What should you do if you have an accident while logged into Uber and your personal car insurance company refuses to pay the claim?
One of our readers recently came to us with this question, which highlights a coverage issue many rideshare drivers may not consider until an accident happens.
Personal auto insurance and Uber’s insurance don’t overlap, and who pays can depend on whether you were waiting for a ride, heading to pick up a passenger or already completing a trip.
Below, we break down why your insurer may deny the claim, where you can turn for coverage and what steps you should take next.
Why your personal car insurance may deny a claim when you’re logged into Uber
Your personal auto insurance covers everyday driving, such as commuting, running errands, or going on road trips. But once you log into the Uber app and are available for ride requests, insurers usually see that as a commercial activity, which is not covered by a standard personal policy.
Most personal insurance policies do not cover carrying passengers or property for a fee. Since rideshare driving means you are earning money with your car, your insurer might deny a claim if you have an accident while logged into Uber, even if you have not accepted a ride yet. To help avoid coverage gaps, you can add a rideshare endorsement to your personal auto insurance policy, which typically provides additional protection while you’re logged into the app and waiting for a ride request.
Who may cover the accident instead: Uber, the other driver or your insurer?
Who pays after a crash depends on when you were driving and who caused the accident. If someone else caused the crash, start with their liability insurance. Uber’s coverage depends on the stage of the trip and is thinnest while you wait for a request. Your own insurer comes in only in limited cases, such as when you have a rideshare endorsement.
- If you were logged in and waiting for a ride request: Uber provides third-party liability coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries, along with $25,000 for property damage, if your personal auto insurance does not apply. Importantly, this coverage pays for injuries or damage you cause to others, but it does not cover repairs to your own car. Adding a rideshare endorsement to your personal policy can help fill this gap.
- If another driver caused the accident: Start by filing a claim with the other driver’s liability insurer. If they have little or no insurance, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may help, but it can come from two places. Uber maintains its own version only for injuries on accepted trips, and only in states that require it. Whether the coverage on your personal policy applies depends on the policy terms.
- If you’d accepted a ride or had a passenger: Uber maintains $1,000,000 in third-party liability. If you carry comprehensive and collision on your personal policy, Uber’s contingent coverage also pays for damage to your car up to its actual cash value, with a $2,500 deductible, regardless of fault.
- Your own insurer may still have a role: Most standard policies do not cover accidents that happen while you are driving for a rideshare company. If you have added a rideshare endorsement, though, some parts of your personal policy could apply when you are logged into the app. The details depend on your insurer and your state.
What to do after your insurer denies your rideshare claim
Ask for the denial in writing, then save your Uber trip history to confirm your app status. After that, file a claim with the right insurer; this could be the other driver’s insurer, Uber or both.
Getting a denial letter can seem like the end, but it’s actually the beginning of the process. Follow these steps in order:
- Request the denial in writing. A phone call alone is not enough. Ask for a letter that includes the exact policy exclusion the insurer is using. You will need this if you decide to appeal, and if the denial is vague, that is a reason to challenge it.
- Take screenshots of your Uber trip history as soon as possible. Make sure to capture when you log in, whether you have accepted a ride and the time around the accident. This record shows which stage of a trip you were in (waiting for a request, heading to a pickup or on a trip), and that decides which insurance applies.
- Gather evidence. Collect the police report, photos of both cars, witness names and the other driver’s insurance details. Keep everything, including claim numbers, in one folder or note on your phone.
- File your claim with the insurer responsible for paying. If the other driver was at fault, start a claim with their insurer immediately. Also, report the accident to Uber using the help section in the driver app so Uber’s insurer can start its own claim. Filing both claims at the same time protects you if one insurer is slow to respond.
- Only appeal if you have evidence. If you had a rideshare endorsement or your trip history shows the app was off, send this proof to your insurer and request a formal review. You can check our guide on what to do when your claim is denied for more details about the appeal process.
- If your appeal is not moving forward, contact your state department of insurance. Every state has a consumer complaint office that can review how your claim was handled.
- Bring in an attorney for injuries or trip-stage disputes. If you were hurt or insurers are arguing over whether you’d accepted a ride, an attorney can help you deal with the situation.
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How to avoid a rideshare coverage gap before your next trip
To make sure you are fully covered, let your insurer know you drive for Uber and check that your policy includes rideshare coverage before you start using the app. A standard car insurance policy may not cover you while you’re working, and Uber’s insurance doesn’t protect you in every situation.
- Ask your insurer about a rideshare endorsement. Don’t assume your regular policy covers you when you’re logged in: it doesn’t. An endorsement can fill the gap between your policy and Uber’s, especially while you’re waiting for a request.
- Compare deductibles and limits. Uber’s deductible for damage to your car is $2,500, so make sure you have that amount readily accessible. Understand what each policy covers: liability, collision, comprehensive and uninsured or underinsured motorist claims.
- Keep collision and comprehensive active. Uber’s coverage for damage to your car applies only if you carry both on your personal policy.
- Keep your insurer in the loop. If you start, stop or change how often you drive for a rideshare company, tell them so your policy matches how you use your car.
- Review your coverage at every renewal. Rideshare options, policy wording and deductibles change, so don’t assume last year’s coverage still fits how you drive.
Don’t assume a claim denial ends your options
If you get into a rideshare accident, more than one insurance policy might be involved. It is important to figure out what you were doing in the Uber app when the crash happened, and then look for the coverage that applies to that part of your trip. After your claim is settled, talk with your insurer before you drive for Uber again to understand where your personal coverage ends and rideshare coverage begins.
Source
- Uber. “Insurance for rideshare trips.” Accessed October 2026.
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