Some examples of occupations that need a commercial policy, and if you drive a larger and/or heavier than normal sized truck or SUV, like a:

• tow truck

• semi-tractor trailer

• dump truck

• transporting hazardous materials

• transporting (like housekeeping equipment for business)

• anything to do with cranes

• pizza delivery

• newspaper delivery

• limo driver or chauffeur etc.

• tour bus

• others

Rideshare and Food Delivery Drivers

If you have a side gig that involves using your personal vehicle – whether it is for a meal delivery service, a grocery shopping service or ridesharing – your personal auto insurance policy does not provide adequate coverage. An auto insurance agent can help you find the best solution for your needs, whether that is a commercial policy or an add-on to your existing auto insurance.

Auto Insurance For Uber and Lyft Drivers

A rideshare policy is critical to prevent coverage gaps. Typically, standard personal auto insurance might not cover you while you’re on the clock for a rideshare service. To ensure adequate protection while driving for Uber and Lyft, you need additional coverage in the form of rideshare insurance to keep you covered between your trips.

Do Uber and Lyft Drivers Need Ridesharing Auto Insurance?

These days, having a side hustle is pretty common. Whether you’re taking on an extra gig on the weekends to make ends meet or you’re earning some money to support your hobby or social life, then you’re probably familiar with ridesharing.

In the last few years, ridesharing has become an increasingly popular way for some people to get from Point A to Point B and other people to make a few extra bucks making that happen. These services operate through a mobile app. Through the app, passengers can request a ride by providing their location and their destination. Once a driver confirms that they’ll provide transportation, the app displays information about the driver and their vehicle, the driver’s location and their estimated arrival time.

While this type of service is far from perfect, overall, it’s a great option for people who don’t own a vehicle or occasionally need a ride and don’t want to pester nearby friends and family, and it’s a great way for someone to make some money without the demands and rigidity of a regular job.

Do You Have Enough Auto Insurance Coverage?

If you drive for a ridesharing service like Lyft or Uber, then you may believe that since you’re not technically an employee, then your regular auto insurance will cover you in the event of an accident. However, as far as your insurer is concerned, you’re using your vehicle for commercial use, and you’re at a greater risk of being involved in a collision than the average driver whose vehicle is driven strictly for personal use. For that reason, the auto insurance policy that covers someone who only drives their car for personal use isn’t enough for you. In fact, if you’re in a collision and you have a Lyft or Uber sticker on your vehicle, one of the first things your insurance company will do is determine whether you were working as a driver at the time of the collision. If you were, then your claim may be denied altogether.

While transportation network companies (TNC) offer auto insurance, this coverage is probably not going to provide adequate coverage if you’re involved in an accident, especially if you suffer a bodily injury. In fact, you could end up paying for a significant portion of the damages out of your own pocket.

Adding Rideshare Auto Insurance Coverage to Your Policy

If you’re considering signing up to ridesharing companies like Uber or Lyft, you might be wondering about the implications on your auto insurance and who would pay in the event of an accident. Ultimately, your personal auto insurer is unlikely to cover any accidents that happen during commercial activity. It could even cancel your policy if it finds out you haven’t disclosed you drive for ridesharing companies or app-based delivery services.

The first thing you need to do is contact an auto insurance agent and talk about adding rideshare coverage to your auto insurance policy. This add-on extends your existing auto insurance coverage to cover the time that you spend driving for a TNC. Specifically, from the time you make yourself available to pick a rider up, and the rider getting into your car, is when your rideshare company may not cover you as a driver. From the moment you are “available” to the time a passenger is in your car, and after you drop off your passenger, until the time you pick up another passenger, is specifically what rideshare covers. “Trolling time.” But it is important you ask your insurance agent the specifics of the policy you are purchasing.

How Does Uber and Lyft Commercial Auto Insurance Work?

While Uber or Lyft provide some coverage while on the job, the coverage is only temporary and may offer less protection than you actually need. In the world of ridesharing and insurance, commercial coverage is broken down into four stages, depending on where the driver is in the process.

Period 0: The app is closed. Since the driver is not in driver mode, the driver’s own personal car insurance coverage will apply to any accident that occurs.

Period 1: The driver has the app on, and is driving around waiting for a ride request. Uber and Lyft insurance is limited to liability coverage. A personal policy without ridesharing coverage won’t cover you.

Period 2: The driver has been matched with a rider and is on the way to the pick-up. Your rideshare company’s policy is in full force.

Period 3: You have passengers in the car. Your rideshare company’s policy is in full force.

Uber and Lyft’s commercial coverage policies are in full effect when you’ve accepted a ride and are carrying passengers. So, if an accident occurs when the driver has the app on and is waiting for a ride request (Period 1), you’ll be less protected than any other stage of the trip.

Why Buy a Rideshare Insurance Policy?

Rideshare auto insurance covers personal auto use and any other time the driver is signed into a ridesharing app, but not covered by the rideshares company insurance. It, therefore, gets to account for what might not be covered through Uber or Lyft’s commercial coverage. If you do not have rideshare insurance, you run the risk of not only losing your personal auto coverage but also paying out of pocket for repairs, injuries, and other damages. You want to avoid this at all costs.

The Cost of Adding Rideshare Coverage

The cost of adding rideshare coverage varies widely from one driver to another, but in most cases, this coverage is affordable. To find out how much it will cost you, speak with a Nevada Insurance Enrollment auto insurance agent today.

No Need to Risk – Nevada Insurance Enrollment Has Got You Covered

At Nevada Insurance Enrollment, our auto insurance agents can help you find affordable commercial auto insurance coverage to meet the needs of your business. For complete coverage whenever you drive, consider buying a commercial or rideshare insurance policy with us. Our knowledgeable auto insurance agents will help you understand what you need, and what to do in an accident. You’ll have the peace of mind knowing that you are adequately insured when life complications arise. We work hard to find the most competitive quotes for your needs.