy may not cover, so an insurer could cancel or non-renew your policy if they find out you're driving for a rideshare service and didn't notify them. Always contact your auto insurer before you start ridesharing to make sure you're not violating the terms of your policy, and to add rideshare coverage.
Important note: Some insurance companies don't offer rideshare coverage or only offer it in certain states. If yours doesn't, you can switch to a company that does or consider a commercial auto policy. In fact, some states and rideshare services may require you to purchase a commercial policy instead. Commercial insurance is typically more expensive, but in some instances it's the only way to obtain rideshare coverage.
How does rideshare insurance work?
Here's how your coverages may shift during a typical ride on a platform like Uber or Lyft:
When you're offline
Any insurance provided through Uber or Lyft won't apply during this time period. Instead, your personal auto insurance policy with your selected coverages will apply.
When you're waiting for a ride request
The ridesharing company may provide insurance that covers liability for bodily injury and property damage. Be sure to contact your rideshare company to confirm how you're protected.
What rideshare insurance typically covers:
- Comprehensive & collision: These coverages include the same deductible as your personal policy.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM): Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage types and limits are generally the same as your personal policy, except coverage is provided only for the driver during this period.
- Additional coverages: Roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and other coverages may apply if you have them on your policy.
When you accept a request
The ridesharing company may provide some insurance covering liability for bodily injury and property damage up to the policy's limits. It may also provide contingent coverage for physical damage to your vehicle and uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage. Rideshare coverage may also cover:
- Additional coverages: Roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, and other coverages may also apply during this period if they're on your policy.
- Deductible reimbursement: Depending on your insurer, you may be reimbursed for the difference between your policy's deductible and the ridesharing company's deductible.
Other FAQs about rideshare insurance
What if I'm at fault in an accident and my customer is injured?
Any liability coverage under the ridesharing company's policy may cover injuries to your passengers up to the policy's liability limits.
Does rideshare insurance also apply to delivery services?
Your rideshare coverage may also apply when you're operating on a delivery service platform, such as Uber Eats or DoorDash. However, the extent to which your personal auto policy with rideshare coverage applies will vary by insurer, state, and whether the delivery company provides any insurance coverage as well. Progressive rideshare insurance applies to delivery services in most states. For more information, call us at 1-866-749-7436.
What if I want to use my commercial vehicle for ridesharing?
If you drive a taxi, limousine, or any other vehicle used by a business to transport people for a fee, you typically need a commercial auto policy, or livery insurance. Progressive offers for-hire livery insurance in 43 states. Call us today to speak with a licensed expert or specialty agent for commercial policies. You can also get a livery insurance quote online.
How much is rideshare insurance?
While affordable, adding rideshare coverage will increase the price of your personal auto policy. The amount of the increase varies based on numerous factors such as your vehicle, state, driving history, and your policy's existing coverages and limits.
Rideshare coverage through Progressive
We offer affordable ridesharing insurance as an add-on to your personal auto policy in most states. In the states where a rideshare endorsement on your personal policy isn't available, we can help you obtain a commercial auto policy.
Current Progressive customers
Call us at 1-866-749-7436 and a licensed professional will let you know if you can add rideshare insurance to your personal auto policy or if you need a commercial policy.
New Progressive customers
Get a car insurance online or call us at 1-866-749-7436 and let us know you're driving for a rideshare company.
Looking for more information about auto insurance? Our car insurance resource center has you covered.
Quote car insurance online or give us a call
Learn more about car insurance policies.
