Thinking about driving for Uber or Lyft in Central New York? You're not alone. Ridesharing has become a popular way to earn extra income, but it raises important questions about car insurance that many drivers overlook until it's too late.
You may worry about signing up for a personal auto policy that doesn't account for the hours you spend logged into a rideshare app. That concern is reasonable. New York handles rideshare coverage differently from most states, and the gaps between your personal policy and what the rideshare company provides can catch drivers off guard.
At the Horan insurance agency, we work with several carriers across Central New York, which gives us a useful vantage point on how different companies handle ridesharing in our state.
In this article, we'll walk through the coverage requirements for Uber and Lyft drivers in New York, the limitations of a standard personal auto policy once you go live on the app, and what to ask your carrier so you can drive with informed footing rather than guesswork.
The Rise of Ridesharing in New York State
Ridesharing has revolutionized the transportation industry, making it easy for people to book a ride with just a few taps on their smartphone. It's also become a popular way for car owners to earn extra money.
If you're over 18, own a car, and can meet basic background requirements, you can apply to become a driver. Once approved, simply wait for someone to book a ride with you on the app, and you're off in your own car.
However, when it comes to car insurance, New York stands apart from other states. That's why it was one of the last places in the country to approve ridesharing. Insurance companies have had limited time to craft policy language specific to New York auto policies for ridesharing.
Many companies exclude ridesharing altogether, while others have certain restrictions or are still working out their stance.
Where Are Your Coverage Gaps as a Ridesharing Driver?
If you decide to become a ridesharing driver in Central New York, it's important to understand where you might face gaps in insurance coverage. When you log into the app on your phone and go live, ready to accept fares, your personal car insurance policy is no longer in force.
Instead, you're covered by liability and basic personal injury protection (or no-fault coverage) provided by the rideshare company you work for.
Logged-In and Awaiting a Fare: Limited Coverage
During the time you're active on the app but still awaiting a fare, New York requires the rideshare company to provide you with $75,000 per person, $150,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage liability.
They also require $50,000 in no-fault (personal injury protection) coverage. Regardless of the limits you chose for your personal policy, this is all that's available while you're logged in and waiting for a ride request.
In this state, you've given up collision and comprehensive, rental reimbursement, roadside assistance, and any amounts above the minimum liability requirements. Beyond what the rideshare company provides, you're essentially self-insuring.
For example, if you're logged in to the app, awaiting a fare in North Syracuse, and suddenly it starts hailing, leaving dents in your car, you're paying for that damage out-of-pocket.
Enroute to Pick Up and During the Ride: Increased Coverage
Once someone has booked a ride with you, your liability coverage improves significantly. While you're on your way to pick them up, your coverage increases to the New York minimum of $1,250,000 for both liability and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. When you pick up the rider, they're also included in that limit.
Here's where it gets tricky: if you carry collision and/or comprehensive coverage on your personal auto policy, the rideshare company can elect to provide you with this coverage on their policy.
However, the deductibles will likely differ from what you have on your personal policy. Currently, Uber provides the coverage with $1,000 deductibles, including glass. Lyft does the same but with a substantial $2,500 deductible.
After the Ride: Reverting to Basic Coverage
As soon as the rider exits your vehicle, the insurance reverts to the basic coverage provided for just being logged in. To restore your personal insurance, you'd need to log off the app completely.
Be Proactive and Check with Your Insurance Carrier
All in all, it's wise to be proactive and check with your insurance carrier to see how they handle ridesharing. Ask them to direct you to the specific language within the policy that illustrates their position.
By doing so, you can avoid surprises down the road and get a clearer picture of where you stand while driving for Uber or Lyft in Central New York.
Drive Confidently with Informed Rideshare Coverage Choices
We covered the three distinct phases of rideshare coverage in New York, the limits that apply during each, and the gaps that surface when your personal policy steps aside. With that framework in mind, you can ask sharper questions of your carrier and weigh the trade-offs before you ever go live on the app.
At the Horan insurance agency, we'd like to be a trusted resource as you sort through your options. As an independent agency working with several carriers in Central New York, we can share information about how different companies treat ridesharing and help you compare coverage that suits your driving situation. Drivers who skip this step often discover the gaps only after a claim, when their options narrow considerably.
Don't let uncertainty about insurance hold you back from your ridesharing goals. Click the Get a Quote button below to start a conversation with our team and take the first step toward coverage that fits your situation.
Topics:
