If you were recently involved in an Uber accident, or any other sort of ride sharing/ride hailing accident, then you may be asking yourself, “I got into an Uber Accident… now what?” Of course, no one plans to be in a situation like this, but in order to stay prepared, it’s best to know your options in advance. There are different ways this situation can play out, and our insurance agency wanted to go over each scenario with you so that you can handle any situation.
As an Uber Driver
As an Uber rideshare driver-partner, you are covered by Uber’s insurance as soon as you go online. If your Uber app is on and you’re waiting for a request, then Uber will cover you with their insurance policy for any liabilities or accidents involving a third party when you are at fault. Uber claims on their website that, “Coverage is at least $50,000 in injury liability per person with $100,000 in total liability per accident and $25,000 in property damage liability per accident. We maintain this automobile liability insurance on your behalf, if you do not maintain applicable insurance of at least these amounts.” It’s also important to note that if another person is at fault, you can make a claim against their insurance. Your personal insurance can cover you in this situation, but it’s important to check the details on your personal coverage with your insurance agent.
If you have already accepted a ride request with the Uber app on, you are covered by Uber’s insurance for three scenarios. The first is your liability to a third party, the second is any and all injuries that happen due to uninsured or underinsured motorists, and the third is collision and comprehensive coverage (but only if you already have this coverage on your personal insurance).
Now, while a rider is in your car, you have the same coverage that you already had on your way to pick them up, but additionally, the rider will also be covered . Lastly, if you are driving your car for personal use and the Uber app is offline, you will not be covered by Uber’s insurance for their driver-partners, but instead just by your personal auto policy.
As a Passenger
Essentially, if you are riding in an Uber as a passenger, Uber’s insurance policy also has you covered. Uber’s blog states that, “While policies can vary, as a minimum, it covers the driver’s legal liability for the death of, or bodily injury to passengers and other third parties (e.g., a pedestrian) caused by driver’s negligence.” Essentially, when it comes to the passenger, there is no cap for the insurance coverage; it is simply unlimited for legal liability for bodily injury due to the Uber driver’s negligence.
If you are in an Uber accident as a passenger, you can make a direct claim against the driver’s compulsory insurance. Depending on the situation, the details you need may not always be readily available right after an accident, but Uber can provide you with any and all details you need.
Although, there is a certain course of action that you should always take if you are in an Uber accident as a passenger. The first thing you should do is call 911, and take plenty of pictures of the accident or wreck. Remember, our mobile app can certainly help with this step. After that, write down names, phone numbers, and email addresses of the driver as well as any witnesses on the scene. After that, be sure to take a couple screenshots of your Uber ride and receipt on your phone, and finally, hire a lawyer if you’re injured or have any sort of medical bills after the Uber accident. Your lawyer should immediately send preservation of evidence letters to Uber and the driver who was in the accident, this way you can ensure they preserve all the data related to your ride. It’s important to have detailed/documented information involving the Uber accident, this way you are properly covered.
At the end of the day, we’d hate to see any of our clients or customers get into an accident of any sort, but in the off chance you do get into an Uber accident, we want you to stay prepared. If you have any questions about your coverage as a passenger, your coverage as a driver, or any other insurance related inquiries, our professional, licensed insurance agents are here to help. Reach out to us today!
