Does Driving for a Rideshare Company Raise Your Car Insurance Premium?

Rideshare companies have become an increasingly popular way to travel in recent years. These companies have also served as income for many individuals and continue to act as full-time jobs or part-time gigs for more and more people every year. Although it can be a great way to make some quick cash, many rideshare drivers are unaware that these jobs may impact their car insurance premiums. 

When it comes to driving for a rideshare company and paying for insurance, one of the most popular questions is, “Does being a rideshare driver increase my car insurance premium”? Today, we will explore how rideshare driving affects one’s premium costs and how to avoid hefty monthly payments. 

The Florida Rideshare Law

For starters, let’s begin with the requirements around rideshare drivers, insurance, and the state of Florida. This way, you can ensure that you are always meeting the minimum state law requirements to avoid any additional fees and fines. So, what is rideshare insurance, and how does it affect a Florida driver?

When using a rideshare app, drivers in Florida must have personal vehicle insurance and sometimes additional coverage through a rideshare add-on policy. Florida requires all drivers to maintain a certain amount of auto insurance coverage to protect themselves and other drivers on the road. These requirements are even more critical for rideshare drivers, who could potentially be held liable for any damages that occur while they are operating their vehicles.

To meet Florida’s auto insurance requirements, you must also carry personal injury protection and property damage liability coverage worth a minimum of $10,000 each. Whenever you operate a vehicle as a rideshare driver, you must maintain these coverages. 

It is possible to meet these requirements through your personal insurance. However, your insurance company can deny you coverage if you are working for a ridesharing app. As a result, if you are denied coverage, you must purchase additional rideshare insurance in Florida to meet the minimum insurance requirements.

Personal Auto Insurance vs. Rideshare Insurance

Personal auto insurance aims to protect drivers from accidents and other damages to their vehicles. Individuals typically purchase this type of insurance to cover their own personal vehicles. It is possible, however, that a personal auto insurance policy will not provide adequate protection when driving for a rideshare company. This is because individual auto insurance policies typically exclude coverage for driving for commercial purposes. 

When a rideshare driver is logged into the app and waiting for a ride request, they may not be covered by the rideshare company’s insurance, leaving them vulnerable to liability. As such, rideshare drivers should consider purchasing additional coverage, such as a rideshare insurance policy in Florida. This will enable them to protect themselves and their vehicles should an accident occur while driving for a rideshare company.

Rideshare insurance is specifically designed to fill this gap and provides additional coverage for drivers during all rideshare trip periods. It can also provide protection against damages to the driver’s personal vehicle that the rideshare company’s insurance may not cover.

Your rideshare insurance coverage varies based on the “period” or “stage you are in. For example, your coverage differs when you are waiting for a passenger versus when you are driving the passenger to their requested drop-off location. This is because waiting for a pick up vs. having said pick up in your car brings on different liabilities. Each of these periods or stages is determined by the data on your rideshare app, as you are obligated to record your movements while being logged on as an active driver.

Will My Insurance Premiums Go Up?

Insurance premiums can vary depending on the insurance company and other factors, so it’s impossible to say whether driving for a rideshare company in Florida will raise them. Due to the longer travel time and potential for accidents, insurance companies may consider rideshare driving a higher-risk activity. For instance, if you get into an accident while driving for a rideshare company, the insurance company may consider that to be a commercial activity and charge you a higher premium than if you were just driving for personal use. This could be the case even if you have the same insurance policy. 

The state of Florida does not allow insurance companies to increase premiums solely because a driver works for a rideshare service. This ensures that drivers who work for rideshare companies are not penalized for the additional risk they take by offering this service. However, some insurance companies may offer additional coverage for rideshare driving at a higher cost, while others may include rideshare driving in their premium calculations. Insurance companies may still factor in the increased risk of accidents caused by ridesharing when they calculate premiums, but they cannot raise their rates solely because a rideshare service employs a driver.

Depending on the insurance company, rideshare insurance may be offered to endorse a personal auto policy, which will affect the premium. Drivers should talk to their insurance company about how rideshare driving may affect their coverage and premiums—understanding the implications of rideshare driving and how it may affect insurance coverage and premiums is essential for drivers to avoid purchasing a policy that is not affordable to them at the time.

What Should I Do if I Want to Drive for a Rideshare Company in Florida?

Consider these tips if you are thinking of working for a rideshare company in Florida to protect yourself. First, research the rideshare company’s insurance coverage and requirements, and make sure you understand the different periods of a rideshare trip and the corresponding insurance requirements. This will help ensure you do not purchase additional coverage that you have already been given through your rideshare employer, potentially saving you money on your yearly premium.

Additionally, you should check with your personal auto insurance provider to see if ridesharing coverage is available or if your policy will cover you while you work for a rideshare company. As we stated above, without notifying your insurance company of your rideshare driving gig, they will have the right to deny coverage in the event of an accident. This is because your personal vehicle was being used for commercial transportation, which may be outside of your current policy limits.  

When driving for a rideshare app, you will also want to keep a detailed log of when and where you are traveling. This may help you lower premium costs by showing your insurer, on average, how much you drive and for how long. The good news is that most (if not all) rideshare driving apps will do this for you.

Money Saving Tips for Rideshare Insurance

Getting the best coverage at the lowest price requires comparing quotes from different insurance companies. One thing to consider when purchasing a policy is increasing your deductible to lower your premium, but be sure that you can afford to pay the higher deductible in the event of an accident. You will also want to take advantage of any discounts or incentives offered by your insurance company, such as safe driving discounts or multi-policy discounts. 

Driving safely and avoiding accidents can also help you maintain a good driving record, which may lead to lower premiums. You may even consider using a telematics device to track your driving behavior and potentially lower your premium based on how safely you drive. Having a good driving record shows insurance companies that you are a responsible driver and less of a risk. This can decrease premiums because they feel more confident that you (the driver) won’t get into an accident. Telematics devices can provide detailed information about your driving habits, which can further help to lower your premiums.

How to Find the Best Rates?

Are you looking for the easiest and most effective way to find the best rates on your rideshare insurance in South Florida? Well, Del Toro Insurance may be just what you need to save money on your policy and remain fully covered in the unfortunate event of an accident. 

Among Florida rideshare drivers, Del Toro Insurance offers coverage designed specifically for this type of work. Our rates are generally competitive with other insurance providers, and we offer liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage options. 

To find the best rates using Del Toro Insurance, consider working with one of our expert insurance agents who can help you compare rates and coverage options from multiple insurance providers. Our team of agents can also help you understand the different factors that impact your insurance premiums, such as your driving record and the type of vehicle you drive, and help you find discounts and incentives that can lower your overall costs. 

By working with our agents and considering the coverage options available through Del Toro Insurance, rideshare drivers in Florida can find the most affordable rates and get the protection YOU need to stay safe and secure on the road.

Stay safe. Contact Del Toro Insurance Today!