Rideshare accidents involve an insurance structure that doesn't exist in ordinary car crashes: coverage limits shift depending on exactly what the driver's app was doing in the moment of impact. Knowing which "period" applies is often the single biggest factor in what your claim is worth.
The Three Insurance Periods
Uber and Lyft both structure coverage around three distinct phases, and the available policy limits differ sharply between them:
| Period | App Status | Typical Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Period 0 | App off | Driver's personal auto policy only |
| Period 1 | App on, waiting for a ride request | Limited contingent liability coverage (lower limits) |
| Period 2 & 3 | En route to pickup / passenger in car | Up to $1 million in third-party liability coverage |
This means the exact same crash can be worth dramatically different amounts depending on whether the driver had just gone online or already had a passenger — which is why documenting app status is one of the first things to establish.
Steps If You're the Passenger
- Screenshot the active trip in the app immediately, showing the driver, time, and route — this is your clearest evidence that Period 2/3 coverage applies.
- Get medical attention and keep records tied to the ride, even for symptoms that seem minor at first.
- Report the crash directly through the Uber or Lyft app's safety reporting feature in addition to any police report.
Steps If You're the Other Driver
If a rideshare driver hit you, treat it initially like any accident that wasn't your fault — get a police report, exchange information, and document the scene. The complication comes afterward: you may need to determine and prove the driver's app status to know which insurer (the driver's personal carrier or the rideshare company's commercial policy) is actually responsible for your claim.
If You Were Uninsured or Underinsured
Some claimants also have a claim path through their own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if the rideshare company's applicable coverage is insufficient or contested — see our full explainer on UM/UIM claims.
Claims Against the Company vs. the Driver
Rideshare companies generally classify drivers as independent contractors, which is part of why claims route through a dedicated third-party claims process (often handled by a designated insurer on the company's behalf) rather than a direct company liability claim. Expect a slower, more document-heavy process than a typical two-driver claim, and consider getting legal guidance if the claim stalls or the company's insurer disputes which coverage period applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter which rideshare company was involved? +
Uber and Lyft use broadly similar period-based coverage structures with comparable liability limits during an active trip, though exact policy language and claims-handling processes differ by company — always confirm current terms directly with the applicable insurer.
What if the rideshare driver's app shows they were offline? +
If the app was off at the time of the crash, the driver's personal auto policy applies rather than the company's commercial coverage, which is why establishing the exact app status is one of the first things a claim needs to resolve.