Insurance policy for ride-booking drivers is a must

Uber and Lyft drivers might seem well-insured, between the ride-booking companies’ coverage and their own policies. However, a crucial gap leaves drivers at risk if they have an accident at the wrong time.

The gap

Once a driver accepts a fare or has passengers in the car, each company’s insurance policy is pretty generous. But while a driver is waiting for a ride request, coverage is slim. It includes only basic liability coverages, which pay other people if you’re at fault in a crash.

If you cause an accident before accepting a request, you’ll be on the hook for your medical bills and any damage to your car. You’ll also have to pay for injuries and property damage beyond these liability limits:

• $50,000 bodily injury per person

• $100,000 bodily injury per accident

• $25,000 in property damage per accident

The risk

You can rely on your personal auto policy during that time, right? Not so fast.

When you use your car for “livery” — carrying passengers or goods for a fare — it’s not covered by a traditional policy.

So if you file a claim with your insurer for an accident that occurs while you’re waiting for a new fare, it will probably get denied. (Uber and Lyft expect drivers to file claims for these accidents with their personal insurers first.)

What’s more, your insurer could cancel or refuse to renew

GENE J. PUSKAR — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE A Lyft logo is installed on a car next to an Uber sticker in Pittsburgh. Uber and Lyft drivers might seem well-insured, however, a crucial gap leaves drivers at risk if they have an accident at the wrong time.