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Uber and Lyft Car Insurance

95K views 190 replies 97 participants last post by  MarylandcrabsMark 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Agents

London - Inshur - http://bit.ly/inshurLondon inshurWhiz

California - SafeButler - https://safebutler.com/uber/?ck=up01 - Compare price and more TaroTeaFan

New Jersey - Young Alfred - https://youngalfred.com/get-started - 215.586.5055 - alfred@youngalfred.com

New York - https://www.inshur.com inshurWhiz

Ohio - Cleveland/Akron - Erie - Brad Sussman - (Erie sponsorship ended) BradSussmanInsurance

Pennsylvania - Young Alfred - https://youngalfred.com/get-started - 215.586.5055 - alfred@youngalfred.com

Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia - Erie - Jim O'Brien - 703-838-9624 Jim O'Brien

To represent your insurance services on our forums please contact uberpeople.net@gmail.com

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Most new drivers may not understand the huge amount of risk they are assuming because no one makes any effort to tell them. Read on and find out how to best protect yourself including what Uber, Lyft, and other app-based Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) neglected to tell you and what information is publicly available.

I am going to focus on the United States. Other countries have different, although similar laws. I am assuming that you already understand how automobile insurance protects you, your vehicle, your passengers, and other people/property that may be involved in an accident. Automobile insurance is also required by law in every state, although the requirements differ from state-to-state. TNCs require proof of insurance before they'll let you drive.

Insufficient Auto Insurance that Uber, Lyft, and other TNCs provide

TNCs are required by law in many states to provide insurance for drivers and passengers while online. Similar coverage for UberEats. Find out the specifics of each TNC that you drive for in your state. In general, there are 4 phases or periods defined in the image below.

0: When Offline or the App is not running.
1: Online, Waiting for a request/ping
2: Driving to pickup
3: Driving to destination with passenger. Ends at drop-off.



Note: Terrible reputations of insurance companies used by TNCs and gaps in coverage:


Period 1: Minimum Liability, No Collision, No Comprehensive, No UM/UMI.
Period 2 & 3: $1,000 deductible higher than chosen by most drivers. Lyft's is $2,500.
Periods 1,2,3: No towing. No rental reimbursement, or other "extras".

Danger/Risk for You

Most new drivers continue using their current personal insurance policy. This often is their first major mistake. A few new drivers, who previously drove taxis and already have more expensive commercial insurance, are much better off.

Most auto insurance companies do not allow policy holders to work for any TNC, even part time. These insurance companies may immediately cancel your policy for this reason. If they even suspect you work for a TNC then they may immediately require proof that you do not. They may also deny a claim for this reason, leaving you to bear the entire cost.

The best course of action is to first determine the policy of your current insurer indirectly by contacting an independent insurance specializing in rideshare. If your current insurer does not allow rideshare there are several possible courses of action.
  1. Transfer to an insurer that allows you to rideshare, but provides no coverage during these times, like Liberty Mutual. You depend on coverage provide by the TNCs.
  2. Transfer to an insurer that offers a TNC rider, endorsement, or hybrid policy, at an additional cost. Find out specifics which vary from insurer to insurer and state-to-state. These generally "fill in gaps" of TNC insurance, but have maximum mileage restrictions to qualify. (Recommended - Table at bottom)
  3. Get commercial insurance. The higher cost might be justifiable if you rideshare full-time or near full-time.
  4. Insurers may not yet offer all these options in areas recently opened to TNCs. A licensed insurance agent or independent agent familiar with rideshare should know the state-mandated minimum coverage.
Compare Prices

You owe it to yourself to call multiple insurers. Insurance payments may be your biggest expense after gas. There can be a huge price difference between insurers, based on where you live (there may be a 50% price difference in an adjacent town) and the amount of coverage provided. Have them explain all the details.

Procedure after an Accident
  1. Do not move either car unless they are in a dangerous location.
  2. If anyone (pedestrian or passenger in any vehicle) is injured then call 911 for an ambulance immediately.
  3. If there are any witnesses then get their names, phone #s, or other contact information.
  4. Call a cop to the scene. Get cop's name, badge #, and how to get a copy of the police report. Cop will not know and generally not care if you are driving for a TNC at the time of the accident unless you (or passengers) mention it, they see the application running on your phone, or trade-dress on your car.
  5. Your insurer will care, but generally rely on the honesty of the policyholder to report accurately. Knowingly lying is fraud. In rare circumstances, your insurer may demand a letter from Uber that you are not working for them.
  6. Exchange information with other driver(s) including: name, address, phone or email, insurer, policy#
  7. Arrange for a tow, if necessary. The cop may provide assistance at a cost if you have no other option.
  8. While at the scene. Use the driver-App to report the accident and take pictures of damage.
  9. If you have passengers then make sure they can get to their original destination safely.
 
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#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
If Insurer Denies Your Claim

If you made the claim yourself and the insurer denied the claim, you need to think about retaining a lawyer. There is nothing further that you can say to the adjuster. Most likely, the insurer denied your claim for one of two major reasons: 1) the adjuster truly believes that your claim has no merit, or 2) the insurer simply denied your claim in the hopes that you will give up.

If the adjuster believes that your claim has no merit, then no amount of talking to him/her is going to change the situation; the only thing that a lawyer can do is take your case out of the insurance pipeline and file a car accident lawsuit.

But sometimes adjusters will deny claims even though they know that the claim does have some merit. It should not be surprising to know that an insurer might sometimes deny a claim simply as a financial move. An insurance company is in business to make money for its stockholders, not for the benefit of people who file claims against it. An insurer looks at each claim from a profit and loss and risk perspective. If an insurer believes that denying a claim is the best financial move for it at that time, it will deny the claim. Insurers know that there is a certain percentage of people with otherwise valid claims who will not pursue the claim (i.e., hire a lawyer) if the claim is denied.

Either way, the reason that the insurer denied your claim is not significant to you. But if the insurer denied your claim just to push you around, it is possible that it will look more seriously at your claim if you are now represented by a lawyer.

Insurer Denies Your Attorney's Claim
If you have a lawyer who put together a demand letter and sent it off to the insurer, and the insurer denied your lawyer's claim, now your only choice is to give up or file a lawsuit.

You might think, "How dare they deny my claim! and file a lawsuit immediately." But you should be aware that insurance companies treat claims from lawyers with far more respect than they treat claims from unrepresented persons. They will not flatly deny claims from qualified lawyers for no good reason. They usually will make some offer, however low.

So, when lawyers have a claim summarily denied, they are going to think very hard about whether they have missed something. They will ask the adjuster why the claim was denied. They will try to prod the adjuster to disclose the evidence that the adjuster used to deny the claim. Unfortunately, adjusters rarely disclose the evidence against the plaintiff before the lawsuit, just like plaintiff's lawyers rarely disclose their evidence before they have to.

If the insurer denies your lawyer's claim, you can expect that your lawyer is going to ask you to come into the office and sit down for a brutally honest talk. Most lawyers are willing to file suit on tough cases, but they don't want to waste their time with a suit that has no chance of succeeding. They will want to review all of the evidence with you so that you can understand the odds against you.

If your lawyer is prepared to go forward with your case, he/she will usually send the insurer notice that he/she intends to file a claim under your state's Consumer Protection Act or Unfair Settlement Practices Act, if your state has such an act. That will give you additional leverage later on in the case, if it is determined that the insurer in fact denied your claim for no good reason.

This post provided by
Maven

Disclaimer: I do not receive any kind of compensation and I am not associated with any of the companies (other then my TNCs and my own insurer) mentioned above.

Agents

Agents

California - SafeButler - https://safebutler.com/uber/?ck=up01 - Compare price and more TaroTeaFan

New Jersey - Young Alfred - https://youngalfred.com/get-started - 215.586.5055 - alfred@youngalfred.com

New York - https://www.inshur.com inshurWhiz

Ohio - Cleveland/Akron - Erie - Brad Sussman - (Erie sponsorship ended) BradSussmanInsurance

Pennsylvania - Young Alfred - https://youngalfred.com/get-started - 215.586.5055 - alfred@youngalfred.com

Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia - Erie - Jim O'Brien - 703-838-9624 Jim O'Brien

To represent your insurance services on our forums please contact uberpeople.net@gmail.com
 
This post has been deleted
#13 ·
Texas
The required coverage limits in Texas can be provided by the TNC, Driver, or a combination of both.
Personal auto insurance policies are legally allowed to exclude (not cover) TNC activities.
The driver's TNC coverage can satisfy financial responsibility requirements for the state (replace personal policies)


Period 1 Limits (when APP is turned on):
$50,000 per person for injury or death
$100,000 per incident for injury or death
$25,000 per incident for property damage per accident

Period 2 Limits (A match is made on APP):
$1,500,000 for death, personal injury, and property damage
Period 3 Limits (Passenger is in the vehicle):
$1,500,000 for death, personal injury, and property damage

Carriers/Agents:
Allstate
USAA
Geico
Farmers
Garrison Property and Casualty
Metropolitan Lloyd's Insurance Company of Texas

Effective in Texas: January 1, 2016

Resources:
You might need to update this since it is is $1,000,000 for death, bodily injury, and property damage for each incident during Period 2 & Period 3. I can't include the link since I have received a like yet.

Also had some questions, took a look at the Uber/Lyft Insurance Documents. Do they cover Period 1, Period 2, & Period 3 for Texas?
 
This post has been deleted
#17 ·
Washington
The required coverage limits in Washington can be provided by the TNC, Driver, or a combination of both.
Personal auto insurance policies are legally allowed to exclude (not cover) TNC activities.


Any info on Idaho?

Period 1 Limits (when APP is turned on):
$50,000 per person for injury or death
$100,000 per incident for injury or death
$30,000 per incident for property damage per accident

Period 2 Limits (A match is made on APP):
$1,000,000 for death, personal injury, and property damage
$1,000,000 Uninsured/Underinsured coverage

Period 3 Limits (Passenger is in the vehicle):
$1,000,000 for death, personal injury, and property damage
$1,000,000 Uninsured/Underinsured coverage


Carriers/Agents:
Metromile
USAA

Effective in Washington: May 11, 2015

Resources:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5550
Senate Bull 5550

Wisconsin
The required coverage limits in Wisconsin can be provided by the TNC, Driver, or a combination of both.

Period 1 Limits (when APP is turned on):
Known gap in Wisconsin
Period 2 Limits (A match is made on APP):
$1,000,000 for death, personal injury, and property damage
Period 3 Limits (Passenger is in the vehicle):
$1,000,000 for death, personal injury, and property damage

Carriers/Agents:
Erie
Farmers

Effective in Wisconsin: May 1, 2015

Resources:
http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2015/related/proposals/ab143
Assembly Bill 143
 
This post has been deleted
#8 ·
This is great info. It's nice to see the myths cleared up.

However, I do see a problem with this wording:

The commercial coverage provided by the TNC does not replace your personal state required policy, but may cover the risk your personal insurer does not.
It does replace your state policy while in periods 2 and 3. Not that your personal policy isn't still required by the state, but for filing purposes, the TNC insurance is the primary while a personal policy is almost certainly of no value at all. Also, may is not an accurate operative word. Will or is intended to seems more accurate. I know of no incident where they failed to pay exactly as described. Do you? It seems to imply that they may not pay which is not a reasonable description from all that I've read. They seem to pay in full every time and quickly. They are also required to live up to their published coverages by state laws, are they not?
 
#19 ·
An Uber/Lyft car can only operate maybe 84 hours, max, yet Farmers and Progressive charge an Uber driver the same rate as a Fleet Taxi, $600 - $700 per month. It doesn't take a complex actuarial calculator to see that an Uber car has 1/2 the risk of a Fleet Taxi . . . so, if a $300/month commercial policy was offered, we wouldn't have to worry about gaps and exclusions in any of the states.
What say you to that?
 
#5 ·
#7 · (Edited)
Period 1 -
Period 1 coverage is the same for both companies Uber and Lyft. This coverage only steps in when your personal coverage denies coverage. These limits may change depending on State Law (see requirements by state above).
View attachment 29898
Effective 23 March 2016, in Ohio, by law, the TNC is not permitted to require a driver's personal auto policy to first deny a claim.

Sec. 3938.02.
(A)(1) Each transportation network company driver shall be covered by a primary automobile insurance policy that recognizes that the driver is a transportation network company driver or otherwise uses a vehicle to transport passengers for compensation and provides coverage during both of the following periods of time:

(a) While the driver is logged on to the transportation network company's digital network;
(b) While the driver is engaged in transportation network company services.

(2) The primary automobile insurance policy required by division (A)(1) of this section shall meet the following coverage requirements:

(a) While a transportation network company driver is logged on to the transportation network company's digital network and is available to receive transportation requests but is not engaged in transportation network company services, primary automobile insurance shall be maintained in the following amounts:

(i) At least fifty thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident;
(ii) At least one hundred thousand dollars because of bodily injury or death of two or more persons in any one accident;
(iii) At least twenty-five thousand dollars because of injury to property of others in any one accident.

. . .

(3) The insurance required by divisions (A)(1) and (2) of this section may be satisfied by either of the following or a combination of the following:

(a) An automobile insurance policy that is maintained by the transportation network company driver ;
(b) An automobile insurance policy that is maintained by the transportation network company .

(B)
(1) If personal automobile insurance maintained by a transportation network company driver does not provide liability coverage in the amounts required by division (A)(2) of this section, insurance maintained by the transportation network company shall provide the required coverage, beginning with the first dollar of the claim and shall have the duty to defend the claim.

(2) An automobile insurance policy maintained by a transportation network company in accordance with this section shall not require the driver's personal automobile insurer or policy to first deny a claim before providing coverage.
 
#9 · (Edited)
This is great info. It's nice to see the myths cleared up.

However, I do see a problem with this wording:

It does replace your state policy while in periods 2 and 3. Not that your personal policy isn't still required by the state, but for filing purposes, the TNC insurance is the primary while a personal policy is almost certainly of no value at all. Also, may is not an accurate operative word. Will or is intended to seems more accurate. I know of no incident where they failed to pay exactly as described. Do you? It seems to imply that they may not pay which is not a reasonable description from all that I've read. They seem to pay in full every time and quickly. They are also required to live up to their published coverages by state laws, are they not?
I think the word may was used because the law as written in Ohio doesn't require one or the other to provide coverage, it requires either or both. In other words, if your personal policy covers commercial use the TNC is not required to cover you.
 
#10 ·
If you are driving for Uber or Lyft or any app-based transportation network company (TNC), it's very important that you understand your insurance and risk.

Most drivers have personal auto insurance which is required by state law to operate a vehicle. However, the personal auto policy you have likely does not include driving for business use, such as driving for a TNC, due to having built in exclusions. Most TNC's are required by law to have insurance that covers you when you are en-route to pickup and when you are carrying a passenger. This does not cover the period of time when you have the app turned on, but have yet to be matched with a passenger which may be already excluded in your personal auto policy. This means both the TNC and your personal insurance can deny a claim and leave you without any coverage and a large responsibility.

Several insurance companies are now adding specialized commercial rates or endorsements to current policies which can cover this gap in coverage.

In this post we have included state by state insurance laws for TNC drivers as well as contact information for qualified agents. Not having the correct coverage while driving for money can be very risky. For this reason, it's important to speak to an insurance professional about the policies and coverage options available to determine which will best fit your specific needs.There are some states that do not offer specialized insurance coverage for TNCs. We will continue to update the state laws and insurance carriers providing services as they become available.

The three periods of coverage in the TNC driving process:

Period 1: The time period from when you turn on your app until you accept a ride or are "matched" with a rider. This is the time you are working without a driver assignment (most common gap in coverage).

Period 2:Once you accept the match/ride and are in transit to pick up the rider(s). This is the period of time you have an assignment, but no passenger (this ends when the rider enters the vehicle).

Period 3: This time begins when the rider enters the rideshare vehicle and is finished once that transaction has ended. The cycle either repeats itself or it ends if the app is turned off.
The massive blackhole insurance gap in Florida no one mentions is "period zero" when driver is off duty or turned app off. Besides the app on gap of no PIP and possibly no collision on your car. No insurer in Florida covers an Uber driver On duty or off duty. Its cat and mouse. They keep collecting your premiums,but in a big loss crash with a four door car all they need to do is subpeona Uber, your bank starements etc. And your off duty goose is cooked. There is a Joint Insurance Underwriters Association FAJUA that is mandated by FLOIR to insure Uber drivers(and other risk category groups) for personal driving.
 
#12 ·
Thanks to the OP for posting this. Glad to see the driver universe starting to wake up. I fear however that the vast preponderance of drivers are still out there blissfully risking all on a personal insurance policy. They are committing insurance fraud and will rightfully be left high and dry (and very exposed) in the event of an incident.

I got Erie business coverage in Indiana and it was very reasonable, about a 40% premium over personal coverage.
 
#14 ·
Illinois now has Geico commercial as an option for coverage. I just did a quote and signed up today. Wasn't willing to risk driving until I got that taken care of. Best part is that I didn't have to put all my autos and home policy with them. They don't offer a loan payoff option so I didn't want to switch my wife's newer car and Erie required everything or nothing. My uber car is a 2006 accord so most of the depreciation has occurred already even though I have a loan I won't lose as much if something happens. Progressive simply doesn't offer ride-sharing coverage in IL yet so Accord is with Geico and other cars and home still with progressive. Drive save out there
 
#15 ·
If you are driving for Uber or Lyft or any app-based transportation network company (TNC), it's very important that you understand your insurance and risk.

Most drivers have personal auto insurance which is required by state law to operate a vehicle. However, the personal auto policy you have likely does not include driving for business use, such as driving for a TNC, due to having built in exclusions. Most TNC's are required by law to have insurance that covers you when you are en-route to pickup and when you are carrying a passenger. This does not cover the period of time when you have the app turned on, but have yet to be matched with a passenger which may be already excluded in your personal auto policy. This means both the TNC and your personal insurance can deny a claim and leave you without any coverage and a large responsibility.

Several insurance companies are now adding specialized commercial rates or endorsements to current policies which can cover this gap in coverage.

In this post we have included state by state insurance laws for TNC drivers as well as contact information for qualified agents. Not having the correct coverage while driving for money can be very risky. For this reason, it's important to speak to an insurance professional about the policies and coverage options available to determine which will best fit your specific needs.There are some states that do not offer specialized insurance coverage for TNCs. We will continue to update the state laws and insurance carriers providing services as they become available.

The three periods of coverage in the TNC driving process:

Period 1: The time period from when you turn on your app until you accept a ride or are "matched" with a rider. This is the time you are working without a driver assignment (most common gap in coverage).

Period 2:Once you accept the match/ride and are in transit to pick up the rider(s). This is the period of time you have an assignment, but no passenger (this ends when the rider enters the vehicle).

Period 3: This time begins when the rider enters the rideshare vehicle and is finished once that transaction has ended. The cycle either repeats itself or it ends if the app is turned off.
Who is covering insurance like this in the state of Florida, specifically Brevard County?
 
#16 ·
OK I have a question here. I spoke to a Texas insurance broker. She said that my personal auto insurance may not cover me when I drive, but that Progressive just started writing personal auto insurance with a "ridesharing" endorsement. My insurance carrier is not listed on this thread. I called them and they said they would specifically exclude Uber/Lyft and the like.

I called Progressive and they said that they can write a personal insurance policy with a ridesharing endorsement, of course it will cost more money and I would have to agree to install their Snapshot device in my car as well.

I looked at my current insurance and it meets the new 2016 Texas insurance requirements for increased insurance coverage when driving for Uber. I have reviewed this thread, and from what it appears, even though my current insurance will deny coverage, Uber's insurance assumes coverage when the app is turned on and I am logged in as a driver (regardless of assignment, or no assignment).

So, assuming my current insurance company will deny coverage, and Uber's picks up where mine leaves off, am I ok currently?

What does the Progressive Insurance "ridesharing" endorsement add on? How much more would it cost versus getting a personal policy with the same car and same coverage through Progressive but without the ridesharing endorsement?

Trying to see what the raw cost difference is, and what their endorsement would actually cover. I don't see the need to buy Progressive's Insurance with the ridesharing endorsement if (1) it is not needed and (2) it is expensive.
 
#51 ·
OK I have a question here. I spoke to a Texas insurance broker. She said that my personal auto insurance may not cover me when I drive, but that Progressive just started writing personal auto insurance with a "ridesharing" endorsement. My insurance carrier is not listed on this thread. I called them and they said they would specifically exclude Uber/Lyft and the like.

I called Progressive and they said that they can write a personal insurance policy with a ridesharing endorsement, of course it will cost more money and I would have to agree to install their Snapshot device in my car as well.

I looked at my current insurance and it meets the new 2016 Texas insurance requirements for increased insurance coverage when driving for Uber. I have reviewed this thread, and from what it appears, even though my current insurance will deny coverage, Uber's insurance assumes coverage when the app is turned on and I am logged in as a driver (regardless of assignment, or no assignment).

So, assuming my current insurance company will deny coverage, and Uber's picks up where mine leaves off, am I ok currently?

What does the Progressive Insurance "ridesharing" endorsement add on? How much more would it cost versus getting a personal policy with the same car and same coverage through Progressive but without the ridesharing endorsement?

Trying to see what the raw cost difference is, and what their endorsement would actually cover. I don't see the need to buy Progressive's Insurance with the ridesharing endorsement if (1) it is not needed and (2) it is expensive.
In North Carolina Progressive offers a ride sharing endorsement but the premium cost would erase the pittance that we are paid!
 
#135 ·
yeah . don't tell Geico
OK I have a question here. I spoke to a Texas insurance broker. She said that my personal auto insurance may not cover me when I drive, but that Progressive just started writing personal auto insurance with a "ridesharing" endorsement. My insurance carrier is not listed on this thread. I called them and they said they would specifically exclude Uber/Lyft and the like.

I called Progressive and they said that they can write a personal insurance policy with a ridesharing endorsement, of course it will cost more money and I would have to agree to install their Snapshot device in my car as well.

I looked at my current insurance and it meets the new 2016 Texas insurance requirements for increased insurance coverage when driving for Uber. I have reviewed this thread, and from what it appears, even though my current insurance will deny coverage, Uber's insurance assumes coverage when the app is turned on and I am logged in as a driver (regardless of assignment, or no assignment).

So, assuming my current insurance company will deny coverage, and Uber's picks up where mine leaves off, am I ok currently?

What does the Progressive Insurance "ridesharing" endorsement add on? How much more would it cost versus getting a personal policy with the same car and same coverage through Progressive but without the ridesharing endorsement?

Trying to see what the raw cost difference is, and what their endorsement would actually cover. I don't see the need to buy Progressive's Insurance with the ridesharing endorsement if (1) it is not needed and (2) it is expensive.
initially honesty Isn't the best policy sometime. If your being far and not saying anything you don't need to..I would not.I had Geico, told them a worked very rarely with ride shares and they dropped me.. and if I cancel my driving accounts and sent proof they would think about reinstate me, no guarantee

any good local insurance agency near pensacola FL?
 
#20 ·
An Uber/Lyft car can only operate maybe 84 hours, max, yet Farmers and Progressive charge an Uber driver the same rate as a Fleet Taxi, $600 - $700 per month. It doesn't take a complex actuarial calculator to see that an Uber car has 1/2 the risk of a Fleet Taxi . . . so, if a $300/month commercial policy was offered, we wouldn't have to worry about gaps and exclusions in any of the states.
What say you to that?
1/2 the cost, not so much my dude. barrier to entry is zero so any unpredictable variable (from an INS. company POV) enters the statistical group @ any point along the timeline. the actuarial tables aren't filled w/ enough data b/c 99% of us are lying to our INS. provider to save $$$ & flout rules. until there's a state by state legislative mandate on this or insurers ask you to sign an affidavit confirming "you're NOT a rideshare driver", prices will vary wildly since regulation is low A/F.
 
#21 ·
True. Any point along the timeline is an instantaneous assumption of risk, but over time . . . a shorter thread is less risk. That is why a few companies are discounting by mileage.
The single-driver vehicle will put on half the miles of a 24/7 taxi, statistically and realistically. This is an innovation, and business and government must respond to this new market.
As far as 'lying,' . . . each driver would have to purchase insurance, so that may take into account one car shared by another driver, but that is pretty easy to find out, the plate and VIN numbers . . .
Meanwhile, Uber drivers are locked into the Uber app which is a Vertically Integrated Monopoly. They deserve full commercial insurance at half the 24/7 fleet rate.
 
#23 ·
There is no subrogation if the claim is denied, i.e., not covered within the Uber/Lyft insurance plans. Your claim is denied, denied, denied, and your coverage cancelled. According to your anecdotal account, Geico cancelled your coverage . . . and I think denied your claim? It is now standard operation procedure for insurers to ask if you are using your car for Uber or 'ridesharing' before they approve your claim. The fact that your wife mentioned your Uber work within earshot of the adjuster . . .
If you own two cars and one is used for 'ridesharing' with Uber 'trade dress,' the insurance companies should offer a $300/month commercial policy for whichever car is registered under the Uber app. Uber should then credit you their 'loading/safety' fee because you have your own commercial insurance.
However, the way the 'TNC' laws are written, you cannot use your car commercially unless a rideshare app is turned on . . . convenient for Uber and Lyft as it creates a Vertically Integrated Monopoly.
 
#24 ·
the fact that your wife mentioned your Uber work within earshot of the adjuster . . .
trust me dude, I about lost my stuff when she told me that! OMGWTF

and yea more & more drivers are either being straight up asked by their car insurance provider over the phone (recorded line) or having to submit to a paper questionnaire! the carriers are building a file against you if/when you submit a claim they can reject coverage on the basis of literally... "liar, liar, pants on fire".
 
#25 · (Edited)
This does not cover the period of time when you have the app turned on, but have yet to be matched with a passenger which may be already excluded in your personal auto policy. This means both the TNC and your personal insurance can deny a claim and leave you without any coverage and a large responsibility.
This line is in error. Every state has JR insurance in this period for limited liability.
 
#32 ·
Uber's liability limits are lower during the gap period than during the period when a pax is in the car on a ride ($500,000 vs. $1,000,000) - unless state law specifically requires Uber/Lyft to provide the same liability limits during the gap as they do when a rider is in the car (as they do in Ohio). Just as important to know is that if you do not have collision and comp on your personal policy, Uber provides no collision or comp coverage for the driver/car. In that circumstance, wreck your car on the way to a pick-up (or while on a ride) and you are on the hook for 100% of the damage to your car and your medical expenses unless you can go after someone else (like the driver of a car that hit you).
 
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#28 ·
James River is not accepted insurance in most states, reason being JR would have to comply with insurance law's for hire.

Well despite Uber being all for profit their not for hire. So as a result they say , to the dismay of insurance officials that their a app, with overlay coverages. That has yet to be established if it pays out much if anything to either their valued consumers or us unvalued....driver's.

In Florida Uber...has 0 filed and no ability to even pay out claims. Done within insurance guidelines.

So people are running with pip insurance with 0 coverage. Cost about $69 bucks monthly. Insurance canceled at any moment.

Does anyone have any better information than the above. Of Course other than drinking the Uber Kool Aid.
 
#29 ·
I am amused by the insurance debates. Your personal insurance provider is not constrained by the Periods of TNC coverage, since jurisdictions mandate TNC companies to provide coverage during those periods--that is, States are not mandating insurance providers to provide coverage broken down by Periods. Personal insurance companies don't have to recognize whether or not you have app on or off, thus the reason they can terminate coverage and reject your claim no matter if you were using the app or not, if your personal policies stipulates not for commercial use.
 
#30 · (Edited)
I have two vehicles, a commercially insured livery suv and a honda accord.

My suv, fully insured costs $770 per month to insure. 1 million coverage + and collision. 24/7

My Honda costs $39 dollars a month for liability. No collision.

Since Uber has brilliantly bypassed legitimate insurance, they can offer lower costs of goods, Ie lower prices.

I on occasion do Uber, mornings during surges in Miami , it's the only money making time, I'm no idiot my costs are the non surge rate.

Problem here is Uber is putting everything and everyone out of busisnes with their cheating of legitimate laws requiring insurance.

Personal car $39
Comercial $770

My weekly miles driven Comercial prior to Uber was 800 miles to 1200 weekly.
So figure 1000 miles of risk for $770 driving for hire. High deductible of $2500 for collision also.

0 tickets 0 accidents 10 years on the road

Uber and this song and dance of not being for hire...so you want insurance, the real thing read above. That's what it costs.
 
#31 ·
I wonder if there is a gap insurance that covers only Phase 1 , so you can use your insurance thats provided by uber but are still covered when your app is running with out beeing mated yet to a rider .
Did anybody ever hear about that for California.
(If there isn't one I now it will be coming because California Law is that you have to have minimum liability for your car so the gray zone of Phase one is kind of unlawful)
 
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