A fast-growing number of people make a full-time living or earn side-hustle money in Florida as rideshare drivers. A rideshare is a service that lets people get rides from one location to the next. Unfortunately, drivers working for Lyft or Uber aren’t exempt from getting into motor vehicle accidents.
Having rideshare insurance
You probably know the importance of insurance after a typical car accident. However, you might be unaware that rideshare insurance exists. Rideshare insurance is for people who work at Uber, Lyft or other rideshare companies. For instance, Lyft doesn’t offer completely free insurance to its drivers. However, Lyft’s discounted insurance policies protect drivers while they’re on or off-the-clock. Both rideshare companies strongly urge their drivers to have separate automobile insurance coverage.
Different driving situations can alter your coverage
Rideshare drivers don’t always get in accidents with passengers in their vehicles. Sometimes, Uber and Lyft accidents happen when drivers are on the way to pick up a passenger. Fortunately, periods help clarify the insurance protection rideshare drivers have.
Period one takes place when you’re on the clock but haven’t accepted a ride. Period two occurs when you’re on the way to pick up a customer. Period three is when you have passengers in your rideshare vehicle.
Both Lyft and Uber only offer active rideshare protection during periods two or three. Unfortunately, in most situations, rideshare drivers who get in accidents without passengers in their cars or on their way to pick customers up have much lower liability limits.
After a rideshare accident happens, contact emergency services right away. When you’re safely able to do so, report your accident in the Uber or Lyft app. Both apps feature simple post-accident walkthroughs for rideshare drivers.