Rideshare Insurance in New York (2025)
Rideshare insurance isn’t a legal requirement in New York state, but your personal car insurance probably won’t cover you while you’re driving for a rideshare company.
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Rideshare insurance is a special type of car insurance for drivers who work with transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft. Personal auto insurance policies won’t cover rideshare drivers while on the job, so a rideshare insurance policy fills coverage gaps.
While New York requires all drivers to have car insurance, it doesn’t require rideshare drivers to have rideshare insurance. Many insurers offer rideshare insurance as an affordable add-on. The type of insurance covering rideshare drivers depends on the three driving phases they’re in.
Here’s what rideshare drivers need to know about securing rideshare insurance in New York.
Quick Facts
CSAA is the cheapest rideshare insurer in New York, at $161 per month.
Uber and Lyft offer their own rideshare insurance coverage for drivers.
Rideshare drivers in New York City must have commercial auto insurance.
Cost of rideshare insurance in New York
Rideshare insurance in New York is fairly expensive. Rideshare drivers pay an average of $387 per month for liability coverage and $491 for full coverage. The table below shows the cheapest rideshare insurance companies in New York.
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Best rideshare insurance companies in New York
Below are three of the best rideshare insurance companies for different types of New York drivers. Each offers different benefits and prices, so it’s important to compare multiple policies and prioritize what’s important to you. Your rates will also vary based on your driving record, age, and where you live.
CSAA: Best for affordability
Safeco: Best for customization
Liberty Mutual: Best for discounts
Rideshare insurance requirements in New York
Rideshare drivers in New York must have the following coverages before beginning to drive with a transportation network company (TNC) such as Uber or Lyft:1
New York state’s minimum liability coverage
Personal injury protection coverage
Uninsured motorist coverage
Financial responsibility coverage through their TNC
The insurance that kicks in in the event of the claim depends on which of the three phases of the rideshare process the driver is in.
Phase 1
Phase 1 is when the driver uses their vehicle for personal use, and the rideshare app is turned off. If you’re in an accident during this phase, your personal auto insurance policy will cover the damages.
Phase 2
Phase 2 is when the driver has turned on the app and is waiting for someone to request a ride. During this phase, rideshare companies provide limited liability coverage, typically in the following amounts:2
$50,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage
$100,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage
$25,000 per accident in property damage liability coverage
Rideshare insurance can cover any potential gaps your TNC insurance doesn’t cover.
Phase 3
Phase 3 is after the driver accepts a ride and is heading to the pickup location or driving the passenger to the dropoff location. During this phase, Uber and Lyft provide extensive coverage:
$1 million in bodily injury and property damage liability coverage
Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage (if your personal policy has these)
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Personal injury protection and medical expenses coverage
Medical payments coverage
Both Uber and Lyft have a deductible of $2,500.2 3 While New York state doesn’t require you to have rideshare insurance, it can be useful in covering some gaps not covered by your TNC. If you don’t have it and get into an accident while waiting for a ride, your out-of-pocket expenses could end up being quite high.
Requirements to drive for Uber and Lyft in New York
Rideshare drivers in New York must meet certain requirements for themselves and their vehicles before hitting the road. Here’s what to expect in New York state and New York City.
Rideshare car requirements
Uber drivers’ cars in New York State must:
Have at least four doors and be a car or minivan
Have four seats with seat belts
Be 16 years old or newer
Be in good condition with no cosmetic damage
Not have any commercial branding
Lyft drivers’ cars in New York State must:
Have four doors
Be from 2007 or later
Have five to eight seat belts
Not be a taxi, limo, or non-Express Drive rental vehicle
Not be titled as salvage, non-repairable, or rebuilt
Uber drivers’ cars in New York City must:
Have at least four doors and be a car or minivan
Be six years old or newer if driving for Uber Black
Pass an emissions inspection
Be in good condition with no cosmetic damage
Not have any commercial branding
Lyft drivers’ cars in New York City must:
Have four doors
Be from 2007 or later with approved TLC inspection
Have five to eight seat belts
Not be on the list of ineligible subcompact vehicles
Have New York or New Jersey plates
Rideshare driver requirements
Uber drivers in New York State must:
Be at least 25 years old
Have a current New York driver’s license
Have a valid registration
Have at least one year of driving experience in the U.S.
Have proof of insurance for your rideshare vehicle
Pass a background check
Have a photo of yourself
Lyft drivers in New York State must:
Be at least 25 years old
Have a valid New York State driver’s license
Pass a driver screening
Have a smartphone
Have a valid registration
Have personal vehicle insurance
Have a photo of yourself
Uber drivers in New York City must:
Be at least 19 years old
Have a valid U.S. driver’s license
Have a valid Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) driver’s license
Have a valid TLC-licensed vehicle
Have proof of residency
Have at least one year of driving experience in the U.S.
Have a valid registration
Have proof of commercial insurance for your rideshare vehicle
Pass an Uber safety screening
Have a photo of yourself
Visit the NYC Greenlight Hub
Lyft drivers in New York City must:
Be at least 18 years old
Have a valid New York State driver’s license
Have a valid TLC driver’s license
Pass a driver screening
Have a smartphone
Have a valid registration
Have personal vehicle insurance
Have a photo of yourself
Types of rideshare insurance coverage
While New York doesn’t require drivers to have rideshare insurance, your insurance company may require it, and it can still be useful coverage even if it doesn’t. Coverages may differ by company, but typical coverage options include:
Rideshare insurance FAQs
If you still have questions about how rideshare insurance works in New York, look at these answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about rideshare insurance in the Empire State.
Do you need rideshare insurance in New York?
No. You don’t need rideshare insurance in New York. But it can be useful in filling coverage gaps.
Do Uber drivers in New York have to carry commercial auto insurance?
Uber drivers in New York state don’t need to carry commercial auto insurance, but drivers in New York City must have a TLC commercial auto insurance policy.
Do you really need rideshare insurance if you have personal auto insurance?
While you don’t need rideshare insurance if you have personal auto insurance, it can be helpful in filling coverage gaps between your personal auto policy and your Uber or Lyft coverage.
What happens if you get into an accident while ridesharing without insurance?
If you get into a car accident while ridesharing without insurance, you could face significant out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, driving without insurance is illegal in New York, so you could face additional fines and penalties and could even lose your license.
Does DoorDash count as rideshare for insurance?
Depending on the insurer, yes, DoorDash counts as rideshare for insurance. Talk to an agent to see how the company views delivery drivers.
How does a rideshare insurance claim work?
A rideshare insurance claim works in different ways, depending on which phase of ridesharing you were in during the incident. First, report the incident to your rideshare company. It’ll assess your eligibility for coverage under its policies.
If you’re not covered, you’ll need to turn to your personal or rideshare insurance for coverage. Call your insurance agent and explain what happened to move forward with your claim.
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