Question:
I was involved in a car accident while driving for Uber. I was logged into the app and had accepted a ride. I was en route to pick up the passenger when I was hit by a hit-and-run driver. I didn’t get their license plate number. I was injured and incurred hospital bills. I have no health insurance. Uber is telling me there’s no uninsured motorist coverage under their policy. Is that true?
Answer:
Unfortunately, Uber saves money by reducing the insurance benefits they provide to their drivers. Since you were logged into the Uber app and had accepted a ride, you are considered to be in “Rideshare Period 2.” Under Uber’s auto insurance policy with Progressive, Uber rejected uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for drivers in Rideshare Period 2.
WHEN DOES UBER PROVIDE UNINSURED MOTORIST COVERAGE?
Uber only provides uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to drivers who fall into either of these two categories:
- Uber driver has a passenger on-board.
- Uber driver is on the premises of a public airport.
Uber classifies drivers who fall into one of these two categories as being in “Rideshare Period 3.” If you were in a car accident while in Rideshare Period 3, Progressive will extend uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage to you.
If you were injured in a car accident while driving for Uber or Lyft, you should speak with a car accident lawyer to find out your rights. At McGee, Lerer & Associates, our husband and wife team of accident attorneys have represented hundreds of rideshare drivers. Call us for a free consultation.