If you’re part of the new gig economy where you can use your car and free time as a side hustle, setting yourself up with rideshare companies to be a Lyft or Uber driver is simple. But what many gig drivers don’t realize is, your basic car insurance often excludes carrying passengers or goods for a fee. Uber and Lyft maintain period-based coverage that changes with your status in the app, and most drivers close the “app-on” gap by adding a rideshare endorsement or hybrid policy from major carriers. In 2025, national insurers including GEICO, Progressive, State Farm, Allstate, USAA, and Farmers publicly offer solutions that coordinate with platform coverage by period, while the Uber and Lyft policies remain primary during trips where applicable.

We reviewed the rideshare insurance companies on the market and weighed several factors such as cost, coverage limits and what policyholders think of the carrier. We dug through the best rideshare insurance available right now, as well as rideshare insurance cost, so you can make an informed decision of which policy will work best for you. Typical rideshare endorsements add about $10–$30 per month (roughly 15%–20% of your base premium with some higher outliers), and USAA advertises options “as little as $6 a month” for eligible members (Forbes Advisor; NerdWallet; Bankrate; USAA). Because there’s no standalone rideshare insurance satisfaction index, we rely on proxies like J.D. Power’s U.S. Auto Insurance Study and the U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, plus complaint ratios from the NAIC Consumer Insurance Search.

What is Rideshare Insurance?

Rideshare insurance specializes in covering you while you’re driving for rideshare companies such as Lyft or Uber. You’ll need the optional coverage if you plan on picking up a side gig driving others — your personal car insurance won’t cover you while you’re “on  the job”, which is referred to as “commercial” driving by many carriers. In practice, it fills the Period 1 gap (app on, no trip yet) and coordinates with Uber’s and Lyft’s coverage once you accept a ride, which typically includes up to $1,000,000 third‑party liability and contingent physical damage subject to a $2,500 deductible during trips. Modern programs also leverage embedded, in‑app insurance triggers and telematics to determine which coverage applies when and to streamline digital claims (NAIC telematics guidance; LexisNexis 2024 Insurance Telematics Study).

Types of Rideshare Car Insurance Policies

• Additional coverage: Many carriers add a rideshare endorsement to your personal policy that turns on for Period 1 (app on, no match), then coordinates with the platform’s primary coverage during trips. See examples from Progressive, State Farm, Allstate, USAA, and Farmers. Availability and details vary by state.
• Hybrid insurance: Instead of having to worry about switching your rideshare insurance on or off when you’re working, hybrid coverage replaces a personal car insurance policy. GEICO markets a rideshare policy that bridges personal and app‑on use in many states; specific terms differ by location.
• Personal insurance coverage extension: The extension builds on your personal auto insurance coverage, often extending liability and sometimes physical damage into Period 1. Verify whether food/package delivery is included, as some endorsements differentiate activity types (State Farm; Progressive).

Why Uber, Lyft and Delivery App Drivers Need Rideshare Insurance

Before you decide whether you need rideshare insurance, it’s important to know how coverage works. Uber and Lyft provide contingent third‑party liability while you’re waiting for a request (typically 50/100/25) and up to $1,000,000 third‑party liability once you’ve accepted a trip, with contingent comprehensive and collision for your vehicle if you carry those coverages on your personal policy (usually a $2,500 deductible). Delivery apps work differently: DoorDash offers excess auto liability up to $1,000,000 only while on an active delivery and does not cover your vehicle’s damage; Uber and Lyft publish detailed, period‑based summaries that vary by state, and UM/UIM applies where required by law.

The important thing is finding the right balance between personal car insurance, the rideshare company’s coverage, and purchasing extra rideshare insurance. If you rear‑end someone while your app is on, your personal policy will likely exclude the loss unless you have a rideshare endorsement. During trips, the platform’s policy is generally primary for third‑party liability; damage to your own car is contingent on carrying comprehensive and collision personally and meeting the platform’s deductible (commonly $2,500 with Uber and Lyft). Delivery platforms may also include no‑cost occupational accident benefits for your injuries while actively delivering (e.g., DoorDash), but these are separate from auto liability and do not repair your car (DoorDash Occupational Accident).

State rules shape coverage, too. Most jurisdictions require defined liability minimums by period and specify when TNC coverage is primary (NAIC; NCSL). Some also mandate driver‑injury protections: Washington requires workers’ compensation for TNC drivers while logged in (WA L&I); California’s Prop 22 mandates occupational accident insurance with at least $1,000,000 in medical coverage for on‑app injuries (CA statute); and New York drivers affiliated with TLC “black car” bases receive workers’ comp via the Black Car Fund. Emerging platform shifts—such as same‑day retail delivery via Uber Direct and DoorDash Drive, and new in‑app ad and membership programs (Uber Ads; DoorDash Advertising)—can change when you’re “online” vs. “engaged,” so confirm exactly which periods your policy covers.

Take a closer look at delivery and rideshare insurance limits:

The Best Rideshare Car Insurance Companies

• Allstate: Best Uber rideshare insurance — rideshare endorsement designed to close the Period 1 gap; availability varies by state (Allstate).
• Erie: Best rideshare insurance cost — known for competitive personal rates in its regional footprint; offers a rideshare endorsement in select states.
• Geico: Best hybrid coverage — a rideshare policy that bridges personal and app‑on use in many states (GEICO).
• State Farm: Best for delivery insurance — endorsement extends coverage into Period 1 and coordinates with TNC coverage during trips (State Farm).
• USAA: Best for military-centric options — rideshare add‑on for eligible members, sometimes priced as low as $6/month in participating states (USAA).

Allstate

For current benchmarks on service and claims, see J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Auto Insurance Study and the U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.

Further Reading on Allstate:

• Allstate homeowners insurance review
• Allstate renters insurance review
• Allstate auto insurance review

Erie

For current benchmarks on service and claims, see J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Auto Insurance Study and the U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.

Further Reading on Erie:

• Erie renters insurance review
• Erie auto insurance review

GEICO

For current benchmarks on service and claims, see J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Auto Insurance Study and the U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.

Further Reading on GEICO:

• GEICO homeowners insurance review
• GEICO auto insurance review

State Farm

For current benchmarks on service and claims, see J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Auto Insurance Study and the U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.

Further Reading on State Farm:

• State Farm homeowners insurance review
• State Farm renters insurance review
• State Farm auto insurance review

USAA

For current benchmarks on service and claims, see J.D. Power’s latest U.S. Auto Insurance Study and the U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.

Further Reading on USAA:

• USAA homeowners insurance review
• USAA renters insurance review
• USAA auto insurance review

What’s the Cost of Rideshare Insurance

When comparing car insurance, you’ll find rideshare insurance is low in cost if it’s an addition to an existing policy. Most carriers charge a monthly fee for the coverage. State Farm operates a little differently, charging 10% to 20% to the cost of your auto insurance rate. In today’s market, typical add-ons run about $10–$30 per month nationally, and some insurers price them as roughly 15%–20% of your base premium (with higher outliers), while USAA advertises “as little as $6/month” for eligible members (Forbes Advisor; NerdWallet; Bankrate; USAA).

How to Buy Rideshare Insurance

It’s important to know what you need before shopping around for rideshare car insurance. Do you need full coverage for the whole time your app is switched on? Or are you in need of a policy to fill the gaps the delivery or rideshare companies don’t provide? Know exactly when you’re not covered through the company and buy accordingly. Verify deductibles and limits on Uber/Lyft pages (e.g., $2,500 contingent physical‑damage deductible during trips), and confirm whether delivery is included if you also do food/retail runs. Embedded, in‑app claims and telematics can speed first notice of loss and clarify which policy applies; review privacy and consent terms for any usage‑based programs (LexisNexis; NAIC).

Things to keep in mind:

• Lyft and Uber provide limited liability while waiting (typically 50/100/25) and up to $1,000,000 third‑party liability once a trip is accepted; contingent comprehensive/collision for your car applies only if you carry those coverages personally and is usually subject to a $2,500 deductible (Uber; Lyft).
• Most delivery companies, such as DoorDash, provide excess auto liability only while you’re on an active delivery and do not cover your vehicle’s damage; some platforms pair this with separate occupational accident benefits for the worker’s injuries (DoorDash).
• State laws set period‑based minimums and priority; some add driver‑injury protections (e.g., WA workers’ comp; CA Prop 22). Check local TNC statutes and any no‑fault/PIP or UM/UIM nuances that may apply (NAIC; NCSL).
• There’s no industry‑standard rideshare satisfaction index; compare carriers using J.D. Power’s insurance/claims studies and your state’s NAIC complaint index (J.D. Power; NAIC).
• Emerging platform features (ads/memberships), new delivery verticals (e.g., same‑day retail), and local rules (e.g., NYC/Seattle pay standards; EV mandates) can shift when you’re “engaged.” Reconfirm coverage fit as your use evolves (NYC delivery pay; Seattle PayUp; NYC Green Rides).

Summed Up

If you’re planning on making some side cash by picking up a gig as a delivery person or Uber driver, you’ll need special coverage, called rideshare insurance. That’s because a standard car insurance policy typically excludes “livery” use, while platforms provide period‑based coverage with limits and deductibles that change by status. A rideshare endorsement or hybrid policy aligns your personal coverage to those periods and helps keep you protected the whole time you’re online.

Rideshare car insurance is based on the phase you’re in — waiting, on the way to a pick up or with passengers or food delivery in-hand. You can add additional coverage to your existing vehicle insurance policy for some or all the phases, or purchase hybrid insurance, which will cover you whether you’re at work or driving around for leisure purposes. Confirm state‑specific rules, platform deductibles, delivery inclusion, and take advantage of embedded/in‑app claims tools and telematics programs that can speed resolution and sometimes lower your price.