Uber Eats: Progressive Auto Insurance Coverage?

If you're an Uber Eats driver, you can get rideshare insurance from Progressive to cover you in the event of an accident. This is an optional add-on to your personal car insurance policy and provides more coverage and a lower deductible than the insurance offered by Uber. It's easy to get a quote and add this coverage to your existing Progressive auto policy. However, it's important to note that rideshare insurance varies by state, so be sure to check with Progressive to see if their rideshare coverage is available in your location.

Uber Eats drivers need rideshare insurance

If you're an Uber Eats driver, you need to have auto insurance coverage in your name and for the vehicle you'll be driving. While Uber Eats does offer drivers some insurance coverage while they're on the job, you also need to have your own liability insurance. This means adding extra rideshare insurance to your current policy.

Your personal car insurance will not cover you for any business use, including driving for rideshare services or food delivery work. Uber Eats will request that you submit proof of personal vehicle insurance when you sign up, but they will not verify whether or not you have added any business-use coverage.

The state of New York has additional, more stringent requirements for rideshare operators and delivery drivers. Uber Eats insurance doesn't apply to accidents in New York, so if you need a New York auto insurance policy, ensure it covers any accidents while driving for the app.

In most states, Progressive rideshare insurance covers drivers who operate on delivery service platforms like Uber Eats. You can simply add rideshare coverage to your personal auto insurance policy so you're protected as soon as you start working.

Progressive offers two ways to get rideshare insurance

The second option is to obtain a commercial for-hire livery policy. This type of policy is a commercial auto policy typically reserved for businesses that transport people, such as a luxury vehicle or taxi service. Rideshare drivers can qualify for this type of insurance as they generate income from transporting passengers. The cost of rideshare insurance is generally higher under a for-hire livery policy, but it covers both business and personal use, so you wouldn't need a separate personal auto policy. Progressive offers for-hire livery insurance direct in 40 states.

Your personal auto insurance is unlikely to cover Uber Eats accidents

If you're considering becoming an Uber Eats driver, it's important to understand the insurance implications. While Uber Eats has transformed the food delivery landscape, the influx of delivery drivers on the roads has also led to concerns about traffic congestion and accidents.

When it comes to insurance, Uber Eats drivers are not considered employees but rather independent contractors. This distinction is crucial because it means that they are responsible for providing their own vehicles and insurance coverage. As a result, Uber Eats drivers are required by the company and their state to carry car insurance.

So, what happens if an Uber Eats driver is involved in an accident? The insurance implications can vary depending on whether the driver is "on the clock" or not. If an Uber Eats driver is not logged into the app and is not actively working, any accidents would typically be covered by their personal auto insurance policy, just like any other driver.

However, if the Uber Eats driver is logged into the app and is waiting for or fulfilling a delivery request, the situation becomes more complex. In this case, Uber Eats provides third-party insurance coverage, but it may not be as comprehensive as you think. This insurance only kicks in if the driver is at fault for the accident and is typically limited to bodily injury and property damage liability. Additionally, the driver's personal auto insurance policy may not cover them during this period, leaving them vulnerable.

This is where rideshare insurance comes into play. Progressive, for example, offers rideshare coverage that can be added to a driver's personal auto insurance policy. This type of coverage fills in the gaps left by the Uber Eats third-party insurance and provides protection during both the waiting and delivery phases of a trip. With Progressive's rideshare insurance, drivers can have peace of mind knowing that they are covered in case of an accident, regardless of whether they are waiting for a request or actively delivering an order.

In conclusion, while Uber Eats drivers rely on their personal auto insurance when they are off the clock, this coverage may not extend to accidents that occur while they are working. To ensure adequate protection, it is highly recommended that Uber Eats drivers consider adding rideshare coverage to their existing auto insurance policy. By doing so, they can minimize financial risks and focus on delivering their orders safely.

Uber Eats drivers are only paid for deliveries

If you plan to operate on Uber Eats as a driver, you can get rideshare insurance from Progressive. This is an optional add-on to your personal auto insurance policy. It's important to note that your Transportation Network Provider (TNC) is generally mandated by state law to provide insurance coverage for their drivers. However, their policies may not cover you while you're waiting for a delivery request, and your personal auto policy may not either, unless you add a separate rideshare endorsement.

To address this gap in coverage, drivers can purchase rideshare insurance from providers like Progressive. This type of insurance is designed specifically for rideshare and delivery drivers who use their vehicles for business purposes. It provides protection beyond what is offered by the TNC's insurance policy and the driver's personal auto policy. With Progressive's rideshare coverage, for example, the driver's personal auto policy's comprehensive and collision coverage will apply while they are waiting for a delivery request, in case their vehicle is damaged in a covered incident.

When it comes to payments, Uber Eats offers its delivery drivers flexibility. Drivers can choose to be paid through weekly bank transfers or immediate cashouts after each delivery. The Uber Pro Card is a debit card that allows drivers to access their earnings instantly and automatically after each delivery, without any fees. Alternatively, drivers can use Instant Pay to cash out up to five times per day for a small fee.

In terms of delivery fees, Uber Eats calculates a base amount based on estimated delivery time, distance, and the number of pickup and drop-off points. Additionally, there may be a trip supplement in certain circumstances, such as high traffic or wait times at the pickup location. Drivers also benefit from boost zones, which are announced weekly, and surge zones, which update in real time based on demand. Any boost or surge amounts that apply are included in the upfront earnings displayed when a driver accepts a trip request. Lastly, drivers keep 100% of the tips they receive from delivery recipients.

Uber Eats insurance varies by state

If you're an Uber Eats driver, you'll need to have auto insurance coverage in your name for the vehicle you'll be driving. Uber Eats will offer some insurance coverage while you're on the job, but you also need to have your own liability insurance. This means that you'll need to add extra rideshare insurance to your current policy.

The exact coverages that apply between your personal auto policy with rideshare insurance and any insurance provided through the delivery company may vary by state. For example, Uber Eats insurance coverage in California includes personal injury protection insurance, which can include medical expenses, survivor benefits, and disability payments in the event of an accident. However, Uber Eats insurance doesn't apply to accidents in New York.

When you're waiting for a delivery, Uber Eats insurance offers third-party liability limits of $50,000 in bodily injury per person, $100,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident. When you're driving to and from a delivery location, Uber Eats coverage includes third-party liability of $1,000,000, and comprehensive and collision coverages. However, you must carry a personal policy with these coverages to get these Uber Eats coverages.

You can purchase rideshare insurance from Progressive to cover you when driving for Uber Eats. Simply add rideshare coverage to your personal auto insurance policy to be protected as soon as you start working. Progressive's rideshare coverage can protect you if you're liable for injuries or damages while waiting to receive a ride request, and it can also pay to repair or replace your own damaged vehicle.

In most states, Progressive's rideshare insurance covers drivers who operate on delivery service platforms like Uber Eats. However, it's important to note that your personal auto policy may not cover you for business use, including driving for rideshare services or food delivery. Therefore, it's essential to check with your insurer to ensure you have the necessary coverage for Uber Eats driving.

Frequently asked questions