Many drivers do, unless their current policy already covers app work. Uber, Lyft and DoorDash carry insurance while you’re working, but it mostly pays for other people, changes with what the app is doing, and varies by state. Many personal auto policies exclude this work, so ask your insurer about a rideshare or delivery endorsement before your next shift.
The four coverage periods
Insurance for app work depends on what the app is doing at the moment of a crash. Insurers and regulators usually describe four periods, listed below, followed by a summary of what each company says it maintains in each one. Check the insurance section of each app for the limits in your state.
- App off: you’re driving for yourself, and only your personal policy applies.
- App on, waiting for a request: often called period 1. Company coverage here is limited, and on DoorDash it’s usually none.
- Request accepted, heading to the pickup: period 2.
- Passenger or order in the car until drop-off: period 3. Uber, Lyft and DoorDash treat periods 2 and 3 the same way.
| Period | Uber rides | Lyft rides | Uber Eats | DoorDash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| App off | None; your policy applies | None | None | None |
| App on, waiting | Liability of at least $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident and $25,000 property, if your policy doesn’t apply | Same amounts if your policy doesn’t apply, lower in Arizona and Nebraska | Liability of at least state minimums | Usually none; your policy is primary, with exceptions in a few states |
| Accepted, through drop-off | At least $1,000,000 liability; contingent collision up to actual cash value, $2,500 deductible | At least $1,000,000 liability in most markets; contingent collision, $2,500 deductible | $500,000 liability, or more where required; nothing for your car | Up to $1,000,000 liability in most states, may apply as excess; nothing for your car |
What Uber and Lyft say they cover
Uber says your personal policy covers you while you’re offline. While you’re online and waiting, it maintains the third-party liability shown in the table, which applies only if your own policy doesn’t. Depending on state law it may add uninsured motorist, personal injury protection or medical payments coverage, but there is no collision coverage for your car until you accept a trip.
Once you accept, Uber’s liability rises to at least $1,000,000. It also repairs your car up to its actual cash value with a $2,500 deductible, but only if your personal policy includes comprehensive and collision. With liability-only personal insurance, you aren’t eligible.
Lyft says it has no policy when the app is off. While you wait for a request it carries the same liability amounts if your insurance doesn’t apply, with lower limits in Arizona and Nebraska. From accepting a ride to drop-off it carries at least $1,000,000 in most markets, plus contingent comprehensive and collision with a $2,500 deductible if you carry those coverages yourself. Neither company’s rideshare coverage applies to commercially licensed drivers, such as New York City TLC drivers, who carry their own commercial insurance.
What DoorDash and Uber Eats say they cover
DoorDash says that during an active delivery, from accepting an offer to drop-off, its third-party liability insurance may cover up to $1,000,000 of injury and property damage to others in most states, and may apply as excess, after your own insurance. While you’re online but haven’t accepted an offer, your own policy is primary in most states; DoorDash lists coverage for that period in North Dakota, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia.
DoorDash’s auto coverage doesn’t pay for your own car. Its occupational accident policy covers injuries during a DoorDash delivery at no cost to you, with medical expenses up to $1,000,000 and disability payments of 50% of your average weekly earnings, up to $500 a week. It doesn’t cover vehicle damage, and California benefits differ.
For Uber Eats, Uber says it has no coverage while you’re offline. While you’re online its liability coverage meets at least state minimums, and while you’re en route or on a delivery it is $500,000, or more where required. Uber says this coverage doesn’t pay for your car or your own injuries at any point, though you can opt in to Optional Injury Protection in most states.
The gap a personal policy can leave
The Texas Department of Insurance says most personal auto policies don’t cover you while you use your car for ride sharing. DoorDash says many personal policies are written for personal driving only and may deny a collision or comprehensive claim if the insurer treats delivery as business use. The NAIC, the national group of state insurance regulators, says personal policies typically exclude business use or times you’re available for hire. Put that next to the table above and the common gaps are:
- Damage to your own car while you’re waiting for a request, when no company’s collision coverage applies.
- Damage to your own car at any point on a DoorDash or Uber Eats delivery, since neither company’s auto coverage pays for it.
- Your own injuries, beyond any occupational accident, injury protection or state-required coverage.
- A denied claim, if your insurer learns you were working and you hadn’t told them. The Texas regulator warns this can leave you paying.
- Food or goods you’re carrying, which your policy may not cover.
What rideshare and delivery endorsements are
An endorsement is an add-on to your personal policy. It tells your insurer about the work and extends some of your coverage to it. Uber says rideshare endorsements may be available from your insurer but aren’t required.
Regulators describe a range of products. The Texas Department of Insurance says some rideshare policies cover only part of your driving time, such as before you pick up a passenger, and some cover only damage to other people. The NAIC says some cover only the time you’re logged in but haven’t accepted a request, while others are commercial auto policies that apply whether or not you’re working.
Delivery isn’t always included. DoorDash notes that a rideshare endorsement may not give complete vehicle coverage while dashing, so ask about delivery by name. Texas regulators say optional delivery coverage typically costs less than a commercial policy; the price depends on your insurer, state, car and record, so get quotes.
What to ask your insurer
Call your insurer or agent with a list of every app you use, and ask for the answers in writing. If you add coverage, check that the policy or endorsement names the kind of work you do, rides, food delivery or groceries.
Any extra premium is part of what each offer has to pay for, so add it to your cost per mile. Giga Driver’s pay per mile on each offer makes that comparison quicker. Then work through these questions:
- Am I covered while the app is on and I’m waiting for a request, and while I’m on an accepted trip or delivery?
- Does a rideshare endorsement also cover food, grocery and package delivery, or is that a separate option?
- Is damage to my own car covered in each period, and what deductible applies?
- Are my own injuries covered through medical payments or personal injury protection?
- Are food or goods I’m carrying covered?
- Do I need to tell you about every accident while working, even if an app’s insurer handles the claim?
What to do after an accident while online
If you crash with an app on, the first steps are the same whichever app you use. Note which period you were in, because it decides whose insurance applies; your trip history in the app can confirm it later.
Check for injuries and call 911
Move somewhere safe if you can. Uber says to contact police and paramedics if anyone is hurt or vehicles are damaged, and DoorDash points to the safety tools in the Dasher app.
Document the scene
Photograph every vehicle, the license plates and the location, exchange contact and insurance details, and save the police report number.
Report it in the app
In the Uber Driver app, tap the blue shield, then Report a crash. In the Dasher app, use Report a safety problem in the Help menu, then DoorDash’s insurance form for auto accidents. Lyft drivers use the accident report linked from Lyft’s help center.
Tell your insurer as your policy requires
Uber says you don’t need to report a rideshare crash to your personal insurer unless your policy has a relevant endorsement. DoorDash says to notify your insurer as your policy requires, and damage to your car on a delivery goes through your own policy.
Claim for injuries
If you’re hurt on a DoorDash delivery, file an occupational accident claim with Blue Star Claims using the contact details on DoorDash’s help page. On Uber and Lyft, injury coverage depends on your state and any optional protection you chose.
Key takeaways
- Uber, Lyft and DoorDash insurance depends on what the app is doing, and limits vary by state.
- With the app off, only your personal policy applies.
- While you wait for a request, company coverage is limited to liability for others, and on DoorDash it’s usually your policy alone.
- DoorDash and Uber Eats auto coverage never pays for your own car.
- Many personal policies exclude app work, so ask your insurer about an endorsement that covers each kind of work you do.
- After a crash while online, get safe, document everything and report it in the app.
Common questions
How much does rideshare insurance cost?
There’s no single price. It depends on your insurer, state, car, driving record and the coverage you pick, so get quotes for an endorsement and for a commercial policy. The Texas Department of Insurance says optional delivery coverage typically costs less than a full commercial policy.
Does DoorDash insurance cover damage to my car?
No. DoorDash says its auto coverage doesn’t pay for repairs to your car, and its occupational accident policy covers injuries, not vehicle damage. Repairs depend on your own policy, which may exclude delivery unless you’ve added coverage for it.
Do I need extra insurance for Uber Eats or DoorDash?
Both require personal auto insurance that meets your state’s minimum, and neither requires more. Because their coverage doesn’t pay for your car and personal policies may exclude delivery, ask your insurer whether delivery is covered and what an add-on would cost.
Does Uber insurance cover me while I’m waiting for a ride request?
Only for damage you cause to others, and only if your personal policy doesn’t apply. There is no collision coverage for your car until you accept a trip. That is the period to ask your insurer about first.
What happens if I don’t tell my insurer I drive for Uber or DoorDash?
Your insurer could deny a claim from a crash while you were working. The Texas Department of Insurance says to always tell your insurer if you drive for business, or you could end up paying yourself. Telling them also shows you what coverage you’re missing.
