The Complete Guide to Florida Rideshare Insurance in 2024

If you drive for a ridesharing service in Florida, your standard auto policy usually won’t cover you once you turn the app on. Though transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft must provide insurance for rideshare drivers, it might not be enough to protect you if you get into a car accident.

Adding a rideshare endorsement to your policy is an inexpensive way to get extra coverage to fill the gaps. We explain how rideshare insurance works in Florida, the coverage requirements, and the best insurance companies for rideshare drivers in the Sunshine State.

Key Takeaways:

• Florida requires TNCs to provide liability insurance for rideshare drivers, but you must also maintain a personal auto policy that meets Florida’s minimum coverage requirements.
• Your personal insurance policy won’t provide coverage after you turn the app on unless you have a rideshare endorsement.
• It costs an average of $31 to add rideshare coverage to your personal car insurance policy in Florida.

How Does Rideshare Insurance Work in Florida?

How rideshare insurance in Florida works depends on which phase of driving you’re in. Car insurance companies usually split rideshare driving into three phases (or periods). Here’s a breakdown of Florida’s three phases.

Phase One

In phase one, you’re operating your vehicle for personal use and haven’t turned the rideshare app on yet. During phase one, your personal auto insurance policy works just like it does any other time — it’ll pay up to your policy limits to cover injuries and property damage from an accident you cause.

Phase Two

The second phase starts when you turn on the app but haven’t received a ride request. Your personal policy usually stops covering you once you turn the rideshare app on. This is when your rideshare insurance policy kicks in.

Florida state law requires TNCs to cover you with a rideshare insurance policy during this phase. You can also purchase your own rideshare insurance coverage to provide additional protection if you cause an accident.

Phase Three

The final stage begins when you accept a ride request and are on the way to pick up the passenger and ends when you drop them off. The rideshare company’s insurance will cover you until you drop them off.

Coverage will continue if you keep the app on to wait for another ride request. But if you turn the app off and resume personal driving, your personal car insurance policy kicks back in.

Does normal car insurance cover you while driving for ridesharing services?

Your personal auto insurance only covers you if you have rideshare insurance. If you don’t have this added coverage, you won’t be covered while performing rideshare services. Florida requires rideshare companies to provide coverage while you’re in phases two and three. But you can also get an inexpensive rideshare endorsement — or separate commercial insurance policy — to cover gaps or provide higher coverage limits.

Keep in mind Florida has the 15th-highest rate of uninsured motorists, at almost 16%, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). Adding rideshare coverage is a simple way to protect yourself if someone without insurance or without enough to cover your injuries or vehicle damage hits you.

Florida Insurance Requirements for Uber and Lyft Drivers

Here are the minimum insurance requirements for rideshare drivers in phase two, according to the Florida Legislature:

• $50,000 in bodily injury liability (BI) per person
• $100,000 in bodily injury liability per accident
• $25,000 in property damage liability (PD) per accident
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage that matches or exceeds BI and PD liability limits
• $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP)

During phase three, TNCs must have at least $1 million in property damage and bodily injury coverage, plus PIP and UM/UIM. Rideshare companies require drivers to have personal auto insurance that meets or exceeds Florida’s minimum requirements for personal vehicles, which is $10,000 each for PIP and PD.

How Much Does Rideshare Insurance Cost in Florida?

Adding rideshare coverage to your insurance policy increases your premium, but it provides additional protection that can be worth it. The table below shows the average monthly cost of car insurance and the additional coverage cost for adding a rideshare endorsement in Florida compared to the national average.

The average cost to add rideshare coverage in Florida is $31 per month — $3 cheaper than the national average of $34, according to Compare.com data.

The Cheapest Florida Rideshare Insurance Companies in 2024

Insurance costs can vary widely from company to company — adding rideshare coverage is no different. We analyzed rates from Florida insurers offering rideshare endorsements to find the cheapest companies for rideshare insurance. The table below ranks the five cheapest companies, sorted by total cost.

The cheapest company for rideshare insurance in Florida is State Farm, with an average rideshare coverage cost of $12 per month and a total average monthly cost of $87, according to our analysis.

But these are just averages and don’t reflect how much you’ll pay for the same policy. Your rate will depend on your unique driver profile, which includes your driving record, age, and ZIP code. That’s why it’s important to compare personalized quotes from several insurers to help you find the best deal on Florida rideshare policies.

How to Add Rideshare Coverage to Your Car Insurance Policy

You can add rideshare coverage to your personal auto policy in just a few steps:

1. Log into your online account and search for the rideshare vehicle on your policy. Click “add coverage.” Not all insurers offer this option online, so you may have to call your agent or company to ask about adding rideshare coverage.
2. Submit your request to add coverage. If you’re working with your agent or insurer, ask for written confirmation, such as an email, to confirm your request.
3. Wait to receive notification that your new policy documents are ready to review. Check your policy to ensure you now have rideshare coverage.

The process can vary by company. Before you start working as a rideshare driver, it’s a good idea to discuss your options with your agent to ensure you have the right coverage.

Florida Rideshare Insurance FAQs

If you’re considering rideshare insurance coverage, here are answers to the most common questions about Florida rideshare insurance.

Does Florida require rideshare insurance?

Yes. Transportation network companies operating in Florida must give drivers 50/100/25 liability coverage during phase two and $1 million during phase three, plus uninsured motorist and personal injury protection coverage. Rideshare drivers must have a personal auto policy that meets Florida’s state minimum requirements.

What’s the best insurance company for Uber drivers?

It depends. The best insurance company for Uber drivers depends on your personal driving history. Your age, claims history, and driving record are just a few of the factors insurers use to determine premiums. Comparing rates and coverage options from companies offering rideshare coverage can help you find the best policy.

Does rideshare insurance cover DoorDash?

It depends. Rideshare insurance may cover people driving with DoorDash, but it depends on the state and the insurance company’s definition of rideshare. In most states, DoorDash will only provide coverage during the delivery service period, from accepting a delivery to marking it delivered, canceled, or unassigning it — having your own insurance coverage can fill the gaps.

Do you need to tell your insurance company you’re a rideshare driver?

Yes. Your insurance company won’t cover you once you turn the rideshare app on until you turn it back off. Although rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber provide coverage while you’re working, many insurers offer specific rideshare endorsements that can provide more protection if you get into an accident.

What insurance companies offer rideshare coverage in Florida?

State Farm, Allstate, GEICO, Travelers, and Safeco are a few insurance companies offering rideshare coverage in Florida. Not all insurers advertise rideshare coverage online, so you may want to contact the company to find out if others offer rideshare insurance.

Data Methodology:

Data scientists at Compare.com analyzed more than 50 million real-time auto insurance quotes from more than 75 partner insurers in order to compile the rates and statistics seen in this article. Compare.com’s auto insurance data includes coverage analysis and details on drivers’ vehicles, driving records, insurance histories, and demographic information.

All the rates listed in this article have been collected from a combination of real Compare.com quotes and external insurance rate data gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. Compare.com uses these observations to provide readers with insights into how auto insurance companies determine their premiums.

Sources:

1. Lyft, “All things insurance, all in one place.,” accessed August 15, 2024.
2. Lyft, “Florida Driver Information,” accessed August 15, 2024.
3. Uber, “Insurance to help protect you,” accessed August 15, 2024.
4. Florida Legislature, “627.748 Transportation network companies.,” accessed August 15, 2024.
5. Insurance Information Institute, “Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists,” accessed August 15, 2024.
6. Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Florida Insurance Requirements,” accessed August 15, 2024.
7. Uber, “Rideshare insurance for drivers on Uber,” accessed August 15, 2024.
8. DoorDash, “Understanding Auto Insurance Maintained by DoorDash,” accessed August 15, 2024.