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Getting into an accident is never fun, and it’s worse with a passenger on board. As a rideshare driver, what you do next depends on which phase you’re in when the crash happens, and Uber and Lyft handle claims differently. Here is what to do after a rideshare accident.
What do I do first?
As in any accident, first make sure everyone is okay and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Then document the scene and contact the right insurer. Who you call depends on whether the app was on.
If the app was off, call your personal insurance company. If the app was on, your rideshare company’s coverage may apply, especially if you were on the way to a pickup or had a passenger (Phases 2 and 3). Phase 1, when the app is on and you’re waiting for a request, is the trickiest: the company’s coverage is limited, and your personal policy may exclude driving for pay.
Your phone is your best tool at the scene. You should:
- Use the camera on your phone to take pictures of the crash.
- Record a video of the scene and witnesses.
- Record audio of witness accounts.
- Take notes on your phone to help you remember every detail.
What to do as an Uber driver
If the app was off, contact your own insurer. If you were waiting for a request, contact your insurer first, then Uber. Be careful: if your insurer doesn’t know you drive for rideshare, it could deny the claim or even drop you.
If you were on the way to a pickup or had a passenger, report the crash to Uber. Uber may temporarily deactivate you during the investigation, which can mean lost income, but not reporting an accident can have much worse consequences.
In Phases 2 and 3, Uber’s insurance includes $1 million in third-party liability. To repair your own car, Uber’s contingent collision and comprehensive coverage applies only if you carry those coverages on your personal policy, and you pay a $2,500 deductible first (vehicles from Uber’s Vehicle Marketplace have a $1,000 deductible). If the damage is under the deductible, Uber’s coverage won’t pay for it.
To report an accident to Uber, start here.
What to do as a Lyft driver
If you drive for Lyft, follow the same steps. Lyft may also deactivate you while the accident is investigated.
In Phase 1, Lyft’s coverage is minimal and your personal insurer comes first, but many personal policies exclude driving for pay, so you may not be covered. In Phases 2 and 3, Lyft’s policy provides at least $1 million in liability coverage. Its contingent collision and comprehensive coverage requires you to carry those coverages on your own policy, and you pay a $2,500 deductible before it applies.
Lyft is not an insurer, so claims are handled by a third-party insurance company. That can be frustrating when you need your car repaired and back on the road.
To report an accident to Lyft, click here.
An ounce of prevention...
The best way to make this process easier is to get proper rideshare insurance before you need it. A rideshare endorsement or policy can cover the Phase 1 gap and may help with the $2,500 deductible. Check out our Rideshare Insurance Guide to see how coverage works and what your options are.
Sarah Ware (CISR) holds licenses in Property and Casualty as well as Life and Health insurance and has worked in the insurance industry for over 10 years.
