Insurance coverage in a rideshare accident can be much more complicated than a regular car accident. If you were involved in an accident with an Uber or Lyft, figuring out whose insurance is responsible for covering injuries and property damage can be a challenge.
Multiple insurance policies could apply to any given case, and coverage largely depends on the driver’s status in the app at the moment of the crash. An experienced lawyer can help you understand more about insurance coverage and how it applies in an Uber or Lyft accident.
Navigate This Page
- How Does Insurance Coverage Work if a Rideshare Driver Was Offline During the Accident?
- How Does Insurance Coverage Work if the Driver’s Ride Status Was Switched To Available?
- How Does Insurance Coverage Work After a Ride Is Accepted?
- How Does Insurance Coverage Work if a Passenger Was in the Rideshare?
- How Does Coverage Work if Another Driver Caused the Crash?
- What if the Rideshare Driver Caused the Accident?
- What if the Rideshare Driver Doesn’t Have Enough Insurance?
- Consult a Lawyer About Your Uber or Lyft Insurance Claim
How Does Insurance Coverage Work if a Rideshare Driver Was Offline During the Accident?
If an Uber or Lyft driver was offline at the time of an accident, meaning they were not actively offering or providing rides to passengers, then their personal auto insurance is usually the main source of coverage in an accident.
Uber’s or Lyft’s commercial policy generally does not cover accidents under these circumstances because the driver was not available for ride requests, traveling to pick up a passenger, or completing a trip. In other words, if the driver was not participating in the app’s functions, then the driver will not be covered under the rideshare’s commercial policy.
How Does Insurance Coverage Work if the Driver’s Ride Status Was Switched To Available?
In accident scenarios where a rideshare driver had their status switched to available and was waiting for a ride request, their personal auto insurance will likely be their first option for coverage. However, some personal policies exclude accidents that happen while the driver is available for rideshare work.
Similarly, Uber and Lyft provide contingent liability coverage during this period, which may apply if the driver’s insurer denies the claim or does not provide enough coverage. Ultimately, the amount and availability of coverage depend on state law and the specific terms of the different personal and rideshare policies.
Get on the road to recovery with competent legal representation and high-quality medical professionals. Contact our Maryland personal injury lawyer today.
How Does Insurance Coverage Work After a Ride Is Accepted?
If a rideshare driver gets into an accident after a ride has been accepted and they are traveling to pick up a passenger, commercial liability coverage may apply. Uber and Lyft generally provide this type of insurance for their drivers if a collision occurs while traveling to the pickup location or during the passenger’s trip.
Commercial liability coverage may cover injuries and property damage suffered by passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. However, coverage limits will likely vary depending on which rideshare app is being used.
For Uber, once the driver accepts a ride, the company generally provides at least $1 million in third-party liability coverage. However, Lyft’s coverage generally begins once the driver accepts a ride and continues while traveling to the pickup location and transporting the passenger. In most areas, Lyft provides at least $1 million in third-party liability coverage to cover injuries and property damage caused by the driver.
How Does Insurance Coverage Work if a Passenger Was in the Rideshare?
Commercial auto insurance typically applies to both Uber and Lyft drivers involved in an accident during an active trip. An “active trip” begins when a passenger is physically present in the vehicle and ends when they conclude the trip. This coverage is typically the same for both rideshare companies, offering at least $1 million for damages.
How Does Coverage Work if Another Driver Caused the Crash?
The rideshare driver’s status in the Uber or Lyft app affects which policies will cover the accident, while fault affects which insurer is responsible for paying the claim. If another driver caused the crash, the rideshare driver or their passenger could seek compensation through that third-party driver’s liability insurance.
However, if the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance coverage, Uber or Lyft’s uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage could apply. Additionally, other sources of coverage might be available, including the injured person’s own auto policy, personal injury protection, medical payments coverage, and health insurance.
What if the Rideshare Driver Caused the Accident?
If the rideshare driver was at fault for the accident, third-party liability coverage could pay for injuries and property damage sustained by the passenger and others involved. Uber and Lyft generally offer the same minimum of $1 million in third-party liability coverage during this period.
What if the Rideshare Driver Doesn’t Have Enough Insurance?
If an Uber or Lyft driver lacks insurance or has insufficient coverage, the rideshare company’s insurance might provide additional coverage. Whether it applies largely depends on the driver’s app status at the time of the accident.
- Waiting for requests: Limited rideshare company coverage may be available when the driver is logged in and waiting for a request.
- Accepted requests: Higher liability limits will likely apply after the driver accepts a ride.
- Offline: If the driver was offline, their personal policy applies. This can lead to coverage gaps if the policy excludes rideshare activity or the available limits are lower than the injured person’s losses.
Consult A Lawyer About Your Uber or Lyft Insurance Claim
Rideshare insurance coverage varies based on the driver’s app status, who caused the crash, and the policy options available through Uber, Lyft, and the drivers involved. At Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers, we can review these factors, identify potential sources of compensation, and handle your claim. Our “From Hurt to Help®” approach is designed to accommodate your recovery. Call (410) 449-7900 or contact us online for a free consultation.
