Imagine you are heading home in an Uber on the Long Island Expressway when another car strikes you and causes a serious injury. New York holds Uber, Lyft and other rideshare companies to insurance requirements that shift with each phase of a trip. Understanding which phase applies determines how you pursue a claim.
Coverage when the app is offline
When a driver does not have the app turned on, their personal auto insurance policy usually provides the primary coverage. If the driver was using the vehicle for commercial purposes without a rideshare endorsement, their personal insurer may deny coverage entirely.
Waiting for a ride request
The insurance situation changes the moment a driver logs into the app to wait for a rider. New York law requires rideshare insurance to provide at least $75,000 per person in liability coverage. These minimum requirements are designed to protect you when the driver’s personal policy does not apply.
Active trips and passenger transport
New York law requires the highest level of coverage once the driver accepts a request or has a passenger in the car. During this active phase, the rideshare company must provide:
- Mandatory liability coverage of at least $1.25 million
- Supplemental uninsured and underinsured motorist protection
- Required no-fault benefits for medical expenses and lost wages
The $1.25 million figure applies to liability coverage. No-fault benefits function separately and pay for your medical bills and wage losses within the policy’s stated limits, no matter who caused the accident.
What to expect when pursuing a rideshare accident claim
New York operates under a no-fault system, which means you must initially file for benefits through your Personal Injury Protection coverage to handle medical expenses. This protection works without regard to which party is responsible for the crash. Filing a claim for pain and suffering separately is permitted only when your injuries satisfy New York’s serious injury threshold.
How the phase at the time of a crash affects your claim
The phase active at the time of your crash determines whether $75,000 or $1.25 million in liability coverage applies. That gap can directly affect your recovery. Proving the phase requires trip records and timestamped app data from the rideshare company. An attorney can help you gather that evidence, file your no-fault claim on time and pursue any remaining liability recovery.