Insurance coverage while driving with Lyft
The subject of insurance can be complicated, but it’s important you know how and when our policies cover you and your passengers in the event of an incident. The following is an overview of how our insurance policies work.
You can view Lyft Certificates of Insurance here.
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- Coverage when:
Coverage when the app is off
Your personal auto insurance coverage applies.
Coverage when the app is on and waiting for a ride request
Lyft maintains third-party liability insurance for covered accidents if your personal insurance does not apply of at least*:
- $50,000/person for bodily injury*
- $100,000/accident for bodily injury*
- $25,000/accident for property damage*
*Exceptions: For covered accidents in Arizona and Nebraska, third-party liability insurance is $25,000/per person for bodily injury, $50,000/accident for bodily injury, and $20,000/accident for property damage, consistent with state requirements. For rides in the five boroughs of New York City, Lyft does not procure any primary liability policy. The TLC drivers in this market procure their own policy.
Additional insurance from your personal insurance company is not required, however may be available to provide more protection to you.
Learn more here. Contact your insurance company, agent, or broker to learn more.
Coverage when the app is on and drivers are en route to pick up passengers
Lyft maintains the following insurance for covered accidents:
- In most markets, at least $1,000,000 for third-party auto liability coverage* (these limits are lower or not procured in some markets, exceptions noted below)
- First party coverages, which may include uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, PIP, MedPay, and/or Occupational Accident coverage.
- If a driver obtains comprehensive and collision coverage on their personal auto policy, Lyft then maintains contingent comprehensive & collision coverage up to the actual cash value of the car ($2,500 deductible)
* Exceptions: For covered accidents in Maryland, Lyft maintains $125,000 for third-party liability insurance (combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage) during the time in which a driver is en route to pick up a passenger, consistent with state requirements. For rides in the five boroughs of New York City, Lyft does not procure any primary liability policy. The TLC drivers in this market procure their own policy.
Coverage when the app is on and a ride is in progress
Lyft maintains the following insurance for covered accidents:
- At least $1,000,000 for third-party auto liability coverage*
- First party coverages, which may include uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, PIP, MedPay, and/or Occupational Accident coverage.
- If a driver obtains comprehensive and collision coverage on their personal auto policy, Lyft then maintains contingent comprehensive & collision coverage up to the actual cash value of the car ($2,500 deductible)
*Exceptions: For rides in the five boroughs of New York City, Lyft does not procure any primary liability policy. The TLC drivers in this market procure their own policy.
How does automobile liability coverage work?
Our third-party auto liability insurance is designed to act as the primary coverage from the time you accept a ride request until the time the ride has ended. There is at least $1,000,000 of coverage per accident.*
Note: If you already carry commercial insurance (or personal coverage providing specific coverage for ridesharing), Lyft’s policy will be excess to your insurance coverage.
Drivers are required to maintain personal auto insurance that meets minimum state
requirements, however, most personal auto policies won't cover you while you’re using the Lyft app. Where consistent with state and local laws, Lyft maintains commercial insurance on behalf of drivers. This commercial insurance provides certain coverages while you’re using the Lyft app, which are outlined above. This does not replace your personal insurance.
*Exceptions: For covered accidents in Maryland, Lyft maintains $125,000 for third-party liability insurance (combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage) during the time in which a driver is en route to pick up a passenger, consistent with state requirements . For rides in the five boroughs of New York City, Lyft does not procure any primary liability policy. The TLC drivers in this market procure their own policy.
How does contingent collision coverage work?
Our contingent collision coverage is designed to cover physical damage to your vehicle resulting from an accident as long as you have obtained collision coverage on your personal automobile policy. The contingent collision coverage will apply up to the actual cash value of your vehicle or cost of repair, whichever is less, with a $2,500 deductible. This coverage is designed to step in regardless of whether or not you're at fault.
How does contingent comprehensive coverage work?
Similar to our contingent collision coverage, our contingent comprehensive coverage is designed to cover physical damage to your vehicle resulting from a non-collision event (for example a fire, vandalism, a natural disaster, etc.) as long as you have obtained comprehensive coverage on your personal automobile policy. The contingent comprehensive coverage will apply up to the actual cash value of your vehicle or cost of repair, whichever is less, with a $2,500 deductible. This coverage is designed to step in regardless of whether or not you're at fault.
What is UM, UIM, MedPay PIP, and Occupational Accident coverage?
Where applicable, Lyft may also maintain uninsured (UM) motorist, underinsured (UIM) motorist, personal injury protection (PIP), Med Pay, and Occupational Accident coverage.
In the event of a covered accident with a driver who is uninsured or underinsured and is ultimately at fault for bodily injury caused to you and/or your passengers, UM/UIM coverage, where available, would apply. There is no deductible on this coverage.
Lyft may also maintain first-party coverages such as medical payments (MedPay), personal injury protection (PIP), or Occupational Accident coverage. MedPay coverage applies to healthcare or medical expenses if you are injured in a covered accident. PIP applies to healthcare or medical expenses and/or wage loss if you are injured in a covered accident. Occupational Accident applies in California only to medical expenses and disability benefits where you are injured in a covered accident. There is no deductible on these coverages.
Express Drive coverage
Express Drive insurance coverage depends on which of the following three periods you're in when an incident occurs:
- Personal driving: You’re offline (i.e. not in driver mode)
- Waiting for a request: When the app is in driver mode and you have not received a ride request.
- En route to a passenger: This includes the time from accepting a ride request until you arrive at the requested pickup location.
- Ride in progress: This includes the time from pickup of a passenger until the time the ride has ended.
Complete coverage details for our Express Drive program can be found here.
Know your insurance
These coverages are available in all states in the U.S., except for those rides originating in New York City with a TLC (Taxi and Limousine Commission) driver. Some regions may have specific requirements that modify the described coverage.
Several personal auto insurers also offer different coverages available for transportation network drivers. Please contact your personal auto insurer to find out what policies are available to you.
If you need to review Lyft’s proof of insurance, click here to learn more.
For your claims process, you can expect to work with one of the following companies: Allstate Insurance Company (North Light Specialty Insurance Company), Liberty Mutual Insurance, Mobilitas Insurance Company, Progressive (United Financial Casualty Company), State Farm Insurance Company, or Travelers (Constitution State Services).
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