Commercial auto insurance for Uber can be a bit of a mystery, but we're here to break it down for you. The average cost of commercial auto insurance for Uber drivers in the US is around $1,500 to $3,000 per year, depending on the location and type of vehicle.
Uber's commercial auto insurance policy provides coverage for accidents that occur during rides, but it's not a substitute for your own personal auto insurance. In fact, Uber requires drivers to have a minimum of $25,000 in liability insurance, $50,000 in bodily injury liability insurance, and $15,000 in property damage liability insurance.
The costs of commercial auto insurance for Uber can add up quickly, which is why it's essential to shop around and compare quotes from different insurance providers. Some insurance companies specialize in rideshare insurance and may offer more competitive rates than others.
Commercial Auto Insurance Costs
Commercial auto insurance costs can vary significantly, depending on several factors. The type and number of vehicles, employees' driving records, amount of coverage, deductible, and whether you own or lease the vehicle are all taken into account.
These factors can greatly impact the cost of your commercial auto insurance premium. For example, having a good driving record can lead to lower premiums, while multiple vehicles can increase costs.
A few discounts can help offset the cost of commercial auto insurance. Multi-policy discounts, telematics discounts, winter tire discounts, anti-theft device discounts, and claims-free discounts are all available.
Here are some specific factors that can affect commercial auto insurance costs:
- Type & number of vehicles
- Employees’ driving records
- Amount of coverage
- Deductible
- Whether you own or lease the vehicle
Additionally, some insurance companies may offer discounts for things like telematics devices that track driving habits or anti-theft devices that secure vehicles.
Rideshare Insurance
Rideshare insurance is a crucial aspect of being an Uber driver. It's easy to get rideshare insurance from Progressive by adding it to your personal auto insurance policy.
If you plan to operate on Uber, Lyft, or any ridesharing platform, you should consider adding rideshare coverage to your policy. This will protect you if an accident occurs while you're waiting to receive a ride request.
Rideshare insurance costs less than many drivers think, with prices ranging from $6 to $25 per month. This is a small price to pay for the added protection and peace of mind that comes with it.
Some rideshare companies, like Uber, may offer limited coverage while you're waiting for a pickup request. However, this coverage may not be as comprehensive as you'd like, and you may still be on the hook for any physical damage to your car.
To fill in the gaps in your coverage, you may want to consider purchasing supplemental rideshare insurance. This type of insurance is a hybrid of private and commercial car insurance and can be added onto a personal insurance policy for an additional fee.
Here's a breakdown of the coverages that may be provided by the TNC and Progressive:
In New York, Uber provides $1.25 million of liability insurance per accident, $1.25 million of supplementary uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury insurance per accident, and no fault coverage up to $50,000 for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
Rideshare Insurance Options
Rideshare insurance options are plentiful, and it's essential to understand what's available to you as an Uber driver. You can add rideshare coverage to your personal auto insurance policy, which will protect you while waiting to receive a ride request.
Progressive offers a rideshare endorsement that can be added to your personal auto policy, providing comprehensive and collision coverage during the waiting phase of a trip. This can be a lifesaver in case your vehicle is damaged in a covered incident.
TNCs, like Uber, may provide liability protection while you're waiting to match with a rider, but you're typically on the hook for any physical damage to your car. With Progressive rideshare coverage, you'll have peace of mind knowing you're protected.
Here's a breakdown of the coverages provided by TNCs and Progressive during the two main stages of a trip:
Rideshare insurance costs less than many drivers think, typically ranging from $6 to $25 per month or $15 to $20 per year. It's essential to shop around and compare prices to find the best option for your needs.
As an Uber driver in New York City, you're required to have commercial insurance, which can be obtained through a personal insurance policy with a rideshare endorsement or a separate commercial auto insurance policy.
Special Cases
For Uber drivers with a history of accidents or tickets, commercial auto insurance rates can be significantly higher. This is because insurance companies view these drivers as higher risks.
Some Uber drivers may be required to carry commercial auto insurance due to state laws or regulations. For example, California requires drivers to have a commercial driver's license and liability insurance to operate a vehicle for hire.
Off Duty Drivers
If you're an Uber driver, you might be surprised to learn that you're not covered by Uber's insurance policy when you're off duty.
This is because Uber only provides coverage when you're logged into the app and ready to pick up passengers.
According to Uber's group ridesharing insurance policy, off-duty drivers are subject to state financial responsibility laws.
This means you'll need to rely on your personal auto insurance to cover any accidents that happen when you're not working.
As an off-duty Uber driver, you might not realize that you're not covered by Uber's insurance policy until it's too late.
So, make sure you understand your personal insurance coverage and what's expected of you when you're driving for Uber.
Prearranged Trips
As an Uber driver, you're likely familiar with the app's insurance coverage, but it's essential to understand what's covered during prearranged trips.
If you're logged into the app and have accepted a trip request, you'll be considered "online" and covered by Uber's group rideshare insurance policy.
The specific insurance coverage in New York is as follows:
- $1.25 million of liability insurance per accident: This protects third parties in the event of a motor vehicle accident.
- $1.25 million of supplementary uninsured/underinsured motorist bodily injury insurance per accident: This protects the occupants of your vehicle if they're injured in a car accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist.
- No fault coverage: This provides all occupants of your vehicle up to $50,000 for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from accident-related injuries.
- Contingent comprehensive/collision insurance: If you maintain personal comprehensive and collision insurance, Uber will offer physical damage coverage for your vehicle up to the cash value of the damages, or the cost of a vehicle repair (whichever is less), with a $1,000 deductible.
State-Specific Information
If you're an Uber driver in California, be aware that rates can vary depending on your city or zip code, with drivers in San Francisco paying up to $1,500 per year more than those in other parts of the state.
In New York, you'll need to factor in the state's high cost of living, which can drive up your insurance premiums by as much as 30% compared to other states.
Oregon requires Uber drivers to have a minimum of $750,000 in liability coverage, which can add to your insurance costs.
In Florida, you'll need to pay a $200 annual fee to register your vehicle with the state, which is in addition to your insurance premiums.
Washington state requires Uber drivers to have a commercial driver's license, which can be obtained by passing a skills test and providing proof of insurance.
I've seen firsthand how these state-specific regulations can impact insurance costs, and it's essential to factor them into your calculations when determining how much commercial auto insurance you need for Uber.
Sources
- https://www.progressive.com/auto/insurance-coverages/rideshare/
- https://wallethub.com/answers/ci/how-much-is-commercial-auto-insurance-for-uber-2140685749/
- https://www.csisinsuranceservices.com/blog/commercial-auto-insurance-for-uber-drivers
- https://www.thebig.ca/commercial-auto
- https://williammattar.com/practice-areas/rideshare-accident-lawyers/uber-accident-lawyer/new-york-uber-rideshare-insurance/
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