Rideshare insurance costs between $10 and $30 per month on top of your regular car insurance, but the exact price depends on your location, the insurance company, your driving record, and how many hours per week you drive for a rideshare platform.
Most major insurers now offer rideshare coverage as an add-on to a standard personal auto policy. State Farm, Allstate, Geico, Progressive, and others each price it differently. Some charge a flat monthly fee; others adjust the price based on how much you actually drive. A few insurers bundle it into their regular policy at no extra cost if you tell them you drive for Uber or Lyft, though this is rare.
The reason prices vary so widely is that rideshare driving carries more risk than personal driving. You spend more time on the road, pick up strangers, and often drive during peak hours when accidents are more likely. Insurance companies price that risk differently depending on their own claims data and their appetite for rideshare customers.
Key Takeaways
- Rideshare insurance typically costs $10 to $30 per month as an add-on to your existing policy, though some insurers include it at no extra charge.
- Your personal auto insurance does not cover you while you are logged into a rideshare app and waiting for or carrying passengers, so you need rideshare coverage or you are uninsured during those hours.
- The price you pay depends on your state, your age, your driving record, how many hours per week you drive, and which insurance company you use.
- Uber and Lyft provide their own insurance while you are actively carrying a passenger, but that coverage has gaps and does not cover you while you are waiting for a ride request.
Why your regular car insurance does not cover rideshare driving
Your standard personal auto policy explicitly excludes commercial use. Rideshare driving is commercial use, even though you are an independent contractor and not an employee. The moment you turn on the Uber or Lyft app and are available to accept rides, your personal insurance stops covering you if an accident happens.
This gap exists because rideshare driving is riskier than personal driving. You are on the road more hours, you carry strangers, and you often drive during surge pricing hours when traffic is heaviest. Insurance companies price personal policies for people who drive to work, to the store, and to visit friends — not for people who spend 20 or 40 hours a week transporting paying passengers.
If you drive for a rideshare platform without rideshare insurance and get into an accident, your personal insurer can deny your claim. You would then be personally liable for all damages, medical bills, and legal costs. The other driver or their insurer could sue you directly.
What rideshare insurance actually covers
Rideshare insurance fills the gap between your personal policy and the platform's insurance. It covers you during the periods when you are logged into the app but do not yet have a passenger — the time when you are most vulnerable and the platform's coverage does not explore.
Most rideshare policies cover liability (damage you cause to other people or their property), collision (damage to your own car from an accident), and comprehensive (theft, weather, vandalism). Some also cover uninsured or underinsured motorists, which protects you if the other driver has no insurance or not enough insurance.
Rideshare insurance does not cover wear and tear, maintenance, or fuel. It also does not cover you if you are using your car for a different commercial purpose — like food delivery, package delivery, or driving for a different platform you have not disclosed to your insurer. You need separate coverage for each platform you drive for.
How much you actually pay depends on these factors
Location matters most. Insurance is regulated state by state, and some states have higher accident rates, higher medical costs, or different liability limits. California, New York, and Texas typically have higher premiums than rural states. Within a state, urban areas usually cost more than suburbs or rural areas.
Your age and driving record affect the price the same way they do for regular insurance. Drivers under 25 or over 70 pay more. Any accidents, tickets, or insurance claims in the past three to five years will raise your rate. A clean record can cut your rideshare insurance cost in half compared to someone with violations.
How many hours you drive per week changes the price at some insurers. State Farm, for example, offers different tiers: occasional drivers (fewer than 10 hours per week), regular drivers (10 to 20 hours), and frequent drivers (more than 20 hours). The more you drive, the more you pay. Other insurers charge a flat rate regardless of hours.
Which insurer you choose is the biggest variable. The same driver in the same city can pay $12 per month with one company and $28 per month with another. Getting quotes from at least three insurers is worth the 15 minutes it takes.
Comparing rideshare insurance options across major insurers
| Insurer | Typical Monthly Cost | How They Price It | Platforms Covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm | $10–$25 | Tiered by hours per week | Uber, Lyft, and others |
| Allstate | $10–$20 | Flat rate or tiered | Uber, Lyft, and others |
| Progressive | $15–$30 | Flat rate | Uber, Lyft, and others |
| Geico | $12–$22 | Flat rate | Uber, Lyft, and others |
| Metromile | $8–$15 | Pay per mile | Uber, Lyft, and others |
Prices in this table are approximate ranges and vary by state, age, driving record, and current promotions. Call or get an online quote from each company to see what you would actually pay.
What the platform's insurance covers and does not cover
Uber and Lyft both provide insurance while you are actively carrying a passenger. Uber's coverage includes $1 million in liability and uninsured motorist protection. Lyft's coverage is similar. This sounds like a lot, but it only applies during the ride itself — from the moment a passenger gets in your car to the moment they get out.
The gap is the time between when you go online and when you accept a ride. During this period, called the "waiting period," the platform's insurance does not cover you. Your personal insurance does not cover you either. If you get into an accident while waiting for a ride request, you are uninsured. This is the exact gap that rideshare insurance fills.
The platform's insurance also does not cover damage to your own car beyond what your personal policy covers. If your car is damaged during a ride, you still have to pay your collision deductible (usually $500 to $1,000) out of pocket. Rideshare insurance can lower that deductible or cover it entirely, depending on the policy.
How to get a rideshare insurance quote
Start by calling your current insurance company and asking if they offer rideshare coverage. If they do, ask for a quote. If they do not, they will tell you, and you can move to the next company on your list.
When you call or go online, have this information ready: your driver's license number, your vehicle identification number (VIN), your current insurance policy number, your zip code, and an estimate of how many hours per week you plan to drive. The quote process usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Get quotes from at least three companies before you decide. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive option is often $10 to $15 per month, which adds up to $120 to $180 per year. Spending 30 minutes to compare is worth it.
Once you choose a policy, tell your rideshare platform that you have coverage. Most platforms ask you to confirm this during your driver onboarding, and some ask you to upload a copy of your policy. This protects you if there is ever a dispute about whether you were insured at the time of an accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my regular car insurance if I only drive rideshare once a month?
No. Your personal policy excludes commercial use, and rideshare is commercial use regardless of how often you do it. Even one ride per month without rideshare coverage leaves you uninsured during that ride. The platform's insurance covers you while carrying a passenger, but not while you are waiting for a ride request.
Does rideshare insurance cover food delivery or package delivery?
No. Rideshare insurance covers only passenger transportation for Uber, Lyft, and similar platforms. If you also drive for DoorDash, Instacart, Amazon Flex, or any other delivery service, you need separate commercial insurance for that work. Tell your insurer about every platform you use.
What happens if I do not tell my insurance company I drive for rideshare?
If you get into an accident and your insurer finds out you were driving for a rideshare platform, they can deny your claim. You would be personally liable for all damages. Your insurer can also cancel your policy for misrepresentation. It is always cheaper to pay for rideshare coverage upfront than to face a denied claim later.
Does rideshare insurance cover my passengers if they get hurt?
Yes, through the liability portion of your rideshare policy and the platform's insurance. If a passenger is injured in an accident you cause, both your rideshare insurance and the platform's insurance can cover their medical bills and other damages. The platform's coverage is primary, meaning it pays first.
Can I get rideshare insurance if I have a bad driving record?
Yes, but you will pay more. Most insurers will still offer rideshare coverage to drivers with accidents or tickets, but your rate will be higher than someone with a clean record. Some insurers have stricter requirements than others, so if one company turns you down, try another. Expect to pay at the higher end of the typical range.