90% of rideshare drivers have a gap in their auto insurance

To steal a line from my childhood hero Ferris Bueller, “Things move pretty fast these days.” You can now order a cab from your phone using a rideshare service. I used Uber for the first time recently and was amazed at the entire process. The simplicy, the elegance of the app and the fact that you don’t need cash all added to the experience. Owning an insurance agency got me wondering how these drivers are insured so I did a little research. Turns out if you drive for a big company like Uber or Lyft, there is a serious gap in your insurance, UNLESS, you have the proper endorsement on your personal auto policy.

Some companies have evolved, and are providing coverage to fill this gap. Farmers is one of the few companies that currently offer this coverage. The gap occurs when the driver is “for hire” but hasn’t received a request for a ride yet. The company policy has very limited liability coverage at this time, and NO physical coverage for the driver’s vehicle.

Research shows that about 90% of rideshare drivers don’t have the proper coverage to fill this gap. If you are a driver for a rideshare company, call your agent and see if you have the proper endorsement on your policy.