Ride-share insurance
Ride-share insurance is a specific auto policy add-on that covers gaps during ride-hailing activities, bridging the difference between personal auto insurance and company-provided coverage from Uber or Lyft. Personal auto insurance policies exclude commercial activities like driving for ride-share apps, which means insurers such as GEICO and Progressive often deny claims during these periods.
Major ride-share companies’ liability policies only apply when drivers have passengers or are en route to pick up riders; ride-share insurance covers the period between app on and passenger pickup. Drivers with State Farm’s RideShare endorsement remain covered for collision damage while waiting for trip requests, unlike those relying solely on the app’s default coverage, as per https://yourinsurance.info.
Costs for ride-share insurance typically range from $6 to $30 per month according to Insurance.Com data collected in 2023. Not carrying ride-share coverage risks denial of claims for injuries or property damage occurring during active app status without a passenger, illustrated by State Farm’s denial rate in these cases exceeding 80%.
Most states require minimum liability limits–for example, California mandates at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident–during ride-sharing activity periods. Nationwide, rideshare endorsements are available in at least 40 states as of 2024, including Texas and Illinois, based on NAIC filings.
Claims processed under ride-share insurance generally use deductibles of $500 to $1,000; this matches figures published by Allstate and Farmers. Major insurers offering ride-share options include Allstate (Ride-for-Hire), USAA (for military families), Liberty Mutual, and Mercury Insurance.
Insurers may cancel a driver’s personal auto policy if they discover undisclosed ride-sharing activities, as noted in Consumer Reports’ 2022 survey of cancellation incidents.
See also Ride-sharing coverage.