CA Rideshare Insurance
All California Rideshare Drivers are required to have auto insurance for Period 1. That's the time from when they log on to the app, but are not yet matched to a rider. We insure Period 1 when you drive for Uber, Lyft or Sidecar. It's fast and easy.
Call Patricia Ortiz
(916) 753-1487
(916) 753-1487
The Rideshare Insurance Gap
Jump in your car, turn on your rideshare app, and wait to be matched with your first rider. No problem, right?
Problem 1: Limited Coverage
UberX, Lyft and Sidecar provide limited liability and NO comp and collision coverage from the time you first log on to your app until you are matched with a rider. This time frame is called Period 1, and drivers often refer to it as "trolling." You are logged on and waiting to be told to go pick up your rider. Since many of these riders are going to be at bars, restaurants and airports, rideshare companies are aware (just like traditional insurance companies have known for years) that you face an increased risk for a traffic accident in these congested areas. So they limit your liability coverage to just 50/100/30. In today's age of lawsuits, that's very little coverage. Still worse, they do not cover damage to your own car during this time frame.
Problem 2: Cancelled Policy
Most insurance companies will drop you if they find out that you drive for Uber, Lyft or Sidecar. They just don't like you using your vehicle for business purposes. They see you as a taxi cab. They don't understand the new social world. Insurance companies can be clueless. Many of you are living in the shadows, too afraid to tell Allstate, State Farm or whatever your insurance company is that you drive for Uber. That's a terrible place to be. It's even worse if you have an accident: do you tell the insurance company that you were waiting on a rider while you were logged in? Many rideshare blogs and forums advise you to lie to the insurance company in that situation. But if you do, you are breaking the law and you risk being cancelled if they find out.
Problem 1: Limited Coverage
UberX, Lyft and Sidecar provide limited liability and NO comp and collision coverage from the time you first log on to your app until you are matched with a rider. This time frame is called Period 1, and drivers often refer to it as "trolling." You are logged on and waiting to be told to go pick up your rider. Since many of these riders are going to be at bars, restaurants and airports, rideshare companies are aware (just like traditional insurance companies have known for years) that you face an increased risk for a traffic accident in these congested areas. So they limit your liability coverage to just 50/100/30. In today's age of lawsuits, that's very little coverage. Still worse, they do not cover damage to your own car during this time frame.
Problem 2: Cancelled Policy
Most insurance companies will drop you if they find out that you drive for Uber, Lyft or Sidecar. They just don't like you using your vehicle for business purposes. They see you as a taxi cab. They don't understand the new social world. Insurance companies can be clueless. Many of you are living in the shadows, too afraid to tell Allstate, State Farm or whatever your insurance company is that you drive for Uber. That's a terrible place to be. It's even worse if you have an accident: do you tell the insurance company that you were waiting on a rider while you were logged in? Many rideshare blogs and forums advise you to lie to the insurance company in that situation. But if you do, you are breaking the law and you risk being cancelled if they find out.
Example of driving without rideshare insurance:
You own a cool Toyota Corolla. It's only 3 years old, so you still have a couple of years of car payments ahead. No big deal. You are driving for Uber in San Francisco now, and making good money. It's 15 minutes past quitting time on your second shift job, so you swing by Nob Hill and turn on your Uber app. You figure there's probably an easy rideshare passenger available without much waiting. You drive around slowly, staying near the big nightclubs and potential clients. Your eyes are attracted to the clubs; you don't see that guy stop suddenly in front of you. You hit him. Going faster than you'd have liked. He's not happy. Now you have to exchange insurance information. Cops are called. You have to explain that you were there as a rideshare driver. The next day you call your insurance agent, and find out that you aren't covered. You weren't matched to a rider (Period 1), but you were "on the clock" so to speak, and you will have to turn in your claim to Uber. You do a little googling, and find out that Uber will only cover liability- the damage to the other guy's car. You just got back from the body shop and found out that the damage to your Corolla is $2700. Your personal insurance company isn't going to pay a dime. Neither is Uber, since you weren't matched to a rider yet. Worse, a few weeks later, you find out that the guy you hit has serious whiplash, lost his job, and he's suing you for pain and suffering- $100,000. Uber just told you that they'll only cover $50,000 of that. Oh, and your personal insurance company just cancelled you. Your day has turned real bad.
The Solution
Farmers California Rideshare
Come out of the shadows. Get rideshare insurance today that covers you in Period 1. Get partnered with an insurance company that wants you. Tell your insurance agent in California that you are proud to be an Uber driver.
As your Farmers Insurance Agent, I'm proud to insure you.
Farmers Specialty Insurance Company, on May 28, 2015, became the first insurance carrier in California to offer a rideshare endorsement that covers you during Period 1. That's the time frame between logging on to your rideshare app and getting matched with a rider. They are calling it California Rideshare.
Call Patricia Ortiz
(916) 753-1487
Come out of the shadows. Get rideshare insurance today that covers you in Period 1. Get partnered with an insurance company that wants you. Tell your insurance agent in California that you are proud to be an Uber driver.
As your Farmers Insurance Agent, I'm proud to insure you.
Farmers Specialty Insurance Company, on May 28, 2015, became the first insurance carrier in California to offer a rideshare endorsement that covers you during Period 1. That's the time frame between logging on to your rideshare app and getting matched with a rider. They are calling it California Rideshare.
Call Patricia Ortiz
(916) 753-1487
FAQs
Doesn't my rideshare company (like Uber) cover me during Period 1?
Yes. But they cover liability only (damage to another vehicle or person) when you are in the infamous "Period 1." They do not cover damage to your own vehicle if the accident is your fault. That could be disastrous. And during Period 1, when you are logged in to the app but not matched to a rider, they only cover the barest minimum liability: 50/100/30. It's difficult to find a clear statement online about this (why should they talk about a problem without a solution?) but Uber makes it clear here.
How much does UberX cover after I get matched to a rider (Periods 2 and 3)?
UberX will cover up to a million dollars of liability once you are matched to a rider. Once you are matched to a rider, you may also have comprehensive and collision coverage with UberX, Lyft and Sidecar, subject to some higher deductibles and other requirements, such as having comp and collision on your personal policy. It's called "Contingent Collision and Comprehensive" and it's explained here.
How expensive is California Rideshare insurance?
Not expensive at all. Don't let a few dollars keep you from covering yourself fully and properly.
Your car and your assets are too important to put at risk.
Where can I buy Farmers California Rideshare Insurance?
Call me, Patricia Ortiz, your Farmers Insurance Agent in Northern California. I can explain how California rideshare insurance works. I'm answering questions every day from rideshare drivers just like you.
I specialize in protecting Uber and other rideshare drivers in Sacramento, Elk Grove, San Francisco, Oakland, San Mateo, Berkeley, Hayward, Fremont, Pleasanton and the entire Bay Area.
Call Patricia Ortiz
(916) 753-1487
Yes. But they cover liability only (damage to another vehicle or person) when you are in the infamous "Period 1." They do not cover damage to your own vehicle if the accident is your fault. That could be disastrous. And during Period 1, when you are logged in to the app but not matched to a rider, they only cover the barest minimum liability: 50/100/30. It's difficult to find a clear statement online about this (why should they talk about a problem without a solution?) but Uber makes it clear here.
How much does UberX cover after I get matched to a rider (Periods 2 and 3)?
UberX will cover up to a million dollars of liability once you are matched to a rider. Once you are matched to a rider, you may also have comprehensive and collision coverage with UberX, Lyft and Sidecar, subject to some higher deductibles and other requirements, such as having comp and collision on your personal policy. It's called "Contingent Collision and Comprehensive" and it's explained here.
How expensive is California Rideshare insurance?
Not expensive at all. Don't let a few dollars keep you from covering yourself fully and properly.
Your car and your assets are too important to put at risk.
Where can I buy Farmers California Rideshare Insurance?
Call me, Patricia Ortiz, your Farmers Insurance Agent in Northern California. I can explain how California rideshare insurance works. I'm answering questions every day from rideshare drivers just like you.
I specialize in protecting Uber and other rideshare drivers in Sacramento, Elk Grove, San Francisco, Oakland, San Mateo, Berkeley, Hayward, Fremont, Pleasanton and the entire Bay Area.
Call Patricia Ortiz
(916) 753-1487
Rideshare News
Farmers Insurance steps up to help rideshare drivers
It's official. On May 27, 2015, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones announced... read more
It's official. On May 27, 2015, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones announced... read more
