Most Lyft and Uber drivers are optimistic when they first sign up. The job seems easy enough, it is a chance to get out of the house, and the sign-up bonus makes rideshare driving especially lucrative. However, with more time “on the job,” and talking to other rideshare drivers in online forums, drivers soon realize they are on their own. 

As we wrote about last month, “Will Lyft Help After an Accident?” The answer is, yes, Lyft will help themselves but you may be out of luck. The best way to protect yourself as a Lyft or Uber driver is to make sure you have full coverage insurance that will protect you and your family if you are involved in an accident. 

If you get into an accident and find out that the rideshare company leaves you high and dry, that's the time when you should consider contacting an experienced Denver accident lawyer to make sure you are compensated after an injury accident. 

Drivers Don't Want to Tell Their Insurance Company

Many Lyft and Uber drivers don't want to tell their insurance company that they are driving for a rideshare company. Drivers may be concerned that their insurance company will drop them or raise their rates. This is likely true! However, would you rather your insurance company raise your rates to cover an Uber accident or wait until after the Uber accident to tell you it is not covered. 

Most major insurance companies now have policies or add-on coverage to cover drivers who are rideshare drivers on the side. Your insurance rate will most likely increase but this will also provide coverage in the event of an accident. This is important because, if Lyft or Uber try to get out of paying for your car repairs or hospital bills, you may still be covered on your own policy.  

Misleading Coverage Language from Lyft and Uber

On Lyft's own website about insurance coverage, they say, “the subject of insurance can be complicated, but it's important you know how and when our policies cover you and your passengers in the event of an incident.” Unfortunately, their own website can be confusing for drivers who come away thinking Lyft will cover them in an accident when that is not always the case. 

For example, Lyft says their insurance is designed to act as the primary coverage from the time you accept a ride until the ride has ended. However, if your personal coverage provides ridesharing coverage, then Lyft's policy will act as a secondary or excess policy. Most insurance companies require a separate or additional policy when the driver is driving for profit. This means that your own insurance will have to apply before Lyft ever contributes a penny. 

Similarly, Lyft offer's collision coverage but only if you have collision coverage on your personal auto policy, not something that most people have. If your car is damaged in an accident, you may be left paying out of pocket. Lyft's comprehensive coverage works the same way, only chipping in if you already have comprehensive coverage under your personal policy. Lyft seems like they offer a lot of coverage but most of it is contingent or excess coverage that most drivers will never see. 

Lyft or Uber Refusing to Cover Your Medical Bills

Even if Lyft or Uber was supposed to cover your accident does not mean that they will happily cut you a check for your car repairs and medical bills. Lyft and Uber often put another layer of bureaucracy between drivers and payment by referring any claims to their insurance company. Many drivers have complained about the rideshare insurance company telling the driver that their personal policy has to cover the accident even when the rideshare policy is supposed to apply. 

Instead of giving up, make a phone call to an experienced rideshare driver accident lawyer. The attorneys at accidentdenver.com have successfully represented Lyft and Uber drivers in Denver, Aurora, and throughout Colorado who were injured in an accident. Even if the insurance company does not take your claim seriously, our experienced attorneys will fight to get the maximum compensation available for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation.