All reputable ride-sharing companies require their drivers to have their own auto insurance coverage, and the more prominent companies — including Uber and Lyft — also have additional insurance policies in place to protect both the driver and passengers in case of a crash.
Both companies maintain three “layers” of insurance coverage in case of a crash. (Although they claim to have a fourth layer of coverage, it’s really just the driver’s personal insurance policy.) Which layers of coverage apply depends on which phase of the ride your driver was in at the time of the crash:
- If the driver had their Uber/Lyft app off and wasn’t working at the time of the crash, they are covered only by their personal auto insurance policy.
- If the driver had their app on in driver mode but didn’t have an active ride at the time, they are covered by liability insurance up to:
- $50,000 per person for bodily injury
- $100,000 per accident total for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
- From the time the driver accepts a ride request until they drop that passenger off, they are covered by auto liability and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage up to $1 million per accident for injuries; for property damage, they’re covered by contingent collision and comprehensive coverage up to the cash value of the vehicle or the repair cost, whichever is less.
Based on the coverage available, if you’ve been hurt in a crash that involves an Uber or Lyft vehicle, you may be eligible to get compensation for your injuries according to the damages that exist in your case, which might include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
