Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare apps have become popular throughout the United States. Requesting an Uber ride is easy, quick, and typically more cost-effective compared to catching a ride from a taxi service. Furthermore, many people believe that these ride share services are also safer. However, collisions involving rideshare drivers are often complex. So what happens if you’re hurt in a car accident while riding in an Uber or Lyft?
Uber Insurance Policy
Uber has a three-part insurance structure which covers their drivers and passengers. If a driver is offline and not available to pick up passengers, he or she covered by their own personal auto insurance policy. If a driver is available, but hasn’t picked up a passenger yet, he or she is covered by their own insurance plus additional contingent liability coverage which goes up to $50,000 per injury for a total of $100,000, as well as up to $25,000 in property damage (if the driver’s personal insurance doesn’t cover the entire accident). Lastly, drivers who are on a trip with a passenger are covered by a $1 million liability coverage policy and a $1 million uninsured/underinsured coverage policy.
Lyft Insurance Policy
Lyft carries liability coverage for its drivers; however, coverage levels depend on whether there is a passenger in the car. Collision and comprehension are only available to drivers who already possess these coverages on their own policies, and passenger injuries are only covered if the other driver is at fault. Similar to Uber, Lyft has three “periods” when it comes to ridesharing. Period 1 entails a driver cruising around with the Lyft app open, but hasn’t matched with a rider. Period 2 involves a matched rider and a driver is in route to pick him or her up. Period 3 means that a rider is in the vehicle and ends when a driver drops the rider off at their destination. Period 1 offers low liability limits – $50,000 per person bodily injury, $100,000 per incident, and $25,000 for property damage – and comprehensive and collision coverage are not offered. With periods 2 and 3, liability coverage is plentiful – $1 million liability policy – but collision and comprehensive is only contingent, meaning that a rider must make a claim with his or her own personal collision and comprehensive policy. Lyft’s policy has a $2,500 that a rider must pay if his or her insurer denies the claim. If you suffered an injury in a car accident as a passenger in an Uber or Lyft car in Ohio, contact a Toledo personal injury at Williams DeClark Tuschman Co., L.P.A. and request a free consultation today.