Are Rideshare Drivers Covered By Their Auto Insurance?
If you drive your personally owned auto for Uber, Lyft, or even a pizza delivery company, your personal auto insurance will not provide coverage should you be involved in an accident. Uber and Lyft do not provide the needed auto insurance coverage to protect you and your passengers. If you are an Uber or Lyft driver, your personal auto insurance may not cover this exposure. So call our office today to make sure you have the proper coverage.
The reason your personal car insurance doesn't cover you is an ages old exclusion for hauling others for a fee. This has always been excluded. It's just been in the spotlight again because of ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft and their mobile phone technology.
This issue became very real in 2013 when an Uber driver hit and killed a 6-year-old girl in San Francisco. The driver had only the state minimum auto liability limits of $30,000. The family sued both the driver and Uber. Uber does offer secondary coverage, but the driver must have a primary auto insurance policy in place.
There are a number of insurance companies now offering specific auto insurance coverage for ride sharing risks.
Here are a few tips for ride share drivers
1. Purchase a separate policy with at least a $1,000,000 limit.
2. Read any and all agreements so you know what your responsibilities are.
3. Keep your vehicle is good working condition.
4. Talk to your insurer before signing up and keep things on the up and up.
We are an independent agency, and we understand the unique needs of our North Texas customers. We have relationships with dozens of insurance companies, allowing you to get the right price with the right service. Whether you have the ideal history that preferred companies desire, or a not so perfect history, we find the right coverage with the best company, at the best rate for you. Make changes to your policy directly from our website twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Use any of our convenient forms located at the left for policy service directly from your home or office. As an independent insurance agent, we can offer the right coverages with the personal touch you expect from your neighborhood insurance agent.