When do you need rideshare insurance in Illinois?
If you’re a driver with a transportation network company (TNC) such as Uber or Lyft, Illinois requires you to meet the state’s insurance requirements for rideshare drivers.[1] You can typically do this by adding a rideshare endorsement to your personal auto policy.
The rideshare company’s coverage may be limited if the rideshare app is off or while you’re waiting for a ride request.[2] Additionally, Illinois only requires uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage during the passenger-trip phase of rideshare driving.
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Rideshare insurance requirements in Illinois
To drive for a ride-hailing TNC in Illinois, you must have a personal auto policy. Illinois’ minimum liability coverage requires the following:[3]
Bodily injury liability: $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
Property damage liability: $20,000 per accident
Uninsured motorist coverage (bodily injury liability): $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident
Rideshare trips have three phases. The liability insurance that applies depends on which phase you’re in when an incident occurs. The table below outlines how coverage works in Illinois:
Phase of Trip | Activity | Rideshare App Status | Personal Car Insurance Policy Applies? | Uber/Lyft Coverage Applies? | Required Coverage? | Rideshare Endorsement Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | Driving your vehicle for personal use | Off | Yes | No | State minimums | No |
| Period 2 | Waiting for a ride request | On | No, not without rideshare insurance | Conditional (contingent liability coverage if the driver’s personal policy excludes coverage or doesn’t meet the required limits) | State minimums | Yes (to fill coverage gaps such as collision/comprehensive) |
| Period 3 | Driving to pick up passengers through the completion of drop-off | On | No, not without rideshare insurance | Yes | $1 million total for death, injury, and property damage, $50,000 UM/UIM coverage (from passenger pickup to drop-off) | Recommended |
Illinois requires every transportation network company to provide drivers with up to $1 million in liability coverage during Period 3. TNCs must also provide $50,000 in UM/UIM coverage during Period 3.
But Uber and Lyft both impose a $2,500 deductible for contingent comprehensive and collision coverage.[4] That may be more than you can afford after an accident. That’s why you may want to consider purchasing a rideshare insurance policy.
Cost of rideshare insurance in Illinois
The average cost of rideshare insurance in Illinois is $110 per month for liability insurance and $215 per month for full coverage, according to Insurify data. The state’s rates are higher than those of neighboring states like Iowa, Indiana, and Wisconsin. This may be related to Illinois’ high population density compared to its neighboring states.[5]
That said, driving your own vehicle for a TNC with a rideshare endorsement is typically cheaper than buying commercial auto insurance.[6] Commercial auto insurance policies are generally intended for vehicles used for business purposes and may be cost-prohibitive for drivers who only drive part time for a TNC.
Auto-Owners offers the cheapest rideshare insurance coverage in Illinois, according to Insurify data. The table below lists the cheapest companies in Illinois for rideshare insurance.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-Owners | $54 | $99 |
| State Farm | $59 | $107 |
| Certainly | $74 | $213 |
| Progressive | $78 | $149 |
| Country Financial | $82 | $149 |
| Direct Auto | $83 | $169 |
| The General | $84 | $220 |
| GEICO | $86 | $163 |
| Erie | $90 | $163 |
| First Chicago | $90 | $222 |
| USAA | $95 | $174 |
| GAINSCO | $100 | $267 |
| Safeco | $100 | $155 |
| American Family | $102 | $188 |
| Mercury | $102 | $176 |
| Bristol West | $105 | $240 |
| National General | $106 | $209 |
| Freedom National | $117 | $255 |
| Elephant | $121 | $208 |
| Clearcover | $123 | $240 |
| Dairyland | $125 | $344 |
| First Acceptance | $126 | $307 |
| Travelers | $130 | $240 |
| Farmers | $139 | $255 |
| Root | $141 | $221 |
| Liberty Mutual | $143 | $230 |
| Allstate | $146 | $267 |
| Mendota | $146 | $288 |
| State Auto | $184 | $335 |
Shop for Illinois Car Insurance
Monthly full-coverage rates start at $99 for rideshare drivers
Best rideshare insurance companies in Illinois
If you’re in an accident while driving for Uber or Lyft, rideshare insurance can give you confidence that you and your vehicle are covered. The following are some of the best insurers for rideshare insurance in Illinois. Consider starting your search for a rideshare endorsement by requesting a quote.
Progressive: Best for deductible reimbursement
| JD Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale. | 648 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.7 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $58/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $111/mo |
Customers appreciate the insurer’s good customer service and initial affordability but dislike the consistent price increases and complex claims process.
The Progressive rideshare endorsement offers Illinois drivers coverage during period 2 of the rideshare, which TNC insurance doesn’t. That means Illinois Uber and Lyft drivers have UM/UIM coverage while waiting for passengers.
Additionally, Progressive offers rideshare drivers a deductible reimbursement between Uber or Lyft’s insurance deductible and your personal auto insurance deductible.
Many available discounts
Highly rated mobile app
Below-average number of complaints filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
Below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating in the North Central region
No discounts for vehicle safety features
Higher rates than many competitors
State Farm: Best for ease of use
| User Reviews | 4.1 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.3 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $44/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $80/mo |
State Farm's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.0 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.1 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 3.7 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 3.8 | 3.1 |
| Value | 3.7 | 2.9 |
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and personal attention but dislike the high prices and frequent rate increases. They also express frustration with the claims process.
Started in Illinois and still headquartered in the Prairie State, State Farm makes it easy to add a rideshare insurance endorsement to your policy. The company states on its website that adding rideshare coverage to your personal auto policy typically increases premiums by 15%–20%.
Your State Farm rideshare coverage extends beyond the insurance Uber or Lyft provides.
Network of local agents throughout Illinois
Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the North Central region
Below-average number of complaints on the NAIC index
Accident forgiveness not available
Negative Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau (BBB) reviews
Payoff Protector limited to State Farm Bank auto loan customers
GEICO: Best for bundling multiple policies
| User Reviews | 4.1 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9.2 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $64/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $122/mo |
GEICO's score | Industry average | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage options | 4.0 | 3.2 |
| Customer service | 4.0 | 3.6 |
| Discounts | 3.7 | 2.9 |
| Policy transparency | 3.9 | 3.1 |
| Value | 3.8 | 2.9 |
Customers appreciate the reliability and customer service but find the rates to be high and increase frequently, even without claims or accidents. The app has improved, but some find the claims process lacking.
GEICO is a good option for rideshare drivers looking to streamline multiple insurance policies with one company. In addition to auto insurance, GEICO offers property, business, pet, life, travel, and other types of insurance policies.
Uber and Lyft drivers interested in rideshare coverage must contact GEICO to learn more about coverage options and availability.
Highly rated mobile app
Wide variety of insurance products
Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating in the North Central region
No online rideshare quotes
Gap insurance not available
Negative Trustpilot and BBB reviews
Rideshare insurance FAQs
If you’re a rideshare driver for Uber or Lyft, the answers to the following common questions about rideshare insurance can help you determine the right level of coverage for your needs.
What’s the difference between rideshare and commercial auto insurance in Illinois?
Rideshare insurance is an endorsement added to a personal auto insurance policy that helps fill coverage gaps between your personal auto policy and the rideshare company’s insurance. Commercial auto insurance is a stand-alone insurance policy for professional drivers or business owners who use vehicles for commercial purposes.
What are the requirements for rideshare insurance in Illinois?
Illinois requires state-minimum coverage during period 1 and period 2 of the rideshare process, meaning when the driver has not yet turned on the rideshare app, and when they have turned on the app and are waiting for a ride request.
During the passenger-trip phase, the rideshare company’s insurance must provide $1 million in liability coverage and $50,000 in UM/UIM coverage.
How much does rideshare insurance cost in Illinois?
On average, rideshare insurance costs $110 per month for liability coverage and $215 per month for full-coverage insurance, according to Insurify data.
What is the most popular rideshare in Illinois?
While Illinois-specific market share data isn’t publicly available, Uber and Lyft are the two largest rideshare companies operating in the state. Nationally, Uber accounted for 76% of all observed U.S. rideshare spending in March 2024, according to Bloomberg Second Measure.
Sources
- Illinois General Assembly. "Transportation Network Providers Act (625 ILCS 57)."
- Lyft Help. "Insurance Coverage While Driving With Lyft."
- Illinois.gov. "Auto Insurance Shopping Guide."
- Uber. "Insurance for Rideshare and Delivery Drivers."
- U.S. Census Bureau. "QuickFacts Wisconsin; Iowa; Indiana; Illinois."
- Commercial Ride-Sharing. "Insurance Topics."
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 250 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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