GEICO Rideshare Insurance: Reviews, Cost, Availability, and More

If you’re a rideshare driver, your personal car insurance policy won’t cover you while you’re working — even if you just have the app on and are waiting for a ride request. Although GEICO advertises it offers rideshare insurance on its website, you can only get it from third-party companies it partners with.

Here’s what you need to know about rideshare insurance, what it means if you’re an existing GEICO customer, and alternative options to consider.

Key Takeaways:

• GEICO doesn’t offer rideshare insurance directly — only through thid-party insurance partners.
• You should always notify your auto insurance company if you’re a rideshare driver, or you’ll risk the company canceling your policy.
• Rideshare coverage through transportation network companies (TNC) like Uber and Lyft might not be enough to protect you in a car accident.

Does GEICO Offer Rideshare Insurance?

Although GEICO advertises rideshare insurance on its website, it offers it only through third-party partners.

I called the number GEICO lists on its website, and, after waiting on hold for 45 minutes, I still couldn’t get a clear answer on how GEICO rideshare insurance works. The representative I spoke to told me that GEICO Insurance Agency partners with other insurance companies to provide rideshare coverage, but they didn’t say which companies it works with.

You can call GEICO to get a quote at 1 (866) 904-5657. Factors like your age, driving record, claims history, and coverage needs will determine which rideshare insurance companies will provide a quote and offer you a policy. But it’s unclear how rideshare insurance works for existing GEICO policyholders and if it’s something you can manage directly through GEICO or if you need a separate app or online account.

GEICO Rideshare Insurance Reviews: What Drivers Are Saying

The best way to know how a company will react when you file a claim or need specific coverage like rideshare insurance is to see what current and past customers say. Overall, existing customer reviews of GEICO’s rideshare coverage are a bit of a mixed bag.

Although the customer shown below explains their experience from several years ago, it shows how GEICO may respond if you’re a rideshare driver. Someone without insurance rear-ended them, but GEICO denied their claim because they were a rideshare driver — even though they weren’t working when the accident occurred.

This experience shows why it’s important never to lie or hide the fact that you drive for a transportation network company (TNC), whether it’s Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Amazon Flex, or another company. Your personal coverage may be in jeopardy if you do, as the below Reddit users recently found out.

It appears that GEICO used to offer commercial auto insurance for rideshare service drivers, then it switched to a taxi insurance policy before ultimately deciding it best to partner with other companies, according to the Reddit post in the screenshot below.

GEICO Rideshare Insurance Alternatives

Although you can’t get rideshare coverage directly from GEICO, plenty of other big-name companies cover rideshare drivers. Allstate, American Family Insurance, State Farm, and USAA are a few car insurance companies offering rideshare insurance coverage.

Adding a rideshare endorsement to your personal auto insurance policy is the cheapest way to get rideshare coverage.

The table below compares some of the largest insurers’ average monthly rates and the cost of adding rideshare coverage, according to Compare.com data.

The cost of rideshare insurance varies by the same factors as your personal insurance, such as your age, driving history, vehicle type, ZIP code, and coverage limits. We found that the cheapest auto insurer with rideshare coverage is USAA, averaging $114 per month, including a $23 fee for the rideshare insurance cost.

Comparing quotes for a personal auto policy and the cost to add rideshare coverage from several companies ensures you get the best policy that meets your specific needs and budget.

How Rideshare Insurance Works

Rideshare insurance works differently than a standard auto insurance policy. It covers you and your rideshare vehicle when you have the app on or are driving a passenger and get into an accident. Your personal insurance policy won’t cover you during these periods unless you have special rideshare coverage.

Here’s more information on how insurance works when you drive for transportation network companies.

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

Normal car insurance covers you while you’re driving your vehicle for personal use. But if you’re driving for a TNC like Uber or Lyft, you’re using your personal vehicle for business use. Regardless of whether it’s a part-time side hustle for extra money or a full-time gig, your personal auto policy won’t cover business use.

Your personal policy covers you before you turn the rideshare app on and after you turn it off. It might provide limited coverage before you accept a rideshare passenger or delivery, but once you accept a delivery or ride request, your personal auto insurance won’t cover you.

Commercial insurance is an option, but it may only cover driving for commercial purposes and not personal use. A rideshare endorsement on your personal policy is a much cheaper option that allows you to drive for personal and ridesharing business purposes on the same car insurance policy.

It’s important to understand how and when insurers cover rideshare driving to ensure your current policy meets your needs and prevents coverage gaps. GEICO won’t cover rideshare drivers, even when the app is off.

What type of coverage do you need for Uber and Lyft?

Uber and Lyft provide rideshare insurance policies for their drivers, but the coverage may not be enough to fully protect you in a car accident. Both rideshare companies provide the following liability insurance coverage:

• $50,000 in bodily injury (BI) liability insurance per person
• $100,000 in BI coverage per accident
• $25,000 in property damage (PD) liability coverage per accident

Lyft and Uber must also provide additional insurance coverage, including:

• $1 million of third-party liability insurance for others
• First-party coverages vary by state requirements and may include personal injury protection (PIP), MedPay, uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, and occupation accident coverage.
• Comprehensive coverage and collision coverage (with a $2,500 deductible) but only if you also have these coverages on your personal insurance plan.

But these (and other) coverages kick in during different phases of the ridesharing process. Let’s go over how that works next.

When does rideshare coverage kick in?

The rideshare company’s insurance kicks in once you turn the ridesharing app on, and it remains in effect until you turn the ridesharing app back off. The smaller liability insurance policy is in effect until you accept a rider. Once you accept and are en route to pick up a passenger and drive them to their destination, the third-party liability and first-party coverages take over.

Though coverage from the ridesharing company is a start, it might not be enough to protect you financially in a car accident. Having a rideshare endorsement on your personal auto insurance policy with higher coverage limits and lower deductibles can provide valuable coverage and peace of mind.

GEICO Rideshare Insurance FAQs

If you still have questions about GEICO rideshare insurance, check out our answers to some of the most common questions.

What’s the best insurance company for Uber drivers?

The best rideshare insurance for Uber drivers depends on where you live, your driving history, vehicle make and model, and specific needs. Comparing quotes from several insurance companies can help you find the best coverage at an affordable price.

What’s the purpose of rideshare insurance?

A rideshare driver’s personal auto insurance doesn’t cover driving for business purposes — at least not without adding special coverage. Rideshare companies usually provide only the minimum coverage your state requires, which could leave a coverage gap. Getting your own rideshare insurance lets you control your coverage options to ensure you’re adequately protected in case of an accident.

Does rideshare insurance cover DoorDash?

Rideshare insurance may cover delivery services like DoorDash, but it varies by state. If your state considers DoorDash a transportation network company, rideshare insurance will likely cover Dashers. Before purchasing a policy, it’s a good idea to check with an insurer to find out if it covers DoorDash.

Does GEICO offer rideshare insurance in Florida?

No. GEICO doesn’t offer rideshare insurance in Florida. Consider getting quotes from some of the best rideshare insurance companies in Florida, like State Farm or Progressive. State Farm has a lower rate for adding rideshare coverage — $23, on average — than similar companies, according to Compare.com data.

Does GEICO offer rideshare insurance in New York?

No. GEICO doesn’t offer rideshare insurance in New York. AAA, Liberty Mutual, or Progressive may be a good option for New York 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. Trustpilot, “GEICO,” accessed August 21, 2024.
2. Reddit, “GEICO kicking me out,” accessed August 21, 2024.
3. Reddit, “Anybody driving in Florida knows any recommendations on rideshare insurance? Geico just sent me a letter saying they won’t renew my policy, so I need to find something in 2 months,” accessed August 21, 2024.
4. Reddit, “AUTO INS CANCELLED BY GEICO,” accessed August 21, 2024.
5. Reddit, “What insurance allows rideshare??? I was dropped by Geico because they found out,” accessed August 21, 2024.
6. Reddit, “How do I add Rideshare insurance to my auto policy?,” accessed August 21, 2024.
7. Lyft, “Insurance coverage while driving with Lyft,” accessed August 21, 2024.
8. Uber, “Insurance to help protect you,” accessed August 21, 2024.