Uber Insurance

Allstate, State Farm, Progressive, and Geico agree, their policies do not cover Uber drivers or ridesharing activities of any kind. As Urban Insurance has written in prior posts, “Private passenger policies” do not provide coverage for vehicles used commercially, and make no mistake- Driving passengers for money is clearly commercial use. Yes this includes the times a driver is logged in to an Uber app but has yet to be matched with a fare. Uber insurance requirements are not always clear, and can very by state law. Not only have Progressive Geico and others refused to pay for claims, they have begun canceling policies of customers caught driving for any rideshare services.

Uber’s insurance coverage for ridesharing in the U.S. includes as of July 14, 2014:

$1 million of liability coverage per incident. Uber holds a commercial insurance policy with $1 million of coverage per incident. Drivers’ liability to third parties is covered from the moment a driver accepts a trip to its conclusion. This policy is expressly primary to any personal auto coverage (However it will not take precedence over any commercial auto insurance for the vehicle). We have provided a $1 million liability policy since commencing ridesharing in early 2013.

$1 million of uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage per incident. In December 2013, we also added uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. In the event that another motorist causes an accident with an uberX vehicle and doesn’t carry adequate insurance, this policy covers bodily injury to all occupants of the rideshare vehicle. This is important to ensure protection in a hit and run.

Contingent comprehensive and collision insurance. If a ridesharing driver holds personal comprehensive and collision insurance this policy covers physical damage to that vehicle that occurs during a trip up to the actual cash value of the vehicle, for any reason, with a $1,000 deductible.

No fault coverage (e.g., Personal Injury Protection) is provided in certain states at similar levels as limos or taxis in those cities.

$50,000/$100,000/$25,000 of contingent coverage between trips.** During the time that a ridesharing partner is available but between trips, most personal auto insurance will provide coverage. However the driver is also backed by an additional policy that covers driver liability for bodily injury up to $50,000/individual/accident with a total of $100,000/accident and up to $25,000 for property damage. This policy is contingent to a driver’s personal insurance policy, meaning it will only pay if the personal auto insurance completely declines or pays zero. This policy meets or exceeds the requirements for 3rd party liability insurance in every state in the U.S.

Remember, the rules are different for each program Uber operates.

As always, all UberBLACK, UberSUV, or UberTAXI rides are provided by commercially licensed and insured partners and drivers. Those transportation providers are covered by commercial insurance policies, in accordance with local and state requirements.

Larry Lubell    

Urban Insurance Agency, LLC  800 North Wells Chicago, Il. 60610  / 312-664-8088 

When looking for commercial insurance in Chicago and throughout Illinois, Urban will work with you to assess the risks facing your business, and we work hard to make the process simple for you. You can trust Urban Insurance to help you with all of your commercial truck insurance needs. We have a A+ rating at the Better Business Bureau and we will search on one, but a variety of companies to find you the lowest rates for the coverage you need.