Which Insurance Company Pays if you are Hit by an Uber Driver?

Because of the volume of tourism in the Las Vegas area, the proliferation of Uber drivers has been rapid since they have entered the private transportation system. Uber has only been operating in and out of the airport in Las Vegas since September, but already numerous accidents and citations have been issued to drivers. If you are in an accident with a driver for Uber, or any other similar driving service, such as Lyft, it is important to understand your rights.
 
What is Uber?
 
Uber, and to a lesser extent competitor companies Lyft and Sidecar, are ridesharing, or ride-providing, services. The people who drive for UberX, Lyft, and Sidecar are driving their own private vehicles, meaning when the vehicles are being used for personal, not professional use, and the ride-providing companies may deny responsibility when there is an accident involving the driver..
 
However, once the driver turns on the smartphone app that’s used to communicate with riders, some level of insurance does begin to apply, but that coverage depends on what stage the driver is in the process of offering rides to customers. The information below details how insurance works with each of the major companies at each of the stages of the ride-hailing process.
 
Uber’s Insurance Coverage Program
 
One thing Uber touts frequently is their supposed “best in class” insurance coverage for their ridesharing service. Uber’s commercial general liability and automobile coverage has limits of $1 million in coverage per incident. This insurance covers damages that result from their drivers’ liability, and the Uber master insurance policy is triggered as soon as a driver accepts a fare, until the trip is concluded. The Uber master policy is primary, so its coverage is triggered before any coverage under the driver’s personal automobile policy can be sought. Uber also maintains an additional million dollars of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, for use in the event a non-Uber driver who carries only liability insurance causes an accident with an Uber driver.
 
The $1 million in coverage for bodily injury applies in situations where an Uber driver causes an accident either on the way to pick up a passenger or with a passenger in the vehicle. If an Uber driver causes an accident while they are driving but not on the clock, Uber’s insurance policy still provides $50,000 in bodily injury coverage and $25,000 in property damage coverage, with a total limit of $1,000,000. In this situation, however, the Uber driver’s personal automobile policy is primary, and the Uber coverage is secondary and only triggered when that coverage is exhausted or otherwise unavailable.
 
Naqvi Law Is Here to Help
 
Being in an accident where the Uber driver is at fault does not mean that their insurance carrier is going to pay your claim. The insurance company for Uber is just that; an insurance company, and it is possible that your claim can be disputed, limited, or denied. If you have been in an accident with an Uber driver or similar ride-providing service, please call the experienced personal injury attorneys at Naqvi Injury Law, who are standing by to help you with your claim. Call or email us today for your no obligation consultation.