Rideshare Insurance, Explained By Accident Compensation Lawyers In Florida
Which app is on your phone: Uber or Lyft? Is one better than the other? Does it matter?
Yes, it does matter – at least when you end up in the middle of an Uber or Lyft auto accident and need to recover compensation.
Two Critical Coverage Considerations Every Uber & Lyft Passenger Should Know
1. Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
Florida is one of 12 states that require drivers to carry personal injury protection (PIP), sometimes referred to as no-fault insurance. PIP is designed to provide compensation for medical expenses and lost wages to the policyholder after an auto accident, even if the policyholder was 100% at fault for the accident.
You might assume that Uber and Lyft must also carry PIP in Florida to protect their drivers and passengers, but it’s not so simple. Under Florida law, PIP does not have to be offered by Uber or Lyft when a rideshare driver is heading to pick up a passenger. It’s also not required when a rideshare driver has passengers in the vehicle.
Uber & PIP
Uber takes advantage of this Florida law, providing no PIP benefits to passengers and no PIP benefits to the driver if they have accepted or are completing a ride request.
When an Uber driver has their app on and is waiting to accept a ride request, the driver is eligible to receive $10,000 in PIP benefits from Uber’s insurance.
Lyft & PIP
Although Lyft is not required by Florida law to give PIP benefits to passengers, as of October 2022, Lyft’s insurance policy includes PIP benefits for eligible passengers and drivers.
This means that, unlike Uber, Lyft’s PIP insurance does not vary by the phases of a ride. In other words, PIP benefits are provided for the driver while waiting for a ride request, on their way to a pickup location, and on their way to a drop-off area with passengers in tow. Similarly, qualifying Lyft passengers are entitled to PIP benefits for medical costs and lost wages.
2. Uninsured Motorist/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage
About 20% of all drivers in Florida are uninsured, and many more have the minimum auto insurance coverage required under Florida law (only $10,000 in PIP and $10,000 in property damage liability). This lack of insurance prevents many people from recovering the total value of their auto accident and injury claims.
One of the best remedies for this is to add UM/UIM coverage to your auto insurance policy. This coverage will kick in when the at-fault driver’s insurance limits are too low to cover all your damages, or the at-fault driver is altogether uninsured.
How Does UM/UIM Coverage Come Into Play With Uber And Lyft Accidents?
If your Uber or Lyft driver is at fault for an accident, you will benefit from $1 million in third-party liability insurance coverage carried by both Uber and Lyft. This amount applies per accident for any personal injuries resulting from an accident caused by the Uber or Lyft driver.
If your Uber or Lyft driver was not responsible for the accident, and the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured, obtaining compensation may become more challenging.
Uber & UM/UIM Coverage
While Uber once provided UM/UIM coverage in the amount of $10,000 per person in an accident and $20,000 total per accident in Florida, Uber no longer provides any UM/UIM coverage for Florida.
Lyft & UM/UIM Coverage
In 2018, Lyft reduced its $1 million UM/UIM coverage limit to just $250,000, and in 2020, Lyft altogether removed UM/UIM coverage from its Florida insurance certificate.
Uber and Lyft’s UM/UIM coverage (or lack thereof) underscores the value of purchasing UM/UIM on your vehicle; doing so will protect you in the event of a rideshare accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. Alternatively, you can receive compensation from a family member’s UM/UIM policy if you share a residence.
Do You Have Questions About Payouts For Uber And Lyft Accidents?
Have You Been Injured In An Accident Involving Uber Or Lyft And Aren’t Sure How To Get Financial Recovery?
At Fenstersheib Law Group in Hallandale Beach, Florida, our team of Uber and Lyft accident compensation lawyers has answers. We’re experienced, driven, and dedicated to your fight for just compensation after an Uber or Lyft accident.
Our main office is in Hallandale Beach, FL, and we have secondary Florida offices in Hollywood, Miramar, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Sarasota, Tampa, & Jacksonville.
Don’t wait – call us today at 800-TELL-ROBERT.
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