Uber Insurance: What's Covered?

Uber offers its own rideshare insurance coverage, but drivers are still required to have their own personal car insurance policy to ensure they are fully protected. Uber's insurance policy only covers drivers when the app is running and they are working. When the app is closed, the driver's personal auto policy provides coverage. Uber's insurance provides liability coverage at certain points during a trip. When a rideshare driver is travelling with a passenger in their car, they enjoy the full coverage of Uber's liability insurance policies.

Uber's insurance requirements for drivers

Firstly, Uber drivers must have a valid insurance policy for at least the minimum levels required in their state. This is because personal car insurance policies often exclude "driving-for-hire", so it's important to check with your insurance company that your policy covers commercial driving. If it doesn't, you'll need to purchase supplemental commercial auto insurance.

Uber also requires all their drivers to have car insurance and provides supplemental insurance coverage, but only while the app is on. When the Uber app is off, a driver is covered by their own personal car insurance. When the app is turned on, a low level of liability insurance becomes active. When a trip is accepted, a higher level of coverage kicks in and remains active until the passenger exits the vehicle.

Uber's insurance covers at least $1,000,000 for property damage and injuries to riders and third parties involved in an accident where the driver is at fault. It also covers the cost to repair the driver's car, up to the actual cash value, with a $2,500 deductible, contingent on the driver's personal insurance including comprehensive and collision coverage.

In most US states, Uber drivers can also purchase Optional Injury Protection to cover their additional medical expenses if they're hurt in an accident. This insurance is designed specifically for rideshare and delivery drivers and covers disability payments, medical expenses with no deductibles, and survivor benefit payments for family members.

Uber also maintains extra coverage for drivers and riders in certain states, including coverage for injuries in a hit-and-run or an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, and personal injury protection, including medical expenses and lost wages, no matter who is at fault.

Uber's insurance coverage for drivers

Coverage when Offline:

When drivers are offline, their personal auto insurance policies are responsible for providing coverage. Uber requires drivers to maintain a minimum level of personal automobile insurance and provide proof of this insurance to drive and deliver with the company. This personal insurance also covers repairs to the driver's car when en route to or on a trip if their policy includes comprehensive and collision coverage.

Coverage when Online and Available for a Trip:

In the event of an accident where the driver is at fault and someone gets hurt or their vehicle is damaged, Uber provides third-party liability insurance. This coverage includes at least $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 in property damage per accident.

Depending on the state's laws, Uber may offer additional coverage, such as protection for hit-and-run incidents or accidents caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers, personal injury protection, and medical payments coverage.

Coverage when En Route or On a Trip:

Uber maintains comprehensive insurance for ridesharing and deliveries, including coverage for property damage and injuries to riders and third parties when the driver is at fault. This coverage is at least $1,000,000. Additionally, Uber provides coverage for repairs to the driver's car, up to its actual cash value, with a deductible that varies based on the situation.

Optional Coverage:

Uber also offers Optional Injury Protection, which is an additional insurance option for drivers. This coverage provides disability payments, medical expenses without deductibles, and survivor benefits for the driver and their family members if they are injured in an accident and unable to work. This coverage is not available in all states.

Commercial Driver Coverage:

Commercial drivers using licensed vehicles, such as taxis or limousines, must have their own commercial insurance to drive with Uber.

It is important to note that Uber's insurance coverage for drivers may vary by state, and drivers should review the specific insurance requirements and coverage details for their location.

Uber's insurance coverage for passengers

• When the Uber app is off: The driver is covered by their personal car insurance policy. Uber does not provide insurance coverage during this period.
• When the Uber app is turned on, but the driver is waiting for a ride request: A low level of liability insurance becomes active. Uber provides statutory accident benefits, uninsured motorist coverage, and third-party liability coverage with a limit of $1 million.
• When the driver accepts a ride request and is en route to pick up a passenger: A higher level of coverage kicks in. Uber's insurance coverage includes statutory accident benefits, uninsured motorist coverage, third-party liability coverage with a limit of $2 million, family protection coverage with a limit of $2 million, and collision and comprehensive coverages with a deductible.
• When the driver is transporting passengers: Uber maintains insurance coverage for passengers and third parties. This includes statutory accident benefits, uninsured motorist coverage, third-party liability coverage with a limit of $2 million, family protection coverage with a limit of $2 million, and collision and comprehensive coverages with a deductible.
• Coverage for bodily injury: Uber provides uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage. This coverage kicks in if another motorist is at fault and does not have adequate insurance. Uber ensures that passengers are covered by at least $1 million in coverage, regardless of the other driver's insurance status.
• Contingent coverage: Uber provides contingent coverage when a driver is "on the app" and waiting for a ride request. This coverage fills the gap when the driver's personal auto insurance policy refuses to payout due to ridesharing exclusions. Uber's contingent coverage includes $50,000 in bodily injury per person, $100,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 in property damage per accident.
• State-specific variations: Uber's insurance coverage may vary depending on the state where the ride takes place. For example, in Georgia, the minimum underinsured motorist (UM) insurance required for rideshare companies was decreased from $1 million per incident to $300,000, with a maximum of $100,000 for a single person, effective July 1, 2023.
• International travel: Uber's passenger insurance coverage varies significantly from country to country, which can be challenging for international users.

In summary, Uber provides insurance coverage for passengers and third parties, but the extent of coverage depends on the driver's status and location. Passengers should be aware that Uber's default policy may not fully insulate them from liability, and their ability to collect compensation for injuries may be impacted by the driver's insurance coverage.

Uber's insurance coverage for accidents

Coverage When Offline

When an Uber driver is offline, their personal auto insurance policy covers them. This means that the driver must maintain a personal automobile insurance policy with mandatory minimum limits and provide proof of this insurance to drive and deliver with Uber. Any coverage for repairs to the driver's car when they are en route to or on a trip is dependent on their personal insurance policy including comprehensive and collision coverage.

Coverage When Online and Available for a Trip

Uber provides third-party liability insurance when a driver is online and available for a trip. This coverage includes $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries, as well as $25,000 in property damage per accident. This coverage applies when the driver is at fault and another person is injured or their vehicle is damaged.

Additionally, depending on the state's laws, Uber may provide extra coverage for the driver and their riders. This can include coverage for injuries in a hit-and-run or an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver, personal injury protection for medical expenses and lost wages, and medical payments coverage, regardless of who is at fault.

Coverage When En Route or On a Trip

Uber maintains comprehensive insurance for ridesharing and deliveries when the driver is en route or on a trip. This includes:

• At least $1,000,000 for property damage and injuries to riders and third parties when the driver is at fault.
• Coverage for the cost of repairing the driver's car, up to the actual cash value, with a $2,500 deductible. This is contingent on the driver's personal insurance including comprehensive and collision coverage.
• Optional Injury Protection to cover additional medical expenses for the driver if they are hurt in an accident.

It is important to note that Uber's insurance coverage for accidents may vary depending on the state and local regulations. Drivers should review their specific insurance policies and understand the coverage provided by Uber and their personal insurance carrier to ensure they are adequately protected in the event of an accident.

Uber's insurance coverage for vehicle damage

Uber's insurance policy only covers drivers when the app is running and they are working for Uber. When the app is open, Uber's insurance provides liability coverage at certain points during the trip.

Uber's insurance coverage depends on whether the driver is offline, online, en route, or on a trip. When offline, a driver's personal auto insurance covers them. When online and available for a trip, Uber's third-party liability insurance covers injuries or damage in the following amounts: $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries, and $25,000 in property damage per accident.

When en route or on a trip, Uber's insurance covers at least $1,000,000 for property damage and injuries to riders and third parties if the driver is at fault. It also covers the cost of repairing the driver's car, up to the actual cash value, with a $2,500 deductible, as long as their personal insurance includes comprehensive and collision coverage.

Uber's insurance coverage also depends on the laws of the state in which the driver operates. For example, in some states, Uber maintains extra coverage for the driver and riders, including coverage for injuries in a hit-and-run or an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver.

Uber's insurance is called Driver-Partner Insurance, and it has several coverage gaps. Therefore, drivers need to add a rideshare endorsement to their car insurance policy to ensure full protection.

Frequently asked questions