The Effects of Driving for A Rideshare Company on Your Auto Insurance

The popularity of rideshare apps has increased over the past several years. Although they are a bit pricey, you can get someone to pick you up virtually anywhere with the click of a button. For several reasons, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft are replacing taxis. 

For many people in Florida, driving for a rideshare company is a fantastic way to earn extra money and make their own hours. However, the unique nature of these programs has made it difficult for drivers to find the car insurance that will cover them during this time.

In this article, we’ll explain why you need rideshare insurance in Florida and how you can get it if you’re driving for Uber or Lyft.

Misinformation Out There About Rideshare Insurance

It can be difficult to find accurate information about rideshare insurance. This is because it’s a newly emerging market, and it will take some time for the companies in this space to sort through the significant issues and develop standardized policies.

The many diverse types of insurance companies also make it difficult to track what is covered by your policy. Some insurers are trying to make money by offering low rates but not covering everything that could happen on the road. Others will cover most things (but charge higher premiums) or charge more for all coverage whether you agree or not (think: “medical payments”). Some companies won’t even offer rideshare coverage at all!

Because of these complications, I recommend doing your research before signing any contracts with an insurer or agency representing them, like Geico or Progressive, who have both been working on developing their own policies specifically designed for rideshare drivers so that they don’t need third party brokers anymore — which will save everyone money over time!

Rideshare Insurance Coverages

In order to find the best rideshare insurance for you, it’s important to know what coverage is available and how much it will cost. Here is a list of some of the more common types of coverage offered by rideshare insurance companies:

Collision Coverage: Provides protection against damage to your vehicle if it is involved in an accident. 

Medical Expense Coverage: This can reimburse you and your passengers for medical expenses in the event of an injury. 

Liability: When you meet the deductible on your liability insurance policy, you will be covered for the expenses associated with property damage and bodily injury to others. 

Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This can protect you against accidents caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers. 

Depending on your policy and the amount of coverage you choose, rideshare insurance policies may also cover legal expenses, towing reimbursement, and rental cars.

In-Depth Definition of Rideshare Insurance in South Florida

Rideshare insurance is a type of commercial auto insurance that covers any driver who works for a ride-hailing service like Uber or Lyft. This type of insurance replaces personal auto insurance when you’re using your vehicle to give rides. However, unlike private car insurance, it’s not sold directly to consumers—you must go through your employer or marketplace such as Lyft or Uber.

The rules around rideshare coverage vary by state; however, there are some similarities across them all:

• Rideshare companies must provide the policy at no cost (except in California)
• Rideshare drivers must have a minimum level of liability coverage
• Drivers may be required to maintain additional types of coverage

Companies like Uber and Lyft offer their own rideshare insurance policies that cover drivers when they’re on the clock but not when driving their vehicles. This is because personal auto insurance doesn’t typically cover commercial use of your car, which can include driving for a ride-sharing service.

Every rideshare program has different requirements.

In some states, you are required to carry personal auto insurance on your car when driving for a rideshare company. You’ll need to check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to determine if and when you need additional coverage.

Many states require that drivers maintain commercial insurance policies in order to drive for Uber or Lyft. Check out our guide on how to get a rideshare-friendly commercial policy before signing up for either program.

Uber and Lyft require that their drivers have a minimum level of personal auto insurance. In some states, you may need to get an additional policy through the rideshare platforms themselves.

Rideshare insurance in Florida is a big deal – and it’s very different from other states.

You may have heard you need a rideshare insurance policy for your car if you’re driving for Uber or Lyft. This is because Florida requires you to carry a specific policy on top of your auto insurance policy when driving for these companies.

 However, Florida is the only state with such strict requirements for rideshare drivers’ auto insurance coverage. In addition, Florida state laws require a policy covering liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage (a minimum of $50,000/$100,000).

So while many drivers assume they need some kind of commercial coverage to drive their own cars as part of their gig with Uber or Lyft and don’t realize they need more than that until they get into an accident or something happens while they’re logged into their app… That’s when it’s too late!

Read Up on Rideshare Insurance Laws in Florida

Ride-sharing companies like Lyft and Uber offer another option for people who want to get from one place to another. These companies both hire drivers and provide cars for the drivers to use. Riders pay for the service through a mobile app or website, which calculates the cost based on distance traveled and time spent on the road.

Rideshares must be aware of their state’s laws regarding rideshare insurance because these laws could affect how much they pay for coverage in an accident. The states with the most stringent requirements are called “no-fault” states; these require each driver involved in an accident that results in injury or death to carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage as well as uninsured motorist coverage if they are at fault. Even if they aren’t at fault, these policies will cover medical bills up to $50k per person/$100k per incident, regardless of who caused an accident.

The states with the least stringent requirements are called “fault” states; these require drivers to carry liability insurance but do not have PIP or UM coverage requirements. Instead, drivers in these states must purchase personal injury protection (PIP) coverage from their car insurance carriers and uninsured motorist coverage from an independent provider.

Where to Get Rideshare Insurance in Florida?

If you’re looking to get rideshare insurance in Florida, you’ll need to work with an insurer specializing in it. You can’t just go to any insurance company, find a policy, and call it a day. 

Many companies don’t offer rideshare coverage at all, or they offer policies that are either too expensive or not generous enough. With that said, you need to be careful when choosing your insurer, or you may end up paying more than necessary and still be underinsured if something happens while driving for Uber or Lyft.

Because of this issue, many insurers have started offering specialized rideshare policies alongside their standard auto insurance offerings. When choosing an auto insurer, try doing a Google search for “rideshare insurance Florida.” You might also ask some other drivers who work for Uber or Lyft if they have any recommendations; many people have found great deals by talking with friends who drive as part of their job!

If you’re looking for an insurance company offering rideshare coverage in Florida, ask for a quote first. You’ll want to know how much it will cost before committing.

How Much is Florida Rideshare Insurance

A rideshare insurance policy is typically an add-on to a personal auto policy, so you can’t buy it independently. Since rideshare insurance is designed to be an add-on and will only be used part-time, the policies are significantly more affordable than personal policies because they are designed as add-ons. 

You can expect to pay as little as $6 a month for additional rideshare coverage to as much as $30 a month for additional coverage as a rideshare driver. It depends on your driving record, your current policy, the coverage you select, and the auto insurance company.

Conclusion

While driving for Uber or Lyft can provide you with extra pocket money, driving for a rideshare company may affect your auto insurance, and it’s important to understand how. If you drive for a rideshare company, then be sure to check with your insurance provider to see if they offer coverage for this kind of work. You will likely need special coverage because the nature of being an Uber or Lyft driver differs from what most insurers consider standard transportation activities.

It is also important to be mindful of your state laws because, as you read, some states, such as Florida, have their own unique rules about rideshare insurance.