Uber drivers are required to carry third-party liability insurance
following a 50/100/25 ratio when logged into the Uber app, but you also must maintain personal auto insurance that meets your state’s minimum requirements
. Driving for a ridesharing platform like Uber is a great way to make some extra cash. But while pickups and dropoffs may sound simple, there are some requirements you’ll have to meet before you hop behind the wheel—and car insurance is just one of them. If you want to avoid potentially costly problems, you need to plan ahead.
Ready to learn all about the car insurance
requirements for Uber? We’re here to walk you through everything you need to know. We’ll cover the basic requirements, what insurance covers, and where you can get it. What car insurance do you need for Uber?
If you’re considering becoming an Uber driver, you’ll need your own vehicle and a certain amount of car insurance to be approved to drive. This insurance covers drivers when picking up and dropping off passengers, but it may not cover the “complete” driving period.
Here’s a rundown of what you need to drive for Uber.
If the driver is offline or the Uber app is off:
Available or waiting for a ride request:
Uber provides drivers with the following liability limits in case of a covered accident where their personal car insurance policy doesn’t apply in the correct amounts:
$100,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
En route to pick up riders and during Uber trips:
Uber provides rideshare drivers with the following auto insurance coverage in case of a covered accident if their personal car insurance policy doesn’t apply in the correct amounts:
While Uber maintains insurance for drivers while online on the Uber app, it’s always a good idea to add additional coverage to your personal auto insurance that includes rideshare and delivery insurance coverage to offer even more protection.
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What does Uber insurance cover?
The insurance provided by Uber covers the following:
$1 million of liability coverage per accident
$1 million of uninsured or underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage per accident
Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage
No-fault coverage (e.g., personal injury protection
) $50,000/$100,000/$25,000 of liability coverage between trips
Remember that Uber's coverage leaves gaps that can make you susceptible to high out-of-pocket costs. If your car is damaged or totaled or if you and a passenger are injured or have medical expenses, the coverage limits on Uber’s insurance may not cover all the costs.
For liability coverage, most experts recommend a minimum of $100,000 of bodily injury coverage per person, $300,000 of bodily injury coverage per accident, and $100,000 of property damage coverage—all substantially higher than what Uber offers.
Does a personal auto insurance policy cover Uber?
Sometimes—it depends on the type of coverage and your coverage limits. A personal insurance policy only covers vehicles for personal use. If you want it to protect you while you’re on the job, you’ll need to invest in a commercial insurance policy.
Most car insurance policies offer rideshare coverage
that you can add to an existing personal insurance policy to protect you while driving with Uber. Rideshare insurance covers drivers where gaps in the rideshare company policies can leave you vulnerable to costly expenses. Most rideshare policies will also cover personal use of your vehicle and the gap times when you’re on the clock but don’t have any riders.
Because most insurance policies offered by rideshare programs don’t provide full coverage for every moment you’re on the job, rideshare insurance fills in those gaps and keeps you protected from all angles.
Where to get rideshare insurance
You can get rideshare insurance coverage from many of the country's most popular car insurance providers, including Progressive
, Allstate
, State Farm
, Safeco
, and Farmers
. But keep in mind that rideshare insurance isn’t available in all states. If you live in a state that doesn’t offer rideshare insurance, you’ll need to look into a commercial insurance policy. Rideshare insurance is generally a blend of the coverage offered by Uber plus rideshare coverage added to your personal auto insurance policy—you generally can’t buy rideshare coverage as a stand-alone policy. For example, if your personal auto insurance policy is with Allstate, you can’t purchase rideshare insurance from Progressive.
When purchasing a rideshare insurance policy, be sure to:
Tell your personal car insurance company that you’re driving for Uber or other ridesharing services
Determine the gaps between what your personal policy covers and what the rideshare company’s policy covers
Ask your insurer about whether they offer insurance to fill in the coverage gaps or whether you’ll need a commercial auto insurance policy