What to Know About Uber and Lyft Accidents in Rhode Island

Rideshare accidents are more complicated than regular car accidents because the coverage changes depending on what the driver was doing at the exact moment of the crash. Getting the coverage analysis wrong can cost you six figures.

The four phases of rideshare coverage

Uber and Lyft split their driver's insurance into four phases:

• •App off: driver's personal auto policy applies. Nothing from Uber or Lyft.
• •App on, waiting for a ride: contingent coverage kicks in. Usually $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident bodily injury, $25,000 property damage.
• •Ride accepted, driving to passenger: full $1 million commercial policy applies.
• •Passenger in the car: full $1 million commercial policy applies.

Why the phase matters

If you were a passenger in an Uber or Lyft at the time of the crash, the $1 million policy is almost always available — which is usually more than enough. But if you were hit by a rideshare driver who was just waiting for a ping, the available coverage may be only a contingent policy that can be denied.

Who pays when you're the passenger

• •If another driver caused the crash: that driver's policy first, then the Uber/Lyft $1M uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to fill the gap.
• •If the rideshare driver caused the crash: the Uber/Lyft $1M liability policy.
• •If both drivers were partly at fault: both policies in proportion.

What we see adjusters try to do

Progressive writes a significant share of rideshare driver policies — and they're aggressive about disputing which phase the driver was in when the crash happened. App logs can be subpoenaed, but they need to be requested quickly before data retention policies delete them.

What to do right now if you were in an Uber or Lyft crash

• •Screenshot your ride receipt. It shows the time, driver name, vehicle, and route.
• •Note whether the driver had another ride pending or was between rides.
• •Report the incident in the Uber/Lyft app so it's on the record.
• •See a doctor. Rideshare claim adjusters look for any medical gap to discount value.
• •Call an attorney before talking to the rideshare insurance claims department. The $1M policy is a big prize and they'll defend it accordingly.