You’ll need additional liability coverage if you drive for a rideshare company in Nevada. The good news is that rideshare companies usually offer this protection for free to their drivers, but it typically has lots of gaps in coverage. You can ensure you stay protected by purchasing rideshare coverage, which is available as an endorsement on your personal auto policy from most insurers.
Here’s what you need to know about securing rideshare insurance in Nevada.
Rideshare drivers in Nevada must have $1.5 million in liability coverage during most phases of a ride.
Rideshare companies require you to file a claim with your personal insurance first, whether you have rideshare coverage or not.
If you get into an accident and don’t have a rideshare endorsement on your personal policy, your insurer could cancel your coverage entirely.
Cost of rideshare insurance in Nevada
Full-coverage rideshare insurance policies typically cost $431 per month in Nevada. Without the rideshare endorsement, the same coverage costs an average of $309 per month. Each insurer has its own formula to set the cost of rideshare insurance, so it’s important to compare quotes from multiple companies.
The table below shows the average full-coverage quote for rideshare drivers from top insurers in Nevada.
Best rideshare insurance companies in Nevada
Some car insurance companies offer better policies, prices, and customer service than others. It’s important to compare multiple companies to find the best fit for you.
Here are a few great insurance options to help get you started.
COUNTRY Financial: Best for affordable coverage
State Farm: Best for customer service
GEICO: Best mobile app
Rideshare insurance requirements in Nevada
Ferrying riders around in your vehicle is inherently risky because you could be responsible for their injuries in a car accident. That’s why Nevada law requires you to carry higher coverage limits beyond the normal 25/50/20 minimum policy.
It’s also important to know that the moment you switch on a rideshare app, your personal auto insurance policy no longer covers you. Your coverage then depends on where you are in the rideshare cycle and what type of coverage you have.1
Phase 1: You’ve switched the app on but haven’t yet accepted a ride request. You’re usually covered by a state-mandated 50/100/25 policy from the rideshare service but only if your personal insurer denies your claims. If you’ve bought rideshare coverage, your personal insurance will usually extend throughout all phases.
Phase 2: You’re en route to pick up a rider. Nevada law requires you to have $1.5 million in liability coverage during this phase. Again, rideshare services will usually cover you but only as a backup option to your own personal insurance — unless you’ve bought rideshare coverage.
Phase 3: You have passengers in your car. You’ll still need to carry $1.5 million in coverage, either through the ridesharing company or your separate rideshare endorsement on your personal insurance policy.
Requirements to drive for Uber and Lyft in Nevada
Transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft set certain rules and conditions you’ll need to meet in order to drive for the company. It’s a good idea to think about how some of these requirements could affect your car insurance needs, too.
Rideshare car requirements
Each TNC sets its vehicle requirements by city, not the entire state. Drivers in Las Vegas may have different car specifications than in other areas of the state, for example.
In general, some basic requirement guidelines include:2 3
Car age: 16 years old or newer (10 years old or newer for Lyft drivers in Las Vegas)
Doors: At least four doors
Condition: No cosmetic damage or commercial branding (for Uber drivers)
Inspection: Pass a vehicle inspection
Rideshare driver requirements
Age: At least 18 years old (Uber) or 25 years old (Lyft)
Experience: At least one year of driving experience required for Uber (three years for people younger than 25)
Documents: Business license, proof of insurance, vehicle registration, driver profile photo
Driver’s license: A valid Nevada driver’s license
Background check: Review of your criminal history and driving record
Types of rideshare insurance coverage
The type of coverage available for rideshare drivers is essentially the same as for standard auto insurance policies; the only difference is the amount of coverage you need during each phase of a ride. It’s wise to consider other coverages to make sure you’re fully protected in case of an Uber or Lyft car accident.
Rideshare insurance FAQs
It can be tough to sort out what kind of insurance you need in order to drive for companies like Uber and Lyft, so here’s some quick, up-to-date information.
Do you need rideshare insurance in Nevada?
Generally, yes. Rideshare companies cover you with third-party liability insurance that’s secondary to your own coverage. But because private auto insurers generally don’t allow “business use,” insurance experts recommend buying a rideshare endorsement on your personal car insurance policy, which ensures your coverage will still apply.4
Do Uber drivers in Nevada have to carry commercial auto insurance?
Uber drivers don’t legally need commercial policies, but experts recommend buying a rideshare coverage endorsement on your personal auto policy. This ensures your private auto insurance will apply when you need to file a claim for a rideshare accident, which ridesharing companies usually require before their third-party liability insurance kicks in.5
Do you really need rideshare insurance if you have personal auto insurance?
Yes. Uber and Lyft insurance offer coverage that’s compliant with state law but only if you file a claim with your personal insurer first. If you don’t have a rideshare endorsement on your personal auto policy, your insurer could deny your claim and drop you from coverage.
What happens if you get into an accident while ridesharing without insurance?
You’ll have to pay for any damages or injuries you cause out of pocket. The state of Nevada may also cancel your car registration until you can show proof of coverage again, and you may be subject to certain fees and penalties since it’s illegal to drive without insurance.
Does DoorDash count as rideshare for insurance?
No. Nevada regulates rideshare companies that involve passengers but not ones that deliver goods.6
In addition, Nevada’s DMV states that drivers for DoorDash and other app-based delivery services “do not fall under additional regulation,” unlike rideshare drivers. Delivery drivers must have “higher liability insurance requirements,” although it doesn’t specify what those are.7
How does a rideshare insurance claim work?
Most rideshare companies require you to file a claim with your personal insurance first before their third-party insurance kicks in. You’ll generally need to do this even if you don’t carry a rideshare insurance endorsement on your personal policy, which means your insurer will probably deny your claim. Only then will the insurance from the rideshare company apply.