Figuring out how much insurance is available between 2 drivers of their own personal vehicles can be tricky. If you’ve been involved in an auto accident as an Uber or Lyft passenger or driver, the insurance issue is even more complicated.
This is because in Florida, injured passengers cannot sue Uber or Lyft directly if their driver caused the accident or was hit by an uninsured vehicle. Rideshare passengers must pursue their claims for bodily injury against the driver, who is then covered by insurance provided by the company while picking up or transporting passengers.
Passengers of Uber, Lyft or Other Rideshare Services:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
In Florida, anyone who owns a car must carry auto insurance that includes at least $10,000 in PIP coverage. PIP covers 80% of the injured person’s medical bills and 60% of lost wages up to $10,000. Even if you did not cause the accident, you must use your own PIP for your medical expenses.
If you do not own a car or live with anyone who does, you may be entitled to PIP benefits from the Uber or Lyft driver’s insurance.
- Liability (Bodily Injury)
In 2017, the Florida legislature passed a law, Section 627.748, Fla. Stat., specific to Uber, Lyft and other rideshare companies. This law distinguishes Uber and Lyft services—where drivers use their own personal vehicles, and rides and payment are pre-arranged using an app—from more traditional “for hire” transportation services like taxis or limousines.
Persons who are injured in an auto accident as Uber or Lyft passengers must be covered by a policy for bodily injury of up to $1 million. By contrast, Section 324.032, Fla. Stat., taxis and limousines only need to have $125,000 in bodily injury coverage per person and $250,000 per incident.
Drivers of Uber, Lyft or Other Rideshare Services:
- Coverage when not accepting rides
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- Driver’s own auto insurance only
- Coverage when the app is on, waiting for a ride request
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- $50,000 per person for Bodily Injury
- $25,000 for Property Damage
- Coverage when picking up passengers or during rides
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- $1 million for 3rd party liability for Bodily Injury and Property Damage
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage
Jovita Wysocka Ahava is a partner at Ahava Law Group, P.A., representing personal injury, auto accident, slip and fall, nursing home, defective products and medical malpractice clients throughout the Tampa Bay and Sarasota, Florida areas. Ahava Law Group, P.A. is a plaintiff’s personal injury law firm with offices in St. Petersburg, Brandon, Clearwater and Tampa, along with an office in Boston, Massachusetts. Attorneys Jovita Ahava and Ed Ahava have over 40 years of combined experience in injury law, litigation, and civil trials. Jovita is also fluent in Polish and is active in the local Polish communities. For more information on Ahava Law Group and our personal injury services, please visit www.AhavaLawGroup.com or contact us at (888) 554-9998 or Assistant@AhavaLawGroup.com.
