Rideshare companies like Uber, Lyft, Via and many more are taking the world of transportation by storm. Thanks to these companies, getting from one location to another has never been easier. Whether you are on vacation in a city you have never been to before or you don’t want to deal with the hassle and expense of having your own car, rideshare companies help you get from point A to B affordably and safely. We may all be familiar with how the rideshare process works as a passenger, but what about the people who are kind enough to use their personal vehicles to help others? The drivers employed with Uber need to be protected as well.
Uber insurance in Chicago can benefit even the most experienced of drivers who want to make sure they feel financially protected in case of an accident. There’s no such thing as being overly cautious as a driver and even though rideshare drivers are technically employees of the company, they don’t report to anyone. If a driver gets into an accident while they are on the job, it’s important to make sure both the driver and the passengers are protected and safe.
How Rideshare Insurance Works
Uber insurance in Chicago is designed to help cover any gaps that your regular car insurance doesn’t provide. You can think of rideshare insurance as an add-on to your standard insurance. It’s important to note that the rideshare companies won’t be coming to you with this elective insurance; it’s something you have to seek on your own if you choose to stay protected.
While the coverage is not mandatory, it can still provide you with peace of mind, considering you spend a lot more time behind the wheel. It’s a good idea to consider rideshare insurance if you’re thinking about becoming an Uber driver because the benefits far outweigh the relatively minor costs of the coverage.
Is There Any Coverage Provided by Uber?
Rideshare companies offer a certain level of insurance to their employed drivers, but the coverage isn’t end-to-end. This means that drivers are exposed to considerable gaps that may result in costly damages, depending on the severity of the accident. There are typically three levels of coverage rideshare companies offer, each with various coverage levels during the particular period.
- Offline Coverage: We understand that rideshare drivers are not always in their car with customers. The offline period is considered the personal driving that takes place when the driver isn’t working under the rideshare platform and the driver mode is turned off. During this period, drivers are only covered by their personal car insurance policies.
- Waiting to Receive a Ride Request: Drivers may need to spend time behind the wheel as they search for their next customer to pick up. During the in-between waiting period, rideshare companies will typically offer a limited amount of coverage for the driver. Uber offers the following maximum coverage limits:
- $50,000 per person
- $100,000 per incident
- $25,000 for property damageIf you want additional coverage during this waiting period, you’ll need to rely on your standard car insurance to provide it.
- While the Ride is in Progress: Uber insurance for drivers in Chicago will be in effect while giving customers a ride, but the coverage is through a third-party commercial provider. The reason for this is because the commercial insurance will be in effect during the entire ride through the mobile app.
Is Rideshare Insurance the Only Option?
Unfortunately, not all states are offering rideshare insurance options at this time, but you can still be protected via commercial car insurance. Fortunately, you can get Uber auto insurance in Illinois. While this type of insurance may be a bit more costly compared to traditional insurance, it still proves beneficial for drivers in Chicago. Additionally, it can be much more cost-effective to have a policy in place with a company offering rideshare insurance than it is to have commercial insurance and as a result, an increasing number of drivers are opting for Uber insurance in Chicago over standard auto insurance.
One of the benefits with rideshare insurance is that you don’t need an additional commercial insurance policy, so you reap all the benefits of better protection while on the road. These hybrid policies provide the maximum amount of protection possible and, in many ways, are a must for those who are considering driving for Uber full time or above a certain number of hours per week.
How Rideshare Drivers Can Move Forward
At Accurate Insurance, we are proud to offer rideshare insurance to those who need it! We offer four insurance coverage periods, which are outlined on our website. Even if Uber partially covers your claim, rest assured we provide coverage for all the other times the rideshare company does not.
Contact Our Team Today
Rideshare services are only going to continue to increase in popularity, so make sure you obtain the coverage you need if you decide to become an Uber driver. If you have questions about Uber auto insurance in Chicago or if you are interested in any of our services, don’t hesitate to reach out to a team member at Accurate Insurance today!
